The best places to walk in Edinburgh

Need a break from city life? Edinburgh's got you covered with some of the most stunning walks you'll find in any UK city. From volcanic hills to coastal paths, here's our guide to the best walks in Edinburgh that'll help you reconnect with nature and find your zen.

1. Arthur's seat

Let's start with Edinburgh's crown jewel. This ancient volcano sits right in the heart of the city, offering a proper workout with serious views as your reward. 

The main path from Holyrood park takes about 45 minutes to reach the 251m summit, but there are other routes to choose from depending on how long you’d like to walk for. The most popular path starts from the car park at Holyrood palace, but we recommend the more gradual ascent from Dunsapie Loch for a gentler climb. 

Pro tip: head up for sunrise to beat the crowds and start your day with an endorphin boost. Pack layers though – even on a sunny day, the summit can be breezy. Don't miss the ruins of St Anthony's chapel on your way up, and keep an eye out for the wildflowers that blanket the hillside in spring and summer.

2. Calton hill

For those days when you want Arthur's seat views without the intense climb, calton hill is your go-to. A 15-minute walk up from Princes Street gets you to Edinburgh's best sunset spot. The hill is home to several of Edinburgh's most iconic monuments, including the national monument (Edinburgh's 'unfinished parthenon'), Nelson's monument, and the Dugald Stewart monument. 

Each has its own fascinating history – the national monument was never completed because of a lack of funds, staying unfinished since 1829. Time your visit for golden hour when the light turns the honey-colored stone into pure gold. 

The walk around the hill takes about 30 minutes, but give yourself extra time to explore all the monuments and find your perfect photo spot.

3. Portobello promenade

Need some sea air? This 2-mile Victorian seafront promenade is perfect for clearing your head. The prom runs along a beautiful stretch of sandy beach, lined with charming Victorian and Georgian architecture. 

Walk the length in about 40 minutes, or take it slow and stop at the indie cafes along the way. Time your visit with low tide to explore the rock pools, or join the brave locals for a morning dip in the sea. 

4. The royal mile

Sometimes the best walks are right in the city centre. This historic stretch from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood palace takes about an hour if you're stopping to explore the closes (those mysterious narrow alleyways) and hidden courtyards. The royal mile actually measures 1.81km (slightly longer than a mile), and includes four distinct streets: Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, and Canongate. 

Start early in the morning to avoid the crowds and catch the local businesses opening up. Take a detour down advocate's close for stunning views of the new town, and don't miss white horse close – one of the most photographed spots in Edinburgh. 

Look out for the heart of midlothian on the pavement – a heart-shaped mosaic marking the site of the old toll booth where public executions once took place. Local superstition says spitting on it brings good luck (yep, we’re not joking!)

5. Princes Street Gardens

These beautiful gardens offer a peaceful escape right in the city centre. Once a defensive moat called the Nor' Loch, the gardens were created in the 1820s as part of the new town development. A full loop takes about 30 minutes. 

Don't miss the famous floral clock – a working timepiece made entirely of plants, redesigned each year with a new theme. The Ross fountain offers perfect photo opportunities with the castle as a backdrop, especially when lit up at night. 

The gardens are especially stunning in spring when 30,000 tulips and thousands of cherry blossoms bloom. In winter, they transform into a festive wonderland with the Christmas markets and ice rink.

6. The Pentland hills

Just outside the city, the pentlands offer proper hill walking without having to venture too far. The popular flotterstone to turnhouse hill route takes about 3 hours and gives you stunning views back over Edinburgh, but there are over 100km of marked paths to explore. Start at the flotterstone visitor centre where you can grab a map and check conditions. 

The capital view walk (1.5 hours) is particularly rewarding, taking in several peaks including turnhouse hill (506m) and carnethy hill (573m). Look out for the highland cattle, and if you're lucky, you might spot mountain hares or red grouse. 

7. Royal botanic garden and Inverleith park

Start in the Botanics (free entry to the gardens) for a walk among 70 acres of plants from around the world. The Chinese hillside garden is particularly peaceful and The Victorian temperate palm house is the tallest of its kind in Britain – perfect for rainy day exploring. 

Give yourself at least an hour for the botanics, including time in the woodland garden where giant redwoods tower overhead. Then pop next door to Inverleith park for city skyline views. 

Combined, you can easily spend 2-3 hours exploring here. Time your visit for rhododendron season (May - June) or autumn when the trees put on a spectacular colour show.

8. Jupiter Artland

This outdoor sculpture park is a picturesque blend of art and nature. Open from May to September, it's a 2-hour experience that'll change how you think about walking. The sculptures are integrated into the landscape, making every turn a surprise. 

Charles Jencks' 'Life Mounds' are the heart of the park – huge grassy sculptures you can climb for spectacular views. Don't miss Antony Gormley's 'Firmament', a human figure made from steel polygons, or Andy Goldsworthy's 'Stone House' partially submerged in a lake. 

The woodland walk features pieces that change with the seasons. Make sure to book ahead – it's worth the trip! 

9. Cramond Foreshore and Island

Time this walk right with the tides and you can cross the causeway to Cramond Island (check tide times online first). The causeway walk takes 15 minutes each way, following the WWII anti-submarine pylons that stretch into the forth. 

The island itself features abandoned military buildings from both World Wars – perfect for history fans. Back on the mainland, the foreshore path offers a lovely 4-mile round trip with great views across the Forth to Fife. 

Stop at the Cramond Inn (one of Edinburgh's oldest pubs) for a post-walk lunch, or grab fish and chips from Corbie's. Early morning visits often reward you with sightings of seals on the rocks.

10. Blackford hill

Less touristy than Arthur's Seat but just as rewarding, this 45-minute climb gives you panoramic views of Edinburgh, plus you'll find the Royal Observatory at the top. And the surrounding nature reserve is perfect for wildlife spotting – keep your eyes peeled for roe deer! 

The Hermitage of Braid, a secluded valley at the foot of the hill, offers a gentle woodland walk along the Braid Burn. The hill itself has several paths to choose from – the north path offers the most gradual ascent. Spring brings lots of bluebells to the woodland areas.

11. Water of Leith walkway

This 12-mile riverside path from Balerno to Leith is Edinburgh's hidden gem. The most popular stretch from Stockbridge to Dean Village takes about an hour and feels like you're in a fairy tale, not a capital city. 

Start in Stockbridge, exploring the Sunday market if you time it right, then follow the river past St Bernard's Well – a beautiful Victorian pump house built over a 'healing' spring. Dean Village looks like it’s straight out of a postcard with its preserved mill buildings and water wheels. 

Continue to the Gallery of Modern Art if you're feeling energetic, or branch off to explore the Dean Cemetery's Victorian architecture. Wildlife lovers should look out for herons, kingfishers, and even otters. 

The path is well-maintained but can get muddy after rain – so wear some shoes you don’t mind ruining. Download the Water of Leith audio trail for interesting historical facts along the route.

12. Dalkeith country park

Just a short bus ride from the city centre, this historic park offers 1,000 acres of woodland walks. The 2-mile River South Esk trail is our favourite, taking about an hour and offering peaceful river views and the possibility of seeing some otters. The recently restored Restoration Yard houses a fantastic cafe and wellness space – perfect for a post-walk break. 

Check out Fort Douglas and explore the grounds of Dalkeith Palace, once a residence of Bonnie Prince Charlie. The Orangerie provides a beautiful rest spot, and the kitchen garden supplies fresh produce to the cafe. 

Look out for the ancient oak woodland – some trees here are over 900 years old. The park hosts regular wellness events too, from forest bathing to outdoor yoga sessions.

13. Harry Potter walking tour

For something different, follow in JK Rowling's footsteps through the city that inspired the wizarding world. Start at The Elephant House café (temporarily closed due to fire damage but still a photo spot), where Rowling wrote much of the early books. 

Head to Greyfriars Kirkyard to spot names that inspired characters – look for Tom Riddle's grave and McGonagall's final resting place. Victoria Street, with its colorful curved row of shops, is said to be the real Diagon Alley. 

Don't miss George Heriot's School, the inspiration for Hogwarts with its four houses and Gothic towers. The tour takes about 2-3 hours if you include all the stops. 

Give your legs some love

After all that walking, your legs need some TLC. Book a massage through the Urban app and let one of our experienced therapists bring relief right to your door.

Whether you need a deep tissue massage to work out those hill-climbing knots, or a gentle Swedish massage to help you unwind, our professional therapists can tailor the treatment to exactly what you're craving.