78Compact Stroller Paradise
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Europe
Amsterdam is stroller paradise — flat terrain and everyone yields to wheels.
Best stroller: Compact
United Kingdom
Edinburgh
42/100Challenging📊 Medium confidence
Edinburgh is stunning but brutal — extreme hills, cobblestones, and steps everywhere.
🎒✅
Bring both
This city needs different solutions for different areas.
Key Factors
- •Mixed terrain requires flexibility
- •Royal Mile
Watch Out For
⚠️Use carrier in steep/narrow areas
Carrier Recommended
🎒Royal Mile (steep cobblestoned slope)
📋 The Bottom Line
Edinburgh is one of Europe's most beautiful cities and one of its hardest for strollers. The city is built on volcanic hills with the Old Town perched on a dramatic ridge. Cobblestones are everywhere, closes (narrow alleyways) have steps, and the famous Royal Mile is on a steep slope. The New Town is somewhat better with Georgian-era wider streets. Scottish friendliness is a real asset — locals will actively help. Use the tram and stick to flatter areas.
Quick Facts
Overall Score42/100
Best StrollerRugged
Biggest ChallengeRoyal Mile
Data Quality📊 Medium confidence
Gear Recommendations
- 🎒Rugged stroller with air-filled tires and good brakes essential
- 🎒Carrier strongly recommended — you'll need it for the Old Town
- 🎒Rain cover mandatory (Scottish weather is relentless)
- 🎒Strong brakes for steep hills
Score Breakdown
Terrain20%
4/10Slopes20%
3/10Transit12%
5/10Elevators12%
4/10Facilities12%
6/10Crowding12%
4/10Friendliness12%
8/10Neighborhood Guide
🟢 Where It's Easy ✓
- •Princes Street Gardens - Flat valley between Old and New Town
- •Leith waterfront - Flat, restaurants, modern development
- •Inverleith Park / Botanical Gardens - Flat, beautiful, free
- •Portobello Beach - Flat promenade, sandy beach
- •New Town main streets - Wider Georgian streets, flatter
🟡 Where You'll Struggle ⚠
- •Royal Mile - Steep cobblestoned slope, crowded
- •Old Town closes - Narrow alleys with steps, no stroller access
- •Edinburgh Castle approach - Steep hill, cobblestones
- •Grassmarket to Old Town - Steep climb
- •Victoria Street - Beautiful curved street but steep and cobbled
🎒 When to Bring the Carrier 👶
- •Royal Mile (steep cobblestoned slope)
- •Old Town closes (narrow alleys with steps)
- •Arthur's Seat area (hill walking, not stroller territory)
- •Victoria Street (steep, cobbled, beautiful but brutal)
Parent Wisdom
❌ What Parents Wish They'd Known
- ✕Thinking the Royal Mile is flat (it's on a ridge, it slopes)
- ✕Trying to explore Old Town closes with a stroller (impossible)
- ✕Edinburgh Castle without checking the accessibility entrance
- ✕Festival season (August) with a stroller (city is overwhelmed)
- ✕Not having a carrier for Old Town days
- ✕Underestimating Scottish rain and wind
⭐ Parent-Recommended Spots
- ★Royal Botanic Garden - Flat, beautiful, free, glasshouses
- ★Edinburgh Zoo - Accessible (though hilly), pandas
- ★National Museum of Scotland - Free, amazing, accessible, indoor
- ★Portobello Beach - Flat seaside escape from the city
- ★Dynamic Earth - Interactive science, modern, fully accessible
Similar Destinations
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82Compact Stroller Paradise
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New York City
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NYC is challenging — street level is fine, but the subway will break you.
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