School holiday Edinburgh city and family leisure breaks

For the best family deals >>BOOK NOW

Edinburgh is jam packed with things for families and children to see and do, including one of Britain's greatest castles! So it’s a great place for a school’s out or school holiday fun and educational family break or family holiday, taking in lots of history and culture – especially when the world famous Festival is in full swing

Edinburgh also has a gentler pace than many comparable cities (outside the Festival period, that is), and you can walk around its historic centre with relative ease. There’s a plethora of family friendly eateries, plus great shopping in its department stores, from long standing traditionalist Jenners to funky modern Harvey Nichols

Edinburgh is a great family break destination at any time of year, but do avoid August and early September unless you've specifically come for the Festival (see below) – it’s packed, and quite expensive. But do remember too that for most school holidays times, Edinburgh is a lot cheaper than its southern rival London. Watch out for great school’s out deals!

Get our school’s out and school holiday deals

To see the city in its full glory, come for Christmas and particularly Hogmanay (New Year's Eve), when Edinburgh celebrates in great style, with a ‘Winter Wonderland’ featuring fairground rides and a big wheel, ice skating, German markets and a Highland Fair, and New Year frolics galore (watch the incredible fireworks from the calmer surrounds of Calton Hill if you have kids, and don’t miss the dog-sled races in Holyrood Park)

Edinburgh City Hotel has a great range of family friendly accommodation options and remember, children under 15 stay and free

Family rooms at Edinburgh City Hotel

View all our school holiday deals

Top Edinburgh family days out and places to visit

Check availability and book on line