Edinburgh beauty spots: The 15 most beautiful places in Edinburgh according to our readers

We asked our readers where are the most beautiful places in the capital. Do you agree with their choices?Photo: Gary Campbell-Hall flickr, Spencer Means flickr, subberculture Wikimedia Commons, Jorge Franganillo flickr
We asked our readers where are the most beautiful places in the capital. Do you agree with their choices?Photo: Gary Campbell-Hall flickr, Spencer Means flickr, subberculture Wikimedia Commons, Jorge Franganillo flickr

You don’t have to walk far in Edinburgh to find a spectacular view or tranquil space. From UNESCO sites and dormant volcanoes to breath-taking green spaces, Edinburgh’s unique charm is known around the world.

We asked our readers what they think is the most beautiful place in the Scottish Capital and they came back with more than 700 comments. Here are 15 of the Capital’s most beautiful locations as suggested by our readers.

Voted the most beautiful landmark in the UK by TripAdvisor users last year – and fourth in the whole world behind the Golden Gate Bridge, Eiffel Tower and the Trevi Fountain – Edinburgh Castle is a truly special landmark in heart of the capital. Offering some of the finest views in the city, the 12th century castle is also absolutely stunning inside too. Photo: Mike McBey, flickr
Voted the most beautiful landmark in the UK by TripAdvisor users last year – and fourth in the whole world behind the Golden Gate Bridge, Eiffel Tower and the Trevi Fountain – Edinburgh Castle is a truly special landmark in heart of the capital. Offering some of the finest views in the city, the 12th century castle is also absolutely stunning inside too. Photo: Mike McBey, flickr
Cramond Beach in North West of Edinburgh provides the perfect family walk – offering stunning views of Firth of Forth, sandy beaches, whitewashed houses and fresh sea air. You can also venture over to Cramond Island when the tide is out or wander along the promenade to Silverknowes. For information on safe crossing times visit the Queensferry Lifeboat website. Photo: Ann Priestley, flickr
Cramond Beach in North West of Edinburgh provides the perfect family walk – offering stunning views of Firth of Forth, sandy beaches, whitewashed houses and fresh sea air. You can also venture over to Cramond Island when the tide is out or wander along the promenade to Silverknowes. For information on safe crossing times visit the Queensferry Lifeboat website. Photo: Ann Priestley, flickr
One of Edinburgh’s most iconic locations, Calton Hill offers picturesque views of the capital’s most famous landmarks – from Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. There’s plenty to explore at the top of the hill too including the Nelson Monument and the Parthenon-inspired National Monument. Photo: Giuseppe Milo, flickr
One of Edinburgh’s most iconic locations, Calton Hill offers picturesque views of the capital’s most famous landmarks – from Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. There’s plenty to explore at the top of the hill too including the Nelson Monument and the Parthenon-inspired National Monument. Photo: Giuseppe Milo, flickr
The Water of Leith offers a range of tranquil walks along its 22 mile stretch, hosting a range of wildlife alongside stunning river views. There are many popular walks along the majestic river including the two-mile Roseburn to Stockbridge route where you can visit the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art and Dean Village. Photo: Spencer Means, flickr
The Water of Leith offers a range of tranquil walks along its 22 mile stretch, hosting a range of wildlife alongside stunning river views. There are many popular walks along the majestic river including the two-mile Roseburn to Stockbridge route where you can visit the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art and Dean Village. Photo: Spencer Means, flickr
From a woodland walk around the award-winning Japanese garden, a castle tour or just a leisurely roam around the tranquil 30 acre site, Lauriston Castle Gardens is a hidden gem that takes visitors back in time to ‘experience what life was like in an Edinburgh middle-class home at the beginning of the 20th century.’ The beauty spot also offers views of ‘the Firth of Forth and Cramond island. Photo: Emma Henderson, flickr
From a woodland walk around the award-winning Japanese garden, a castle tour or just a leisurely roam around the tranquil 30 acre site, Lauriston Castle Gardens is a hidden gem that takes visitors back in time to ‘experience what life was like in an Edinburgh middle-class home at the beginning of the 20th century.’ The beauty spot also offers views of ‘the Firth of Forth and Cramond island. Photo: Emma Henderson, flickr
Located in the west of the city, Corstorphine Hill offers tranquil wooded walks and stunning city views. When you visit the beauty spot you can also explore several landmarks including Corstorphine Hill Tower, a walled garden and an abandoned air raid shelter. Photo: Calum McRoberts - Woodland on Corstorphine Hill
Located in the west of the city, Corstorphine Hill offers tranquil wooded walks and stunning city views. When you visit the beauty spot you can also explore several landmarks including Corstorphine Hill Tower, a walled garden and an abandoned air raid shelter. Photo: Calum McRoberts - Woodland on Corstorphine Hill
Located in the south of the capital, Blackford Hill offers stunning panoramic views of the city’s skyline and winding streets. Popular with dog walkers, the beauty spot has several beautiful walks over grassy hills and woodland areas and visitors can also marvel at the impressive Royal Observatory of Edinburgh. Photo: kaysgeog, flickr
Located in the south of the capital, Blackford Hill offers stunning panoramic views of the city’s skyline and winding streets. Popular with dog walkers, the beauty spot has several beautiful walks over grassy hills and woodland areas and visitors can also marvel at the impressive Royal Observatory of Edinburgh. Photo: kaysgeog, flickr
Spread across 72 acres, The Botanics conserves ‘one of the richest botantical collections on earth.’ Offering panoramic views of the city skyline as well as a range of stunning and peaceful gardens, including the Alpine Houses, Woodland Garden and the Arboretum. Photo: Eldubhe, Wikimedia Commons
Spread across 72 acres, The Botanics conserves ‘one of the richest botantical collections on earth.’ Offering panoramic views of the city skyline as well as a range of stunning and peaceful gardens, including the Alpine Houses, Woodland Garden and the Arboretum. Photo: Eldubhe, Wikimedia Commons
Boasting over 62 miles of marked path walks, the Pentland Hills span from Edinburgh towards Biggar, featuring stunning views with a generous choice of walking routes for all abilities. Popular routes to check out are the Harlaw Woodland Walk, Capital View and Glencorse View. Photo: John Mason, flickr
Boasting over 62 miles of marked path walks, the Pentland Hills span from Edinburgh towards Biggar, featuring stunning views with a generous choice of walking routes for all abilities. Popular routes to check out are the Harlaw Woodland Walk, Capital View and Glencorse View. Photo: John Mason, flickr
Established nearly 1,000 years ago, St Giles’ Cathedral is a focal point on the Royal Mile with its Gothic architecture and breath taking interior making it one of the most beautiful building in Edinburgh. Photo: Gary Campbell-Hall flickr
Established nearly 1,000 years ago, St Giles’ Cathedral is a focal point on the Royal Mile with its Gothic architecture and breath taking interior making it one of the most beautiful building in Edinburgh. Photo: Gary Campbell-Hall flickr
The city centre beauty spot provides a wilderness feel in the heart of the city with a wide selection of walking routes available. Offering astonishing views of the capital, visitors who travel to the extinct volcano can also explore nearby Duddingston Loch and St Margaret's Loch. Photo: Spencer Means, flickr
The city centre beauty spot provides a wilderness feel in the heart of the city with a wide selection of walking routes available. Offering astonishing views of the capital, visitors who travel to the extinct volcano can also explore nearby Duddingston Loch and St Margaret's Loch. Photo: Spencer Means, flickr
With one reader describing Dean Village as a ‘very sweet unassuming place’ – this quaint part of the city is like a scene form a fairy-tale – packed with picturesque charm. From colourful houses, cobbled street and the Water of Leith running through it – a  trip here never disappoints. Photo: Jorge Franganillo, flickr
With one reader describing Dean Village as a ‘very sweet unassuming place’ – this quaint part of the city is like a scene form a fairy-tale – packed with picturesque charm. From colourful houses, cobbled street and the Water of Leith running through it – a trip here never disappoints. Photo: Jorge Franganillo, flickr
A haven in the heart of the capital, Princes Street Gardens is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Princes Street. With spectacular art works including the impressive Ross Fountain, beautiful floral arrangements and even a collection of ancient tombstones – the gardens are a favourite for residents and tourists alike. Photo: Mike McBey, flickr
A haven in the heart of the capital, Princes Street Gardens is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Princes Street. With spectacular art works including the impressive Ross Fountain, beautiful floral arrangements and even a collection of ancient tombstones – the gardens are a favourite for residents and tourists alike. Photo: Mike McBey, flickr
One of Edinburgh’s most popular beaches, victors to Portobello Beach can see views of the Firth of Forth and Inchkeith Island as they walk along the two-mile promenade. The charming seaside area also boasts Georgian or Victorian architecture alongside the stunning beach. Photo: subberculture, Wikimedia Commons
One of Edinburgh’s most popular beaches, victors to Portobello Beach can see views of the Firth of Forth and Inchkeith Island as they walk along the two-mile promenade. The charming seaside area also boasts Georgian or Victorian architecture alongside the stunning beach. Photo: subberculture, Wikimedia Commons
If you’re looking a peaceful walk in the north of the city, Inverleith Park is the perfect destination. Spread across 54 acres, Inverleith Park it is one of Scotland's largest urban parks, where visitors can explore acres of scenic green space, a wildflower garden, a sundial dating back to 1890 or visit ducks and swans that frequent the beautiful pond. Photo: Kim Traynor, Wikimedia Commons
If you’re looking a peaceful walk in the north of the city, Inverleith Park is the perfect destination. Spread across 54 acres, Inverleith Park it is one of Scotland's largest urban parks, where visitors can explore acres of scenic green space, a wildflower garden, a sundial dating back to 1890 or visit ducks and swans that frequent the beautiful pond. Photo: Kim Traynor, Wikimedia Commons