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Best time to visit Edinburgh: month by month
Short answer
The best months are May to September, with highs of about 14–19°C and very long days (sunset after 22:00 in June); June (about 18°C, 10 rainy days) is often the pick. August is festival month: spectacular but crowded and very expensive, while winter is cold (6–8°C), dark and cheaper.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6°C | 2°C | 13 | low |
| Feb | 8°C | 3°C | 13 | low |
| Mar | 9°C | 3°C | 15 | low |
| Apr | 10°C | 3°C | 12 | medium |
| May | 14°C | 7°C | 16 | medium |
| Jun | 18°C | 11°C | 10 | high |
| Jul | 19°C | 12°C | 17 | high |
| Aug | 18°C | 12°C | 13 | very high |
| Sep | 17°C | 11°C | 13 | medium |
| Oct | 13°C | 9°C | 19 | medium |
| Nov | 10°C | 5°C | 14 | low |
| Dec | 7°C | 3°C | 16 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs climb from about 9°C in March to 10°C in April and 14°C in May, with cold nights (3–7°C). Fewer visitors and lower prices; the Beltane Fire Festival lights up Calton Hill on 30 April.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of about 18–19°C and lows of 11–12°C, with 10–17 rainy days a month (July is often showery). The busiest time of year, peaking in August with the Fringe, the International Festival and the Tattoo.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is still about 17°C and quieter after the festivals. October (about 13°C) is the wettest month in the data (about 19 rainy days), and November drops to about 10°C.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and dark: highs of 6–8°C, lows of 2–3°C and daylight of only about 7 hours in December. The Christmas market and Hogmanay make late December busy; January and February are the quietest and cheapest months.
Events worth planning around
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, August
- Edinburgh International Book Festival, August
- Hogmanay street party and celebrations, 29 December to 1 January
- Beltane Fire Festival on Calton Hill, 30 April
When to avoid
Avoid August and Hogmanay if you want a calm or budget trip: rooms sell out and prices can be two to three times normal. January and February are cheapest but cold, dark and wet.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Edinburgh?
June: highs of about 18°C, the fewest rainy days of the summer in the data (about 10) and daylight until after 22:00, without August's festival prices.
Is August a good time to visit Edinburgh?
Yes for the festivals, which are unique; no if you want a quiet or cheap trip. Book rooms and Tattoo tickets very early.
Is Edinburgh worth visiting in winter?
Yes, for the Christmas market, Hogmanay and cosy pubs, but expect highs of 6–8°C, frequent rain and early darkness.