I live the Royal Botanical Gardens in any season come rain or shine. There is something delicious about walking through the gardens in the rain and equally delicious about picnicking on the grass surrounded by summer flowers and lush vegetation. The hot houses provide a respite on cold days and the winter lights festival is well worth bundling yourself up for. It's like a trip into the imagination of a fairy. Just go visit.

Roxanne ChristerJan 20, 2018

Fantastic couple of hours spent here! Great place to escape the snow... especially in the massive greenhouse! Beautiful plants and well looked after establishment. Great for families. Ample parking

Greg HendryMar 3, 2018

Nice way to spend an afternoon. Lots too see in winter as well as in spring and summer. If willing to spend a few pounds the greenhouse is very interesting and took us a good couple of hours to walk around. Lots of very pretty exhibits as well as weird ones! Been to two of the cafes, one is more of a canteen and the other is table service. Good food and service at both. The shop sells lots of nice gifts and often has discounted plants if you get inspired to do some gardening after your visit. Would take my family and any visiting friends for a wander round.

Sophie AyscoughJan 9, 2018

Nice oasis to walk and relax a few minutes by bus from Princes Street (line 23 or 27 near the National Gallery of Scotland). A great variety of plants and habitats from all over the world with descriptions and information. Glasshouses tour take up to 2 hours while to see and explore the Garden at least 3-4 hours are necessary. Glasshouses are closed on windy days due to safety concern.

Francesco LonisFeb 9, 2018

Visited after dark for the winter lights. Really well put together, each section was different and the combination of lights and sounds worked well thought out. The buildings, trees and other features were used to maximum effect. Our mixed party of kids and adults all enjoyed it. The staff were friendly and helpful. The price of refreshments was a little steep but that is what you come to expect these days. Will need to visit again in the daylight!

David FergusonDec 11, 2017

Had such an amazing time. It is the end of March and the flowers are not yet blooming but we saw wonders in the glass house. Such beautiful flowers, vibrant colors and interesting plants. The entrance to the botanical garden is free but there is a small fee for the glass house. Staff was so polite and friendly. I forgot my phone on the rest room and I was able to retrieve it right away.

Jatania MotaMar 31, 2018

It's one of the nicest places in Edinburgh to Bring Your family. Not a lot in the way of amusements for small children but they will love running around and feeding the squirrels; which are remarkably friendly here. Decent Cafes and lots of good spots to sit and take it all in. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available free of charge, best to call ahead to reserve though. If you come during the winter months, there is a special event called the botanic lights, which in my opinion is a must see. Oh yeah, it's free apart from special events and the big greenhouse.

David WilsonMar 27, 2018

This is such a wonderful place. I loved the glasshouses, each one had a particular smell and temperature. Some plants are huge and so well looked after. One day is not enough to see them all , I wanted to build a room inside and live there 😄

Maria LopesApr 3, 2018

Great place to spend the day wandering around like a little lost soul.. Free to get into the main gardens and look at the plants and squirrels and stuff. Take a packed lunch or picnic if it's nice out and you can sit in the sun eating your sandwiches. You have to pay to get into the glass houses, but it's worth it. They can be hot and humid, but beautiful none the less..

Bry MoffatMar 6, 2018

Excellent throughout the year for a quiet stroll amongst nature in the heart of the city. Lovely food area with hot and cold food, caters to wee ones. Wheelchair accessible, buggy accessible. Would highly recommend to all locals and tourists!! At the John Hope entrance you can buy squirrel fees for a pound and feed the squirrels and birds along your stroll, very popular with the wee ones. And it's all free entry, except for the glasshouses where there's a suggested donation of £5.

Andrea BavasApr 15, 2018

Excellent gardens with great views of the city. Hot houses can be visited at a cost, but the rest of the garden is completely free! There is an excellent visitor centre complete with restaurant, and a smaller cafè just up the hill for teas, coffees and light lunches. The variety of plants in the gardens is diverse and each area is clearly marked with information about each plant available too. Mobility scooters are available for less able guests and a lot to see! Well worth a visit on a nice day. Weekends/sunny days are always very busy and can be noisy with children.

Mickey FinniganApr 25, 2018

I visited in April and although the cafe was too busy for us, the grounds were peaceful. The glasshouses were exceptionally beautiful and well worth the entry fee. Lost 1 star due to the ugly heating and ventilation pipes in the glasshouses which really distracted me. They made it look like a building site wherever they were placed. But even with this big negative point I was glad I went

Elinor TeahonApr 25, 2018

A lovely place to visit any time of the year. I went at the end of March when the grounds was just coming into their own. Lots of places just to sit and take it all in and so many wonderful plants. Has a large visitors centre and very nice restaurant with friendly staff and lovely food. There is also the hot house for the more tropical plants and a great place on a cold damp day. A wonderful gem in a big city.

Lesley ThompsonJun 5, 2018

Always a peaceful pleasure walking through the Botanics. There is such a variety of trees, plants and flowers to enjoy. You can take your time wandering around the many paths enjoying the surroundings. It's like a little bit of paradise in the middle of a busy city. Take your time a take a picnic, if the Scottish weather permits! I love this place.

Andrew BriggsJun 6, 2018

I was so amazed by the Greenhouses and I have been to many all over the world. It was winter when I came but I was still very impressed by the grounds and the magnificent Rhododendron collection..wow. Plus the tree varieties are immense (there is a special tree that has what looks to be a face in its trunk - see if u can find it!!) and incredibly beautiful (even in slumber). I can't wait to go when it's in full bloom🌷🌳😍

Lee Lu DallasJun 8, 2018

Oh Lord, this was probably one of my favorite things in Scotland. I could have spent more than the 2+ hours I spent, and I didn't even make it into the hothouses! I could not believe it was free. It was stunning, absolutely stunning. There was a decent amount of wildlife and SO many kinds of plants! This is 100% a must see if you're in Edinburgh.

GabriellA FrancoJun 2, 2018

Absolutely stunning! The garden offers a different ambience to the usual city life. It's definitely the place to go if you are interested in plants and nature, or if you're just looking for a peaceful walk around :) It's completely free to enter, which is fantastic and it's a great picnic location! The only place that requires that small donation to enter is the green house, which has lots of exotic plants inside :) Only downside is if you're travelling by car, you will need to pay for parking :( Parking in Edinburgh is not cheap unfortunately Definitely recommend a wee visit!

Nicole ShekMay 23, 2018

A wonderful collection of gardens; well worth a stop while visiting Edinburgh. We strolled to the glass building to see the blooms and walk along the miniature gardens. There is a charge to enter the glass garden building. It was a beautiful day for our visit so we choose to skip going inside. It's a large area so pack a drink and snack - we saw many families enjoying picnics on the grass areas. The gift shop is very nice and worth a visit. Well worth a visit on a sunny day.

James McGavieJun 13, 2018

Great place to have a quiet day in nature! It's a well kept garden and free except the greenhouse which is very inexpensive for how big it is (the pond bit is beautiful!). The garden itself got different parts just like the Chinese hillside, stone garden and a big pond. There's plenty of space to have picnics or sit down and bits that aren't to be stepped or sat on are marked. All in all recommended and a good place to go to escape from the busy city!

pär pärenbrotJun 8, 2018

You can spend a brilliant day all around these gardens just for free. You would only pay if you wanted to go to the Glasshouses, which are also a cool walk. There are many enjoyable corners. I was amazed by the huge hedge and the smell of roses coming from the Queen Mother Memorial Garden, where the 'Diamond Jubilee' Rose can be spotted. But my favourite places were the Rock Garden, from whose top you can steal some lovely views of the city, and the Chinese Hill, where some narrow slopes get you in a party for the senses by smelling the different flowers you are coming across, touching the leaves and the branches by your side, listening to the water coming down in the proximity, feeling some gusts of fresh air while crossing the bridges... In sum, this is a visit I'd recommend if you can spare at least half a day, but that can be enjoyed even for a mere hour and a half (you won't see everything, though.) It is also a good escape, especially if at some moment you feel like you need to run away from some of the typical excesses in the city along the Royal Mile or during the Festivals.

Rubén MolinaJul 1, 2018

The Botanical Gardens are beautiful on a warm, sunny day. It's a great place to visit and just relax. There are a couple of coffee shops to have a snack and a drink at. Of course, there are the thousands of different species of plants, flowers and trees to see as well, along with lots of different wildlife that flocks here. The real bonus is that it is free entry! I would recommend you visit this landmark if you are visiting Edinburgh!

Arran BrownJul 26, 2018

The Royal Botanic Gardens is a great place for all the family and best of all the outdoor parts of it are free! Various themed areas make up the garden with plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and many more things from nature from all around the world. We took our Niece and she loved learning about all of the different things from the information plaques. It's great for repeat visits as you can vary your route through and take in different parts.

Goan RonneyJul 24, 2018

A beautiful garden! We had only a short walk in a minor part of this large garden. There are many interesting plants and trees to see for free. If you pay an admission there are also many glasshouses to visit. Take a relaxing walk here instead of joining the crowd around the castle...

Linda AlmJul 26, 2018

I live the Royal Botanical Gardens in any season come rain or shine. There is something delicious about walking through the gardens in the rain and equally delicious about picnicking on the grass surrounded by summer flowers and lush vegetation. The hot houses provide a respite on cold days and the winter lights festival is well worth bundling yourself up for. It's like a trip into the imagination of a fairy. Just go visit.

Roxanne ChristerJan 20, 2018

Fantastic couple of hours spent here! Great place to escape the snow... especially in the massive greenhouse! Beautiful plants and well looked after establishment. Great for families. Ample parking

Greg HendryMar 3, 2018

Nice way to spend an afternoon. Lots too see in winter as well as in spring and summer. If willing to spend a few pounds the greenhouse is very interesting and took us a good couple of hours to walk around. Lots of very pretty exhibits as well as weird ones! Been to two of the cafes, one is more of a canteen and the other is table service. Good food and service at both. The shop sells lots of nice gifts and often has discounted plants if you get inspired to do some gardening after your visit. Would take my family and any visiting friends for a wander round.

Sophie AyscoughJan 9, 2018

Nice oasis to walk and relax a few minutes by bus from Princes Street (line 23 or 27 near the National Gallery of Scotland). A great variety of plants and habitats from all over the world with descriptions and information. Glasshouses tour take up to 2 hours while to see and explore the Garden at least 3-4 hours are necessary. Glasshouses are closed on windy days due to safety concern.

Francesco LonisFeb 9, 2018

Visited after dark for the winter lights. Really well put together, each section was different and the combination of lights and sounds worked well thought out. The buildings, trees and other features were used to maximum effect. Our mixed party of kids and adults all enjoyed it. The staff were friendly and helpful. The price of refreshments was a little steep but that is what you come to expect these days. Will need to visit again in the daylight!

David FergusonDec 11, 2017

Had such an amazing time. It is the end of March and the flowers are not yet blooming but we saw wonders in the glass house. Such beautiful flowers, vibrant colors and interesting plants. The entrance to the botanical garden is free but there is a small fee for the glass house. Staff was so polite and friendly. I forgot my phone on the rest room and I was able to retrieve it right away.

Jatania MotaMar 31, 2018

It's one of the nicest places in Edinburgh to Bring Your family. Not a lot in the way of amusements for small children but they will love running around and feeding the squirrels; which are remarkably friendly here. Decent Cafes and lots of good spots to sit and take it all in. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are available free of charge, best to call ahead to reserve though. If you come during the winter months, there is a special event called the botanic lights, which in my opinion is a must see. Oh yeah, it's free apart from special events and the big greenhouse.

David WilsonMar 27, 2018

This is such a wonderful place. I loved the glasshouses, each one had a particular smell and temperature. Some plants are huge and so well looked after. One day is not enough to see them all , I wanted to build a room inside and live there 😄

Maria LopesApr 3, 2018

Great place to spend the day wandering around like a little lost soul.. Free to get into the main gardens and look at the plants and squirrels and stuff. Take a packed lunch or picnic if it's nice out and you can sit in the sun eating your sandwiches. You have to pay to get into the glass houses, but it's worth it. They can be hot and humid, but beautiful none the less..

Bry MoffatMar 6, 2018

Excellent throughout the year for a quiet stroll amongst nature in the heart of the city. Lovely food area with hot and cold food, caters to wee ones. Wheelchair accessible, buggy accessible. Would highly recommend to all locals and tourists!! At the John Hope entrance you can buy squirrel fees for a pound and feed the squirrels and birds along your stroll, very popular with the wee ones. And it's all free entry, except for the glasshouses where there's a suggested donation of £5.

Andrea BavasApr 15, 2018

Excellent gardens with great views of the city. Hot houses can be visited at a cost, but the rest of the garden is completely free! There is an excellent visitor centre complete with restaurant, and a smaller cafè just up the hill for teas, coffees and light lunches. The variety of plants in the gardens is diverse and each area is clearly marked with information about each plant available too. Mobility scooters are available for less able guests and a lot to see! Well worth a visit on a nice day. Weekends/sunny days are always very busy and can be noisy with children.

Mickey FinniganApr 25, 2018

I visited in April and although the cafe was too busy for us, the grounds were peaceful. The glasshouses were exceptionally beautiful and well worth the entry fee. Lost 1 star due to the ugly heating and ventilation pipes in the glasshouses which really distracted me. They made it look like a building site wherever they were placed. But even with this big negative point I was glad I went

Elinor TeahonApr 25, 2018

A lovely place to visit any time of the year. I went at the end of March when the grounds was just coming into their own. Lots of places just to sit and take it all in and so many wonderful plants. Has a large visitors centre and very nice restaurant with friendly staff and lovely food. There is also the hot house for the more tropical plants and a great place on a cold damp day. A wonderful gem in a big city.

Lesley ThompsonJun 5, 2018

Always a peaceful pleasure walking through the Botanics. There is such a variety of trees, plants and flowers to enjoy. You can take your time wandering around the many paths enjoying the surroundings. It's like a little bit of paradise in the middle of a busy city. Take your time a take a picnic, if the Scottish weather permits! I love this place.

Andrew BriggsJun 6, 2018

I was so amazed by the Greenhouses and I have been to many all over the world. It was winter when I came but I was still very impressed by the grounds and the magnificent Rhododendron collection..wow. Plus the tree varieties are immense (there is a special tree that has what looks to be a face in its trunk - see if u can find it!!) and incredibly beautiful (even in slumber). I can't wait to go when it's in full bloom🌷🌳😍

Lee Lu DallasJun 8, 2018

Oh Lord, this was probably one of my favorite things in Scotland. I could have spent more than the 2+ hours I spent, and I didn't even make it into the hothouses! I could not believe it was free. It was stunning, absolutely stunning. There was a decent amount of wildlife and SO many kinds of plants! This is 100% a must see if you're in Edinburgh.

GabriellA FrancoJun 2, 2018

Absolutely stunning! The garden offers a different ambience to the usual city life. It's definitely the place to go if you are interested in plants and nature, or if you're just looking for a peaceful walk around :) It's completely free to enter, which is fantastic and it's a great picnic location! The only place that requires that small donation to enter is the green house, which has lots of exotic plants inside :) Only downside is if you're travelling by car, you will need to pay for parking :( Parking in Edinburgh is not cheap unfortunately Definitely recommend a wee visit!

Nicole ShekMay 23, 2018

A wonderful collection of gardens; well worth a stop while visiting Edinburgh. We strolled to the glass building to see the blooms and walk along the miniature gardens. There is a charge to enter the glass garden building. It was a beautiful day for our visit so we choose to skip going inside. It's a large area so pack a drink and snack - we saw many families enjoying picnics on the grass areas. The gift shop is very nice and worth a visit. Well worth a visit on a sunny day.

James McGavieJun 13, 2018

Great place to have a quiet day in nature! It's a well kept garden and free except the greenhouse which is very inexpensive for how big it is (the pond bit is beautiful!). The garden itself got different parts just like the Chinese hillside, stone garden and a big pond. There's plenty of space to have picnics or sit down and bits that aren't to be stepped or sat on are marked. All in all recommended and a good place to go to escape from the busy city!

pär pärenbrotJun 8, 2018

You can spend a brilliant day all around these gardens just for free. You would only pay if you wanted to go to the Glasshouses, which are also a cool walk. There are many enjoyable corners. I was amazed by the huge hedge and the smell of roses coming from the Queen Mother Memorial Garden, where the 'Diamond Jubilee' Rose can be spotted. But my favourite places were the Rock Garden, from whose top you can steal some lovely views of the city, and the Chinese Hill, where some narrow slopes get you in a party for the senses by smelling the different flowers you are coming across, touching the leaves and the branches by your side, listening to the water coming down in the proximity, feeling some gusts of fresh air while crossing the bridges... In sum, this is a visit I'd recommend if you can spare at least half a day, but that can be enjoyed even for a mere hour and a half (you won't see everything, though.) It is also a good escape, especially if at some moment you feel like you need to run away from some of the typical excesses in the city along the Royal Mile or during the Festivals.

Rubén MolinaJul 1, 2018

The Botanical Gardens are beautiful on a warm, sunny day. It's a great place to visit and just relax. There are a couple of coffee shops to have a snack and a drink at. Of course, there are the thousands of different species of plants, flowers and trees to see as well, along with lots of different wildlife that flocks here. The real bonus is that it is free entry! I would recommend you visit this landmark if you are visiting Edinburgh!

Arran BrownJul 26, 2018

The Royal Botanic Gardens is a great place for all the family and best of all the outdoor parts of it are free! Various themed areas make up the garden with plants, flowers, shrubs, trees and many more things from nature from all around the world. We took our Niece and she loved learning about all of the different things from the information plaques. It's great for repeat visits as you can vary your route through and take in different parts.

Goan RonneyJul 24, 2018

A beautiful garden! We had only a short walk in a minor part of this large garden. There are many interesting plants and trees to see for free. If you pay an admission there are also many glasshouses to visit. Take a relaxing walk here instead of joining the crowd around the castle...

Linda AlmJul 26, 2018