Sitting in the valley between Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town, Princes Street Gardens is the city’s most central green space and one of the best free things to do in Scotland.
It’s located directly below Edinburgh Castle, and the park is full of history, with arguably the best castle viewpoint in town.
Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens is made up of two public parks covering roughly 37 acres of central Edinburgh. The park is split into East and West Gardens, divided by The Mound, the artificial hill that connects the Old and New Towns and now houses the Scottish National Gallery.
West Princes Street Gardens, the larger of the two, was privately owned until 1876 and is home to the Ross Fountain and the famous Floral Clock. The gardens occupy what was once the Nor Loch, a defensive lake drained in the 1760s.
Opening hours, entry fees, and practical information
Princes Street Gardens is free of charge, every day of the year. The City of Edinburgh Council manages both East and West Gardens, and the gates open at 7 am sharp. Closing times, however, shift with the seasons.
In summer, the park stays open until around 10 pm to make the most of long Scottish evenings. However, in winter, the gates close as early as 6 pm.
Practical info:
- Entry fee: Free for both East and West Gardens
- Opening hours: Daily from 7 am; closing time varies seasonally (6 pm in winter, up to 10 pm in summer)
- Scott Monument admission: Around £10 for adults, with discounts for children and concessions
- Accessibility: Most main paths suit wheelchairs and pushchairs, although some monuments involve steps
- Toilets: Public facilities in both East and West Gardens
- Cafés: Sir Walter’s Café (East) and a kiosk near the Ross Fountain (West)
- Wi-Fi: Free public Wi-Fi available across central Edinburgh
- Pets: Dogs welcome on leads at all times
History and iconic landmarks of Princes Street Gardens
The story of Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh, starts with the Nor Loch. By the 18th century, the loch had become a notorious dumping ground. It was drained from the 1760s to allow the New Town to be built, and turned into ornamental gardens that opened in 1820.
The Scott Monument:
The Scott Monument is the tallest monument to a writer anywhere in the world. You can climb 287 narrow stone steps to a viewing platform for a panoramic look across the city, and there’s a small exhibition inside about Sir Walter Scott.
The Ross Fountain:
Sculpted by French artist Jean-Baptiste Jules Klagmann, this fountain was shown at the 1862 Great London Exhibition before being installed in Edinburgh in 1872. A major £2 million restoration between 2016 and 2018 returned it to its original gold-and-turquoise colour scheme.
Things to see and do in the gardens
The Princes Street Garden is both a sightseeing stop and a place to slow down for an hour. Both gardens have public toilets, and there’s a children’s playground in the East Gardens with modern, well-maintained equipment.
What to see in the gardens:
| Type | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Culture | Scottish National Gallery and Royal Scottish Academy (free entry, except for special exhibitions) |
| Outdoors | Picnic lawns, mature chestnut trees, monument trail, cherry blossoms in spring |
| Family | East Gardens playground, open grass for play, accessible paths |
| Food & drink | Sir Walter’s Café in the East Gardens; café near the Ross Fountain in the West |
| Events | Ross Bandstand concerts in summer and Hogmanay headliner |
Seasonal events and the Floral Clock
Commissioned in 1903, the Floral Clock at the foot of The Mound is the world’s first floral timepiece and still keeps accurate time. It takes around 30,000 plants each year, with two gardeners spending roughly five weeks planting the design before a single gardener maintains it through the season. The clock typically flowers from July to October.
Advice for visiting with family and friends
The gardens are easy to visit with very little planning, but a few practical tips will make your time there smoother. Edinburgh weather changes quickly, so layers and a light waterproof are worth packing even in summer. Cash isn’t really needed anymore, since the cafés take cards.
Must-do checklist:
- Walk the full length of both gardens, East to West, before settling on a picnic spot
- Climb the Scott Monument’s 287 steps (queues are shortest before 11 am)
- Photograph the Ross Fountain with the castle behind it
- Find the Floral Clock at the base of The Mound
- Pop into the Scottish National Gallery, free and only a few minutes off the main path
- Grab a coffee at Sir Walter’s Café and take it onto the grass
Getting there:
- Train: Edinburgh Waverley is right next to the East Gardens
- Tram: The Princes Street stop is at the gates of the West Gardens
- Bus: Most Lothian Buses routes stop along Princes Street
- On foot: 10–15 minutes from almost anywhere in the centre
- Car: Not recommended, parking is limited and expensive
Rules to keep in mind:
- Dogs on leads at all times
- No ball games or cycling on the paths
- Stay on the marked paths and off the flowerbeds
- Take litter with you or use the bins
Panoramic views of Edinburgh Castle from the park
One of the main reasons people end up in Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh, is the view of the castle.
130-million-year-old Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is at its most iconic when viewed from below in the valley.
Where to stand for the best shot:
- Ross Fountain: The classic frame, with the fountain in the foreground and the castle directly above
- Footbridge over the railway: Slightly elevated, unobstructed angle
- Cherry blossom trees (March–April): Natural pink frame around the ramparts
- The Mound path: Castle perspective shifts as you climb
- Scottish National Gallery terraces: Useful when the gardens are crowded
Plan your visit to Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens is one of the rare central city parks that lives up to its reputation.
With free entry, 37 acres of green space in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, two cafés, world-class museums, and a front-row view of Edinburgh Castle makes it one of the most useful and rewarding stops you can take on a city break.
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