United Kingdom, Europe
The best time to visit Edinburgh
One of Europe's great small capitals, and in August one of its most overwhelming: decide early whether you want the festivals.
- Best months
- May to Jun and Sep
- Think twice
- No month is a write-off
- Quietest
- January
- Cheapest
- January
The straight answer
The best time to visit Edinburgh is May through June or September: long days and mild weather without August's festival crush, though August itself is worth planning around if you want the Fringe.
Go in May, June, or September. The days are long (in June the sky barely darkens), the weather is as reliable as Scotland gets, and the Old Town, the castle, and Arthur's Seat are busy but manageable.
August is a special case. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the International Festival, and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo turn the city into the world's biggest arts festival. It is thrilling, but hotel prices can triple, the Royal Mile is shoulder to shoulder, and rooms book up many months ahead. Go for the festivals or go another month; do not stumble into August by accident.
Winter is cold, wet, and dark, with sunset before 4pm in December. But Edinburgh wears it well: Christmas markets in the Princes Street Gardens, cozy pubs, and Hogmanay, one of the most famous New Year's celebrations in the world. January through March is the cheapest and quietest time to see the city's museums and history.
Edinburgh, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryQuiet valueCold and damp, highs near 44F (7C), about 7 to 8 hours of daylightThe cheapest, quietest month after New Year. Museums and whisky bars shine.CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryQuiet valueCold, highs near 45F (7C), windyStill quiet and cheap. Wrap up for Arthur's Seat.CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchQuiet valueCool, highs near 49F (9C)Days lengthen and spring flowers appear in the parks. Good value.CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilGoodCool, highs near 53F (12C), showersBeltane Fire Festival on Calton Hill on April 30 and the Science Festival. Easter weekend gets busy.Hotels for April →CrowdsPrice
- 05MayBestMild, highs near 59F (15C), long daysBlossoms in the Meadows, long evenings, and prices below summer levels.Hotels for May →CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneBestMild, highs near 63F (17C), nearly 18 hours of daylightThe longest days of the year. Busier, but still well before festival pricing.Hotels for June →CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyGoodMild, highs near 66F (19C), some rainSummer crowds build, and the city starts to fill up for the festivals by late month.Hotels for July →CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustTradeoffsMild, highs near 65F (18C), showersFestival month. Incredible energy and thousands of shows, but peak prices and packed streets. Book very early.CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberBestMild, highs near 61F (16C)Post-festival calm, mild weather, and lower prices. Arguably the best month.Hotels for September →CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberGoodCool, highs near 55F (13C), more rainFall color in the parks and quieter streets. Good for ghost tours as the nights draw in.Hotels for October →CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberQuiet valueCold and wet, highs near 48F (9C)Gray and damp until the Christmas market opens mid to late month.CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberGoodCold, highs near 44F (7C), dark by 4pmChristmas markets, lights, and Hogmanay at the end of the month. The New Year period is expensive.Hotels for December →CrowdsPrice
Book Edinburgh for May.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in EdinburghOpens a hotel search for Edinburgh in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in EdinburghWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in EdinburghTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Edinburgh for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to Edinburgh
A skyline like no other
Edinburgh Castle on its volcanic rock above the medieval Old Town and the Georgian New Town together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The festival capital
In August, the Fringe, the International Festival, and the Tattoo make Edinburgh the world's largest arts festival city.
Wild nature in the city
Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, gives you a real hill hike with city views in under an hour.
Free national museums
The National Museum of Scotland and the national galleries are free, making the city surprisingly affordable on rainy days.
Things to do, and when to do them
Edinburgh Castle
Book a timed ticket online, especially in summer. Arrive at opening to see the Crown Jewels before lines build.
National Museum of Scotland
Free, with an excellent rooftop terrace view. A perfect rainy-day stop.
Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park
A 1 to 2 hour hike to the summit. Go at sunrise or early evening for the best light and fewer people.
Royal Mile and the Old Town closes
Wander the narrow closes off the Royal Mile. Early morning is quiet; the afternoon is packed in summer.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Free entry to the gardens, with glasshouses and views of the skyline.
Royal Yacht Britannia
The late Queen's former yacht, moored at Leith. A surprisingly engaging visit.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The monarch's official residence in Scotland. Closed during royal visits, so check before you go.
Events and seasons worth planning around
Beltane Fire Festival
April 30 every year
A dramatic nighttime performance on Calton Hill marking the start of summer. Ticketed.
Edinburgh International Science Festival
About two weeks around early April
Hands-on science events across the city, great for families.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
About three and a half weeks in August
The world's largest arts festival, with thousands of shows from comedy to theater. Book accommodation very early.
Edinburgh International Festival and the Royal Military Tattoo
August, overlapping the Fringe
Classical music, opera, and theater, plus the Tattoo's massed pipes and drums on the castle esplanade.
Christmas markets
Mid to late November through early January
In the Princes Street Gardens under the castle, with rides and mulled wine.
Hogmanay
December 29 or 30 through January 1
A multi-day New Year's celebration with a torchlight procession, the street party, fireworks over the castle, plus the separate, locally run Loony Dook swim at South Queensferry on New Year's Day.
Beat the crowds
- Visit the castle at opening or in the last two hours. Book online to skip the ticket line entirely.
- For August, book accommodation six months to a year ahead, or stay in Leith or outside the center and use the tram and buses.
- Explore Stockbridge, Leith, and Dean Village for a calmer side of the city.
- Climb Arthur's Seat early in the morning; the summit gets crowded by late morning on sunny weekends.
Open or closed
- The Palace of Holyroodhouse closes during royal visits, including a week in late June or early July in some years. Check dates before planning around it.
- In August, some streets and venues are dedicated to festival events and access to parts of the castle esplanade is restricted by the Tattoo stands.
- Most museums and sights stay open year-round, though winter hours may be shorter.
- Hogmanay street party areas require tickets, and parts of the city center close to general traffic on New Year's Eve.
With kids in tow
- The National Museum of Scotland, Dynamic Earth, and Camera Obscura and World of Illusions keep kids busy.
- The Fringe has a large program of family shows in August, though the crowds can be overwhelming for small children.
- Edinburgh Zoo, a short bus ride west of the center, has a large penguin enclosure and a hillside setting with views over the city.
- Arthur's Seat is doable for active kids, but the steep final section can be slippery when wet.
Getting there
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI) has nonstops from several US cities, including New York, Newark, Boston, and Chicago, with more in summer.
- The Airlink 100 bus and the tram connect the airport to the city center in about 30 minutes.
- Trains from London King's Cross take about 4.5 hours to Edinburgh Waverley, and the Highlands are within easy reach by car or train.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
Edinburgh for the holidays
Holiday and school-break weeks where Edinburgh makes our ranked list.
Edinburgh timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit Edinburgh?
September. The weather is mild, the festival crowds have left, and prices drop, while the days are still long enough for exploring.
What is the cheapest time to visit Edinburgh?
January through March, after the New Year's holidays. Hotels are at their lowest, though the weather is cold and dark.
When is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe?
In August every year, running for about three and a half weeks. The International Festival and the Tattoo run at the same time.
Is Edinburgh worth visiting in winter?
Yes, especially in December for the Christmas markets and Hogmanay. January and February are quiet, cheap, and good for museums and pubs.
When is Edinburgh most crowded?
August, by far, during the festivals. The Christmas and New Year period and summer weekends are also busy.
Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh?
Rain is common in every season, though Edinburgh is drier than the west of Scotland. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket year-round.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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