Very clean on the edge of The Meadows. There are swings, slide, and climbing structure. Lots of…read moreparents and young children. Did not see any snack counters.

Ok, so I'm obviously not a five-year old child anymore. (I can type and spell and use words like…read moreincongruous, though I haven't had the opportunity yet). But I like play parks. There comes a point when people stop making fun things for you. I mean, I'm in my early 20s, so people give me clothes and books instead of water-guns. Which is totally valid. But I think every now and then people should give their friends bouncy balls and hoola-hoops and frisbees. Seriously. So, this playpark is not half as cool as the one on the Meadows, but it's in a quieter less crowded part of the park. They have slides and monkey bars and all sort of fun things. I've many a time seen children having fun on them. (I've also seen older teenagers having fun on them. At night. With beer). If you feel like you're tired of being 20, maybe have a visit. If you're a parent, then take your children there, 'cause that's where it looks like the party is.

Holyrood Park is a large park home to a number of historic sites and landmarks accessible via a…read moretrail system, including Arthur's Seat, Hunter's Bog, Dunsapie Crag, St Anthony's Chapel, Duddingston Loch, and The Radical Road. I approached on foot the morning of Friday 19 July 2019, reaching a sign of the park and its trail system at approximately 9:31 a.m. There were a number of cars coming and going already. It was my first visit to the park, so I opted to walk and skip any hassle I might encounter with parking. I was happy with that decision as it was a quick look at the map to get my bearings and I was on my way without needing to find parking. For my final destination in the park for the visit, I chose to hike to the top of Arthur's Seat - remains of a volcano that was active over 300 million years ago. The trails were well maintained and well designed for handling a large number of hikers.

This hike was perfect!! Beautiful weather in June, over looked the city, not crowded at all, and…read moreeasy for a family to tackle together (just keep small ones away from the edges as some areas are steep drop offs abruptly).

Our last day we took a walk here, and The Meadows was the perfect place to get in steps and pass…read morethe time. This large, clean park is near the university with walking/running trails. It is surrounded by trees. If you look above the trees you'll see how modern architecture blends with the very old buildings. In the park is a playground for toddlers and a little older children. A short-game 36-hole golf course is here with a neat history listed on the signs. You walk on at no cost carrying a wedge and putter and practice/play as long as you want. We saw two girlfriends playing, and two businessmen in shirts and ties playing during their lunch hour. There is also a dog park. Take a walk here on the paved paths.

It's a nice place. Maybe it's because I'm from a country that has plenty of spaces like this, but…read morethe Meadows doesn't blow my mind. I mean yes, it nice and green, and it's cool having a space like this in the city, but in my view there are other awesome places like Inverleith Park, and the Botanic Gardens (obvious I'm from Stockbridge much?) that aren't such a hike to get to but have much better views. Also less people which I like. Walking through, this place is quite busy with people sitting with their lunch, drumming, playing with their children or walking through to get to their next destination. Overall a nice space that is easily accessible, and would probably be a favorite of mine if I lived on that side of town, but it's not so in blowing that I need to go out of my way to return.

Having Stewart's in my family tree, this was a must-visit! Lovely palace and grounds seeped in…read morehistory at the end/beginning of the Royal Mile that is still used by the British Royal Family! Don't miss the Kings Gallery building at the front entrance near the Ticket office. Plenty of stories, artwork, tapestries, and craftsmanship provided on the self-guided (mini screen) tour. Don't forget to look up, some of the ceilings are amazing! Plan to spend at least 2 hours here, and if you're feeling energetic, you can also hike up to Arthur's Seat (make sure to bring along a bottle or two of water) - the pathway is to the left behind the Palace.

As others have said, it's the reigning Monarch's official residence in Edinburgh. It was the…read moreprimary home of Mary, Queen of Scots in the 16th century. It's here where you can still see her private residence within the palace as well as the staterooms that are currently used today for official engagements. Especially during Holyrood Week when Queen Elizabeth II would host grand garden tea parties and lunches to recognize public service and non-profit organizations. The summer activities celebrating Scottish culture continues today with the Celebration of the Keys. It kicks off the week-long event when King Charles III accepts the keys to the City of Edinburgh. Our tour guide stopped here to give us a brief rundown of the history of this palace. It's located at the foot of the Royal Mile. We sadly didn't get a chance to go back for a tour of the palace, abbey, and gardens. Give yourself at least 3 hours to experience it all. There's also a palace café located in the Mews Courtyard (near the King's Gallery & Ticket Office) that serves lunch and afternoon tea. The Scottish Parliament and White Horse Close are nearby as well. It's a great place to be when starting that journey up to the castle.

Great big park with lots to do. There is a sand pit, spiders web, flying fox, swings and lots of…read moreother fun things for the kids to play on. There is benches and picnic tables which I think there should be more of as it's usually quite busy but there is a grassy area if you can't get a table or bench. There is toilets, a small shop to get a tea or coffee and an ice cream van nearby!

Kids these days don't know how lucky they are. This is such a middle class playground it is…read moreunbelievable: not content with just swings, you have race car chair swings. There's a zip wire, a climbing wall, some form of big swinging disk thing and numerous other structures bringing unadulterated joy to me...and probably little kids as well. During the day this playground is absolutely rammed with screaming children as mothers discuss the latest issue of glamour or yesterday's tea party. This is the time to avoid, mainly because you'll look a bit weird swinging with a load of 5 year olds (careful those of you with innuendo based minds). In the evening though, or better in the small hours of the morning, this is a drunkard's paradise. Everything becomes so much more amazing...and more difficult. Whether it be the swings, the climbing frame or simply the spinning disk then it is a joy. Also the playground is one of the best places to meet fellow boozehounds, there's a real community of idiots there. A word of warning though, when on the swings, make sure you don't look at the hypno-disk, it will definitely make you feel queasy at the least. An amazing park with brilliant features for all kids, both little and large

Took our Sightseeing Bus to West Gate Entrance. Free to walk around with a suggested donation that…read moreyou can offer or not. The gardens are tranquil, quiet and calm. The array of plant species is abundant. Follow a path or wander into/out of an area, spread a blanket or sit on a bench and people watch. Snack bar, gift shop and clean bathrooms. We really enjoyed the downtime after a long week of travel. Simply Beautiful. Enjoy.

Worth a visit if you need a splash of greenery and nature to complement the history, architecture…read moreand man-made majesty of the Scottish capital, which we did. Walking the beautiful grounds on a picture perfect day, after visiting Edinburgh Castle, Old Town and The Royal Mile, we rejuvenated ourselves for more sightseeing and gallery viewing. Pro-tip: get drinks, sandwiches and snacks to-go from one of the famous bakeries in old town and enjoy them on a bench at the Royal Botanic Garden.

Easy access from anyplace in Edinburgh. Beautiful park. Spring bulbs are in bloom (May 20, 2026).read more

It's the nicely landscaped square and garden in the heart of New Town. We just happened to see it…read moreafter having lunch at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar. There are many nice restaurants and shops all over this area. It's most definitely the ritziest part of town with all the designer shops such as Louis Vuitton & Gucci across from the square. There's also a Costa Coffee shop at the very corner of it. It's all very convenient. We walked around the garden. It wasn't as beautiful as it normally would be in the spring or summer. The trees were displaying their fall colors, and there wasn't much in the way of flowering plants. The Melville Monument, Lion of Scotland statue, and Paddington Bear are all great photo opportunities here. Everyone was taking pictures with Paddington Bear on the bench eating a marmalade sandwich. I just happened to snap a picture in between the selfies. I actually found this sculpture to be the most interesting one of them all. St. Andrew Square Garden is a nice little stop if you just happened to be in the area. It's a great place to relax after a day of touring, eating, drinking, or shopping.

Edinburgh Castle is the most visited attraction in Scotland, welcoming over 1.3 million visitors…read moreeach year who come in search of views, royal history, and a glimpse at the 'Honours of Scotland' - Britain's oldest crown jewels. Edinburgh Castle is not only the dominant feature of the city's skyline, visible from miles around, it's also the feature which gives the city its name -- the old Gaelic name translates roughly as 'the fort on the hill'. trust me, you might underestimate this castle, and even i have kept 2 hrs for this, but it needs more time. With several museums, a large war memorial, a royal palace, a Great Hall & several other little stops/activities, if you want to actually see all of Edinburgh Castle's sights and attractions, you'll need much more than two hours... especially considering the line to see the Honours of Scotland (AKA the Crown Jewels) can last 20+ minutes. * Three regimental military museums * The National War Museum * The Scottish National War Memorial * The Honours of Scotland, featuring the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Destiny * St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh * Optional 30-minute introductory tours available throughout the day * Prisons of War exhibition * The Great Hall where banquets were held * The One O'Clock Gun, fired every day (except Sunday) at 1pm * Visit the small antechamber where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to her son, James VI of Scotland * Three gift shops and two cafes The oldest surviving structure at the castle (and the oldest in the city) dates back to the 12th century. It is of course St Margaret's Chapel, built by King David I in honour of his mother. This same king is the one credited with turning Edinburgh Castle into a royal residence. As the years rolled on, royals came and went, with new additions being made to the castle, creating the complex we see today. The Renaissance of the 1400s for instance brought us the Royal Palace that now houses various royal paintings and displays (including THE closet where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI of Scotland, AKA King James I of England). The 1500s brought us the Great Hall, which was needed of course for fancy banquets. The 1600s brought new defences and barracks as the castle eased into its role of a military outpost more than swanky royal digs Tickets to Edinburgh Castle should be booked online before you arrive. Tip: these spots across the city offers great view of the castle- Calton Hill, The Grassmarket, Salisbury Crags, Castle Esplanade, Ross Fountain, St Cuthbert's Churchyard, The Vennel

We went here while on vacation with ages ranging from 2-75. Make sure you schedule your time. They…read moreare very strict about it. There is a lot of walking and mostly uphill. Plan for a few hours because it is huge. If you have young kids a stroller is a necessity. It is a beautiful sight and a must when you are in Edinburgh.

I count myself quite lucky to live just a hop-skip away from Harrison Park. In the year since I…read moremoved to Edinburgh, I've been fortunate enough to see the changing of the seasons take place in this lovely green space. From spotting nearby hills crested with snow, to the early spring buds and blossoms on the trees along the canal, to the numerous barbecues and people luxuriating in the summer sun. It's autumn once more, and the yellowing trees are truly a sight to see on a brisk autumn day. Harrison Park may not be huge like the Meadows, but it makes up for it by being connected directly onto the Union Canal, where you can walk, cycle, or run your heart out along the water. There's two different sections, West and East, one of which is normally full of sportsy folks doing their thing, and the other full of children on the playground and the prettiest dogs you ever did see stretching their legs on the green. It's well-paved and well-manicured, and just has a bit more of that community feeling to it than the bustling Meadows does. If you find yourself in the area on a nice day, Harrison Park is definitely worth a wander!

I live close to Harrison Park and I usually find myself wandering over here when the sun comes out…read moreas I have no back garden. It It's a pretty community area, in the middle of a residential area, just off the canal but is quiet and peaceful and well maintained. It is a huge space - not on the same scale as The Meadows. This is probably why I like it as I find The Meadows huge but also pretty crowded on sunny days when I just want to sprawl out and have my own space. There are two large sections, separated by a path and some tree's and a kids play park. The pack is used by runners, mum's with kids, sunbathers and dog walkers and it is easy enough to find your own little space with no one overlapping. Tree's around the side of the park provide shade on sunny days, but lots of open sunny spots. Margiotta's is just along the road and perfect for picking up supplies on sunny days. So Harrison Park, I salute you as my 'outdoor office' and saviour on sunny days :-)