When to go · Edinburgh
Edinburgh, month by month
The best months for Edinburgh: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep. Months to avoid: Dec.
Month by month
- JanuaryMixedOutside the best window (May–Sep). Across United Kingdom: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.7 °C / 2 °C, 13 rain days45 °F / 36 °F, 13 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryMixedOutside the best window (May–Sep). Across United Kingdom: Cold and damp; a city month. Half-term week fills family sights.8 °C / 2 °C, 11 rain days46 °F / 36 °F, 11 rain daysCrowds: Low
- MarchGoodOutside the best window (May–Sep). Across United Kingdom: Days lengthen quickly; daffodils and lambs. Easter may fall at the end of the month.10 °C / 3 °C, 12 rain days50 °F / 37 °F, 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGoodOutside the best window (May–Sep). Across United Kingdom: Spring gardens and parks; Easter holidays fill London sights and trains.12 °C / 5 °C, 10 rain days54 °F / 41 °F, 10 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- MayGreatInside Edinburgh's best window: May–Sep.15 °C / 7 °C, 11 rain days59 °F / 45 °F, 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- JuneGreatInside Edinburgh's best window: May–Sep.17 °C / 10 °C, 11 rain days63 °F / 50 °F, 11 rain daysCrowds: High
- JulyGreatInside Edinburgh's best window: May–Sep.19 °C / 12 °C, 12 rain days66 °F / 54 °F, 12 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustGreatInside Edinburgh's best window: May–Sep.19 °C / 12 °C, 12 rain days66 °F / 54 °F, 12 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberGreatInside Edinburgh's best window: May–Sep.17 °C / 10 °C, 11 rain days63 °F / 50 °F, 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGoodOutside the best window (May–Sep). Across United Kingdom: Autumn colour, fewer crowds; clocks go back in the last week and evenings darken.13 °C / 7 °C, 13 rain days55 °F / 45 °F, 13 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberMixedOutside the best window (May–Sep). Across United Kingdom: Wet and dark; Christmas lights and markets open late in the month.10 °C / 4 °C, 13 rain days50 °F / 39 °F, 13 rain daysCrowds: Low
- DecemberAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Aug (festival crowds and peak prices), late Dec (Hogmanay prices).7 °C / 2 °C, 13 rain days45 °F / 36 °F, 13 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday