Best Time to Visit Edinburgh
The best time to visit Edinburgh is May to September (August for the Festival).
Here's a month-by-month breakdown to help you pick the perfect time for your trip.
The year at a glance
Choose a month on the ring to see what it's like.
Averages 11°C (51°F) with 60 mm of rain over the month.
5 of 12 months are a best time to visit.
Quick answer
Visit Edinburgh in May to September (August for the Festival) for the best weather and experience. Budget travelers should consider shoulder season for lower prices. A typical hotel night is $118, and daily spend is $33–$110 a person, hotel not included. What a trip costs →
- Best time: the months named above
- Good: either side of the best months
- Off-peak: expect trade-offs, and often deals
Month-by-month guide
January
Off-peakCold, some rain. Averages 4°C (40°F) with 79 mm of rain over the month.
February
Off-peakCold, some rain. Averages 5°C (41°F) with 76 mm of rain over the month.
March
Off-peakCold, some rain. Averages 6°C (42°F) with 73 mm of rain over the month.
April
GoodCold, some rain. Averages 8°C (46°F) with 45 mm of rain over the month.
May
Best timeCool, some rain. Averages 11°C (51°F) with 60 mm of rain over the month.
June
Best timeCool, some rain. Averages 14°C (56°F) with 76 mm of rain over the month.
July
Best timeMild, wet. Averages 15°C (60°F) with 86 mm of rain over the month.
August
Best timeMild, wet. Averages 15°C (58°F) with 83 mm of rain over the month.
September
Best timeCool, some rain. Averages 13°C (56°F) with 69 mm of rain over the month.
October
GoodCool, wet. Averages 10°C (51°F) with 97 mm of rain over the month.
November
Off-peakCold, wet. Averages 7°C (44°F) with 83 mm of rain over the month.
December
Off-peakCold, wet. Averages 5°C (41°F) with 95 mm of rain over the month.
What the weather actually does in Edinburgh
Monthly averages from ten years of recorded weather (2014–2023), not a forecast.
Edinburgh is warmest in July (15°C / 60°F) and coolest in January (4°C / 40°F). October is the wettest month at 97 mm of rain, and April the driest at 45 mm. On weather alone, the most comfortable month for walking around (roughly 18–26°C without heavy rain) is July.
| Month | Avg temp | Rain | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4°C 40°F | 79 mm | |
| Feb | 5°C 41°F | 76 mm | |
| Mar | 6°C 42°F | 73 mm | |
| Apr | 8°C 46°F | 45 mm | |
| May | 11°C 51°F | 60 mm | |
| Jun | 14°C 56°F | 76 mm | |
| Jul | 15°C 60°F | 86 mm | |
| Aug | 15°C 58°F | 83 mm | |
| Sep | 13°C 56°F | 69 mm | |
| Oct | 10°C 51°F | 97 mm | |
| Nov | 7°C 44°F | 83 mm | |
| Dec | 5°C 41°F | 95 mm |
Comfort scores 18–26°C and under 30 mm of rain highest. Weather data: Open-Meteo historical archive (CC BY 4.0).
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