Best time to visit Edinburgh
The best months to visit Edinburgh are August, July and June, based on month-by-month temperature and rainfall data. The full year of weather, daylight, holidays, and festival timing is below.
August, July and June score best for Edinburgh weather:
- June17° / 9°CJune has long daylight, useful for late Castle views, Calton Hill, and North Berwick trips.
- July19° / 11°CJuly is mild summer, with outdoor walks comfortable but rain still common on exposed hills.
- August19° / 11°CAugust is the defining month, with Fringe, International Festival, Book Festival, and Military Tattoo crowds controlling the city.
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By TripSapien Research · Updated May 20, 2026
Edinburgh weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain (mm) | Rainy days | Daylight | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7° | 1° | 65 | 12 | 7h | 6° |
| February | 8° | 1° | 55 | 10 | 9h | 5° |
| March | 9° | 2° | 50 | 10 | 11h | 7° |
| April | 12° | 4° | 40 | 9 | 14h | 10° |
| May | 15° | 6° | 50 | 10 | 16h | 15° |
| JuneBest weather | 17° | 9° | 65 | 10 | 17h | 15° |
| JulyBest weather | 19° | 11° | 70 | 11 | 17h | 17° |
| AugustBest weather | 19° | 11° | 70 | 10 | 15h | 17° |
| September | 17° | 9° | 55 | 10 | 12h | 14° |
| October | 13° | 6° | 75 | 12 | 10h | 12° |
| November | 10° | 3° | 65 | 12 | 8h | 9° |
| December | 7° | 1° | 65 | 12 | 7h | 8° |
Temperatures in °C. Long-term monthly averages.
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Edinburgh month by month
January
Edinburgh in January: 6.9°C high, 1.1°C low, 65mm rain over 12 days, 7.3h daylight. Cold and clearer — short daylight but skies open.
February
Edinburgh in February: 7.6°C high, 1.1°C low, 55mm rain over 10 days, 9.3h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
March
Edinburgh in March: 9.3°C high, 2°C low, 50mm rain over 10 days, 11.4h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
Edinburgh International Science Festival
April
Edinburgh in April: 11.8°C high, 3.5°C low, 40mm rain over 9 days, 13.9h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
Edinburgh International Science Festival · Beltane Fire Festival
May
Edinburgh in May: 14.6°C high, 6°C low, 50mm rain over 10 days, 16h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
Imaginate Festival
JuneBest weather
Edinburgh in June: 17.1°C high, 9°C low, 65mm rain over 10 days, 17.3h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
Hidden Door · Imaginate Festival · Meadows Festival
JulyBest weather
Edinburgh in July: 19.1°C high, 10.6°C low, 70mm rain over 11 days, 16.8h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival (10 days in July)
AugustBest weather
Edinburgh in August: 18.9°C high, 10.5°C low, 70mm rain over 10 days, 14.8h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
Edinburgh International Festival (In August) · Edinburgh Military Tattoo (In August) · Edinburgh Festival Fringe (In August)
September
Edinburgh in September: 16.6°C high, 8.6°C low, 55mm rain over 10 days, 12.4h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
October
Edinburgh in October: 13.1°C high, 5.8°C low, 75mm rain over 12 days, 10.1h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
Samhuinn Fire Festival
November
Edinburgh in November: 9.5°C high, 3°C low, 65mm rain over 12 days, 7.9h daylight. Mild and dry — shoulder-season sweet spot.
Guy Fawkes Night · St Andrew's Day
December
Edinburgh in December: 6.9°C high, 0.9°C low, 65mm rain over 12 days, 6.7h daylight. Cold and clearer — short daylight but skies open.
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