For a capital city, Edinburgh has a surprising amount of nature spots to explore. From river walks to secret gardens and hilltops that put you above everything. The trick is knowing which ones the locals recommend.
Nature & Outdoor Spaces
Blackford Hill
Arthur’s Seat gets all the attention, but locals tend to head here instead, and it offers impressive panoramas over the city. Go at sunset, take a flask and stay long enough for the city lights to come on below you. One of those places that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world.
Dean Village & the Water of Leith Walkway
Set your alarm and get here early. Dean Village is a cluster of old mill buildings that feels detached from the city around it. From here, walk the riverside path toward Stockbridge as the morning light comes through the trees. It’s one of the loveliest hours you can spend in Edinburgh, and almost everyone who does it wishes they’d done it on day one.
Dunbar’s Close Garden
A walled garden tucked just off the Royal Mile that people walk past every single day without noticing the gate. Step through it and you’re in a meticulously kept 17th-century-style garden with hedges, stone paths, birds and complete quiet. One of the city’s most calming places.
Calton Hill at Sunrise
Everyone goes at sunset, and it is beautiful, but locals know that sunrise is better. It’s calmer and softer, and you’ll have the place almost to yourself. It is absolutely worth the commitment.
Arthur’s Seat
The ancient volcano that towers over the city from Holyrood Park. Yes, tourists climb it, but that doesn’t make the 360-degree view from the top any less extraordinary. It’s worth doing at least once, on the clearest day you can find.
Arthur’s Seat Pond
Easy to walk straight past in the rush to get to the hill, but worth stopping at in summer. The pond sits in the shadow of the crags and is home to a large colony of swans throughout the warmer months. Lovely and completely free.
The Crags
While tourists head for the hilltop of Arthur’s Seat, locals walk the Crags, the dramatic flat-faced cliff that runs alongside it. A different perspective and far fewer people.
Colinton Tunnel
A former railway tunnel transformed into a vivid art mural inspired by Scottish poetry. Walking through it is impressive. Unexpected and unlike anything else in the city.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Beautiful and free to enter. One of the best places to spend a slow afternoon when the weather is on your side. Go slow and take it all in.
A Perfect Local-Style Day
Edinburgh has so much more to reveal to people who aren’t in a hurry. That’s the whole point of staying in the city centre, nothing on this list is more than a short walk or a quick bus ride away.
See where we are relative to Dean Village and Calton Hill, and when you’re ready, book your stay.
