The Royal Botanic Garden was founded in 1670 as a place to grow medicinal plants. It still serves as a scientific center for the study of plants today, but it is also a very popular place for tourists and locals to visit. There are somewhere around 15,000 different species of plant grown at the Royal Botanic Garden, and you’ll find it’s a truly inviting place for a walk.

Rock Garden at Royal Botanic Garden — Photo courtesy of Royal Botanic Garden

Some of the best views in Edinburgh are to be found here, and if the weather is agreeable, there is no better place for a quiet stroll and a picnic. The Rock Garden is simply stunning and great fun to explore for the whole family. There’s also a duck pond, a woodland area and a series of glasshouses containing lush vegetation that will make you feel as though you are in a tropical jungle.

The architecture of the Victorian Temperate Palm House is worth a look, and you’ll also find a waterfall, a Chinese hillside garden, an arboretum, a fruit garden and lots more. There is something for everyone at the Royal Botanic Garden and it changes throughout the year, so you’ll find seasonal highlights whenever you go. Kids will love playing and exploring, it’s a romantic setting for couples and you can easily spend a couple of enjoyable and relaxing hours here.