Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and shows up on nearly every Scotland itinerary for good reason. It’s a busy, historic city with plenty to keep kids, families, and adults all entertained, and it’s genuinely easy to navigate. Much of the city is walkable, and Ubers and other transportation are easy to find when little legs are done for the day.
We drove up to Edinburgh from Schloss Roxburghe in the Scottish Borders for the final leg of our United Kingdom summer trip.
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Where to Stay in Edinburgh
We stayed at the Residence Inn Edinburgh, which turned out to be a great location. It sits basically inside the University of Edinburgh campus, which makes it quieter than most other areas in the city while still being centrally located and walkable to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and most of the major tourist attractions.
This isn’t a luxury or fancy property. It’s clean, offers free breakfast, and fit all five of us in one room, which is really what we needed for this leg of the trip. I used free night certificates to book it. See exactly how I booked our entire United Kingdom trip here.
If you’re looking for something with more of a wow factor, a few other hotels in Edinburgh worth considering:
- Kimpton Charlotte Square
- The Gleneagles Townhouse
- Prestonfield House
- The Balmoral
Things to Do in Edinburgh with Kids
Edinburgh Castle Pre-book your timed-entry tickets. They sell out often, and you don’t want to plan a whole day around this and get shut out.
The Royal Mile After the castle, we walked down the Royal Mile and explored the pubs, restaurants, and shops along the way. It stretches from Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, so it’s an easy through-line for your day.
Scotch Whisky Experience This one didn’t work for us. It’s dark inside and it scared my toddler enough that we had to leave partway through. I think this would be a fine stop for adults or families with older kids, but it was a miss with a little one.
The Scottish Storytelling Centre One of my favorite finds on the Royal Mile. It has a great bookstore and is an easy, low-key stop to break up a day of walking.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse The official Scottish residence of the King, and worth a stop if you’re already headed down the Royal Mile.
Meadows Play Park A solid playground near the Residence Inn Edinburgh if your kids need to burn off energy.
Arthur’s Seat Sunrise or sunset if you’re up for it, but the middle of the day is probably easier if you’ve got toddlers with you. It’s a real hike with uneven terrain, so plan accordingly if you’re bringing little ones.
Grassmarket Square Great for wandering and street shopping, and an easy add-on if you’re already down near the castle.
Dynamic Earth Pair this with the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Arthur’s Seat since they’re all right next to each other. It’s interactive and hands-on, which makes it a good fit for kids.
National Museum of Scotland Free to enter and genuinely great for families. Plan for more time here than you’d expect.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh A big outdoor space that’s easy to let kids run around in after a lot of walking on cobblestones.
Princes Street Gardens Has a playground, so this is a good stop to break up sightseeing with actual play time.
The Kids Secret Garden A small playground-type spot near the Residence Inn Edinburgh, good for a quick stop close to the hotel.
Dean Village One of the most photogenic spots in the city and an easy, flat walk.
Calton Hill Similar views to Arthur’s Seat but a much easier climb, so a good alternative if Arthur’s Seat feels like too much with kids.
Harry Potter Fans, This One’s for You
The Elephant House Cafe Known as the birthplace of Harry Potter since JK Rowling wrote here in the 1990s. It closed for four years after a 2021 fire but reopened in December 2025, so it’s back and worth the stop.
Victoria Street Said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley, and it’s a fun, colorful street to wander regardless.
Greyfriars Kirkyard Home to Tom Riddle’s actual gravestone, which is a fun little pilgrimage stop for HP fans.
Alnwick Castle If you’re up for a day trip, Alnwick Castle over the border in Northumberland is where several Harry Potter scenes were filmed, Hogwarts flying lessons included.
The Jacobite Steam Train This is the real-life inspiration behind the Hogwarts Express, and we actually rode it during our stop in Glencoe. If you want to fit it into your trip, it’s worth planning around Glencoe rather than Edinburgh since that’s where you’ll catch it.
Outlander Fans, This One’s for You
Bakehouse Close The street behind here was used as the filming location for Jamie’s print shop in Outlander.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse Already mentioned above, but worth calling out again here since it plays into the Jacobite history Outlander fans will recognize.
The World’s End – A real pub on the Royal Mile that’s mentioned by name in Gabaldon’s Voyager (book three), where Jamie has to bail Mr. Willoughby out of trouble. The show’s version was built on a studio set, but this real pub carries the same name and history, sitting right on the old Flodden Wall boundary. Book ahead, it fills up fast.
More Outlander Filming Locations If you’re chasing Outlander spots beyond Edinburgh, check out my Glencoe post, where I cover some of the filming locations we visited on this same trip.
Where to Eat in Edinburgh with Kids
Dishoom One of my favorite restaurants, period. It’s Indian food, but it’s approachable and kid-friendly, and the atmosphere is lively enough that my kids were happy just people watching while we ate.
Oink Quick, walk-up hog roast rolls right on Victoria Street, next door to the Harry Potter shop. Good for a fast, casual bite between sightseeing stops, though seating is limited.
Duck & Waffle A buzzy, all-day spot in St James Quarter with brunch, dinner, and a relaxed vibe that works fine with kids in tow.
The Outsider Modern European food with a genuinely great Edinburgh Castle view from the dining room. Casual enough for kids, and worth booking ahead for a window table.
Ciao Roma Italian, easy and familiar if your kids need a reliable pasta night.
Tapas3 Spanish tapas, good for sharing plates if your kids are willing to try a bit of everything.
Salt Horse Casual beer and burgers, an easy low-key option with kids.
Lanna Bakery A great stop for breakfast or a bakery snack, but not really set up for a full meal.
If You Have a Babysitter… We Loved These Spots
When we’re in a new city, we love sneaking away to check out some of the world’s best bars. On this trip, my mom watched the kids for an evening so we could get out and explore a few spots in Edinburgh.
Date night spots:
- Hey Palu Cocktail Bar – An intimate bar with great cocktails and a fun atmosphere. Book ahead.
- Panda & Sons Cocktail Bar – A speakeasy with inventive, funky cocktails. Named one of the top 50 bars in the world. Also book ahead.
- Lamplighters – The rooftop bar at The Gleneagles Townhouse.
- The Spence – The cocktail bar on the ground floor of The Gleneagles Townhouse.
- Wedgwood – Classic Scottish dishes done well, a great pick if you want a proper sit-down dinner.
Classic pubs worth a stop:
- Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar – Classic pub food, right near Greyfriars Kirkyard if you’re already in the area.
- Albanach Pub – A Highland-style pub on the Royal Mile with a lot of atmosphere.
- Abbotsford Bar & Restaurant – A historic Victorian bar with real character.
- Deacon Brodie’s Tavern – Named after the inspiration for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and a classic Royal Mile stop.
If you’re lucky enough to get a babysitter, or you’re visiting without kids, this mix of classic pubs and proper date-night spots covers Edinburgh’s nightlife beyond the usual tourist rounds.
FAQs About Edinburgh with Kids
How many days do you need in Edinburgh with kids? Two to three days is a good amount of time. That’s enough to hit the castle, walk the Royal Mile, and fit in a playground or two without feeling rushed.
Is Edinburgh stroller-friendly? Mostly, but the Old Town has a lot of cobblestones and some steep hills, so it’s not effortless. A sturdy stroller helps, and a carrier is worth having as backup for the hillier stretches.
Do you need a car in Edinburgh? No. The city itself is walkable, and Ubers are easy to find when you need them. You’d only want a car if you’re planning day trips outside the city, like Alnwick Castle.
Is Edinburgh Castle worth it with toddlers? Yes, but book your timed-entry tickets ahead of time. It’s a lot of walking and some uneven ground, so pace yourself and don’t feel like you need to see everything.
Is the Scotch Whisky Experience good for kids? Not in our experience. It’s dark inside and it scared my toddler enough that we had to leave early. I’d save this one for adults or families with older kids.
Before You Go
I put together a free Hotel Upgrade Guide with the exact strategies I use to get room upgrades, resort credits, and better rates. Grab it below.
Want Help Planning Your Trip?
If you’re planning a trip to Edinburgh or anywhere else in Scotland and want help with accommodations, activities, or building out the perfect itinerary, I do this for families all the time and it costs you nothing.
Shoot me an email at [email protected] and tell me where you’re headed.
