Best Time to Visit Edinburgh: Month-by-Month Guide

The Best Time to Visit Edinburgh

The months of May and September are perfect for a city trip to Edinburgh. During this time, you can truly enjoy all the advantages this Scottish city has to offer.

In the warmer months, not only are rainy days less frequent, but the climate is also wonderfully pleasant. With average temperatures of around 59°F (15°C), the city is ideal for exploring on foot.

On top of that, during these months you can cleverly sidestep the Scottish midge plague and the tourist crowds that swarm Edinburgh — especially during peak season from July to August.

Should it rain — because the weather in Great Britain is notoriously unpredictable — there are plenty of covered attractions in Edinburgh to fall back on.

When is it cheapest to stay overnight in Edinburgh?

Hotels in Edinburgh are most affordable from November through February, when it rains a lot and the fewest tourists are in town.

Overnight stays are most expensive between June and August, when the festivals are in full swing. You can easily end up paying double the price for a hotel room compared to other times of year.

The months of May and September fall somewhere in between, depending on the neighborhood and hotel you choose.

The Climate in Edinburgh

The climate in Edinburgh is temperate. Summers are warm and humid, but daytime temperatures usually don’t exceed 68–77°F (20–25°C). On summer nights, temperatures can drop to around 52°F (11°C).

Winters are wet and cool, but thanks to the warm air from the Gulf Stream, temperatures rarely drop far below freezing.

In general, the weather in Edinburgh is very changeable and can shift quickly with the wind. Your best chances of sunshine are from May to September — that’s when the sun shines most often, averaging more than five hours a day.

Edinburgh Climate Chart

To give you a quick overview of the weather in Edinburgh, we’ve put together a climate chart showing the average conditions for each month.

The Weather in Edinburgh for Every Month

Edinburgh Weather in January

In January, Edinburgh sees lots of rain and barely any snow. With an average temperature of around 41°F (5°C), gray skies, and 90 percent humidity, it’s truly miserable — the kind of cold that creeps right under your coat.

Edinburgh Weather in February

February is much like January. Edinburgh stays cool, gray, windy, and rainy. But — the big but! — the cloud cover isn’t quite as thick, and there’s a faint sense of spring on the horizon.

Edinburgh Weather in March

With March, temperatures slowly start to climb. The maximum of around 48°F (9°C) is still cold, and a warm jacket is definitely a must — one with a hood, ideally. March actually sees even more rain than February, so come prepared.

Edinburgh Weather in April

Spring is here! In a very British, rainy way, but it’s here! With an average of 50°F (10°C) and four hours of sunshine per day, the weather turns friendlier and finally allows for some proper sightseeing. Nights are still pretty cool, though.

Edinburgh Weather in May

May is one of the best times to visit Edinburgh. The sun shines up to six hours a day and temperatures are steadily rising. Everything in the city is in bloom, and the Castle Rock — on which Edinburgh Castle sits — looks especially stunning. It can still rain suddenly, but that’s just part of the charm.

Edinburgh Weather in June

June is just as unpredictable as any other month in Edinburgh, but the sun really puts in the effort. With an average of 59°F (15°C) and six hours of sunshine per day, you don’t have to constantly fall back on indoor activities — instead, you can take a great walk up to Arthur’s Seat and soak in the views.

Edinburgh Weather in July

July is the warmest month in Edinburgh and also the busiest. Attractions, bars, and pathways are often packed at around 68°F (20°C), thanks to the summer festivals.

Heads up: From July through August, midge season is in full swing in Scotland. While this mainly affects the surrounding Highlands, midges also buzz around Edinburgh — especially along the Water of Leith, the small river running through the city.

Edinburgh Weather in August

August mirrors July. It stays pleasantly warm without the intense heat of a big city. Perfect for exploring Leith in Edinburgh. Humidity during midsummer sits at around 70 percent.

The warm temperatures carry through the whole of August. But as the last days above 68°F (20°C) fade in late August, most tourists head home and make way for the quieter late summer.

Edinburgh Weather in September

In Edinburgh, you can — even though rain is always a possibility — experience beautiful late summers. With temperatures up to 61°F (16°C) and around four hours of sunshine daily, exploring the city is genuinely enjoyable.

Especially because the first and second weeks of September tend to be quieter. The summer tourists are gone and the fall visitors haven’t arrived yet — it’s a real sweet spot.

Edinburgh Weather in October

Once fall settles over Scotland, it gets wet and stormy in Edinburgh. The sun only shows itself for a maximum of three hours a day in October, temperatures drop back to an average of 50°F (10°C), and rainfall increases noticeably.

Honestly, we think this moody weather adds to the character of the city and makes Edinburgh feel even more mysterious and ancient. It’s also ideal weather for browsing the bookshops in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Weather in November

November draws the fewest visitors to Edinburgh. With persistently gray skies, near-constant rain, and temperatures around 46°F (8°C), it’s genuinely dark and dreary. That doesn’t make the city any less beautiful, but it does make sightseeing a bit of a slog.

Edinburgh Weather in December

With temperatures around 39°F (4°C), Edinburgh doesn’t get a picturesque Christmas snowfall in December. Instead, there’s lots of rain, wind, gray clouds, and a maximum of two hours of sunshine per day. Cozy pubs become your best friend.

Midge Season in Scotland

Every summer, Scotland is hit by an annoying midge plague. The midges — as the Scots call these pesky creatures — are actually biting flies and fortunately only appear in very specific areas.

From May to September, the Scottish Highlands are the most affected region. In July and August, the midge numbers peak.

The situation in Edinburgh isn’t as severe. That said, you should still be careful if you’re walking along the Water of Leith in summer — midges love it near water.

But don’t worry! These biting flies don’t carry any dangerous diseases, and a simple insect repellent is all you need to keep them at bay.

When Are There the Fewest Tourists in Edinburgh?

From November through February, Edinburgh sees the fewest visitors and major highlights like Edinburgh Castle are far less crowded. The trade-off is the weather — expect near-constant rain.

If you want decent weather and want to avoid large tourist crowds, your best bet is to visit Edinburgh in May or September. That’s also when guided tours of Edinburgh are the most enjoyable, thanks to the sunshine and smaller groups!

When Is Not a Good Time to Visit Edinburgh?

During the winter months, bad weather and reduced opening hours can quickly put a damper on your sightseeing. Some attractions aren’t open during their usual times, and many guided tours don’t run at all — though you can still discover some lesser-known spots in Edinburgh.

In high summer — from July to August — Edinburgh is outrageously expensive and completely packed. Paying way too much for a hotel room and then squeezing through the streets shoulder-to-shoulder is no fun at all.

Our tip: For the best of both worlds, travel to Edinburgh in May or September.