With so many places to visit in Scotland, Edinburgh is a must-see city at the top of the list. Edinburgh offers so many ways to satisfy a wide range of interests and ages – from Harry Potter scenes to scotch whiskey tastings. Some things for free and some for a fee, here are the best things to do in Edinburgh with kids.
With two full days to make the most of a first-time visit, I planned a joint family trip for 4 adults and 4 kids (from 5 to 10 years old) to see the top things to do in Edinburgh. Both the little and longer legs managed this itinerary in two days over a three-night stay.
And if you’re fortunate enough to have 3 or more days, see what’s on for visit #2.
Best Things To Do In Edinburgh
1 – Walk The Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is the stretch between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. Considered the main street that connects the two most iconic structures, it’s the busiest section of Edinburgh. Lined with shops, street performers, pubs and more whiskey shops than you can count, The Royal Mile is the hub of Edinburgh.
Bagpipes along The Royal Mile mull the bustle of the crowds and remind you why you came.
2 – Look inside St Giles’ Cathedral
Located centrally on The Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral is worth the visit. The vibrant colors throughout this Cathedral are like none other. Pay the £2 photography fee to capture the beauty of this working church; otherwise, entry is for free.
3 – Get dizzy at Camera Obscura
Added to the Edinburgh agenda to balance out the number of adult things to children things to explore, the World of Illusions over-delivers. Despite the dullness the building might suggest from the outside, this attraction is packed with things to do for EVERYONE.
Adults have to be urged to carry on even when children are over the illusion phenomenon. Truth be told, hours could be spent in Camera Obscura but with so many awesome things to do in Edinburgh make sure to manage your time on each floor.
Visit Camera Obscura before whiskey tastings. Otherwise, you might not feel well enough to taste test after a walk through the dizzy star tunnel. 🤢
4 – Try the Scotch Whiskey Experience
A visit to Edinburgh isn’t complete without scotch whiskey tasting. There are several places to try but most convenient and entertaining for all is the Scotch Whiskey Experience. Why?
The silver tour offers a barrel ride that explains the scotch making process. The barrel ride isn’t particularly fun for adults but a great way to get the kids on board with the next hour. The highlights of the tour include a movie explaining all the regions of Scotland where they distill and get their distinct flavors from, a movie that will have you planning the next trip before you’re even complete with this one, and a whiskey room that will completely overwhelm you.
Bonus: You get to keep the cool whiskey glasses with the silver tour.
5 – Tour Edinburgh Castle
At the top of the hill and overlooking Edinburgh is Edinburgh Castle. Highlights include seeing the crown jewels, the apartments, the dog cemetery, the super small St Margaret’s Chapel and the Great Hall. Arrive by 1pm and listen to the master gunner fire the gun near Argyle Battery (happens every day except Sunday).
6 – Explore Old Town
Wander around the Old Town and discover so many things for free. The streets alone are captivating and as though you’ve walked right into the pages of the Philosopher’s Stone.
Add in all the magic shops and millineries and you could end up staying all day. Be sure to:
Go to Victoria Street. This is the scene for Diagon Alley.
Look for the statue of Greyfriar’s Bobby. This is a terrier that guarded his owner’s grave for 14 years. Despite what some refer to as tradition, be sure to not rub his nose. Rubbing the dog’s nose is meant to bring good luck but is causing damage requiring ongoing expensive restoration.
Pop into Elephant House Cafe & Spoon and see where JK Rowling wrote parts of Harry Potter. And if you love flair, ask for the complimentary “the elephant house, “The Birthplace”, of Harry Potter” pin. They keep by the register at checkout.
Visit Greyfriar’s Cemetary to find Tom Riddle’s grave. Or if cemeteries aren’t your thing, go on your own self-guided Harry Potter walking tour using this site.
Find the hidden gem at the National Museum of Scotland. It’s not your typical gem – it’s the rooftop terrace on the 7th floor. Most people don’t know about it because it’s hard to get to. Find your way (stairs access is by “Scotland: A Changing Nation” exhibit) and experience 360° views of Edinburgh. Entry is free.
7 – Go underground via Mary King’s Close
Mary King’s Close is an underground of 17th-century streets where people once lived. It’s based in the Old Town off the Royal Mile but because it’s an attraction all of its own, it gets its own callout.
Truth be told we didn’t see more than the inside of the ticket reception and the book you can purchase because the tour was sold out. Be sure to book tickets in advance during peak summer months, such as July and August.
9 – See Holyrood Palace, the home of the Queen when she’s visiting from England.
At the other end of Edinburgh Castle, or one bookend of The Royal Mile, sits Holyrood Palace. The palace is open to the public for a fee when the Queen isn’t visiting. As luck would have it, we could only see the palace from the gates.
Even if you can’t make your way beyond the gates to see the inside of the palace, you can shop and enjoy tea at The Cafe at the Palace.
10 – Climb the Scott Monument
As you emerge from Waverly Train Station, The Balmoral Hotel is on your right and the massive Sir Walter Scott Monument is to your left. It’s the perfect indoctrination to your Edinburgh visit as you leave the train station.
11 – Go to the top of Calton Hill
Not far from Holyrood Palace or even Waverly Station is Calton Hill. It’s recommended to go to the top for amazing sunset views but with kids and the late sunset hour, try it in the morning to kick-start your day.
From the top you can see the coast of Scotland and the Castle. With monuments all around the hill, Calton Hill is a top thing to do in Edinburgh and all abilities can do it.
The “climb” to the top is a set of steep stairs. If wheelchair access is required, there is a road that goes to the top of the hill. Although it’s steep it should be capable with a powered wheelchair.
12 – Hike Arthur’s Seat
Perfectly seen from the base of Holyrood Palace or even the rooftop terrace at the National Museum of Scotland, Arthur’s Seat is best experienced from Arthur’s Seat itself.
It’s best to tackle Arthur’s Seat from the base of Holyrood Palace in the early morning (by 8am) when crowds are low.
The summit itself takes approximately 30 minutes, without including the ridge. If you include the ridge add another 30 minutes round trip. Plan on 2 hours for picture taking and the full round-trip hike, including the ridge. (Note: The 5-year old did not hike Arthur’s seat but the 8 and 10-year-olds did with no problems at all.)
13 – Shop the mills and whiskey.
Edinburgh isn’t fully complete without a tartan mill good to bring home, along with some scotch whiskey for later.
The Scotch Whiskey Experience store offers tons of great gifts, to include rare small bottles that are perfect for suitcases and traveling anywhere. Or hit one of the many dozen other whiskey stores along The Royal Mile, such as Whiskey & Wine.
For mill goods, the very best selection is at Tartan Weaving Mill next to the Edinburgh Castle. I’m fairly certain they are the best because I shopped every single mill shop in Edinburgh before deciding where I was going to buy. The Tartan Weaving Mill had the best options, best prices and best quality. It was the only place to buy small lambswool scarves for kids.
For a proper tweed jacket, blazer or dress, try Walker Slater on Victoria, though they also have shops in Glasgow and London.
If you have 3 or more days, add these coastal top things to do to your Edinburgh itinerary:
Visit Leith, the coast as seen from Calton Hill. Home to The Royal Yacht Britannia, this waterfront is a great spot for afternoon lunch or strolling the pier after a tour on Queen Elizabeth II’s former yacht. It’s a 15-minute drive from Waverly Station.
Feel the sand or catch some waves just 3 miles from Edinburgh: Portabello Beach.
Visit Blackness Castle, a 15th-century fortress, on the south shore of the Firth of Forth. It’s a 35-minute drive from Waverly Station
Where To Stay In Edinburgh
After researching and calling 20 hotels in Edinburgh to accommodate 2 families of four each, we settled on The Principal. Aside from it being only minutes from the Waverly Train Station, making it logistically simpler to walk to with luggage and children, it was one of the only rooms that would fit 4 in one room which was important to us.
The Principal Edinburgh is simply amazing but the concierge and our morning breakfast nook both made the hotel experience 5-star.
(Post a comment below if you’d like to receive the Edinburgh hotel list.)
Whether 2 days, 3 days or a week, enjoy these best things to do in Edinburgh.
Looking for more UK travel inspiration or itineraries with kids?
- Cornwall: A Summer Weekend in Newquay With Kids
- 5 British Events To Experience At Least Once
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2 comments
Thanks for such great information!! Our son is moving to Scotland for a year of graduate school. Would love the Edinburgh hotel list and any other tips that might be useful!
Thanks!
Hi Louise. How exciting for your son! Here’s my list of hotels in Edinburgh Scotland, including boutique, apartment, and B&B style accommodations:
Louise, Edinburgh is immensely popular so I did look into all of the places to stay in Edinburgh before settling on Principal Edinburgh for our Scotland holiday. I included a few links to a few places to stay that had odd names to make it easier for you to find. Let me know if you need others. I hope this list helps simplify your own research. Good luck x
Best,
Lori