FLORAL REEF & CO
a journey through nature to craft.
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Methods: Fujifilm C200
Autumn Hidden Places
Photography Spots in EdinburghWords and Images by Sara Ananrojwong
Photography Editing by Jirapat
Every autumn, I always find stunning new scenery of the city. Edinburgh transforms into a city of soft light and quiet colours. Golden leaves on the streets, and the air carries a calm that makes you want to slow down
So this year, I decided to explore a little deeper and do my own photography experiment. In my opinion, the most popular area is around the city centre, where Old Town and New Town meet. Walking down from Princes Street to Princes Street Gardens always feels magical, followed by the Stockbridge area, which has its own quiet charm.
However, it still took me some time to discover where the most beautiful photo spots actually are. Here are a few of my favourite photography spots in Edinburgh this autumn, hidden gems that invite you to pause, notice, and feel grounded in the city’s quiet rhythm.
These spots always remind me of my close friends who once explored here with me. This was one of the first scenes I discovered in the city. Stand in front of the Parish Church of St Cuthbert and the graveyard fence, and you’ll always find a yellow tree glowing behind it. It turns golden earlier than the others.
Exploring these places has been more than just photography for me; it’s a way to ground myself, connect with the city, and slow down to notice the details. These hidden gems make me want to meet others who see Edinburgh the same way, with warmth and appreciation for its beauty.
📍 Princes Street Garden West
Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2HG, Scotland
1. Down the Stairs
Location: Princes St., Edinburgh EH2 4BA
Methods: Iphone 13 Pro
Begin your walk from the west side of Princes Street Gardens and look down the stairs. On your left, the garden stretches wide and deep, and the castle stands proudly in the distance. The perspective feels grand and peaceful — a perfect start to your photo walk.
2. Mid-East Garden: Looking Up to the Castle
Location: Princes St. Garden, Edinburgh EH1 2EU
Methods: Iphone 13 Pro
This angle gives you a rich frame filled with trees. Standing next to the West side of the Rose Fountain. The curved walkway naturally leads the eye up toward the base of the castle hill, creating beautiful visual depth.
3. Ross Fountain
Location: Princes St. Garden, Edinburgh EH1 2EU
Methods: Iphone 13 Pro
This might be the most popular tourist spot in the city — the Ross Fountain and the Castle. Place your camera a little lower, focus on the fountain, and frame the castle in the top right corner — that’s how you get the perfect shot.
4. Golden Leaves and the Castle
Location: Princes St. Garden, Edinburgh EH1 2EU
Methods: Iphone 13 Pro
From here, you can capture three layers in your photo: the foreground (a person or the fence), the middle ground (the yellow tree), and the background (the castle, clear and uncovered). It’s a magnificent view from the west side of the city, where nothing blocks the back of the Edinburgh Castle, built on an ancient volcano.
5. Stairway to the Graveyard with the Castle
Location: 4 Princes St., S Charlotte St, Edinburgh EH2 2HG
Methods: Iphone 13 Pro
This might be the most powerful scene of all, especially in autumn, when the fallen leaves reveal the castle through the trees.
Walk about ten steps down from street level, then lower your camera angle. You’ll find a composition that feels cinematic: a castle under the trees, a path leading into the unknown, and a soft light glowing in the middle of the stairway.
6. Toward the Church
Location: St John's Church, Princes St., Edinburgh EH2 4BJ
Methods: Iphone 13 Pro
There’s something timeless about this view, the St. John's Scottish Episcopal Church, softly hidden behind autumn leaves. Though the foreground is a graveyard, the light reflecting off the church brightens the image and creates contrast between different layers of depth.