April in Edinburgh averages highs of 11 °C (51 °F) and lows of 4 °C (39 °F), with about 8 rainy days and 14 h 06 min of daylight.
April weather in Edinburgh at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is April a good time to visit Edinburgh?
Tough month: cold and some rain. April is usually low season in Edinburgh: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
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.
Holidays and events in April 2026
- Fri 3 Apr: Good Friday public holiday
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Edinburgh in April
April's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Royal Mile outdoors
- Arthur's Seat — an hour up an extinct volcano outdoors
- Calton Hill — sunset outdoors
- Dean Village and the Water of Leith outdoors
- Edinburgh Castle — book ahead indoors
- National Museum of Scotland — free indoors
Where to stay: Old Town for the castle and Royal Mile; New Town for elegant streets; Leith for food and value.
What to pack for Edinburgh in April
- A warm jacket and layers; evenings drop to around 4 °C (39 °F).
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Edinburgh costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | £50–120 | £150–320 |
Excluding flights. April is usually low season in Edinburgh: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
April in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 12° / 5° | 9 | Tough month |
| London | 14° / 5° | 7 | Tough month |
| Amsterdam | 13° / 5° | 9 | Tough month |
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is April a good time to visit Edinburgh?
By the numbers, April is a tough month: cold and some rain, with average highs of 11 °C (51 °F) and about 8 rainy days. April is usually low season in Edinburgh: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are May, June, July.
How warm is Edinburgh in April?
Average highs are 11 °C (51 °F) and lows 4 °C (39 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in April?
Expect about 8 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 53 mm in total. It is the driest month of the year in Edinburgh.
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.