Looking down onto Princes Street Gardens from Edinburgh Castle, note the railway transecting the gardens

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The Topography Of Princes Street Gardens

Princes Street Gardens is an expansive public space which features walking paths and grass lawns in the summer, where locals gather to enjoy the long hours of Edinburgh’s summer sunlight and meet up with friends. The eastern end of the gardens is primarily field space, and the garden is broken in half by the Mound and the Scottish National Galleries (part of a huge and recent renovation which builds restaurants and gallery entrances directly into the side of the Mound).

Princes Street Gardens, locals and tourists alike soak up the long hours of summer sunshine

On the other side of the Mound, beneath Edinburgh Castle, there are several fountains and pathways. Train tracks run through the garden, emerging from underground and continuing through the gardens until they reach Waverly Station in the East: Edinburgh’s major transportation hub.

The unique feature of Princes Street Gardens is that it is set deep into the earth, with rich, fertile soil accumulated over decades (if not centuries) of being used as the sewage system for the Old City. This results in beautiful foliage and stunning flowers which bloom in abundance thanks to Scotland’s wet weather and fertile soil.

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Princes Street Gardens, Summer & Winter

In the summer, the western end of Princes Street Gardens features small fairs and a carousel, great rides for teens and children alike, with access to the old city. During the winter, an ice rink is set up in the east end of the garden, below a German Market offering seasonal treats and trinkets.

Princes Street Gardens is transformed to a winter wonderland every December

There are a number of parks in Edinburgh, but Princes Street Garden is the crown jewel which offers the experience of the outdoors as well as the convenience of its city center location.

Central Edinburgh in Summer

Even in the centre of Edinburgh there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the summer sun, whether in one of the numerous parks or on a pavement cafe or pub.

Princes Street Gardens lies between Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street, it is the perfect place in the centre of Edinburgh to catch the summer sun.

Central Edinburgh's perfect summer location - Princes Street Gardens

[Image credit: thecnote]

The view of Princes Street Gardens looking down from Edinburgh Castle

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Dissecting Princes Street Gardens is the Mound which leads you from Princes Street up onto the Royal Mile. Here you will be lead past two beautifully maintained flower beds.

The Mound, bathed in Edinburgh's summer sun

[Image credit: thecnote]

Elevated Summer Views Of Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle is of course the focal point of our city and the views from it in summer are simply breathtaking, we’re sure you will agree!

On a clear summer's day you can look North and peek into Fife from the safety of Edinburgh Castle

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Calton Hill is a beautiful vantage point from which to view Edinburgh Castle in the West

[Image credit: Pip R. Lagenta]

Of course there are many hills in Edinburgh, not only Castle Rock and Calton Hill, the summer view from Arthur’s Seat is magnificent too!

Beautiful views are the reward for those fit enough to get to the top of Edinburgh's Arthur's Seat

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Edinburgh Parks To Enjoy The Summer In

Edinburgh has loads of public parks to enjoy the summer sun in, whether for a picnic, frisbee or just sunbathing! The Meadows is a vast expanse of parkland which is very popular amongst locals and tourists alike:

The Meadows, with Arthur's Seat in the background - both perfect places for a summer's day in Edinburgh

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A beautiful summer's day in the Meadows despite clouds over Edinburgh

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At the foot of the Royal Mile lies Holyrood Park, which is often overlooked by locals and tourists alike and as such is often quiet even on the most gorgeous summer days.

A summer evening in Edinburgh's Holyrood Park

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Holyrood Park also sits at the foot of Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh’s second volcano

Edinburgh's Arthur's Seat as seen on a summer's day from Holyrood Park

Summer Sunset On Edinburgh

Of course this article would not be complete without a fabulous Edinburgh summer sunset to end with!

A summer sunset in Edinburgh

[Image credit: ewanmcdowall]

We hope you enjoyed this summer gallery of Edinburgh, are there any places you feel we should have added too?