7 Must-Visit Parks and Greenspaces in Edinburgh

Welcome to Edinburgh, a city where historical landmarks and beautiful landscapes intertwine. While the city is renowned for its iconic castle, vibrant festivals, and rich heritage, it also boasts a remarkable collection of parks and greenspaces that offer a place to relax and unwind. Here are 7 of my favourite parks and greenspaces in Edinburgh that I like to visit to take a walk and relax outdoors.

The Meadows

Located at the heart of Edinburgh, The Meadows is one of my favourite greenspaces in Edinburgh. It offers a wide expanse of open grassland crossed by many picturesque tree-lined pathways. Stretching over 63 acres, this greenspace offers a space where people gather to relax, socialise, and enjoy outdoor activities. What’s great about this space is that it offers an idyllic setting for every desire, whether you want to have a picnic with friends, go for a relaxing stroll, or read a book under a tree. During the stressful exam season at Edinburgh Uni (and for most of the students I imagine), I relaxed at this park to catch a break from the stress of revision, which helped a lot!

Bruntsfield Links

Bruntsfield Links is a picturesque park and greenspace that offers a great blend of open grassland, tree-lined pathways, and beautiful views of Arthurs Seat and Edinburgh Castle. There are many spots in the space for a picnic with friends, and many nearby coffee shops that make fantastic coffee. Bruntsfield Links also contains pitch and putt golf greens, where you can pick up some clubs and a ball at The Golf Tavern. I tend to come here with friends for a bit of golf or for a simple stroll and coffee around the park.

Holyrood Park

Holyrood Park is Edinburgh’s largest and most prominent park. This beautiful expansive park and greenspace covers over 650 acres and is a cherished retreat for locals and visitors alike. Its rugged landscapes, rolling hills, and rocky crags offer a dramatic backdrop for outdoor lovers and nature enthusiasts. Holyrood Park is not only a space for nature lovers and hikers, but it also holds historical significance as the site of Holyrood Palace and St. Anthony’s Chapel.

This is one of my favourite places for a walk in Edinburgh as you are treated to panoramic views of the city, as well as St. Margarets Loch and local wildlife. If you want to go for a peaceful wander or are in the mood for a steeper climb up Arthurs Seat, this is the place for you.

Princes Street Gardens

Located in the centre of Edinburgh, Princes Street Gardens is a stunning park and is very easy to access. During the spring and summer months with its vibrant floral displays, open green grass, and lovely tree-lined pathways, this park and greenspace is a perfect escape for locals and visitors. This space offers a beautiful green haven with plenty of trees to relax under and view Edinburgh Castle above on the castle rock. Normally, if I’m in the centre of the city and need a place to sit down and relax, I come to these gardens.

Calton Hill

Calton Hill is one of Edinburgh’s most iconic locations. This historic hill offers a unique blend of panoramic views and historic monuments and is very easy to access from the centre of Edinburgh. As you ascend Calton Hill, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Edinburgh’s skyline including Arthurs Seat, The Crags, Edinburgh Castle, and Princes Street. This greenspace is the perfect spot to watch a sunrise or sunset, enjoy a peaceful wander, or relax on the grass and take in the views of Arthurs Seat. This is one of my favourite greenspaces to go to in Edinburgh for a morning walk before my work day starts.

Blackford Hill and Pond

Located in the southern outskirts of Edinburgh in the Morningside area, Blackford Hill and Pond offers a serene reserve away from the City. As you ascend the hill you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the stunning Edinburgh skyline and the Pentland Hills in the distance. The peaceful Blackford Pond further adds to the charm of the area with its calm waters reflecting the surrounding scenery, with a path that leads around the pond. The hill and its surrounding nature reserve are a haven for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers, offering a chance to spot a variety of bird species including swans, herons, mallard ducks, and pochards.

Royal Botanic Garden

The Royal Botanical Gardens, more locally known as The Botanics, is a stunning garden filled with diverse flora and fauna from around the world. It spans over 70 acres and offers a blend of curated landscapes, themed gardens, and glasshouses. As you walk through the gardens, you’ll encounter a vast array of plant species from vibrant flowers and trees to smaller ferns and aromatic herbs.

Some of my favourite collections are the Woodland Garden (home to some magnificent trees), the Rock Garden (which starts with a waterfall at one of the highest points in the area), and the Chinese Hillside.

In addition, the Botanics also holds an impressive light show during the Christmas season which lights up the paths and trails.

Final Note

This post lists 7 must-visit parks and greenspaces in Edinburgh. These are a list of my favourite parks and greenspaces to visit in Edinburgh (there are many more that I must visit myself), all of which I visit on a frequent basis for a walk and to relax outdoors. I hope you found this post useful, and that you get as much enjoyment out of these places as I do!