3 Must-See Places To Chill Out In Edinburgh, Scotland

If there is one UK city you must see this year, make it Edinburgh. The sprawling capital of Scotland spreads over a series of rocky hills, gazing over towards the sea. In the landscape, buildings and monuments are perfectly perched on crags and hills and backed by Edinburgh Castle. The city’s Old Town is lined by picturesque medieval tenements on its Royal Mile, while the New Town is a neat and neoclassical place in perfect contrast. Edinburgh has many attractions, far too many to list here, but if you are looking for somewhere to enjoy beauty and peace, these are three of the best spots to chill out in Scotland’s capital city.

1. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Image @rbgedinburgh/Instagram

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was founded in 1670 as a “physic garden” for growing medicinal plants. Nowadays, it is one of the largest botanic institutions in Britain, with its herbarium housing around 3 million living specimens and preserved plants. The core collection represents up to two-thirds of the world’s species of flora.

Image @rbgedinburgh/Instagram

2. Rooftop Terrace at the National Museum of Scotland

Image Wikimedia Commons

This location is perfect anyone visiting Edinburgh on an enjoyable UK coach trip and wanting to get the very best views of the city without the need to hire a car. As mentioned before, Edinburgh is one of the most beautifully scenic cities in the UK, with plenty of places to take in the view. However, this unique place to enjoy a panoramic view of the city is tucked away in the heart of Old Town.

View from the Rooftop Terrace by the justified sinner/Flickr

The National Museum of Scotland dates back to the late 1800s and is, of course, a great attraction in its own right. Here, visitors can enjoy thousands of artefacts from all over the world. However, the museum’s less known treat is hidden away on the top of the building. If you climb into the lift and head up to the 7th floor, you will reach the rooftop terrace. A stroll up here gives you a beautiful panoramic view across to Edinburgh Castle, the Braid Hills, the Firth of Forth, New Town over the rooftops of Edinburgh.

3. Dr. Neil’s Garden

Image Dr Neil's Garden/Facebook

Edinburgh’s “secret garden” is tucked away behind a 12th-century church in the village of Duddingston, outside of the city. This beautiful spot nestles at the foot of Arthur’s Seat, while overlooking a loch and is a place of peace and beauty, no matter what time of the year. The garden was landscaped out of wilderness land in the 1960s by the late Nancy and Andrew Neil, both of whom were doctors in the city. Their patients were given the chance to help out in the garden with the picturesque setting acting as the best natural remedy.

Image Dr Neil's Garden/Facebook

Nowadays, the garden is maintained and run by volunteers and the peaceful setting draws writers, artists and meditators alike. Dr. Neil's Garden is open to the public seven days a week from 10 a.m. to dusk and is free to enter.

Chill out and enjoy the quieter and more beautiful locations in Edinburgh on your next visit to Scotland's capital city.