Discover Edinburgh’s 23 best Parks nature spots for your trip

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

★ 4.7 · 25,207 reviews

Spend a slow morning at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, a 70-acre collection of plants from around the world. Walk the manicured paths, pause on a bench, and finish with a cafe stop.

Arthur's Seat

★ 4.8 · 5,171 reviews

Climb Arthur's Seat, the volcanic summit that towers over Edinburgh's Old Town. Choose a path through Holyrood Park, reach the top, and take in the city and Firth of Forth spread out below.

Calton Hill

★ 4.8 · 6,983 reviews

Walk up Calton Hill for a classic Edinburgh viewpoint just minutes from the centre. Explore the neoclassical monuments at the top and look out over the castle, the Old Town and the rooftops.

Princes Street Gardens

★ 4.7 · 27,304 reviews

Step into Princes Street Gardens, the green valley beneath Edinburgh Castle. Follow the paths past floral displays, memorials and a historic fountain, then settle on a bench with the castle in view.

Portobello Beach

★ 4.6 · 6,967 reviews

Escape the city for Portobello Beach, Edinburgh's classic seaside stretch on the Firth of Forth. Walk the sand, follow the promenade, and warm up with a drink at one of the front-facing tea shops.

The Meadows

★ 4.7 · 7,589 reviews

Cross The Meadows, Edinburgh's big, tree-lined park just south of the Old Town. Follow the shaded paths, spot the Processions memorial, and join the locals picnicking or running across the grass.

Cramond Beach

★ 4.7 · 2,030 reviews

Spend a relaxed morning at Cramond Beach, a peaceful stretch of Edinburgh's Firth of Forth shoreline. Walk the sand, time the tide for the island crossing, and finish with an ice cream.

Water of Leith Walkway

Follow the Water of Leith Walkway for a peaceful riverside escape inside Edinburgh. Stroll beside the flowing water through shaded green corridors, at your own pace, in roughly two relaxed hours.

Saughton Park

Head west to Saughton Park, a relaxed local green space that suits families and unhurried walkers alike. Spend an hour on the paths, enjoying the park's tidy, attractive setting.

Starbank Park

★ 4.8 · 194 reviews

Climb Starbank Park in Newhaven for views across the Firth of Forth and, in spring, a blaze of cherry blossom. Walk both park sections and pause among the tulips with the sea in sight.

Blackford Hill

★ 4.9 · 141 reviews

Head up Blackford Hill, a local favourite and nature reserve with a gentle climb. Wander between grassland and trees, watch for buzzards, and settle at a viewpoint for Edinburgh's skyline at sunset.

Craigmillar Castle Park

★ 4.6 · 200 reviews

Stroll through Craigmillar Castle Park, a quiet green corner of south-east Edinburgh. Follow the woodland paths, let children loose on the playground, and wander around the castle ruins.

Spylaw Park

Seek out Spylaw Park, a hidden-gem green space that locals know well. Take a 45-minute stroll through its quiet, attractive grounds and enjoy a peaceful pause from the city.

George Square Gardens

★ 4.5 · 1,180 reviews

Pause in George Square Gardens, a leafy university square in central Edinburgh. Walk the Edinburgh Labyrinth, sit among the trees, and soak up the quiet beside historic buildings.

Victoria Park

★ 4.5 · 1,213 reviews

Stroll through Victoria Park in Leith, a friendly local park with something for every age. Let the kids try the play equipment, then wander past interesting trees and the garden areas in the evening light.

Dr Neil's Garden

★ 4.7 · 1,041 reviews

Slip into Dr Neil's Garden, a tranquil hideaway in Duddingston beside a still pond. Follow winding paths past flower beds and take a bench to enjoy the calm.

Lauriston Castle

★ 4.6 · 2,198 reviews

Escape the centre for Lauriston Castle, a tower house with Georgian and Edwardian layers beside the Forth. Tour the interiors, then wander the gardens, the Japanese garden and the cherry trees.

Dunbars Close

★ 4.6 · 568 reviews

Find Dunbars Close, a secret courtyard garden just off the Royal Mile. Step through the passage and wander its parterres and hedges for a quiet break from the Old Town crowds.

Leith Links

★ 4.4 · 2,425 reviews

Wander onto Leith Links, the broad green heart of Leith and a former golf course. Stroll the open lawns, watch locals play football or tennis, and let the kids loose on the new playgrounds.

Corstorphine Hill

★ 4.8 · 41 reviews

Escape to Corstorphine Hill, a wooded local retreat on Edinburgh's western side. Follow gravel paths through trees and rocky sections, then look out over the Firth of Forth from the top.

Inverleith

Slip into Inverleith, a low-key green corner of Edinburgh that locals tend to keep to themselves. Spend an hour on an easy, unhurried walk away from the busier city sights.

Figgate Park

★ 4.6 · 1,311 reviews

Walk the paths of Figgate Park, a local green space around a large pond in Edinburgh's east. Look out for swans and ducks, and stop at the picnic tables.

Hairy Coos & Highland Views: A Short Escape from Edinburgh

★ 4.5 · 583 reviews

Trade the city for lochs and shaggy cattle on the Hairy Coos & Highland Views day trip. Ride through the Trossachs, pause at Loch Katrine and photograph Highland coos before returning by the Queensferry bridges.