Are you thinking about visiting Edinburgh, UK? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Edinburgh worth visiting?
Edinburgh is worth visiting for two to five days so that you can explore everything that the city has to offer. Edinburgh is a city that is grounded in history and architecture. The Old Town is filled with beautiful churches, cobblestone streets, and great restaurants. Looking over the city from a hilltop is the famed Edinburgh Castle. There are also countless museums around town as well the popular Harry Potter Trail. During our first trip to Edinburgh in the spring of 2023, we fell in love with its world renowned old town that's filled with cobblestone streets, iconic architecture, and plenty of shops for Harry Potter enthusiasts.. We've come back several times since then to experience it even more. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in VOGUE's Best Places to Travel in 2023.
Edinburgh
Reasons to Visit Edinburgh
Museums
The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.
Music
In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.
Historical Sights
The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.
Theatre Productions
It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.
Nightlife
With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.
Shopping
Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.
Is Edinburgh worth visiting in the Summer?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 14°C (58°F).
The peak season for travel is summer in Edinburgh, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat.
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to browse the museums, enjoy the city's energy, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can check out the nightlife.
Summer Weather in Edinburgh
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 14°C (58°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| August | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| September | 12°C (54°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
Is Edinburgh worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Edinburgh. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
The weather in Edinburgh can be quite cold during autumn, and averages around 10°C (49°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery, browse around the old town, and spend time at the museums. Also, you'll be able to admire the quaint atmosphere, discover the big city activities, and listen to some live music.
Autumn Weather in Edinburgh
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 10°C (49°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| November | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| December | 4°C (39°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Is Edinburgh worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Edinburgh. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
The weather in Edinburgh can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 3°C (38°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
During this season it's fun to experience the museums and landmarks, the theatre, and the historic old town. Also, you can experience the nightlife, the live music, and the big city activities.
Winter Weather in Edinburgh
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 3°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| February | 3°C (38°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| March | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Is Edinburgh worth visiting in the Spring?
The weather in Edinburgh can be quite cold during spring, and averages around 7°C (45°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Edinburgh, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, wander through the museums, and appreciate the quaint setting. Also, you can take in the beautiful scenery, admire the historic sights, listen to some live music, and grab some drinks at a bar.
Spring Weather in Edinburgh
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 10°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| June | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Edinburgh
Food: Edinburgh doesn't top the list for most foodies. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.
Lots of Tourists
Edinburgh sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Edinburgh might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Edinburgh here or see if Edinburgh is expensive here.
Related
What is Edinburgh most famous for?
Edinburgh is most famous for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. People visit this impressive city for its great museums, music, and historical sights. It's also known for theatre productions, nightlife, and shopping. It is often described as ancient, charming, character-filled, vibrant, and gothic.
What is the most famous sight in Edinburgh?
The most popular sight in Edinburgh is The Edinburgh Castle. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Edinburgh on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Edinburgh Castle and other attractions here.
How touristy is Edinburgh? Is it a popular city to visit?
Edinburgh is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Edinburgh Castle: Highlights Tour with Tickets, Map, and Guide: $44
- Small-Group Historic Coffee Tour in Edinburgh: $19
- Private Royal Mile walking tour - Discover the history of our most famous street: $108
- Edinburgh Whisky Walking Tour: $70
- Edinburgh City Walking Tour, Discover Old Town, Royal Mile with a Local Expert!: $61
- Discover Edinburgh Walking Tour: $32
- Bespoke Itinerary Planning from an Experienced Tour Guide: $63
- Public guided tour of Edinburgh at a minimum price - in French: $38
How long should I spend in Edinburgh?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Edinburgh is two to five days. Since Edinburgh has a variety of activities such as museums, music, and historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Edinburgh?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Edinburgh?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Edinburgh?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.