Hotels near Edinburgh Zoo, United Kingdom

There was a time its climate was considered too cold to house a proper zoo – but Edinburgh soon put paid to that suggestion.

Looking for the perfect family city break in Scotland? Sprawling over 82 vast acres of parkland, Edinburgh Zoo now enjoys over 600,000 visitors a year – second only in popularity to Edinburgh Castle across Scotland as a whole.

We've a number of quality Best Western hotels near Edinburgh Zoo for a family break. You're guaranteed a quality night's sleep so you'll be ready to take full advantage of the day's activities.

Don’t forget your camera as you make your way through the eucalyptus garden, home to the koalas and wallabies. Learn about how a koala’s unique body works, and follow the life of a joey as it grows up.

Enjoy monkeying around? You’ll love the Budongo Trail, where you’ll bear witness to the entertaining antics of a troop of chimpanzees among other enticing species. It’s one of the world’s most innovative, interactive chimpanzee enclosures and the perfect place to learn about these most fascinating creatures.

Among the many other animals to meet include zebras, tigers, lions and yes, the ever popular meerkats. Make sure you check out the daily show ‘Animal Antics’, to experience the excitement of birds flying low over your head, and admire the other animals demonstrating their unique talents.

After all the excitement, there’s plenty of restaurants, picnic areas and play areas for you to refuel and unwind in.

When it comes to family breaks in Scotland, Edinburgh is hard to match so start planning what’s next on your agenda. We’d highly recommend a guided tour around the castle with its amazing sense of history, breathtaking sites and lavishly-adorned chambers. Make sure the little ones don’t get too tired in the hill leading up to the castle though.

Your family will also enjoy just wandering around the streets of Edinburgh where you’ll encounter charming cobbled streets, olde worlde pubs, expansive public squares, fascinating and modern retail shopping all within a short radius. And of, course, no fun break is complete without souvenir buying and you’ll find plenty of places that sell shortbread, tartan and cute little Aberdeen Angus cows that the younger kids will fall in love with instantly.