Average highs in Edinburgh run from 6 °C (44 °F) in January to 18 °C (65 °F) in July. By the numbers, the best months to go are May, June, July.
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Pick a month
Edinburgh climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°C / 44°F | 2°C / 36°F | 11 | 78 mm | 7 h 34 min |
| February | 7°C / 45°F | 2°C / 36°F | 10 | 75 mm | 9 h 29 min |
| March | 9°C / 48°F | 3°C / 37°F | 12 | 76 mm | 11 h 39 min |
| April | 11°C / 51°F | 4°C / 39°F | 8 | 53 mm | 14 h 06 min |
| May | 14°C / 57°F | 7°C / 45°F | 9 | 72 mm | 16 h 16 min |
| June | 17°C / 62°F | 10°C / 50°F | 10 | 76 mm | 17 h 34 min |
| July | 18°C / 65°F | 12°C / 53°F | 13 | 90 mm | 17 h 01 min |
| August | 18°C / 64°F | 12°C / 53°F | 11 | 82 mm | 15 h 03 min |
| September | 16°C / 61°F | 10°C / 50°F | 10 | 74 mm | 12 h 38 min |
| October | 13°C / 55°F | 8°C / 46°F | 12 | 95 mm | 10 h 17 min |
| November | 9°C / 48°F | 4°C / 40°F | 10 | 80 mm | 8 h 07 min |
| December | 8°C / 46°F | 3°C / 38°F | 12 | 99 mm | 6 h 59 min |
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Good to know
- Typical daily budget: £50–120 (budget) to £150–320 (mid-range) per person, excluding flights.
- Usually high season: June, July, August, December.
- Where to stay: Old Town for the castle and Royal Mile; New Town for elegant streets; Leith for food and value.
Nearby cities
Dublin weather · London weather · Amsterdam weather · Paris weather
FAQ
What is the best month to visit Edinburgh?
By weather alone, May, June, July score best: comfortable temperatures and few rainy days. Peak season is usually June, July, August, December, when rooms cost more.
What is the warmest month in Edinburgh?
July, with average highs of 18 °C (65 °F).
What is the rainiest month in Edinburgh?
July, with about 13 rainy days.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.