Scotland's beautiful capital city provides enough entertainment for a family to spend a week's active holiday there. It may not be a large city but its heritage is long and detailed, and attractions are plentiful.
You could spend hours meandering through the city's winding cobbled streets simply admiring the architecture, stopping off for tea and cakes at the many charming cafes along the way... But you could also include a few of Edinburgh's many prized attractions in your sightseeing list.
Museums
Our Dynamic Earth is a modern centre for discovery that tells the story of our planet, its past, present and future. Visitors can engage with an array of interactive displays, or sign up for a guided tour.
On the walk over to the museum, pass by Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament.
The People's Story Museum shows Edinburgh through the eyes of its residents. It's housed in an impressive, listed building dating back to the 16th century. Exhibits include an original prison cell, clothing, and models of various social settings from the past.
Animals
It's not just kids who'll enjoy Edinburgh's animal attractions, of which there are numerous.
Edinburgh Zoo sprawls across a vast territory to the city's west. Recently, it became home to a charming pair of pandas, currently the only ones in the UK. Other popular animals include the sun bears, chimps, and the UK's only koalas. For those unwilling to tackle the zoo's hilly terrain by foot, a hilltop safari is available.
Horticulturists will also find a fair few things to admire in the Zoo Gardens that feature such exotic plants as banana trees! Some of the plants grown there serve as animal feed.
North Queensferry just across the Firth of Forth is home to Scotland's national aquarium, Deep Sea World. It's a great reason to cross either the rail or road bridge that boast fantastic views across the Firth, Edinburgh and Fife. Once there you can watch piranhas, sharks, seals and many other sea creatures swim around in the Underwater Safari from the safety of Europe's longest moving walkway.
Gorgie City Farm is an inspiring community initiative just outside the city centre. Here you can learn all about raising farm animals, and you can even sponsor them. There is also a community garden where, weather permitting, volunteers grow veg and fruits. After all that time in the outdoors, any family will be happy to warm up with a mug of tea and a homemade cake at the farm cafe.
It's good to know there are many centrally located hotels in Edinburgh with in-house restaurants for added comfort. Self catering accommodation is also quite common.