Free days out in Edinburgh with kids
Between the National Museum and a run of good beaches, Edinburgh's free options go well beyond the castle you have to pay to get into.
Edinburgh Castle gets the tourist crowds and the entry fee, but the city’s free family attractions are just as good a way to spend a day — you just need to know where to point the pram.
The one everyone should do
National Museum of Scotland is free, fully accessible, and big enough that you can return several times and see something different each visit — the family trails make it easy to give even a short visit some structure. The one thing to plan around: there’s no on-site parking, so it suits a walk, bus or tram in rather than driving to the door.
Beach days without leaving the city
Portobello Beach is Edinburgh’s own seaside promenade, a short trip from the centre, with parking, toilets and space for the dog if you’re bringing one. If you’re happy to drive a little further, North Berwick Beach adds a view of Bass Rock and nearby play parks, and Yellowcraig Beach trades the town for woodland trails and a view across to Fidra island — worth knowing that this one isn’t step-free, so it suits walkers more than buggies or wheelchairs.
Animals without the zoo prices
Gorgie City Farm is a proper working city farm rather than a petting-zoo add-on, free to visit, though like the museum it has no dedicated parking, so factor that into how you get there.
The one thing that isn’t free
Edinburgh Castle itself charges admission, and it’s the exception on an otherwise free-entry list. If you’re weighing whether it’s worth the cost, our guide to castles kids actually enjoy covers where it sits against Scotland’s other castles.
For everywhere else in the city and the wider Lothians, see the full Edinburgh and Lothians list.