The 7 best gardens in Edinburgh for a perfect escape

From the Princes Street Gardens in the city’s heart to Kyoto Friendship Garden by the Firth of Forth, explore the best gardens of Edinburgh.
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Amy Freeman
Jun 6, 2025·7 min read
The 7 best gardens in Edinburgh for a perfect escape

Whether you’re in Edinburgh moving from one Fringe show to another or spending your days castle-hopping, knowing where to go for some rest, relaxation, and greenery is a must. The best gardens in Edinburgh let you unwind, away from all the action, while you reconnect with nature.

Head to the Royal Botanic Garden to get your fill of native and exotic plants. As you explore Edinburgh’s landmarks, duck into Dunbar’s Close to get away from the crowds. From the centrally located Princes Street Gardens to the tranquil and further flung Kyoto Friendship Garden, the gardens of Edinburgh offer peace, beauty, and, often, a perfect spot for a picnic.

1. Royal Botanic Garden

A must-visit for plant enthusiasts

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Photo: Nadim Kobeissi

Iconic Victorian glasshouses shelter exotic plants year-round.

Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden covers 70 acres of land just one mile away from the city center. An oasis tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the Old and New Towns, the Royal Botanic Gardens are worth exploring on a sunny day in Edinburgh.

Highlights

The Royal Botanic Garden is actually a collection of gardens, each one grouped around a theme or type of plant. In the Heath Collection, get up close and personal with Scottish native plants, such as rowan and wych elm. Head over to the Demonstration Garden to see how to grow edible plants or travel back in botanical time with a visit to the Biodiversity Garden, which has more than 500 plants arranged in evolutionary order.

Address

Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ, United Kingdom.

Opening hours

Open daily, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Explore Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden

2. Princes Street Gardens

Best for taking a break during a busy sightseeing day

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Historic Princes Street Gardens offer urban sanctuary beneath castle.

In the valley beneath the towering Edinburgh Castle lies Princes Street Gardens. Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, to the south of busy Princes Street, the gardens provide an ideal spot to rest and relax in the midst or at the end of a busy sightseeing day. Find a spot on one of the benches that line the gardens’ walkways, or bring a blanket and spread out for a picnic on the expansive lawn. In late spring, summer, and early fall, you’ll find plenty of people doing the same.

Highlights

While offering a respite from the city, the gardens are also full of exciting monuments. Marvel at the Scott Monument at the top of the gardens, dedicated to Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott. The Gothic monument features 64 sculptures inspired by his works and a statue of Scott himself at the base. Other noteworthy statues in the Gardens include Wojtek The Bear, who aided Polish soldiers during World War II, and the Robert Louis Stevenson Memorial.

Address

Princes Street Gardens, Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2HG, United Kingdom

Opening hours

Open daily, 7:00 AM–9:35 PM

Explore Edinburgh Castle

3. Dunbar’s Close

Best for leisurely walks

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Photo: Jim Barton

Hidden gem Dunbar's Close recreates classic Scots garden design.

Blink, and you’ll miss it; that’s how tucked away Dunbar’s Close is. The perfect spot to relax while strolling the Royal Mile, Dunbar’s Close is a formal, 17th-century-style garden that feels like going back in time.

Highlights

Divided into eight sections, Dunbar’s Close has gravel paths for taking a stroll, a grassy lawn for picnics, and plenty of benches for relaxation. Depending on the season, you may see hyacinths or marigolds in bloom. Throughout the year, carefully trimmed hedges remind you of the garden’s formality.

Address

Dunbar’s Close, 137 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BW, United Kingdom

Opening hours

Open daily, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM

Stroll the Royal Mile

4. Saughton Park and Garden

The perfect garden for hanging out with locals

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Photo: M J Richardson

Restored bandstand anchors Saughton Park's elegant grounds.

Considered a hidden gem, Saughton Park and Garden is found in the western part of the city. A stroll along the Water of Leith Walkway will get you there, as will the tram, which stops at nearby Balgreen Road. The park boasts several gardens, including three orchards, a rose garden, a winter garden, and a physic garden. Supported by the volunteer efforts of the local community, Saughton Park and Garden is beloved by locals.

Highlights

Saughton Park and Garden is often called a hidden gem due to its distance from the city center. But don’t let that deter you. The park is one of the best family-friendly activities in Edinburgh, including a playground, bocce court, and chess tables inside the walled garden. The individual garden’s stunning displays give adults and kids alike something to marvel at, such as the exotic plants in the winter garden.

Address

Saughton Park and Garden, Balgreen Rd, Edinburgh EH11 3BQ, United Kingdom

Opening hours

Open daily, 9:00 AM–9:00 PM

Uncover more hidden gems in Edinburgh

5. Dr. Neil’s Garden

Best for reconnecting with nature

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Peaceful paths invite exploration at Dr Neil's Garden.

Dr. Neil’s Garden stands apart from other Edinburgh gardens because it was founded by two private individuals and continues to be run by a private charity rather than the government. Found near Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh’s extinct volcano, Dr. Neil’s Garden gives you a chance to uncover the beauty of nature and the value of plants.

Highlights

Originally created by two physicians, Dr. Andrew Neil and Dr. Nancy Neil, the garden boasts a collection of conifers, magnolias, and azaleas, as well as plants with traditional uses in medicine. Throughout the year, the garden hosts multiple events, including talks that reflect on the meaning of nature and artworks from local artists.

Address

Dr. Neil's Garden, 5 Old Church Ln, Duddingston, Edinburgh EH15 3PX, United Kingdom

Opening hours

Open daily, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Explore nature around Arthur’s Seat

6. Palace of Holyroodhouse Garden

Best garden for royal history lovers

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Photo: Nigel Swales

Royal gardens showcase seasonal color at Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Edinburgh’s Holyrood Palace is worth a visit on its own, but if the weather is up for it, the connected garden is also a must-see. Step into the gardens and see how the royal family of Scotland once played, hunted, and worked.

Highlights

Although the gardens thrived under King James IV, the first royal to call Holyrood home, and were the hunting and archery stomping grounds of Mary Queen of Scots, they later fell into disrepair. When Queen Elizabeth and her family moved in, they rejuvenated the gardens, reviving the physic garden’s collection of medicinal and culinary plants and creating a meadow full of beautiful blooms. The gardens continue to be updated, so every visit could potentially reveal something new.

Address

Garden of Holyrood House, Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, United Kingdom

Opening hours

Open Thursday–Monday, 9:30 AM–4:30 PM

Unravel the history of Holyrood House

7. Kyoto Friendship Garden

Ideal for a stunning view of the Firth of Forth

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Photo: Victuallers

Kyoto Garden brings zen aesthetics to Edinburgh's green spaces.

Created to honor the twinning of the cities of Edinburgh and Kyoto, the Kyoto Friendship Garden is a tranquil spot on the grounds of Lauriston Castle, overlooking the Firth of Forth.

Highlights

Head to the Kyoto Friendship Garden in the early spring to take in the cherry blossoms in all their pink glory. Stroll along the garden’s gravel paths, pausing to reflect as you walk across the bridge or on one of the large rocks inside the zen garden. Dip into a bamboo shelter for a picnic or to gaze at the waters of the Firth of Forth. While the garden is open to the public anytime the castle grounds are open, Lauriston Castle is open for guided tours only.

Address

Kyoto Friendship Garden, Lauriston Castle, 31 Barnton Gardens, Edinburgh EH4 6AE, United Kingdom

Opening hours

Open daily, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Take in the view of the Firth of Forth

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FAQs: Best gardens in Edinburgh

How much time should I plan to spend at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh?
A typical visit to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh takes about 90 minutes, though you can explore at your own pace until closing time. This renowned garden is a hub for plant biodiversity research and conservation.
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Is Christmas at the Botanics worth visiting?
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