Best Places to Visit in Edinburgh’s Old Town with or Without Children

After spending 7 days in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, I want to share my recommendations for the best places to visit in Edinburgh’s Old Town, whether you are visiting with children or by yourself.

Before I start writing down my recommendations, I want to let you know that Edinburgh is a city that you either love or hate, there is no in-between. Why am I saying this?

Edinburgh has its own unique character and it is an unforgettable city. It has Gothic, weathered buildings, cobbled streets and dark, moody vibes that make you feel like you have stepped into a movie about witches and wizards. It feels mysterious, magical and a little bit eerie and that is exactly what makes Edinburgh so special.

This atmosphere, however, may not be for everyone. If you love dark, historic cities with a mysterious character, you will fall in love with Edinburgh. If you prefer bright, modern and lively cities, you will feel differently, in my opinion, of course.

During our seven days in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, we visited quite a few places, but these are the ones I would personally recommend if you are exploring Edinburgh’s Old Town. Some are great for families, while others are just as enjoyable if you are visiting without children.

I also share our travels, places we visit and everyday life in England on Facebook and Instagram, so feel free to follow along.

The Real Mary King’s Close

The Real Mary King’s Close was the first tourist attraction we visited in Edinburgh, and it was such an interesting experience. If you have never heard of it, Mary King’s Close is a series of preserved underground streets and rooms hidden beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. These closes were once part of the Old Town, where people lived and worked centuries ago.

During the tour, our guide took us through the old streets and told us stories about what life was like for the people who lived there, including how badly Edinburgh was affected by the bubonic plague. We learned about the cramped living conditions, the people who lived in these closes and what happened to them during some of the city’s darkest periods.

One thing I really liked was that we were not allowed to take photos or film during the tour. Normally, I would be disappointed by that, but it actually made me pay more attention to the guide and my surroundings instead of thinking about the light and the perfect shot. You can have your picture taken at a designated spot and purchase it as a souvenir, or you can take your own pictures at the end of the tour.

Please note that children must be at least five years old to visit The Real Mary King’s Close, although I would personally recommend this experience for children aged eight and over, as younger children may not fully understand or appreciate the history and stories.

Edinburgh Castle and the One O’Clock Gun

Edinburgh Castle is one of the best places to visit in Edinburgh’s Old Town, and I highly recommend it. It sits on top of Castle Rock and offers some amazing views over Edinburgh and the surrounding area.

I also recommend being there at 1 o’clock, when the famous One O’Clock Gun is fired. It is a tradition that dates back to 1861 and was originally used as a time signal for ships in the Firth of Forth. Hearing the gun being fired from the castle is a unique and unforgettable experience, and I think it is worth planning your visit around it.

The castle itself is also fascinating to explore, with its historic buildings, exhibitions and military history, so allow yourself enough time to walk around and visit Edinburgh Castle.

The Chocolatarium

If you love chocolate, the Chocolatarium is definitely a place I recommend visiting in Edinburgh. The experience lasts around 1 hour and 30 minutes, and I think it is enjoyable whether you are an adult or a child.

We found out more about chocolate, where it comes from and how it is made, and the presentation was really nice. We also tried different types of chocolate, including chocolate with more and less cocoa, and could really taste how different they were.

One of my favourite parts was making our own chocolate. I chose a Highland cow shape for my bar, made it sweet and salty and I loved the whole experience. I felt a bit bad when I ate it, though. I was in a dilemma: should I eat it or keep it? I chose to take a picture of it first and then eat it.

At the end of the tour, we entered the tasting room, where we could try more than 40 different chocolate flavours. Needless to say, we were very happy at the Chocolatarium!

Edinburgh Dungeon

This place is scary! It is recommended for children over 8 years old, but you could wait until they are 10.

Considering that horror movies scare me, the Edinburgh Dungeon had the same effect on me.

You probably will not have this problem. My son and husband, for example, enjoyed every minute of it, and out of all the adults who were there, I was the one who screamed the most!

We were not allowed to take pictures, which I appreciated again. I don’t want to spoil anything, so I will just tell you that it was an unforgettable experience. If you have the chance to go, you should visit Edinburgh Dungeon!

The Witchery by the Castle Restaurant

At the top of the Royal Mile, close to the gates of Edinburgh Castle, there is a restaurant that looks so mysterious, almost like a place where magic happens.

On our way back from Edinburgh Castle, we stopped at The Witchery for dinner, but unfortunately, everything was fully booked. Fortunately, they had availability the following day, so we went back for lunch.

It is more than just elegant. The decorations, the service and the food all make this restaurant an experience in itself, which is why I had to include it in my article.

The name The Witchery also has a story behind it. It comes from the history of Castlehill, where hundreds of people accused of witchcraft were executed during the 16th and 17th centuries. The restaurant itself is housed in a historic 16th-century building, so sitting there for lunch felt like being surrounded by Edinburgh’s history.

After spending seven days in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, these are the places that stood out to me the most and that I would recommend as some of the best places to visit in Edinburgh’s Old Town. If you are visiting Edinburgh with children, I think there is plenty here to keep them interested too. If you are visiting without children, I would still recommend every place on this list. Some are historical, some are fun, and some are simply memorable experiences.

Edinburgh’s Old Town is also worth exploring just by walking around. The historic buildings, narrow closes, cobbled streets and unusual atmosphere are a big part of what makes the city so different.

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