Edinburgh can be reached from Germany in just over an hour by plane and offers so many activities for both kids and adults that you could easily stay a few days longer.
The castle can be seen from anywhere in the city. This is helpful, especially for people like me with a poor sense of direction, to find our way back to the hotel in the evenings. Of course, a visit to the castle is a must. There is a lot to see: prison cells, crown jewels, royal living quarters, and much more. From the castle, you have a wonderful view over the city all the way to the nearby North Sea.
Once you leave the castle, you will be surprised to see giggling passersby posing in front of some mirrors. The distorting mirrors hang at the entrance to the Camera Obscura and provide a little preview of what awaits inside. On several floors, you can admire various optical illusions and even participate interactively. Who wants to know what they look like as a cartoon character or a chimpanzee? Who can find their way out of the mirror labyrinth? Who dares to go through the rotating light tunnel? The Camera Obscura is a highlight for young and old alike. If you're exploring the city on foot with children, you probably know the joy killers 'I can't go on anymore, I don't want to, when will we finally be there?' In Edinburgh, this is not a problem at all, because even those who are not keen on walking can see the whole city. All the interesting spots are visited by different hop-on-hop-off buses, where you can learn a lot of background information (some even in German). From the upper deck of the buses, you have the best view - but you shouldn't be completely mesmerized and fall onto one of the seats. It happens that the Scottish rain leaves a little (or bigger) puddle there... We took one of the buses to Leith Harbor, where the Britannia is located.The path to the royal ship leads through the Ocean Terminal, a large shopping center with many shops, restaurants, and even a children's carousel that no child can resist. During your visits, don't forget to wander through the city. Quaint buildings, funny bars, and unique shops, eerie graveyards and elegant churches, expansive parks with squirrels hopping around, various statues and small playgrounds, roaring double-decker buses and old taxis - there is something interesting to discover at every corner. We've seen a lot in Edinburgh - and missed a lot too. Because there simply wasn't enough time. We could have easily stayed a few more days in Edinburgh without getting bored. There is a zoo, a sandy beach in nearby Portobello, which can be reached by bus, Highland tours with the Hairy Coo, spooky tours through the underground passages of Mary King's Close, and much more. But if you haven't seen everything, you have a reason to come back... :-)What do you think are the must-dos in Edinburgh? I'm looking forward to suggestions in the comments.
Practical tips for imitators ;-):
Getting there: With Ryanair, you can get cheap flights from Germany to Edinburgh if you book in advance. The flight took 1 hour and 15 minutes - Ryanair stated a flight duration of 1 hour 40 minutes.
From the airport, you can reach the city center within 30 minutes by taking the Airlink 100 bus - and can already take your first city tour on the double-decker.
Accommodation: We stayed at the Premier Inn, Lauriston Place 82. The hotel is close to the castle and about a 15-minute walk from the Airlink bus stop - but other bus lines also stop near the hotel. There is a supermarket around the corner, so you can easily stock up on essentials.
If you're not looking for luxury, you'll find an affordable place to stay here. They have family rooms for 2 adults and 2 children - a kettle, tea, and instant coffee are provided in the room. You can add breakfast, and children don't pay for it. In addition to the Scottish breakfast (beans!), there is a continental option, where continental mainly means 'sweet'. You won't find any sausage or cheese here, but you can get by with jam, croissants, yogurt, muesli, and toast for a few days.
Definitely pack: Always have an umbrella with you. Bright sunshine can turn into pouring rain in no time... and vice versa. :-)
