Stroller or baby carrier in Edinburgh?

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.

How Edinburgh scores

Seven things that actually matter when you're pushing 12kg of baby + stroller through a foreign city.

Smooth Surfaces

20% weight

5/10

Flatness

20% weight

4/10

Public Transit

12% weight

6/10

Elevators & Ramps

12% weight

5/10

Family Facilities

12% weight

6/10

Space & Comfort

12% weight

4/10

Family Welcome

12% weight

8/10

Things to do

Activities that work with a baby

See all 5 →

Edinburgh Castle

Imposing hilltop fortress. Steep cobbled approach but they've added accessible routes with ramps. Mons Meg cannon and Crown Jewels fascinate kids. Book online to skip the queue.

£19.50 adult, u4 freeCheck availability

Dynamic Earth — Science Centre

Interactive journey through Earth's history. Volcano room, ice age experience, submarine ride. Fully accessible with lifts. Perfect rainy day — and Edinburgh has plenty of those.

£17.50 adult, u3 freeCheck availability

Royal Botanic Garden

70 acres of gorgeous gardens with wide paths, a Chinese garden, and giant glasshouses. Free entry (glasshouses £7.50). Squirrels everywhere — toddler entertainment guaranteed.

FreeJust walk in

Edinburgh is HILLY. The Old Town has cobblestones and steep closes (alleyways). The New Town is flatter and more stroller-friendly. Use buses (all have ramps) to save your legs — a day ticket is £4.80.

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Where to stay

Neighborhoods that work for families

Best for strollers

New Town

Georgian streets, flat(ter) terrain, walkable to Princes Street and restaurants. More spacious hotels and apartments than the cramped Old Town. The practical family choice.

Check ratesFind stays →

Local favourite

Stockbridge

Village feel within the city. Independent shops, Sunday farmers market, Water of Leith walkway, botanical gardens nearby. Flat and leafy. Where Edinburgh families hang out.

Check ratesFind stays →

More space

Family Apartment in Edinburgh

Edinburgh hotels are tiny and expensive, especially during Festival (August). A New Town apartment with washer/dryer and kitchen saves a fortune. Book early for August.

Check ratesFind stays →

Avoid the Royal Mile for accommodation — touristy, noisy, and the steepest part of town. New Town or Stockbridge give you easy access without the hills and cobbles.

Beyond the city

Easy day trips

North Berwick — Beach & Scottish Seabird Centre

Charming seaside town with sandy beach, outdoor pool (summer), and live camera feeds of puffins at the Seabird Centre. Flat seafront, ice cream shops, and fish & chips.

Train — 35 min

Stirling Castle

Less crowded than Edinburgh Castle, arguably more impressive. Renaissance palace with costumed characters. Accessible routes throughout. Great gift shop with toy swords kids will beg for.

Train — 55 min

Rosslyn Chapel & Pentland Hills

Da Vinci Code chapel (fascinating carvings) plus gentle walks in the Pentlands. Chapel is small — 20 minutes is enough with kids. Pentland paths are gravel — all-terrain stroller works.

Bus 37 — 40 min

ScotRail family tickets are great value. The train to North Berwick follows the coast — sit on the left for sea views. Pack warm layers even in summer — Scottish weather is unpredictable.

Quick answers

It depends — Edinburgh scores 53/100. Doable with planning, but not effortless. Edinburgh's dramatic hills and cobblestones make it tough - stick to New Town and modern areas for easier strolling.

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Travel Essentials for Edinburgh with Kids

What to book before your family trip

🏰 Edinburgh Castle — Timed Entry

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Scotland's most iconic attraction sells out in peak season. Pre-book timed entry to skip queues. Children under 5 enter free. The castle has a wheelchair-accessible route from the entrance — usable with strollers on the main path, though some areas have cobbles.

Under 5 freeFrom £19.50/adult

🎫 Royal Edinburgh Ticket — Castle + Palace + Yacht

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Combo ticket covering Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Royal Yacht Britannia plus 48h hop-on-hop-off bus. Saves about 20% vs buying separately. Children under 5 go free on all three attractions.

Save 20%From £76/adult

💡 Tip: Edinburgh's Royal Mile is mostly flat but the Old Town streets off it are steep and cobbled — stick to the Mile itself or use a carrier for side streets. Princes Street Gardens are flat and beautiful for stroller walks. The Royal Botanic Garden (free entry) is the best stroller destination in the city.

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