75Northern Powerhouse for Parents
Manchester
United Kingdom
Europe
Manchester's flat terrain, modern tram system, and friendly locals make it surprisingly great for strollers.
Best stroller: Compact
United Kingdom
Edinburgh
53/100Dramatic but Demanding📊 Medium confidence
Edinburgh's dramatic hills and cobblestones make it tough - stick to New Town and modern areas for easier strolling.
✅
Bring your stroller
This city is stroller-friendly. All-terrain strollers work best.
Key Factors
- •Generally manageable
- •All-terrain stroller recommended
Watch Out For
⚠️Royal Mile
Edinburgh scores 53/100 on our stroller-friendliness scale. Below you'll find a full breakdown of terrain, transit accessibility, and family facilities — plus neighborhood-level tips and stroller vs. carrier advice for Edinburgh.
📋 The Bottom Line
Edinburgh is one of Europe's most beautiful cities but also one of its most challenging for strollers. The Old Town is built on a volcanic ridge with steep closes (alleyways), cobblestones everywhere, and the Royal Mile on a constant slope. The New Town is significantly easier - Georgian grid streets with smoother surfaces. Princes Street Gardens have accessible paths but steep approaches. The castle is essentially inaccessible with a stroller. However, Edinburgh people are incredibly helpful and will offer to help carry your stroller up stairs.
Quick Facts
Overall Score53/100
Best StrollerAll-terrain
Biggest ChallengeRoyal Mile
Data Quality📊 Medium confidence
Gear Recommendations
- 🎒Sturdy all-terrain stroller with good brakes
- 🎒Carrier essential for Old Town exploration
- 🎒Rain cover (Edinburgh weather is unpredictable)
- 🎒Wrist strap for steep downhills
Edinburgh Stroller Score Breakdown
Smooth Surfaces5/10
Uneven surfaces common
Flatness4/10
Noticeable hills in places
Public Transit6/10
Good transit, some gaps
Elevators & Ramps5/10
Elevators hit-or-miss
Family Facilities6/10
Good facilities in main areas
Space & Comfort4/10
Crowded in popular areas
Family Welcome8/10
Locals love kids!
Best & Worst Areas for Strollers in Edinburgh
🟢 Where It's Easy ✓
- •New Town - Georgian grid, flatter, smoother surfaces
- •Princes Street - Main shopping, relatively flat
- •Leith waterfront - Flat, modern, restaurants
- •Inverleith Park - Flat, near Botanic Gardens
- •Ocean Terminal area - Modern, flat, shopping
🟡 Where You'll Struggle ⚠
- •Royal Mile - Steep slope, cobblestones, crowds
- •Edinburgh Castle - Steps, steep approach
- •Grassmarket - Cobbled, steep access from some sides
- •Old Town closes - Narrow stairs, impassable
- •Victoria Street - Beautiful but curved and steep
🎒 When to Bring the Carrier 👶
- •Royal Mile (steep, cobbled, crowded)
- •Edinburgh Castle (steps everywhere)
- •Arthur's Seat area (hiking terrain)
- •Old Town closes and wynds (narrow, steep stairs)
Tips from Parents Who Visited Edinburgh
❌ What Parents Wish They'd Known
- ✕Attempting Edinburgh Castle with a stroller (don't)
- ✕Festival month (August) - city is impossibly crowded
- ✕Hogmanay (New Year) - same problem
- ✕Cobblestones in Old Town destroy cheap stroller wheels
- ✕Assuming buses can replace walking (they skip the steep bits too)
⭐ Parent-Recommended Spots
- ★Royal Botanic Garden - Flat paths, beautiful, free
- ★National Museum of Scotland - Elevators, interactive kids areas
- ★Leith waterfront walk - Flat, restaurants, boats
- ★Edinburgh Zoo - Hilly but has shuttle bus
- ★Portobello Beach - Flat promenade, sand, family-friendly
Also in United Kingdom
Compare stroller-friendliness across United Kingdom
74Flat Waterfront Fun
Liverpool
United Kingdom
Europe
Liverpool is surprisingly stroller-friendly - flat waterfront, friendly locals, and Beatles tourism that works for families.
Best stroller: Compact
72Regenerated & Ready
Birmingham
United Kingdom
Europe
Birmingham's massive regeneration has created a modern, flat city center that's great for strollers.
Best stroller: Compact
Similar Scores Worldwide
Cities with a similar stroller experience to Edinburgh
53Doable with Planning
Hong Kong
China
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Hong Kong's MTR is excellent but the city is very hilly, extremely crowded, and space is tight everywhere.
Best stroller: Compact
53Doable with Planning
Quito
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Quito sits at 2,850m altitude on steep volcanic slopes - UNESCO old town is challenging, but Ecuadorian warmth is extraordinary.
Best stroller: Rugged
53Resort Oasis in Rough Terrain
Montego Bay
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Montego Bay resorts are family-friendly but outside them, hilly terrain and limited infrastructure make strolling very difficult.
Best stroller: Compact
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