48 Hours in Edinburgh with a Baby: Can You Still Travel Well?
TRAVELFOOD & DRINK
Travelling with a baby changes the rhythm of everything — from how you plan meals to how you see a city. But it doesn’t have to mean compromising on experience. Edinburgh, with its walkable heart, welcoming cafés, and compact culture scene, is one of the rare cities that still feels manageable — and even enjoyable — with a baby in tow.
So: can you still travel well? In Edinburgh, yes. Here's how to spend 48 hours in Scotland’s capital with a baby — and leave feeling like you’ve had a real break.
Day One: Arrival & Settling In
Check In: Eden Locke, George Street
Stylish, centrally located, and brilliantly practical. These apartment-style suites come with kitchens (think bottles, snacks, naps on demand) and calming, modern interiors that don’t scream “family hotel”. There’s a café in the lobby, lifts for your buggy, and room to breathe.
Late Morning: Slow Stroll Through the New Town
The wide pavements and leafy crescents of Edinburgh’s New Town are a pram-pusher’s dream. Take in the Georgian architecture, stop for a bench-feed in Queen Street Gardens (members-only, but public Princes Street Gardens is a fine substitute), and browse baby-friendly concept stores like Century General Store or Coven & Co.
Lunch: Dishoom
Yes, with a baby. Go for the early lunch window to avoid queues and enjoy generous booths, swift service, and warm staff who’ve clearly served tired parents before. Baby changing is clean and the noise level is forgiving. Order the House Black Daal and a chai to reset your senses.
Afternoon: Nap-Friendly Culture at the Scottish National Gallery
Edinburgh’s art galleries are surprisingly accessible. The Scottish National Gallery (free entry, central, lift-equipped) is quiet enough for a sleeping baby in a carrier while offering real artistic substance. Bonus: a changing table and a solid café for an oat milk latte.
Dinner: Room Service or Early Small Plates
If you're up for it, head to The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage — book for 5:30pm, ask for a window seat, and enjoy a view over the Firth of Forth while baby gnaws on a teether. Otherwise, Eden Locke’s kitchenette and a delivery from Pizza Geeks is a perfectly respectable night in.
Day Two: Fresh Air & Familiar Comforts
Breakfast: Brochan Café
A compact, lovely porridge café near Marchmont, ideal for a quick but nourishing start. Pram space is tight, so opt for babywearing if possible. Their slow-cooked oat bowls (with coconut milk, cacao or roasted fruit) are parent fuel.
Morning: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
This is the golden ticket with a baby — paths are smooth, views are uplifting, and there’s space to let your thoughts wander while baby naps or kicks about on a picnic blanket. There’s also a café, plenty of changing facilities, and a calm pace that contrasts with the city centre bustle.
Lunch: The Pantry, Stockbridge
A favourite among local parents, this café has highchairs, baby-friendly staff, and an open feel. The food is fresh, colourful, and good enough to make you forget how little sleep you’ve had. Stockbridge as a whole is a great district for mooching with a pram — small boutiques, florists, and second-hand children’s shops aplenty.
Afternoon: National Museum of Scotland or Back for a Nap
If baby has energy (or you're chasing shelter from drizzle), the National Museum of Scotland is a sensory win. There’s space to move, noise to absorb, and exhibits from animals to engines. Otherwise: take a mid-afternoon reset at your accommodation. No guilt.
Dinner: Local & Low-Key
Think about an early dinner at Hendersons (vegetarian, fast, excellent) or pick up something from Valvona & Crolla, the city’s iconic Italian deli. Either way, keep it low-effort. The day has done enough.
Practical Tips for Edinburgh with a Baby
Transport: Edinburgh is compact. Walk or take the Lothian buses (buggy-accessible and frequent).
Changing Facilities: Found in museums, department stores (Jenners, John Lewis), and newer cafés.
Naps on the Go: A good carrier is useful — some streets are cobbled, and pavements can narrow.
Feeding: Breast- and bottle-feeding are widely accepted in public; most cafés will warm milk or offer hot water if needed.
Final Thoughts
You won’t tick every box in 48 hours, and that's the point. Travelling well with a baby isn't about speed or volume — it’s about quality, presence, and small joys stitched together. Edinburgh delivers all of that with charm and a surprising sense of ease. You’ll leave feeling like you’ve had a real escape — even if you do still have a changing bag over your shoulder.