Edinburgh Castle Review: It It Worth Visiting With Kids?
Edinburgh Castle sits high on Castle Rock, dominating the skyline above Edinburgh. If you’re planning a family trip to Edinburgh, visiting Edinburgh Castle is probably high on your list, no doubt because it’s the first thing you see when you arrive in the city. Edinburgh Castle is one of the most iconic landmarks in Scotland. But is it actually worth visiting with kids?
We’ve now made two visits to Edinburgh Castle as a family, so here’s our honest review, including what to expect, what kids will love, and whether it’s worth the time (not to mention the cost!)
Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
Is Edinburgh Castle Worth Visiting?
The short answer? Yes! Edinburgh Castle is definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re a first-time visitor to Edinburgh.
The setting alone is incredible. Because the castle sits high above the city, you can head up to the castle (even without paying to go in) and enjoy amazing panoramic views that stretch across Edinburgh and beyond. And when you go into the castle walls themselves, you can get even higher and the view gets even more spectacular. Edinburgh Castle feels steeped in history from the moment you walk through the gates.
For families, it offers:
- Plenty of space to explore, including room for kids to run and enjoy the views at their own pace
- Interactive elements, including museums and attractions, including the crown jewels of Scotland and a reconstruction of the prisons under the castle (this was such a highlight for my boys)
- Plenty of “wow” moments, including the firing of the canon and the bagpiper on the mount.
That being said, this isn’t a theme-park style attraction. If you’re kids are looking for a ‘touchy feely’ interactive museum experience, rides, or playgrounds then Edinburgh Castle isn’t likely to meet their expectations.
What to Expect When You Visit Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is unlike some of the other castles you might visit across Scotland and the rest of the UK. That’s because it’s less of a single attraction/ building, and more of a collection of historic buildings, exhibits, and viewpoints. In fact, there are so many different museums and attractions inside the castle walls that you’re unlikely to see them all in one visit. That’s why we went back again!
Inside the castle walls, you’ll find:
- Unique museums and exhibitions
- The Scottish Crown Jewels
- The Great Hall
- St Margaret’s Chapel (the oldest building in Edinburgh)
It’s worth noting that there’s a lot of walking (much of it steep and cobbled) so I recommend wearing flat comfortable shoes. Even with trainers on I managed to slip and twist onto my ankle. And while there’s no rules against taking buggies into the castle, I wouldn’t recommend it if you could take a sling or baby carrier instead.
Visiting Edinburgh Castle With Kids
Exploring Edinburgh as an adult? Visiting the castle really is a no-brainer! Visiting Edinburgh Castle with kids? That’s where some parents might wonder if it’s worth the hassle. Honestly? We found it a really enjoyable family experience. My boys are real history buffs, so they love any experience where they can immerse themselves in history and imagine they’re actually living it.
Some of the absolute highlights that my kids loved, and that I would say were particularly family friendly were:
- Seeing the cannons and the military displays. At 1pm everyday from Monday to Saturday, they fire the cannon (known as the One O’Clock Gun) and although crowded this was such a highlight for my boys.
- Moving between the different courtyards and spaces. There is a maze-like feel here, and that really lends the castle a sense of adventure.
- Immersive themselves in ‘real history’ BUT they do have to use their imaginations to make the most of this.
QUICK BOOKING BOX:
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What Families Might Not Like:
- It’s worth noting that although some aspects of the exhibits are interactive, Edinburgh Castle isn’t heavily interactive, particularly when compared to museums like the Science or Natural History museum.
- Young children who don’t have an existing understanding of history may lose interest with some of the outdoor exhibits: one old building looks alot like another when you’re a toddler!
- It can get really busy, especially during peak seasons. We last visited during October half term, and we it was particularly crowded them. We queued for half an hour to get in to see the crown jewels (which is well worth the wait!) But which can make navigating with younger children who don’t want to stand still a little more tricky!
For us, the key to making the visit successful in spite of these set backs was to let the kids explore at their own pace, and not to worry about trying to see everything. It took two visits before we felt that we’d seen everything the castle had to offer, so don’t rush things with kids. It will only detract from their fun!
Practical Tips For Visiting Edinburgh Castle
Booking Tickets in Advance. This is one of the busiest attractions in Scotland, so booking ahead is highly recommended. This is particularly important if you want to visit during school holidays, at weekends, or during special events.
Go Early or Later in the Day. You must get tired of me recommending this tip, but it’s true for so many attractions! We always aim to arrive as the doors are opening, so that we can make the most of the quiet moments before the crowds descend.
Bring Plenty of Snacks. Food options in the castle are limited and what options there are in the on-site restaurant are expensive, especially with kids who seem to be endless bottomless snack pits! With all the walking and the time exploring, we made sure to pack plenty of snacks and bottled water for everyone: there were plenty of places to stop to refresh and refuel.
Edinburgh Castles FAQs
Is Edinburgh Castle Suitable For All Ages?
Yes, I think anyone would have fun at Edinburgh Castle, but there are some caveats to that. For toddlers the castle is manageable, but there is lots of walking that they might find tricky. For primary age children there is plenty to explore, but they will need parental support to help the history come alive. Older kids will love the castle the most, in my opinion. Our 10 and 13 year old were old enough to appreciate the history and the beauty of the castle.
Was Harry Potter Filmed at Edinburgh Castle?
My youngest son is Harry Potter crazy, and he was very excited to go to Edinburgh Castle and see ‘the real life Hogwarts’. But it’s important to note that none of the Harry Potter films were filmed at Edinburgh Castle, so kids won’t recognise any familiar scenes. However that doesn’t mean Edinburgh Castle doesn’t have a Harry Potter connection: J.K. Rowling wrote the books in the city so the castle dominating the skyline certainly served as an inspiration for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You can read more about Harry Potter in Edinburgh here: Harry Potter Edinburgh Attractions (2025 Guide): 5 Things To Do In Edinburgh With Harry Potter Fans
Can I Visit Edinburgh Castle For Free?
At just over £20 per ticket, Edinburgh Castle isn’t the cheapest castle attraction: particularly if you’re buying tickets for a family of four, or more! But unfortunately you can’t visit Edinburgh Castle for free unless you have a Historic Scotland membership. If you’re on a tight budget then you can walk up to the castle esplanade (the front courtyard) which is free to visit and which does offer amazing views of the castle exterior and the city.
QUICK BOOKING BOX:
👉 Why not consider really immersing yourself in the history of the Castle by choosing an Edinburgh Castle ticket with a Guided Tour. You can buy these unique tickets here.
🎁 Use code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an exclusive 5% reader discount
Final Verdict and Further Reading
We really enjoyed our time at Edinburgh Castle and for us the visit was well worth it (though I’m not going to lie, I did wince a little at the price tag!) It’s a fascinating place to visit, not because it’s packed with activities but because it offers something even more unique than that: the chance to step into real history in Scotland’s most iconic castles.
Don’t expect playgrounds, rides, entertainment aimed at kids. If you do then you’ll be disappointed. But if historical explorations are what you’re looking for, this is an amazing place to explore for families and for kids of all ages.
We LOVE exploring Scotland, so you’ve come to the right place if you’re planning the perfect trip to Edinburgh. Check out some of our other articles here:
👉 Harry Potter Edinburgh Attractions (2025 Guide): 5 Things To Do In Edinburgh With Harry Potter Fans
👉Top Tips For Driving in Scotland
👉 Visiting The Scottish Deer Centre In Fife
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Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!
