Best Time to Visit Edinburgh: Your Complete Guide

The best time to visit Edinburgh really depends on what you’re after. Are you planning around good weather? Dreaming of some festive fun in winter? Or do you simply want to wander the Royal Mile at your own pace?

Whatever your plans, Scotland’s capital always has something going on – whether it’s the world-famous Fringe Festival, Christmas markets or Hogmanay street parties.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the highlights and events of each season, so you can decide when Edinburgh will give you the trip you’re looking for.

• Start planning an unforgettable Scotland tour from Edinburgh

Edinburgh's glowing skyline at sunset.

Spring: March to May

Best for: milder weather, cherry blossoms, and sightseeing at a relaxed pace

Spring in Edinburgh brings longer days, warmer weather and bursts of colour across the city.

By April, you can stroll beneath cherry trees blooming pink across the Meadows, Princes Street Gardens and Inverleith Park. At the Royal Botanic Garden, wander through woodland paths dotted with rhododendrons, or admire Japanese magnolias in bloom later in the season.

Spring is also when you can take part in some cool cultural celebrations. If you’re here in late April, head up to Calton Hill for the Beltane Fire Festival.

The name “Beltane”, which translates roughly as “bright fire”, is a modern take on an ancient Celtic tradition celebrating the return of summer. Expect to be wowed by ritual dances, rhythmic drumming, and dramatic fire performances.

In May, Edinburgh Tradfest fills the city with traditional music. Catch a live gig or take part in a ceilidh (that’s kay-lee) – basically a fun Scottish dance party. If you’re travelling with kids, don’t miss the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival at the end of May.

With fewer visitors than in summer, spring is a great time to explore popular spots like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile at your own pace.

If you like photography, the softer light makes every photo look like a postcard.

• See more of the country on a self-drive tour of Scotland
• Related: Amazing things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle in spring.

Summer: June to August

Best for: buzzing festivals, long daylight hours, and outdoor adventures

Summer in Edinburgh is hard to beat. With the sun setting close to 10 PM, you can pack so much sightseeing into each day.

August is the best month to visit Edinburgh for festivals, when the city feels like one big celebration. The star attraction is the Edinburgh Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world.

For 3 weeks, it takes over the capital, filling theatres, street corners, and pop-up venues with shows of every kind. Whether you’re into comedy, theatre, opera, or musicals, you’re sure to find it here.

Between shows, you’ll stumble across pop-up bars and food stalls dotted across the city. Head to Bristo Square or George Square for a bite to eat and a pint or just to soak up the atmosphere.

Running alongside the Fringe is the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a spectacular show on the castle esplanade. Picture bagpipers, military bands, and dancers performing with the castle as their backdrop. And just when you think it can’t get any better, you get a dazzling fireworks finale.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo © Kenny Lam – Visit Scotland

Book the Tattoo for a unique evening at Edinburgh Castle.
- Duncan Searle, Edinburgh-based Team Leader

Other Edinburgh festivals you can experience throughout July and August include:

• Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
• Edinburgh International Festival
• Edinburgh International Book Festival
• Edinburgh Foodies Festival
• Edinburgh Art Festival

Of course, summer isn’t just about the festivals. With warmer weather and daylight stretching well into the evening, it’s the best time to go to Edinburgh for outdoor activities. For instance, you could hike up Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano overlooking the city, and watch the sun dip behind the rooftops.

Local tip: For a more laid-back vibe, head up to the Calton Hill Café. Start your morning with a haggis toastie, or end your day with a drink as the sun sets over the skyline.

With a few extra days or longer, you can venture beyond the city, too. Take a boat ride on the mystical Loch Ness, hike in the Scottish Highlands, or visit the seaside town of St Andrews.

Good to know: Summer is Edinburgh’s busiest season, especially in August, so be sure to plan ahead.

• Soak up the culture on a Scottish summer tour
• Related: Best festivals and events in Scotland

Street performer at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Autumn: September to November

Best for: cosy pubs, ghost tours, and Cocktail Week

Autumn is one of the most atmospheric seasons in Edinburgh. From September to November, trees in the Royal Botanic Garden and city parks turn golden, the air grows crisp, and the city starts to look a bit more moody and gothic.

If you’re a fan of cocktails, time your trip for early October, during Edinburgh Cocktail Week. With a wristband, you’ll get discounted drinks at over 100 bars and venues around the city.

Late October brings the Samhuinn Fire Festival, Beltane’s sister celebration. Witness fire performances light up Calton Hill to mark the transition from summer to winter.

Autumn is also the perfect season to explore Edinburgh’s spooky side. Join a ghost tour through the Old Town or venture into the underground vaults to hear eerie stories of the city’s darker past. With so much history, it’s no wonder Edinburgh is considered one of the most haunted cities in Europe!

As the temperatures drop, keep warm by exploring more of the capital’s indoor attractions. Step inside Holyrood Palace, wander through the Scottish National Gallery, or dive into history at the National Museum of Scotland.

If you’re a whisky fan, warm up with a tasting at the Johnnie Walker Experience on Princes Street. And once you're done exploring, settle into a historic pub and warm up by a crackling fire – it’s the perfect way to end a chilly autumn evening.

• Discover Edinburgh with a local guide on a small group tour of Scotland
• Related: Why you should spend next spring or autumn in Scotland

A chilly autumn day in Edinburgh.

Winter: December to February

Best for: Christmas markets and Hogmanay celebrations

If you’re craving festive magic, the lead-up to Christmas is one of the best times of year to visit Edinburgh. From late November, you’ll see streets lined with fairy lights, shop windows glowing with decorations, and historic buildings decked out in colourful ornaments.

Make your way to East Princes Street Gardens, home to Scotland’s biggest Christmas Market. Browse wooden stalls for handmade gifts, sample seasonal treats, and warm up with a cup of mulled wine or hot chocolate.

Top tip: Book a table at The Dome on George Street for festive cocktails or a traditional afternoon tea. With their showstopping Christmas decorations and stunning Georgian architecture, you’ll feel like you’re in a winter fairytale.

On New Year’s Eve – or, as the Scots call it, Hogmanay – Edinburgh hosts one of Europe’s biggest celebrations. Join the epic street party, enjoy live concerts and watch the fireworks sparkle over Edinburgh Castle at midnight.

By January and February, the celebrations are over, leaving the city quieter. If you visit this time of year, you’ll have more of the top sights all to yourself.

Winter also brings Burns Night on 25 January, honouring Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. Celebrate with a traditional supper of haggis and whisky to embrace this cherished Scottish tradition

• Experience the festivities for yourself on a winter tour of Scotland
• Related: How to celebrate Christmas in Scotland

Christmas Market at East Princes St Gardens.

Experience Edinburgh year-round with Nordic Visitor

There's really no single best time to travel to Edinburgh. With so much happening throughout the year, it all depends on what you’d like to experience most.

The capital is also the perfect starting point for your Scottish adventure. From here, you could head north to the Highlands, drive scenic stretches of the North Coast 500, and venture to the Isle of Skye.

Experience it all on an expert-curated Scotland tour from Edinburgh with Nordic Visitor. An Edinburgh-based travel consultant will arrange your accommodation, local transport, and any activities you’d like to try. Plus, they’ll be on hand with tips and recommendations to make the most of your time in Scotland.

Choose from self-drive adventures, multi-day trips, small group tours or privately guided vacations.

Contact us today to start planning your Scottish adventure.