Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo is the city's big family day out, and it earns that place. Opened in 1913 by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the conservation charity that still runs it, the zoo spreads across a steep, wooded hillside on Corstorphine Road, about three miles west of the city centre. That hill shapes the visit: paths climb from the entrance through the enclosures towards the top, where the views reach out over the city and the Pentland Hills. Wear comfortable shoes and pace yourselves. The zoo has a long association with penguins; it was the first in the world to breed king penguins, and the penguin pool remains one of the most popular areas, with gentoo and other species in residence. Other favourites include the koalas, rare in British zoos; Sumatran tigers; the Budongo Trail, a large chimpanzee enclosure designed for research as well as viewing, where you can watch the chimps indoors and out; meerkats; red pandas; and a range of primates, birds and reptiles. The giant pandas, famous visitors for over a decade, returned to China at the end of 2023, so do not plan a trip around them. As a charity, the zoo funds conservation work in Scotland and abroad, including native species projects, and the keeper talks are good at explaining it. Tickets are cheaper when bought online than at the gate. Opening hours change with the seasons, closing earlier in winter, so check before you set out, and plan on most of a day.

Getting there: frequent Lothian buses run along Corstorphine Road from Princes Street and the West End, stopping right outside the gates, and the journey takes around twenty minutes in normal traffic. The tram does not stop at the zoo. There is paid parking on site for drivers. If you are staying near Haymarket, it is a short bus ride. The zoo is a sensible pairing with a quieter afternoon, since the hill will tire small legs; few families manage another big attraction the same day.

Planning the day: arrive soon after opening, when the animals are often most active and the paths are quiet, and walk uphill first so you finish with an easier descent. Check the daily talks and feeding times on arrival and build your route round two or three of them. The penguins and the Budongo Trail are best early. In winter the zoo is calmer and many animals are more visible than in the heat of summer, though some indoor areas become busy on wet days. Cafes and kiosks are spread around the site, and picnics are welcome, which saves money for families. Pushchairs are manageable, but the slopes are real, and anyone with limited mobility should look at the accessibility information in advance.

Is it worth it? For families with children, yes: it is a well-run zoo with a strong conservation message and enough variety to fill a day. Adults without children might prefer the Royal Botanic Garden or a hill walk if the weather is good. Ticket prices are in line with major UK zoos, and booking online is the simplest way to cut the cost. Combine it with a stay in the west of the city, around Haymarket, to keep journey times short. If you are visiting in the colder months, check the winter closing time before you set off, as the last entry comes earlier in the afternoon, and dress for wind at the top of the hill, where the views are best but the weather is felt most.