Edinburgh
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LocaleChoice›Edinburgh›For Families

Edinburgh for
Families

5 neighbourhoods ranked · weighted for safety, family amenities, transit and walkability
👪 The verdict

New Town is the best Edinburgh neighbourhood for families, scoring 71/100. Stockbridge ranks second with 70, and Bruntsfield third with 66.

New Town is perfect for families seeking Georgian elegance, world-class museums, and safe tree-lined streets ideal for stroller-pushing parents.

Budget mode OFFTravelling on a budget? Re-rank by affordability

The 5 Edinburgh neighbourhoods ranked for families

These scores are weighted toward safety (30%) and family-friendliness (25%) for families. See methodology →
🥇
New Town
New Town is perfect for families seeking Georgian elegance, world-class museums, and safe tree-lined streets ideal for stroller-pushing p...
safety 65 family 77 walk 66
71
🥈
Stockbridge
Stockbridge is ideal for families seeking a safe, leafy neighbourhood with excellent parks, independent shops, and easy access to Edinbur...
safety 65 family 87 walk 64
70
🥉
Bruntsfield
Bruntsfield is Edinburgh's safest, most family-oriented neighbourhood with excellent schools, dedicated playgrounds, and the sprawling Br...
safety 65 family 88 walk 49
66
#4
Old Town
Old Town's narrow historic closes and cobbled streets create an immersive, walkable medieval atmosphere perfect for families exploring Sc...
safety 65 family 35 walk 90
63
#5
Leith
Leith offers waterfront charm and authentic local life away from Edinburgh's crowded Royal Mile
safety 65 family 46 walk 40
50

Scores 0–100. Data last updated May 2026. Click any neighbourhood for the full guide.

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Frequently asked

Where should families stay in Edinburgh?
Stay in New Town. It is the highest-ranked Edinburgh neighbourhood for families with a score of 71/100, weighted on safety, family amenities, transit and walkability. New Town is perfect for families seeking Georgian elegance, world-class museums, and safe tree-lined streets ideal for stroller-pushing parents.
What is the best Edinburgh neighbourhood for families?
New Town is the best Edinburgh neighbourhood for families, scoring 71/100. Stockbridge is the second-best at 70/100.
Which Edinburgh areas should families avoid?
All 5 Edinburgh neighbourhoods in our ranking score at least 50/100 for families. None are explicitly unsuitable, though higher-ranked options like New Town are recommended.
How are these rankings calculated?
Each neighbourhood is scored 0–100 on 7 factors (walkability, food, safety, vibe, transit, family-friendliness, cost). For families, we weight these toward safety, family amenities, transit and walkability. Data comes from OpenStreetMap, Google Places and editorial review. Full methodology at /methodology.
Is New Town really the right choice for families?
New Town is perfect for families seeking Georgian elegance, world-class museums, and safe tree-lined streets ideal for stroller-pushing parents. Walk score 66/100, food 67/100, safety 65/100, vibe 65/100, family 77/100.
Stay in New Town
Our #1 pick for families in Edinburgh
🏨 Find hotels in New Town →
📊 How LocaleChoice scores neighbourhoods →