Discover Edinburgh’s 200 best spots for a Families with Teens' trip

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

★ 4.6 · 16,184 reviews

Climb into Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, a five-storey tower on the Royal Mile packed with playful optical tricks. Work your way up through interactive exhibits, step through the spinning tunnel and mirror room, and see Edinburgh projected live in the camera obscura.

Original Harry Potter Tour

★ 4.9 · 1,462 reviews

Join the Original Harry Potter Tour to see where Edinburgh sparked Rowling's imagination. Visit the Tom Riddle grave at Greyfriars, find the author's handprints at the City Chambers, and win points for your house in the quiz.

alien rock

★ 4.8 · 391 reviews

Climb inside Alien Rock, a converted vaulted church in Newhaven with an unusual atmosphere. Work through top-rope and lead routes on varied walls, with helpful staff on hand if you're new to climbing.

The Climbing Hangar Edinburgh

★ 4.8 · 271 reviews

Try The Climbing Hangar Edinburgh, a sociable climbing gym in Portobello where first-timers and regulars share the walls. Tackle a few routes, then refuel with food on site in the relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

Lane7 Edinburgh

★ 4.6 · 2,321 reviews

Play late at Lane7 Edinburgh, a social games venue that stays open into the small hours. Mix bowling, darts, pool and mini golf with drinks, ideal for groups or a lively date night.

National Museum of Scotland

★ 4.8 · 60,185 reviews

Start your Edinburgh day at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street. Wander from industrial relics to natural history displays and world cultures, all free to enter, with a cafe for a mid-visit break.

Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour

★ 4.8 · 13,197 reviews

Step into Rowling's Edinburgh on the Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour. Wander through Greyfriars Kirkyard, spot the Tom Riddle gravestone and score house points in a quiz as you walk the Old Town.

Edinburgh Old Town

Explore Edinburgh's Old Town, the medieval heart of the city beneath the castle. Walk the Royal Mile, slip down narrow closes, and take in centuries of stacked stone architecture.

The Edinburgh Dungeon Entrance Ticket

★ 4.6 · 1,741 reviews

Step into The Edinburgh Dungeon, where the city's darker history comes to life through live actors and theatrical sets. Over about 70 minutes you will meet Agnes Finnie and the Sawney Bean clan before a final drop ride.

Dynamic Earth

★ 4.4 · 2,268 reviews

Head to Dynamic Earth, a family science attraction at the foot of Holyrood Park. Travel from the Big Bang to today through hands-on exhibits, dinosaur displays and planetarium shows.

Harry Potter Tour with Entry to Edinburgh Castle

★ 4.7 · 1,230 reviews

Follow the footsteps of Harry Potter's creator through Edinburgh's Old Town. You will walk from Tron Kirk to Greyfriars and Victoria Street, then use your ticket to explore Edinburgh Castle on your own.

Arthur's Seat

★ 4.8 · 5,171 reviews

Climb Arthur's Seat, the volcanic summit that towers over Edinburgh's Old Town. Choose a path through Holyrood Park, reach the top, and take in the city and Firth of Forth spread out below.

Royal Commonwealth Pool

★ 4.5 · 2,648 reviews

Dive into the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh's big indoor leisure centre with a 50m lap pool. Swim lengths, join a family session or try the obstacle course before warming up in the gym or studios.

Surgeons' Hall Museum

★ 4.7 · 4,836 reviews

Step into Surgeons' Hall Museum, set in a neoclassical building from 1832. Examine historic anatomy specimens and trace how Edinburgh shaped modern surgery, ideally with the guided Blood and Guts tour.

Edinburgh Playhouse

★ 4.4 · 6,041 reviews

Take a seat at the Edinburgh Playhouse, the city's 3,000-seat 1920s theatre. Catch a touring musical, comedy or live gig in a grand auditorium built for big nights out.

Edinburgh Castle

★ 4.6 · 110,311 reviews

Climb to Edinburgh Castle, the fortress that dominates the city skyline. Explore the Crown Jewels, the National War Museum and the ramparts with sweeping views over the Old and New Towns.

Real Mary King's Close Guided Tour

★ 4.7 · 4,514 reviews

Go below the Royal Mile on the Real Mary King's Close Guided Tour. Walk the preserved streets with a costumed guide who tells the stories of the traders and residents who lived and worked here.

Comedy Horror Ghost Bus Tour

★ 4.5 · 4,736 reviews

Ride a black double-decker through Edinburgh while a theatrical guide mixes comedy with ghost stories. Pass Greyfriars and the Royal Mile and hear tales of plague and body snatching.

Edinburgh Zoo

★ 4.3 · 14,860 reviews

Spend a day at Edinburgh Zoo, a hillside parkland in Corstorphine with generous animal enclosures. Join keeper talks, try hands-on animal encounters and hop on the free hilltop safari ride.

Portobello Beach

★ 4.6 · 6,967 reviews

Escape the city for Portobello Beach, Edinburgh's classic seaside stretch on the Firth of Forth. Walk the sand, follow the promenade, and warm up with a drink at one of the front-facing tea shops.

Princes Street Gardens

★ 4.7 · 27,304 reviews

Step into Princes Street Gardens, the green valley beneath Edinburgh Castle. Follow the paths past floral displays, memorials and a historic fountain, then settle on a bench with the castle in view.

The Meadows

★ 4.7 · 7,589 reviews

Cross The Meadows, Edinburgh's big, tree-lined park just south of the Old Town. Follow the shaded paths, spot the Processions memorial, and join the locals picnicking or running across the grass.

Calton Hill

★ 4.8 · 6,983 reviews

Walk up Calton Hill for a classic Edinburgh viewpoint just minutes from the centre. Explore the neoclassical monuments at the top and look out over the castle, the Old Town and the rooftops.

Civerinos

★ 4.5 · 2,266 reviews

Pull up to Civerinos on Forrest Road for pizza that locals say lives up to the hype. Order a thin New York-style slice or a whole pie with creative toppings in a small, buzzing room.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

★ 4.7 · 25,207 reviews

Spend a slow morning at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, a 70-acre collection of plants from around the world. Walk the manicured paths, pause on a bench, and finish with a cafe stop.

Cramond Beach

★ 4.7 · 2,030 reviews

Spend a relaxed morning at Cramond Beach, a peaceful stretch of Edinburgh's Firth of Forth shoreline. Walk the sand, time the tide for the island crossing, and finish with an ice cream.

Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour

★ 4.4 · 1,884 reviews

Try the Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour for a theatrical take on Edinburgh's darker history. Your costumed guide leads you through the lanes and down into the South Bridge vaults for tales of hauntings and torture.

Craigmillar Castle

★ 4.7 · 3,212 reviews

Explore Craigmillar Castle, a genuine medieval fortress on the edge of Edinburgh. Roam its corridors, cellars and prison, then climb to the roof for sweeping views over the city.

Edinburgh New Town

Wander Edinburgh's New Town, the Georgian counterpart to the medieval Old Town. Follow its ordered streets and garden squares, admiring honey-coloured townhouses and long views across the city.

Portobello

Escape to Portobello, Edinburgh's easygoing seaside suburb on the Firth of Forth. Walk the promenade, stroll the sandy beach, and finish with a coffee or ice cream by the water.