Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Edinburgh
Scotland's capital, built across dramatic hills and extinct volcanoes, with a medieval Old Town beside an elegant Georgian New Town. The contrast between the two districts — one a warren of closes and wynds, the other laid out in orderly grids — is part of what makes it a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best time to visit: May to September, or August specifically for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Local tip: If visiting in August, book accommodation and Fringe Festival show tickets well ahead — the city's population roughly doubles.
Getting around: Central Edinburgh is very walkable, though the Old Town's steep closes and hills make comfortable shoes more important than in a flatter city.
Good to know: Edinburgh's weather can shift quickly even within a single day — layer up regardless of season, as locals routinely do.
What to plan your trip around
- Edinburgh Castle
A fortress perched on an extinct volcanic crag, dominating the city skyline.
- Royal Mile
The historic street linking the Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- Arthur's Seat
An extinct volcano within the city, with a walkable summit and panoramic views.
- New Town
The elegant Georgian district that contrasts with the Old Town, itself a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Edinburgh weather by month
Edinburgh weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Edinburgh gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C | 2°C | 73 mm | 94% |
| February | 6°C | 2°C | 62 mm | 92% |
| March | 7°C | 2°C | 58 mm | 89% |
| April | 10°C | 4°C | 53 mm | 86% |
| May | 13°C | 6°C | 61 mm | 83% |
| June | 16°C | 9°C | 85 mm | 83% |
| July | 18°C | 11°C | 95 mm | 84% |
| August | 17°C | 11°C | 100 mm | 85% |
| September | 15°C | 9°C | 63 mm | 87% |
| October | 12°C | 7°C | 88 mm | 90% |
| November | 8°C | 4°C | 78 mm | 94% |
| December | 6°C | 3°C | 84 mm | 94% |
Edinburgh through the year
January · 5° / 2°C · 73 mm
- In Edinburgh, January is mid-winter.
- There's little difference between day and night (around 4°C).
April · 10° / 4°C · 53 mm
- It's one of the sunniest months here, with cloud cover around 73%.
- Good walking weather for combining Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle in one day.
July · 18° / 11°C · 95 mm
- Seasonally, July counts as mid-summer in Edinburgh.
- Just 140 km apart, but Edinburgh runs about 3°C warmer than Aviemore this month.
October · 12° / 7°C · 88 mm
- Edinburgh is usually about 4°C warmer than Aviemore, 140 km away, in October.
- Days and nights are close, only about 5°C apart.
The best time to visit Edinburgh is June, July and September, when average highs are 15–18°C and rainfall is around 81 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Edinburgh, season by season
December – February
Cold6° / 2°C · 73 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
March – May
Cold10° / 4°C · 57 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
June – August
Best time17° / 10°C · 93 mm
Pleasant temperatures and relatively little rain: the best window for sightseeing and time outdoors.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Edinburgh in June, July and September. Average highs are then 15–18°C.
- Why is June a good time to visit Edinburgh?
- In June, Edinburgh averages 16°C by day and 9°C at night, with about 85 mm of rain and 80% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Edinburgh?
- July is the warmest month in Edinburgh, with average highs of 18°C and lows of 11°C.
- What is the coldest month in Edinburgh?
- January is the coldest month in Edinburgh: average highs of 5°C, dropping to 2°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Edinburgh?
- August is the wettest month in Edinburgh with about 100 mm of rain. The driest is April, with around 53 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Edinburgh?
- January is the least pleasant month in Edinburgh, with average highs of just 5°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Edinburgh?
- Yes. May sits just outside the best months for Edinburgh, with average highs of 13°C and about 61 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, it is a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Edinburgh before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Edinburgh from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
Cite or embed this data
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Best time to visit Edinburgh. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/uk/edinburgh
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/uk/edinburgh">Best time to visit Edinburgh</a> (WeatherCompare)
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