If you have cherry blossom fever and cannot resist the charm of these dancing pink flowers, come to the Scottish capital where parks and gardens vie to be the best place to see cherry blossoms in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh | Scotland
On our first spring in Edinburgh, we almost stumbled upon the cherry blossoms in Starbank Park on one of our daily walks. We had seen one or two cherry trees in bloom on our West Sikkim trip but never had we seen so many cherry trees, an entire shimmering canopy of light-filled flowers. We were taken aback! Our hearts were aflutter! It was as if we had stepped into a magic kingdom. Soon Instagrammable was brimming with photos of blooming cherry trees in the Meadows and we had to visit! Since then, visiting the cherry trees in spring has become somewhat like an annual ritual. Oh how they fill my heart with joy!
Wondering when is the best time to visit Edinburgh? Come in spring when the city is adorned with delicate pink and white cherry blossoms and wander from garden to garden soaking in the magical beauty of cherry blossoms. They can turn even the drab-est of landscapes into something transcendent! Blossom-spotting is surely one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh!
When is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Edinburgh?
Cherry blossoms bloom in spring. In Edinburgh, you can see cherry blossoms from late March to the beginning of May. April is the best month to see cherry blossoms in Edinburgh.
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The Meadows
The best place to see cherry blossoms in Edinburgh is the Meadows. Come April, the rows of trees burst into delicate pink and white blossoms and the grassy meadows are transformed into a magical place. It is like walking in Japan in the spring when the sakura is in full bloom! The meadows attract a fair number of visitors every day but in spring, the numbers double and triple, so if you want a few moments of solitude cocooned by these flowers, visit early in the morning. The glow of the early morning sun suffuses the blooms with an ethereal warmth. It is truly a scene you will remember forever. Besides, you can stay at a stylish Edinburgh apartment overlooking the Meadows that offers unrivalled views of the cherry blossoms.
Canongate Kirk
One look at the cherry trees outside Canongate Kirk and you will know that someone must have put a lot of thought into symmetry! The trees frame the bright red door of the Kirk perfectly! In spring, when the boughs are laden with soft pink blossoms, the effect is pure magic. The Kirk’s doric-columned portico adds to the scene. Visit early before Canongate gets busy and you will be rewarded with one of Edinburgh’s most Instagrammable sites. If you are pressed for time, I recommend joining one of Edinburgh’s hop-on hop-off bus tours.
Starbank Park
Located in Trinity at the northern edge of Edinburgh, Starbank Park is built on a slope that overlooks the Firth of Forth. With its lofty trees and manicured flowerbeds that overflow with tulips and roses in summer, it is one of Edinburgh’s prettiest parks but come spring when the Starbank’s cherry trees blossom, the park is transformed into a picture-postcard idyll straight out of a dream. The walkway is shaded by a tulle-like canopy of pink blossoms. Sunlight filters in through the delicate fabric of petals tinting everything with its gilded glow. In the distance, you can see the blue waters of the firth. There are only a few souls here and you can enjoy hours sitting on a bench under the sakura reading poetry. If like us, you are seeking solitude, Starbank Park is the best place to see cherry blossoms in Edinburgh.
BraidBurn Valley Park
One of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Edinburgh is in the Braidburn Valley Park in southern Edinburgh. There are over 400 cherry trees in the park and they put on a gorgeous show of pink and white blossoms in spring. It is ethereal walking through the park on an early spring morning when the birds are waking up and the fog is languidly lifting. In the mellow sunshine, the blossoms fill the scenery with grace. These magnificent trees were planted in 1935 by the Guides Association in the shape of their emblem – a trefoil. Because these trees are now over 70 years old, they are in decline and are slowly being replaced. If you are up for a longer walk, head up to the Pentland Hills where on the three reservoirs walk you can walk amongst the blooming heather in summer.
Royal Botanic Garden
One of our favourite places in Edinburgh to see cherry blossoms, and all other types of flowers really, is at the Royal Botanic Garden. Enjoy ambling under the pink and white canopy of flowers in spring. One of the biggest attractions is a flowering cherry tree (Prunus x yedoensis) that was planted near the East Gate in 1938 and continues to be a favourite amongst visitors. A new avenue of cherry trees named Sakura Brae was planted to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. Imagine walking under the canopy of sunlit cherry blossoms! Spring is also the season for rhododendrons and the Botanics have some of the best collections of rhododendrons in the UK. The red and pink blooms are simply breathtaking!
Princes Street Gardens
One of the best things about Edinburgh is the location of its main drag, Princes Street. Located at the edge of New Town, with the handsome Edinburgh Castle overlooking the lush greenery of Princes Street gardens on one side and a row of Georgian buildings on the other, Princes Street is unmissable. In spring, the beauty of these gardens is accentuated by the blooming cherry trees and their candy-floss pink and white flowers. Despite being right next to Edinburgh’s busiest road, the gardens are a haven of peace and quiet and one of the best gardens in Edinburgh to soak in nature. One of the most fun ways to see the cherry trees that line Princes Street is from one of Lothian’s double-decker buses. Climb to the top tier, get a seat at the very front of the bus and drive through a sea of flowers. Or, you can stay at one of the many hotels such as Destiny Scotland or easyHotel that offer breathtaking views of Edinburgh Castle and flower-filled Princes Street gardens.
Kyoto Friendship Garden at Lauriston Castle
Kyoto Friendship Garden at Lauriston Castle is one of Edinburgh’s best-kept secrets. Its official name is ‘Castle Garden to Water and Beyond’ which is simply perfect given its location: next to a castle overlooking the waters of the Firth of Forth. The garden was opened in 2002 and is located in the leafy Edinburgh neighbourhood of Cramond. Every spring, this garden comes alive with pink and white cherry blossoms. A koi pond and a gurgling stream add to the charm. It is easy to lose track of time as you wander through these avenues of blooming trees. A walk under the trees is sure to bring solace and joy to any visitor. Bring a dainty parasol for that perfect Instagram shot!
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