Edinburgh is a fantastic choice for a holiday with kids. You can find many kid friendly attractions and places of interest for kids of all ages across the city: castles, museums, interactive experiences, parks, and much more. Here, we’ve listed five awesome locations in Edinburgh for families with children.

1. Edinburgh Castle

This legendary castle atop the hill above Edinburgh’s city center is one of the most recognizable sights in the city. Here, you can climb the ancient ramparts, enjoy a spectacular view of the city, admire the collection of historical artifacts on display, explore the magnificent castle, and so much more! Among the highlights of this landmark are the Great Hall, the Royal Palace, the Stone of Destiny, the Honours of Scotland, and Mons Meg. Edinburgh Castle is a perfect destination for kids interested in medieval history or massive stone castles.

Address: Edinburgh Castle, The Esplanade, Edinburgh

Cost: £18.00 – 19.50 (adults), £11.00 – 11.40 (children from 5 to 15)

2. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

Another noteworthy Edinburgh attraction is not far from Edinburgh Castle – Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. This place is fun for children of all ages, with over a hundred exciting and mind-bending exhibits. Test your senses in the Bewilderworld that hosts some of the largest, most sophisticated, and most popular illusions in the entire building, like the Mirror Maze and the Vortex Tunnel. The rooftop terrace offers a fantastic view of Edinburgh, while the Magic Gallery lets you interact with its many mesmerizing exhibits. And those are only a few of Camera Obscura’s highlights! 

Address: The Royal Mile, 549 Castlehill

Cost: From £19.95 (adults), from £15.95 (children from 5 to 15)

3. National Museum of Scotland

Don’t let the name fool you – the National Museum of Scotland is a much more exciting place to visit with kids than it seems. Apart from many galleries dedicated to art, fashion, the natural world, history, and science, this museum has many fun activities for children. Children can light up an Energy Tower, take control of a massive Chinese dragon, race a Formula 1 car, launch an air balloon, and there are so many other things they can do! The National Museum of Scotland is well worth a visit, especially if you’re with kids.

Address: Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF

Cost: Free for all visitors

4. Arthur’s Seat

For more active children, there are plenty of places to explore in Edinburgh. Located within the beautiful Holyrood Park, Artur’s Seat is a tall grassy hill that used to be an active volcano long ago. There are multiple hiking trails of varying difficulty up to the top of Arthur’s Seat. At the top of the hill, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Edinburgh and take a break from the chaotic and busy streets of the city. Also, access to the park and Arthur’s Seat is free for all visitors.

Address: Queen’s Dr, Edinburgh EH8 8HG

Cost: Free for all visitors

5. The Edinburgh Dungeon

If your children want to see something spooky and fun, we recommend the Edinburgh Dungeon. Here, you can learn about 1000 years of Scottish history through many exhilarating and dreadful experiences like the Courtroom, the Torture Chamber, Cannibal’s Cave, Greyfriars Kirkyard, and several other locations. The minimum recommended age for visiting the Edinburgh Dungeon is eight years old. There will be jump scares, loud noises, and many spooky stories. This attraction might not be for everyone, but it’s a unique and unforgettable experience.

Address: 31 Market St, Edinburgh EH1 1DF

Cost: From £18.50 (adults), from £15.00 (children 5 to 15)