The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is one of the loveliest botanic gardens in Europe, offering 70 acres of stunning scenery, exotic plants, tranquil landscapes, and scientific heritage. Founded in 1670, it’s both a horticultural beauty, and a centre for plant science and conservation.
Now as anyone who follows this blog knows, I’m a massive gardens fan (sorry, you’re probably sick of them all by now), and so absolutely no-one will be surprised to hear that I spent 3 hours exploring this wonderful place. Here’s a guide on what to see and do!
Things to see at Edinburgh Botanic Garden
The Rock Garden
My favourite part of the garden; it took my breath away! The Rock Garden features alpine plants arranged around a dramatic rocky landscape with flowing water and bridges, and is especially vibrant in spring and early summer.
The Chinese Hill Side
Another of the highlights of the garden is a peaceful slope showcasing plants native to China. RBGE has a partnership with a Chinese province and reflects the plants native to that area in this section. There are stone paths, a traditional pavilion, and views over the garden and city skyline.
Willow Pond & Blue Poppies
The Willow Pond is a pretty area, perfect for taking a break on one of the benches. Also keep an eye out in the summer months for the spectacular Himalayan blue poppy (Meconopsis). The flowers planted in the RBGE were cultivated in Nepal and only flower for around 2 weeks each year, in early summer. I timed my visit just to see these special flowers.
Upper Woodland
The upper woodland area has large lawns surrounded by woodland plants and trees – it’s really peaceful and the perfect place for a picnic if you bring food with you!
Azalea Lawn & Rhododendron Walk
Azaleas and Rhododendrons are two of my very favourite plants, both bursting with bright colours. Sadly for me they both flower from April to early May, so I had missed the main blooms; just a few pops of pink left for me!
Herbaceous Border
Who doesn’t love a herbaceous border!? If only my garden borders looked like this – packed with lavender, mint, lilies, yarrow and so much more, it really is beautiful at all times of year.
Botanic Cottage & Demonstration Garden
The cottage and gardens are really lovely, home to some fruit and vegetable beds, plus cottage flower beds you could plant for yourself at home (well, if you know what you’re doing – mine certainly aren’t looking like this!)
The Arboretum
The Arboretum is a lovely open area full of ancient and rare trees from around the world. I particularly love that trees can be sponsored in honour of people who have passed away. I imagine it would be absolutely stunning in autumn when the leaves turn vivid shades of gold and red.
Inverleith House
Right in the centre of the gardens is a large mansion style house, which hosts contemporary art exhibitions and events (check the current program online). I didn’t go in as the exhibition on my visit was called “Danger came Smiling”, which didn’t sound enough to entice me away from my beloved plants!
The Glasshouses
Finally, the RBGE is home to some amazing glasshouses, which are normally home to ten different climate zones, including tropical palms, ferns, cacti, and orchids. I would have absolutely loved to visit them (especially the orchids – hello Singapore and Malaysia), but sadly the glasshouses are currently undergoing a major restoration project, likely to take until at least 2027.
Visitor Information
Opening Hours:
- Daily: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (March–October)
- Closes earlier during winter (typically 4:00 PM).
- Free entry to the outdoor gardens. Charges apply for special exhibitions and glasshouses when open.
Admission & Accessibility:
- Outdoor gardens: Free
- Glasshouses: Entry fee (check website for updates)
- Donations welcome to support conservation work
- Wheelchair accessible paths throughout most of the garden, with wheelchairs available for loan at the entrance
Facilities:
- Gateway Restaurant & Terrace Café: Fresh, seasonal Scottish produce
- Botanic Shop: Gifts, books, plants, and gardening tools
- Clean, accessible restrooms located near entrances and cafes
Guided Tours & Events:
- Free guided walks often available during peak seasons
- Seasonal events, family trails, and educational programs
- Check https://www.rbge.org.uk/ for up-to-date listings
Top Tips for Visitors
- Dress for the weather: Much of the garden is outdoors and Edinburgh can be unpredictable.
- Plan 1.5–3 hours for a relaxed visit, longer if you’re attending an exhibition or event.
- Bring a camera or sketchpad: There’s no shortage of inspiration.
- Avoid peak hours (12–2 PM) for a quieter experience, especially on weekends.
- Combine with Inverleith Park next door for a picnic or further exploration.
- Walk to the gardens in just 25 minutes from Prince’s Street in central Edinburgh, or take buses 8, 23 or 27 from the city centre.
Ahhh gardens, how happy you make me! I can’t help but love a Botanic Garden, and Edinburgh’s was really up there with some of the best I’ve visited. If you are interested in learning more about my favourite Botanic Gardens around the world (so far), you can find my posts below:
And if not, I hope you at least enjoyed the tour around Edinburgh’s beautiful gardens. What did you think? Let me know in the comments.
Stay safe and happy travelling!
Travelling Han 
Leave a comment