17 Best Things to Do In Edinburgh with kids
Edinburgh is one of those rare cities that combines storybook charm with real-world adventure making it a perfect family travel destination. From spotting a life-sized T-Rex at the National Museum of Scotland, to hiking a volcano or walking in the footsteps of Harry Potter, there’s no shortage of unforgettable things to do in Edinburgh with kids.
We’ve explored Edinburgh three times now as a family, with kids ranging in age from toddler to tween. Each visit brought new discoveries. Whether it was hunting for magical graves in Greyfriars Kirkyard by flashlight, climbing Calton Hill for sweeping city views, or enjoying Scottish Afternoon Tea after a castle-filled day.
In this post, I’ll share our 17 best family-friendly activities in Edinburgh. Whether you’re visiting with little ones or teens, this guide is designed to help you create a fun and meaningful Edinburgh itinerary that works for your family.
Let’s dive in!
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Best 17 Things to do in Edinburgh with kids
From castles, to hiking, to Harry Potter, to illusions. Edinburgh is a great family travel destination in Scotland that caters to kids of all ages and parents too!
1. Mary King’s Close
The Royal Mile in Edinburgh is the place where everything happens. You can shop here, go to the pub and visit lots of attractions.
The Royal Mile has two main attractions at the start and end. Palace of Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh Castle. Somewhere in the middle you can find The Real Mary King’s Close. One of the spooky things to do in Edinburgh. This is only the first one in this list.
Mary King’s Close is an underground site where you can check out closes, located under the buildings along the Royal Mile.
Closes are narrow streets with tenement houses on either side. Tour guides are dressed up as former resident which ads an extra layer to the fun.
You aren’t allowed to take pictures once the doors to the close open inside the entrance hall, but the tour is so entertaining and informative that we didn’t miss taking pics.
It can be a little spooky for young kids. Only kids aged 5 and up are allowed in.
Opening hours and ticket price
The Real Mary King’s Close releases tours on demand and have limited capacity. Check availability at least one week in advance to avoid disappointment. They’re only open a few months a year, so I hope you get a chance to visit this great insight into the past.
In August you’ll have a higher chance of getting in. We went twice, once in October and another time in July and we could book a spot the next day both times.
In August they’re open from 9.00am – 10pm. September 2nd to 6th from 9.00am – 9.00pm and from September 8th – October 9th from 10.00am – 6.00pm. From October 10th – October 31st the opening hours are 9.00am – 9.00pm.
Adults pay €30 and kids aged 5 – 16 pay €22,30.
Top Mary King’s Close tours
2. Calton Hill
The minute we set foot in a new city we always look for a place with views over the entire city. More often than not that’s a rooftop bar or a tower.
But Edinburgh is surrounded by hills and mountains. Enough possibilities to take a hike up and check out stunning views of the city. Our favorite is Calton Hill. When hiking up there, about 30-40 minutes from Holyrood Palace, you’re not only treated to beautiful views, but there’s lots to see up there as well.
Exploring Calton Hill is one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh. Which is awesome, because it’s a UNESCO world heritage site and entry often costs money.
National Monument Edinburgh
The first thing you’ll notice is the National Monument, in the beginning of the 19th century they tried to replicate the Parthenon (Athens) here. Weirdly enough it’s not finished. They ran out of funds 3 years after the built started.
Edinburgh City Observatory
There’s also the City Observatory (aka Old Observatory). More commonly known as The Collective where you can check out contemporary art. Entrance is fee, but you get a chance to donate some money to support their work with artists and keep the place afloat.
Nelson Monument Edinburgh
And the Nelson Monument, if you want even better views you can climb up this tower (closed for lunch from 1.00pm – 2.00pm). While the rest of Calton Hills sights are free, you have to pay €7 per person to climb the 143 steps up.
Dugald Stewart Monument
The one most people add to their panorama pictures from Calton Hill is Dugald Stewart Monument. Stewart was a professor of the University of Edinburgh. It’s a circular temple with nine columns letting the light and air through.
3. Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is a must when visiting with kids. The castle is at the top of the Royal Mile and is the start or end of this mile-long street (depends on how you look at it).
Before you walk through the gate make sure to look to the left. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Edinburgh’s New Town.
Military Prison
There are a lot of things to do at Edinburgh Castle. I’ll start with my son’s favorite. Pirates and prisoners of war used to be held in the vaults below Crown Square. A recreation of the vaults as they would’ve looked around 1800 is called the Military Prison. You can see the wooden beds, how they hung their laundry. Basically how they lived there.
My son had just seen Pirates of the Caribbean so he envisioned Jack Sparrow in the vaults. After all, the captives were Caribbean pirates, so who knows ;).
St. Margaret’s Chapel
Check out the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh: St. Margaret’s Chapel. It’s very tiny, but has some nice stained glass windows.
The Great Hall
Check out the Great Hall with its beautiful wooden ceiling and bright red walls. Kids will love the knight’s armour all around as well as lots of swords against and on the walls.
One O’Clock Fun
Every day at 1pm the One O’Clock Gun goes off. Since our eldest has some sensory issues we avoided this timeframe. But I think it would be an awesome experience for lots of kids.
There are old canons everywhere, so get ready for your kids to pose endlessly in front and on top of them.
These are some of the highlights for kids. But there are loads of other interesting things to see there. Grab a map with your tickets and get ready to spend hours at the castle grounds.
Opening hours & ticket price
The castle is open from 9.30am to 6pm from April 1st to September 30th and they close at 5pm from October 1st to March 31st. They refuse anyone who tries to come in during the last hour of opening.
You can buy tickets at the ticket office behind the gate or you can buy them online. Children under 7 are free. Kids from 7 to 15 pay €13,40 and adults pay €22,90 for a ticket. That’s not cheap, but you can easily spend hours here and we believe it’s worth the price.
There are also various family tickets available, depending on how many kids you bring and if both parents are there or you’re heading out there with kids solo.
Top Edinburgh Castle tours
4. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
The absolute highlight of the indoor activities in Edinburgh with kids is Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. Located practically next to the Edinburgh Castle you can find a place that will put huge smiles on even the grumpiest teens. And Insta or Tik Tok obsessed teens will be clicking and filming away the hours.
The illusions are fun, especially the Vortex Tunnel. It makes you wonder if you are moving or if the tunnel is.
When you check out the Camera Obscura you have the opportunity to check out the rooftop terrace where you get a great view of this extremely picturesque city. Don’t miss out on that.
Opening hours and ticket price
You’re unlikely to run into a problem getting tickets during your stay in Edinburgh. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is open daily from 9.00am – 10.00pm.
Kids under 5 are free. Kids aged 5 to 15 pay €21 and adults €27.
5. The Potter Trail
I promised lots of Harry Potter related activities and this is the first. It’s a Harry Potter walking tour. And you want to hear the best thing? It’s totally free. Now, like with any walking tour, of course you can do it without a guide, but in this case you’ll miss out on the stories. And you might walk by a spot you never knew was affiliated with Harry Potter one way or another.
What will you see? Of course you’ll go to Greyfriar’s Kirkyard and spot Lord Voldemort’s father’s grave, visit Diagon Alley (aka Victoria Street), discover in which cafe Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter Book and much more.
Starting times The Potter Trail
From April – October at 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm daily. Now this tour is very popular so you have to prebook. Make sure you do this well in advance during the summer when Edinburgh sees a lot of visitors.
Make sure to tip your guide at the end of the tour (by cash or contactless card payment). They provide you with a little bit of magic during the 75 to 90 minutes you’re walking with them.
Scottish Trans Alliance
A percentage of your donation will go to the Scottish Trans Alliance. The organisation behind the tour is very saddened by the comments Harry Potter writer J.K. Rowling continues to make about transgender issues. On the website of The Potter Trail you can read the following: “…we want to say very loudly and clearly that we love and respect trans and non-binary people. You will always be very welcome on our tours. We do not discriminate.”
I wholeheartedly agree with their message, because it’s important to stand in solidarity with the trans community.
Other Top Harry Potter Tours in Edinburgh
6. National Museum of Scotland
The national museum of Scotland is the top tourist spot in the country. In fact, it’s the most popular attraction in the UK, outside of London. It’s another awesome free thing to do in Edinburgh with kids. And it’s open daily.
You can see Dolly the sheep here. The world’s first cloned mammal from an adult somatic cell. Do you remember the headlines about Dolly?
And what about the skull of a 12 meter long sperm whale. It’s called Moby, after the famous Moby Dick. And a very well preserved skeleton of a T-Rex can also be spotted here.
Top National Museum of Scotland tours
7. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
If you want to get away from the noise and smells of the city and have some peace, visit the Edinburgh botanical garden. With a living plant collection of over 350 years there’s lots enough to admire.
Opening hours and ticket price
The Garden is open daily from 10.00am – 4.00pm from November to January, October and February from 10.00am – 5.00pm and from March to September from 10.00am – 6.00pm.
Entrance is free!
8. The Royal Mile – bagpipers, kilts and whiskey
Edinburgh Royal Mile is something special. On both sides it ends with a top tourist attraction. Holyrood Palace on one end and Edinburgh Castle on the other. In between you’ll find lots of other highlights, like Real Mary King’s Close and Camera Obscura.
The Royal Mile is 1 Scottish mile long. Scottish miles were in use until the 18th century. In English Miles the Royal Mile is actually 1.11 miles long.
The Royal Mile is not one long street. It comprises several – Canongate, High Street, Parliament Square, Lawnmarket, Castle Hill and Esplanade. The Royal Mile is basically where most of the magic happens. So let’s share what you’ll run into while in the heart of the Old Town of Edinburgh.
The vibe is lively. You can spot bagpipers wearing traditional clothing, including a kilt. And you’ll also run into street artists playing the violin or guitar singing Scottish tunes.
While walking on the cobblestones on the Royal Mile you’ll find lots of souvenir shops left and right. If you’re interested in buying anything tartan, this is the place to be. If you are a whiskey fan you can combine buying your favorite bottle of whiskey while wearing your new kilt.
If you’re ready for lunch or dinner, hop into one of the many family friendly pubs and try the local food.
An honorary mention goes out to one particular shop. No matter the time of year you’re welcome to shop for Christmas decorations in The Nutcracker Christmas Shop. Get yourself an ornament so every Christmas you’ll be reminded of that one time you paid a family visit to Edinburgh.
9. The Enchanted Galaxy
It’s time to go shopping at a very special store, a Harry Potter related one: The Enchanted Galaxy. If there is one city that knows how to capitalize on the popularity of this boy wizard, it is Edinburgh.
This shop was actually called The Boy Wizard Store, but Warner Bros. wasn’t a fan. They changed the name to The Great Wizard in October 2019, but finally had to settle on a more neutral name: The Enchanted Galaxy one year later.
After the name change they started selling memorabilia from other franchises, but rest assured this shop is still very focused on Harry Potter merchandise.
We visited the store first in 2019 when it was still called The Boy Wizard Store (as you can see on the pictures). But after our revisit in 2024 we saw that, yes, they now sell lots of other merch, but all the Harry Potter merch you can think of is still for sale here.
You can find The Enchanted Gallery in Victoria Street and touch the wands and buy the Nimbus 2000. Of course you can also buy candy you can see the young wizards eat in the films. We bought some Bertie Botts every-flavour beans (the earwax one is vile!) and a chocolate frog. This shop is a must for Harry Potter fans.
10. Greyfriars Kirkyard
Wandering through a kirkyard is probably not the first thing on your mind when planning a family trip. But Greyfriars Kirkyard is not just a kirkyard. This is the place where J.K. Rowling took an occasional stroll which led to inspiration for some of the big names in the Harry Potter books.
The graveyard is open 24 hours a day. With younger children a visit during the day is the best choice, but one of the best things to do in Edinburgh with teenagers is visiting Greyfriars Kirkyard when it’s dark.
You can book a tour, but we opted to search for a special grave in the dark by ourselves. While using our iPhone’s flashlights we were kinda spooked while checking the names on the graves in search of He Who Must Not Be Named.
Don’t look for Lord Voldemort or even Tom Riddle. It is actually Tom Riddel that inspired Rowling to use the name Tom Riddle. I won’t spoil the fun and tell you exactly where to look, believe me it is much more fun to roam around the graveyard in the dark, but if you’re tired of searching: it is somewhere behind the Flodden Wall Arch.
Oh, and don’t forget to search for a grave of a man called McGonagall, the inspiration for the female professor and head of Gryffindor.
Be mindful of the fact that this is first and foremost a graveyard. People pay their respects here which is a weird mix with exciting Harry Potter fanatics wearing Slytherin or Gryffindor outfits. I actually heard people shouting in excitement while passing by a person obviously paying a visit to a grave. It’s important to remind our kids that they’re at a graveyard and tell them not to walk over people’s final resting place.
Unless you opt for a tour, a visit to Greyfriars Kirkyard is one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh with kids.
Top Greyfriars Kirkyard tours
11. Greyfriars Bobby
Right outside Greyfriars Kirkyard, just across the street on your left, you’ll see a statue of a Skye Terrier. The dog’s name is Bobby, but people call him Greyfriars Bobby.
He and his boss John Gray were inseparable. When John died he was buried in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard. Bobby refused to leave the cemetery and stayed by John’s Grave. The staff tried to evict him, but he always returned and eventually they let him. They even made a little shelter beside John’s grave.
Bobby stayed by his side until his death 14 years later. He was buried in the same cemetery, just a few feet away from his boss. Why not pay him a visit while you’re looking for Lord Voldemort? You can even leave him a stick. Many people do and every now and then there are so many sticks the maintenance team has to get rid of a batch.
In the year he died an English Baroness, Angelia Georgina Burdett-Coutts, asked the city council for permission to erect a statue of Bobby at the junction of Candlemakers Row and George IV Bridge. The statue has become a famous Edinburgh landmark and a must do when you visit Edinburgh with kids.
You’ll probably notice Bobby’s nose is discolored. This is due to people rubbing his nose for good luck. Don’t know where that story came from, but you can try out your luck for yourselves.
12. Palace of Holyroodhouse
Edinburgh castle is on one end of the Royal Mile and on the other end we have the Royal Family’s summer home, Holyrood Palace. Queen Elizabeth used to stay here every summer. King Charles usually only stays one week during the summer.
You can see how royals used to live and explore some of the chambers that are still in use by the current generation of royals. It’s fun to see the Throne Room that is still used for formal receptions and state occasions.
The palace garden and the ruins of the Holyrood Abbey make for a nice outside stroll.
Unfortunately the palace was closed the time we actually had time to visit it. So I can’t give you my firsthand experience. But it’s high on our list for a next visit, because I’ve heard good things about it from other family travelers.
Opening hours and price
Palace of Holyroodhouse can be visited from 9.30am – 4.30pm from November 1st until March 31st. From April 1st until October 31st it’s open from 9.30am – 6pm.
As I mentioned it’s a working royal palace so sometimes closures can happen at short notice. Always check the website of the Palace of Holyroodhouse to see if it’s open to visitors at the time of your visit.
Adults pay €23,50 per ticket. Kids under 5 are free and when they’re 5-15 they’ll pay €11,75. People aged 18-24 are a different category for some reason. They have to pay €15,25 for a ticket.
Top Palace of Holyroodhouse tours
13. Scottish Afternoon Tea
Who hasn’t heard about English Tea? The fun and slightly posh afternoon gathering where you get served tea as well as finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, shortbread cake and lemon curd or other sweets. Well, the Scots have their own version.
All the classics of the English Tea are served and in addition to that you’ll find a touch of Scotland on the menu. A Scottish Egg, A haggis bonbon, Scottish smoked salmon you’ll find at least one of these products in some variation on the table.
In our case we were treated to haggis with a Scottish egg inside and finger sandwiches with Scottish Salmon. Haggis is finely chopped heart, lungs and liver of sheep, so it’s not for everyone. I really enjoyed the haggis and scottish egg bite, my son, ehh, not so much. But I’m happy he tried.
We stayed at the Radisson Collection Royal Mile Hotel, located around the corner of the Royal Mile, and made a reservation for Afternoon Scottish Tea in their restaurant Cucina. We very much enjoyed the afternoon tea, but at the time of writing they’re closed for renovations until September 2027.
A few other great Scottish High Tea options are:
- The more informal afternoon tea at Eteaket Leaf Tea Company
- Holy Cow for vegans
- The Wizard Afternoon Tea at the Cauldron for Harry Potter fans
- The one no one can top in both quality, style and price Palm Court at the Balmoral Hotel (children are welcome!)
Always make sure to make a reservation for Afternoon Tea in Edinburgh.
FUN FACT: Do you know that there’s a big difference between High Tea and Afternoon Tea. High Tea is more of a meal and tea, whereas Afternoon Tea consists of fingerfood and tea.
Top Afternoon Tea Tours
14. St. Giles Cathedral
The St. Giles’ Cathedral, aka High Kirk of Edinburgh, is located on The Royal Mile. So if your family likes to visit the occasional cathedral during a trip you’ll find it right in the heart of Edinburgh.
You can climb the tower for a nice city view and if you like you can join a guided tour.
Opening hours and price
Monday to Friday the cathedral is open from 10.00am – 6.00pm. On Saturday you can visit between 9.00am – 5.00pm and on Sundays from 1.00pm – 5.00pm
Admission is free, but you’re welcome to make a donation. Audio guides are also available free of charge and amazingly so is the guided tour.
15. Admire the colors of Victoria Street
The last Harry Potter related sight on this list is the presumed inspiration for Diagon Alley: Victoria Street. But I must say that even if you’re not into Harry Potter this street is an absolute must see.
Victoria Street is tucked away in between the Edinburgh Castle and Grassmarket, right in the historic Old Town.
This picturesque street is filled with colorful buildings, secret nooks and grand archways. On the right side (when coming from The Royal Mile) you’ll find terraces on the second floor where you can have a rest and a drink. You can also do some shopping here.
When lit the street looks even more magical, so make sure you see it in its full glory!
16. The Edinburgh Dungeons
Another one of the slightly scary things to do in Edinburgh with kids on this list is a trip to The Edinburgh Dungeons.
In 80 minutes you’ll get taught about the history of Scotland in a series of 11 different shows. It’s funny and exciting and you even get to go on 2 underground rides through the Edinburgh Vaults with spooky special effects.
We didn’t go, because our youngest was 6, but it looks spectacular and I would definitely go with teens.
You have to be older than 4 to enter, but they highly recommend not going in with kids under 8. From everything I’ve seen I personally would wait until their 10. Some kids are braver than others of course, but I saw a 10 year old outside who was really scared and had to be consoled by her mother. So 8 seems a bit young if you read all the info on the website and from the sneak peak I got inside.
Opening hours and ticket price
Kids aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets are cheaper when you buy them online. The prices I state here are for online tickets only. Standard tickets are €28 for adults and €23 for kids aged 5-15. Again, please note that they don’t recommend anyone to bring kids under the age of 8.
You can also buy combo deals that change regularly, so do check what’s on offer during your stay.
Top Edinburgh Dungeons tours
17. Arthur’s Seat
The last place to go in Edinburgh with kids is a hike up to Arthur’s Seat. Arthur’s Seat is a volcanic hill that rises up from the city right behind the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This is an activity that you have to make time for, because it’s quite the hike.
When planning your family trip to Edinburgh it’s best to decide if you can hike up to Arthur’s Seat depending on the time you have in the city.
Their are two routes you can take. Both start at the same point along the ridge in front of Arthur’s Seat. The easier route is ideal if you’re with kids under 10 and takes you clockwise around the ridge. After you get to the plateau (first viewpoint) you can continue your walk of take the same route down.
Following the path counter clockwise is not particularly hard, but the ascent is slightly steep.
Both options provide you with beautiful views over the city. For both routes goes that there are cliffs that are not always obvious until you’re close to the edge. Be mindful of your kids and hold on to your young ones.
Best Tours in Edinburgh with Kids
5 Things to do in Edinburgh with kids
These were the top 17 top things to do in Edinburgh with kids. If you don’t have time to see and do it all and only have up to three days tops, make sure you check out the top 5 family things to do in Edinburgh.
- Go to Edinburgh Castle
- Hike up to Calton Hill and admire the views
- Go to Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
- Walk the Royal Mile and check out bagpipers, have a Scottish Meal, check out St. Giles Cathedral and buy a souvenir
- Book tickets to one of the many Harry Potter tours
Things to do around Edinburgh
Have you seen all that Edinburgh has to offer and you still have time left? Here are some great options for day trips from Edinburgh with kids.
- City day trip to Glasgow
- City day trip to Stirling
- A boat cruise on Loch Lomond
Best Tours from Edinburgh with kids
Edinburgh itinerary for families
Now that I’ve hooked you up with a list of what to do in Edinburgh we’ll break things down for you in some (multi day) itineraries. Pick the one that suits your family’s timeframe best and enjoy!
5 day Edinburgh itinerary
If you have 5 days in Edinburgh with kids you’re lucky! You can do all the things on this list of what to see in Edinburgh. Edinburgh is very walkable, so it doesn’t really matter in what order you do things.
It’s most convenient if you spend about 2 days exploring everything along the Royal Mile and all the other sights in the Old Town or on the other side of the Royal Mile on 2 of the other days.
Reserve one day to hike up to Arthur’s Seat, do Afternoon Tea at 3pm to reward yourself after the hike and then walk up to Calton Hill for (depending on the time of year) a sunset view of the city.
4 day Edinburgh itinerary
If you have 4 days in Edinburgh you’re going to have to leave some things out of the itinerary. If you’re traveling with kids under 10 then skip the Dungeons and choose between hiking up to Arthur’s Seat or Calton Hill.
When you’re traveling with teens I recommend not going to Greyfriars Kirkyard during the day, but after dark, which is more exciting for them anyway. Same for Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, they’re open until 10pm. All the other things are daytime activities, so if you leave these two things for the evening you can do all 17 things on this list.
3 day Edinburgh itinerary
With 3 days in Edinburgh you’re going to have to cut some things from this list. Let me suggest a 3 day itinerary.
Day 1
The Royal Mile is your base for the entire day. We’ll leave a few things for day 2, or it’ll be too much, but most of the highlights on The Royal Mile will be on today’s schedule. We’ll start at the Edinburgh Castle and end at Palace of Holyroodhouse:
- Edinburgh Castle
- Camera Obscura & World Of Illusions
- Have lunch in one of the family friendly Scottish Pubs on the Royal Mile
- Take a picture with a classic red payphone booth, check out the street artists and do some shopping
- Visit St. Giles Cathedral
- End the afternoon at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
Day 2
- Mary King’s Close
- Victoria Street and a browse in The Enchanted Galaxy
- Greyfriars Kirkyard and Greyfriars Bobby
- National Museum of Scotland
Day 3
- Royal Botanic Garden
- The Potter Trail or another Harry Potter Tour
- Go for Scottish Afternoon Tea
- Hike up to Calton Hill or Arthur’s Seat
If you have time left on day 3 go check out the dungeons with teens.
2 day Edinburgh itinerary
In 2 days you can still check off a lot of the list, but we have to focus on the absolute must do’s. I’d skip a Harry Potter tour, unless you’re huge fans, because during your 2 days you’ll get to see most of the Harry Potter sights anyway.
Day 1
- Edinburgh Castle
- Take a picture with a classic red payphone booth, check out the street artists and do some shopping
- Have lunch in one of the family friendly Scottish Pubs on the Royal Mile
- Victoria Street and The Enchanted Galaxy
Day 2
- Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
- Greyfriars Kirkyard and Greyfriars Bobby (if you’re all Pottered out skip this for the National Museum of Scotland
- Go for Scottish Afternoon Tea
- Hike up to Calton Hill
1 Day Edinburgh Itinerary
One day is not a lot, but Edinburgh is a very walkable city and lots of the highlights are located near each other. It’s best to focus solely on things along The Royal Mile. Here are the must do’s if you only have 1 day in Edinburgh:
- Edinburgh Castle
- Take a picture with a classic red payphone booth, check out the street artists and do some shopping
- Have lunch in one of the family friendly Scottish Pubs on the Royal Mile
- Victoria Street (& The Enchanted Galaxy if you’re into Harry Potter)
- Greyfriars Kirkyard and Greyfriars Bobby or National Museum of Scotland
- Sunset on Calton Hill
Scottish food to try in Edinburgh
Of course there’s the one we talked about already: haggis. But if that’s a bridge too far just hop into any pub that sells food and order one of the amazing soups and Scotch pie (mutton or ground beef with onions and spices in a pastry shell). Cullen Skink (soup with smoked fish, leeks and potatoes) is a classic.
If you want something sweet try Cranachan, a pudding with a layer of raspberries in between and whipped cream and oatmeal on top.
How to get around Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a very walkable city. We didn’t have to use public transport once and you won’t either if your accommodation is in the city centre or Old Town.
But if the kids are tired you can always call a cab or uber or take the bus. The buses run frequently and take you all around town.
If you need to get from the airport to the city you can take the shuttle bus. You can get return tickets at the airport.
Bike
Edinburgh’s bike hire scheme is called Just Eat Cycles. Download the app and get a bike from one of the 63 locations across the city to explore more.
Car
Edinburgh’s center isn’t particularly car friendly. And finding parking can be a hassle. It’s best to rent a car when you want to venture outside of Edinburgh. And if you drove to Edinburgh, make sure your accommodation offers parking, so you can park there until you leave the city.
FAQ – Things to Do In Edinburgh with Kids
Don’t have time to read this article? Read this FAQ to get answers to the most common questions about things to do in Edinburgh for kids.
Is Edinburgh Castle worth it with kids?
Edinburgh Castle is definitely worth visiting with kids! This iconic fortress perched atop Castle Rock offers more than just incredible views of the city.
Kids can explore dungeons, see the Crown Jewels of Scotland, and even visit the Stone of Destiny, which has a fascinating tale behind it. The castle’s cannons and ramparts are always a hit, especially when kids imagine themselves defending the fortress.
For younger children, there’s a family trail to follow, and the costumed guides make history come alive with their stories of kings, queens, and battles.
Is Edinburgh Dungeon suitable for kids?
The Edinburgh Dungeon can be a bit intense for younger children, so that’s why I recommend waiting until your kids are about 10 years old.
The experience is a mix of live actors, special effects, and spooky stories from Scotland’s dark history. While it’s all in good fun, the dungeon does have jump scares and creepy moments that might be too much for sensitive children.
What is a must to see if you’re only in Edinburgh for 1 day?
If you have just one day in Edinburgh start your day at Edinburgh castle, where you can delve into Scotland’s history. After exploring the castle, stroll down the Royal Mile, soaking up the atmosphere, browsing the shops, and watching street performers.
Along the way, make sure to pop into Mary King’s Close and perhaps stop for a quick visit to the National Museum of Edinburgh.
If time permits, head over to Calton Hill for a short hike that provides stunning views over the city.
Finish your day with a visit to the Camera Obscura for some interactive fun and panoramic city views. It’s a packed day, but you’ll experience the best of Edinburgh in a short time!
Is the Camera Obscura in Edinburgh worth a visit?
Yes, the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re traveling with kids. It’s packed with optical illusions, interactive exhibits, and mind-bending experiences that both children and adults will enjoy.
The highlight is the Victorian camera obscura itself, which projects a live moving image of the city onto a viewing table.
Beyond the camera, there are several floors of exhibits that will have you questioning your senses, from the mirror maze to the vortex tunnel.
Ready to plan your Edinburgh family trip itinerary?
You’ve now got 17 exciting ideas for things to do in Edinburgh with kids. But before you pack your bags, don’t forget the planning side of things: where to stay, when to go, how to manage the hills and strollers, and how to balance excitement with downtime.
👉 Read: Planning a Family Trip to Edinburgh: Things to Know Before You Go for all the practical tips you need to turn your adventure into a smooth, unforgettable family getaway.
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