Discover Edinburgh’s 200 best spots for a Multigenerational Groups' trip

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

★ 4.6 · 7,821 reviews

Hop on and off in Edinburgh to see the castle, the Royal Mile and Holyrood at your own pace. Listen to commentary in your language, with a special version for children.

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.

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.

Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour

★ 4.3 · 1,237 reviews

Get your bearings with the Edinburgh Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour. Ride past the Castle, Grassmarket, Holyrood and the Royal Mile with audio commentary, and step off wherever something catches your eye.

Royal Attractions with Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours

★ 4.7 · 3,162 reviews

Cover Edinburgh's royal highlights with the Royal Attractions and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus pass. Tour the castle, Holyroodhouse and Britannia, using the three bus routes to move between the centre and Leith.

Queensferry: 'Firth of Forth' Three Bridges Sightseeing Cruise

★ 4.7 · 2,759 reviews

Set sail on the Firth of Forth Three Bridges cruise from South Queensferry. Glide beneath the rail, road and cantilever spans while commentary fills in their story, and keep an eye out for seals, seabirds and porpoises along the coast.

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.

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.

Vintage Bus Tour with Afternoon Tea or Gin

★ 4.3 · 813 reviews

Climb aboard the Vintage Bus Tour for afternoon tea on wheels in Edinburgh. You'll sip prosecco, work through sandwiches, scones and cakes, and watch the city's landmarks roll past, with the option of a gin cocktail in a teapot.

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.

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.

The Royal Yacht Britannia Ticket

★ 4.9 · 3,285 reviews

Board Britannia, the royal family's former floating home, in Leith. With audio interpretation you will tour five decks, from the State Apartments to the crew quarters and engine room.

St Giles' Cathedral

★ 4.6 · 13,535 reviews

Walk into St Giles' Cathedral, the crowned Gothic landmark at the heart of the Royal Mile. Inside, take in the carved details and calm atmosphere that contrast with the busy street outside.

Saughton Park

Head west to Saughton Park, a relaxed local green space that suits families and unhurried walkers alike. Spend an hour on the paths, enjoying the park's tidy, attractive setting.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

★ 4.6 · 23,633 reviews

Walk through the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Stuart dynasty's historic seat at the end of the Royal Mile. Follow the multimedia guide through royal reception rooms, then explore the atmospheric ruins of Holyrood Abbey.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

★ 4.7 · 14,286 reviews

Learn how Edinburgh Castle shaped Scottish history on a guided walk up Castle Rock. After the outdoor briefing, enter with your ticket and explore the museums, prisons and royal buildings freely.

Festival Theatre

★ 4.7 · 4,176 reviews

Catch a show at the Festival Theatre, home to Scotland's largest stage in central Edinburgh. Watch national ballet, opera or a touring production in a handsome, well-run venue.

Topping & Company Booksellers of Edinburgh

★ 4.9 · 2,785 reviews

Discover Topping & Company Booksellers, Edinburgh's grand bookshop of towering shelves and rolling ladders. Browse a broad range, enjoy tea in a warm atmosphere, and linger into the evening, as it stays open until 21:00.

Gladstone's Land (National Trust for Scotland)

★ 4.5 · 1,096 reviews

Step inside Gladstone's Land, a merchant's tenement on the Royal Mile with four centuries of history. Wander the furnished floors at your own pace and chat with the volunteers who bring each room to life.