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Edinburgh Family-friendly activities

Our most recommended Edinburgh Family-friendly activities

Edinburgh: Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour

1. Edinburgh: Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour

Enjoy a Harry Potter-themed walking tour across Edinburgh. See the city where JK Rowling found inspiration for Hogwarts, her famous characters, and discover the place where she wrote the books. Have your Harry Potter trivia tested with an audio-visual quiz, and earn points for your house. Find out which Hogwarts House you’re in, and whether you’re a pure-blood, a muggle, or a squib. Visit the Grave of Tom Riddle in Greyfriars Kirkyard, and pass JK Rowling’s golden handprints outside City Chambers. See all this and more on a magical guided tour.

Edinburgh: Skip-the-Line Walking Tour of Edinburgh Castle

2. Edinburgh: Skip-the-Line Walking Tour of Edinburgh Castle

Discover the home of Mary Queen of Scots on this guided walking tour of Edinburgh Castle. Admire the 16th-century Great Hall where parties and feast took place. Learn about the bloody history of the kings and queens who lived in this castle.  Meet your guide and walk to Edinburgh Castle which dominates the city skyline from its seat on the extinct volcano of Castle Rock. Stroll on the castle's promenade and hear about the the origins and sieges of the castle. View where the Royal Military Tattoo is performed. Enter the castle and make your way to the three museums and two prisons. Go to the National Monument to the fallen of Scotland and a canine cemetery. See the oldest building in the city at the Chapel of Saint Margaret. Be captivated by the grandeur of the Great Hall and a Royal Palace. After the tour you will have time to explore all of the buildings inside the castle until its closure.

Edinburgh: Chocolatarium Tour, Tasting & Chocolate Making

3. Edinburgh: Chocolatarium Tour, Tasting & Chocolate Making

Embark on an interactive tour of a chocolate factory in Edinburgh and enjoy the chance to taste a variety of flavors.Learn about the process chocolate undergoes to get from a South American cacao tree to a Scottish chocolate bar. Make your own personalized chocolate creations. Step into the Chocolatarium for an immersive experience, perfect for all chocolate lovers. Smell the roasting cacao and see how it is transformed from bitter beans to sweet, smooth chocolate. Immerse yourself in the process by tasting chocolate samples at different stages of production. In the Chocolate Kitchen, choose a bar design, select your favorite flavors, and create your own personalized bar, ready to collect at the end of your tour. While you are waiting for your chocolate bar to cool, take a seat in the Tasting Room. Hear all about Scottish chocolate makers, sample fine single-origin chocolate, have a cup of hot cacao tea, and choose your favorite chocolates to try from rows of chocolate-tasting jars.

From Edinburgh: Magical Highlands Tour with Hogwarts Express

4. From Edinburgh: Magical Highlands Tour with Hogwarts Express

Get first-hand experiences at some of the sets in the Harry Potter film series with your guide. Travel through Scotland on a bus to these locations, and conclude your tour with a visit to Glenfinnan Visitor Center. Pass some of the key film locations from all 8 Harry Potter movies as you lose yourself in the wilderness of Rannoch Moor. Discover the volcanic glen from "The Prisoner of Azkaban" en route to Fort William, where you will board the Hogwarts Express steam train. Cross the Victorian-era Glenfinnan Viaduct and get views of Loch Shiel from the "Chamber of Secrets." See the site of the Triwizard Tournament from "The Goblet of Fire" and continue to the fishing village of Mallaig to get some time for lunch.  You will board the coach from Mallaig where we will have a stop at the Glenfinnan Visitor Center for an excellent chance to photograph the steam train returning across the viaduct before you return to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Zoo Entrance Ticket

5. Edinburgh Zoo Entrance Ticket

Get closer than ever before to Sumatran tigers and the Penguin Parade featuring the knighted penguin, Sir Nils Olav, at Edinburgh Zoo. See exciting reptiles, amphibians, insects, and even prehistoric dinosaurs. Immerse yourself in the new walk-through exhibition included in your Edinburgh Zoo ticket and see prehistoric beasts come to life around you. Starting in April, meet awe-inspiring dinosaurs against the backdrop of Scotland’s capital. Discover the exhibition moving and roaring animatronic dinosaurs. Step into the past with a self-led family trail and discover more about what links the animals at the zoo with prehistoric creatures. The trail can be followed all the way to the top of the hill. Experience a busy program of educational events and activities - learn from keeper talks or enjoy a unique hands-on animal encounter. With plenty of children’s play areas, restaurants, and picnic spots, Edinburgh Zoo is an ideal family day out.  The Zoo has three cafés and several kiosks offering a wide range of hot and cold food, snacks, and drinks - whatever you fancy, there’s something to suit all tastes, offering excellent value and service as part of a great day out for the family.

Firth of Forth: Sightseeing Cruise with Cream Tea

6. Firth of Forth: Sightseeing Cruise with Cream Tea

The Firth of Forth is simply overflowing with myths, turbulent history, and fascinating marine wildlife. Join this boat tour on a 90-minute cruise onboard a superb vessel. Depart from South Queensferry, which is only a short distance from Scotland's bustling capital city of Edinburgh. Take in views of Blackness Castle, the ship that never sails and featured in Outlander and the Outlaw King. There are also views of Limekilns village, mentioned in Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Kidnapped'. It was from Limekilns that David Balfour and Alan Breck were carried across the Forth in a rowing boat. You will also see the Three Bridges as you have never seen them before including the UNESCO World Heritage Forth Bridge. For your comfort relax onboard with friends and family in the observation lounge or on the outside decks and listen to the guided commentary while you enjoy your complimentary cream tea. Spot the marine wildlife, during your tour, you will find plenty of opportunities to see a wide variety of marine wildlife including seabirds and seals.

Edinburgh's Amazing Harry Potter Walking Tour. Kids Free!

7. Edinburgh's Amazing Harry Potter Walking Tour. Kids Free!

Kids Free :) No need to book your children in, just bring them along You will see several beautiful Potter sights in this wonderful city and several locations that inspired JK Rowling to create the wizarding universe that we know and adore today. After we gather at Tron Kirk on The Royal Mile, the first stop of the tour is a view of the historical Waverley Train station. Trains being an iconic part of a young wizards journey. We then head to Edinburgh University Old College, and pop into the Old Town area to see a spooky graveyard & visit a shop down Victoria street which inspired Diagon Alley. We will also have great views of the famous Edinburgh Castle alongside many sights and buildings that inspired JK Rowling when she was writing each of the books including the famous cafe, The birth place of Harry Potter. This is a great tour for families & die hard fans of Harry Potter 2 hour walking tour

Edinburgh: Harry Potter Walking Tour

8. Edinburgh: Harry Potter Walking Tour

Experience a little magic on a walking tour of Edinburgh that is perfect for all fans of Harry Potter. Learn all the stories and secrets behind the best-selling books by J.K. Rowling in the city where she wrote them. Visit the original sites that provided the inspiration for Hogwarts and the characters who dwelled within its magical walls. Stroll along the High Street to see where Diagon Alley came to life and where Lord Voldemort is buried.  See the original Hogwarts School, and look at a virtual school assembly of its characters. Learn how Edinburgh’s own dark history of witches and wizards played a role in inspiring J.K. Rowling along the way. 

Edinburgh: Harry Potter Tour with Entry to Edinburgh Castle

9. Edinburgh: Harry Potter Tour with Entry to Edinburgh Castle

Se several beautiful Potter sights in this wonderful city and several locations that inspired JK Rowling to create the wizarding universe that we know and adore today. Meet Tron Kirk on The Royal Mile, the first stop of the tour is a view of the historical Waverley Train station. Trains are an iconic part of a young wizard's journey. Head to Edinburgh University Old College, and pop into the Old Town area to see a spooky graveyard and visit a shop down Victoria street which inspired Diagon Alley. Enjoy great views of the famous Edinburgh Castle alongside many sights and buildings that inspired JK Rowling when she was writing each of the books including the famous cafe. Following the walking tour of the city you will then head to the world-famous Edinburgh castle.

Edinburgh: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

10. Edinburgh: Witches and History Old Town Walking Tour

Uncover the magical history of Scotland as you explore the secrets of Edinburgh's Old Town with a costumed guide on this walking tour. Hear the secrets behind locations like Lady Stairs Close, Grassmarket, and Candle Maker Row. Find your witch-costumed guide easily and begin your walking tour. Hear historical tales that focus on witchcraft. Explore the Old Town and make your way to castle hill to admire the ancient Edinburgh castle. Walk down Lady Stairs Close to view the the Writers Museum which pays tribute to the authors Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis. View the imposing Gothic architecture at St. Giles Cathedral. Stroll thorugh Parliament Square and past the colorful shops on Victoria Street. Tread lightly as you will walk on the grounds where mysterious and sometimes sinister events occurred like the Greyfriars Kirkyard graveyard. Go down Candle Maker Row and finish your tour in one of the oldest parts of the city, Grassmarket.

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Frequently asked questions about Edinburgh

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What people are saying about Edinburgh

I enjoyed every moment of this tour. Kieran is amazing!! It was a pleasure to walk around Edinburgh with someone who really loves his work and knows so much about the city and HP. Highly recommend this activity to everyone :)

Alex was a brilliant guide. Great sense of humour very confident for his age. Blended the history of Harry Potter and Edinburgh into a wonderful tour thanks Alex!

Great experience,lovely site seeing, tour guide was great and very friendly he made it very fun would definitely go again

Great place to visit as a couple or a family could spend the while day their. bring good walking shoes

Great information the tour guide was lovely and very helpful would 100% go again