Edinburgh: The Perfect Gateway for Families New to International Travel

Taking your kids on their first international adventure is a big deal, right? And if you’re wanting to attempt it but are nervous, I’ve got a great spot to dip your toes into international travel. Enter Edinburgh, Scotland—a city so magical, you’ll wonder if you’ve stepped into a Harry Potter novel (minus the dementors, thankfully). It’s small, manageable, and the perfect place to ease into the world of international travel without feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation.

Why Edinburgh is the Ideal First International Destination

1. Small, Manageable Size Edinburgh is like the baby pool of international travel—no overwhelming waves of chaos, just a gentle, magical introduction to the world beyond your home country. You can explore its top attractions on foot, and the public transportation is so easy even your toddler could figure it out (but don’t worry, you’re still in charge). Plus, with a city this size, you won’t feel like you’re herding cats through a maze every time you leave the hotel.

   
   

2. Magical Atmosphere Speaking of magic, if your kids are into wizards, witches, and all things Harry Potter, you’re in luck. Edinburgh is where J.K. Rowling conjured up much of the series, and the city’s medieval charm and cobblestone streets will have you believing in magic (even if your little ones start waving wands and shouting spells at random pigeons). The city’s history is so rich, you might even find yourself transported back in time—just don’t expect WiFi back then.

   
   

3. English-Speaking and Family-Friendly Worried about language barriers? Worry not. Edinburgh speaks your language—literally. The Scottish accent might take a few minutes (or days) to get used to, but hey, that’s part of the fun. And if you still can’t understand someone, just nod and smile; they’ll think you’re friendly, and you can pretend you’re mastering a new language. The city is also incredibly welcoming to families, with activities that’ll keep everyone entertained—from the youngest Muggle to the oldest wizard.

   
   

4. Safety Scotland overall is a very safe country, and while you should ALWAYS be on guard no matter where you travel, it’s certainly not as stressful as a location safety wise as some countries.

Some Cons to Edinburgh Being Your First International Trip with Kids:

1. Travel day  Edinburgh because of it’s smaller size often requires a connecting flight to get there.  This makes the travel day longer and more airports to navigate.

   
   

2. Public Transport While this is a pro it can also be a con. It isn’t like London that has the easiest public transit ever but with a lot more crowds. Edinburgh is much smaller which means smaller public transit but also smaller crowds.

   
   

Family-Friendly Itinerary for Edinburgh

Here’s a week-long (well 8 days really) itinerary that mixes magic, history, and the great outdoors. And yes, there’s even a day trip to the beach—because why not? I’ve broken it down by different age ranges.

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration

• All Ages:

  • Morning: Arrive in Edinburgh and settle into your accommodation.

  • Afternoon: Take a leisurely stroll along the Royal Mile, explore the vibrant street performances, and enjoy the historical architecture.

  • Evening: Dinner at a family-friendly restaurant.  Suggestion: Oink on Victoria Street, where you can enjoy a Scottish pulled pork sandwich. If you’re feeling brave, try the haggis. Just don’t ask too many questions about what’s in it—some mysteries are better left unsolved.

Day 2: Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens

• Preschool Kids:

  • Morning: Visit Edinburgh Castle. Explore the Great Hall and visit the Crown Jewels. The views from the castle will captivate even the youngest visitors.

  • Afternoon: Playtime in Princes Street Gardens. The gardens have plenty of open space for running around and a playground with swings and slides.

• Elementary Kids:

  • Morning: Edinburgh Castle visit. Don't miss the One O'Clock Gun and the dungeons for a touch of history and excitement.

  • Afternoon: Explore Princes Street Gardens, and take a ride on the Edinburgh Wheel for a bird's-eye view of the city.

• Preteens/Teens:

  • Morning: Dive into history at Edinburgh Castle, with special attention to the War Museum and the historical exhibits.

  • Afternoon: Walk around Princes Street Gardens and enjoy a challenge at the Ross Fountain maze.

Day 3: Outdoor Adventure - Arthur's Seat

• All Ages:

  • Morning: Hike up Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano that offers stunning views of the city. The hike is moderate and can be adjusted based on the family's ability. We took our 3 and 4 year olds up partially in baby carriers, and they walked a good portion of it themselves.

  • Afternoon: Enjoy a picnic lunch at Holyrood Park. Spend time exploring the park, which has lots of space for kids to run and play.

  • Evening: Relax back at the hotel or enjoy a simple dinner nearby.

Day 4: Dynamic Earth and Tantallon Castle

• Preschool Kids:

  • Morning: Visit Dynamic Earth, an interactive science museum that brings Earth’s history to life. Toddlers will love the sensory experiences and the "4D" show.

  • Afternoon: Visit Tantallon Castle. This is an old castle with epic views of the Scottish country side. Worth a visit for sure. Here’s information on how to get there.

• Elementary Kids:

  • Morning: Dynamic Earth exploration with a focus on the time-traveling exhibits. Participate in any family-friendly workshops or events.

  • Afternoon: Visit Tantallon Castle. This is an old castle with epic views of the Scottish country side. Worth a visit for sure. Here’s information on how to get there.

• Preteens/Teens:

  • Morning: Spend time at Dynamic Earth focusing on the more complex scientific concepts and the interactive exhibits.

  • Afternoon: Visit Tantallon Castle. This is an old castle with epic views of the Scottish country side. Worth a visit for sure. Here’s information on how to get there.

Day 5: Day Trip to the Highlands and Loch Lomond

• All Ages:

  • Morning: Depart for a day trip to the Scottish Highlands and Loch Lomond. Drive through scenic landscapes, stopping at photo spots along the way. This drive can be longer or shorter depending on how far you choose to go. See the end of this blog post for more information about renting a car vs hiring a tour company for this day trip.

  • Afternoon: Enjoy a boat tour on Loch Lomond. Older kids and teens may appreciate the legend and history of the loch.

  • Evening: Return to Edinburgh for a relaxed dinner.

Day 6: National Museum of Scotland and Camera Obscura

• Preschool Kids:

  • Morning: Visit the National Museum of Scotland. Focus on the interactive exhibits in the Imagine Gallery, perfect for little hands and curious minds.

  • Afternoon: Explore Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. The exhibits are playful and colorful, ideal for engaging younger children. You seriously don’t want to miss this one. This is one of our favorite museum experiences ever!

• Elementary Kids:

  • Morning: National Museum of Scotland visit. Explore the Natural World galleries and interactive exhibits.

  • Afternoon: Camera Obscura and World of Illusions visit, with special attention to the optical illusions and rooftop views.

• Preteens/Teens:

  • Morning: Explore the National Museum of Scotland, focusing on the technology and history exhibits.

  • Afternoon: Camera Obscura experience, where teens can enjoy the mind-bending illusions and rooftop views of the city.

Day 7: Day Trip to North Berwick Beach

• All Ages

  • Morning: Head to North Berwick Beach—a quick train ride from Edinburgh (because yes, Scotland has beaches, and no, they’re not always freezing).

  • Afternoon: Explore the seaside town of North Berwick. You can visit the Scottish Seabird Centre, take a boat trip to see puffins, or just let the kids run wild on the sand.

  • Evening: Return to Edinburgh with sandy shoes and a suitcase full of memories.

  • Dinner: Enjoy a final meal at The Witchery by the Castle. It’s a splurge, but the magical atmosphere will make you feel like you’re dining in a fairy tale—just be sure to book ahead.

    
    

Day 8: Royal Botanic Garden and Departure

• All Ages:

  • Morning: Spend your last morning at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. It’s a peaceful way to end your trip, and the kids can burn off any last-minute energy before the flight home.

  • Afternoon: Pack up, check out, and congratulate yourself on successfully surviving (and thriving) during your first international family trip.

  • Evening: Depart Edinburgh, ready to plan your next adventure (or sleep for a week).

Other fun options:

• Edinburgh Zoo

• Harry Potter Tour (guided or you can make your own up)

• Shopping along the Royal Mile

• Museum of Childhood

• The Chocolatorium

• For preschool age kids we highly recommend looking up the public library and find story time. This is something we always did back home at that age and we LOVED listening to story time in Scottish accents.

  
  

Booking a Day Trip Without the Stress of Driving

While our family prefers renting a car and driving in most international destinations, I know that’s not for everyone. But hear me out before I offer some tour company ideas. You can often rent a car just for the day (or even two) in the center of cities.  Some rental car companies will even deliver the car to your hotel for you. We love the freedom and the flexibility of driving, especially when we are traveling with small kids. Bored? If you have a car you have the freedom to just change course and move along. And we quickly learned that driving abroad really feels like driving at home to a new location, turn on your navigation and follow the signs. Keep in mind however that the UK does drive on the other side of the road and that can definitely throw people for a loop. And if you have to rent an automatic transmission vs a manual, expect to pay more. Still renting a car that fits your family is often cheaper than paying for a full day group tour. But if you’re leery of driving, trust me, we understand. Do what you are most comfortable with. But if you’re cheap like us and have a little bit of adventure in you…try renting for a day.

Now…if the idea of driving on the left side of the road sends you into a mild panic, don’t worry—Edinburgh’s got you covered. Here are some tour companies that will do the driving while you sit back and enjoy the scenery: (do your research on these companies, I have not tested any of these out)

• Rabbie's Tours: Perfect for small-group tours that feel personal and relaxed—just like how you’ll feel knowing someone else is driving.

• Highland Experience Tours: A range of day trips that are as kid-friendly as they are scenic. Bonus: no backseat driving required.

• Timberbush Tours: Known for itineraries that are so well-planned, you won’t have to think about anything—except maybe which snack to eat next.

• Gray Line Scotland: Comfortable coach tours with stops that will keep the whole family entertained. It’s like a big, comfy sofa on wheels.

• Discover Scotland Tours: Small-group tours focused on the natural beauty of Scotland. No GPS mishaps, just beautiful views and happy kids.

You can book these tours online, meaning you can plan your day trip without leaving the comfort of your couch—or your sanity. Do your research on these and read the reviews on their websites and other sites.

Final Thoughts: Edinburgh – Your Family’s First International Adventure

Edinburgh is the perfect starting point for families who want to test the international travel waters without diving in headfirst. It’s manageable, magical, and, most importantly, it speaks your language (even if you have to ask the locals to slow down every now and then).

So go ahead—pack your bags, grab your kids, and get ready for a family adventure that’ll have you wondering why you didn’t start traveling internationally sooner. Edinburgh’s got the charm, the history, and just the right amount of magic to make your first international trip one you’ll never forget.

And remember, making sure you are covered for any unforseen issues while traveling, it's important to get Travel Insurance. You especially want to get coverage when traveling with kids as kids are more likely to get sick or injured (at least that's how it works in our family). We got stuck with a hefty bill when our daughter broke her arm at the park in London and we did NOT have travel insurance. Click here for a link to my favorite travel insurance companies.

And who knows? After this, you might just be ready to take on the world—one magical city at a time. And if you end up loving haggis? Well, that’s a bonus.