August in Edinburgh averages highs of 18 °C (64 °F) and lows of 12 °C (53 °F), with about 11 rainy days and 15 h 03 min of daylight.
August weather in Edinburgh at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is August a good time to visit Edinburgh?
Tough month: cool and wet. August is usually high season in Edinburgh: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
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 August 2026
- Mon 3 Aug: Summer Bank Holiday public holiday
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the International Festival fill the city in August event
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 August
With frequent rain in August, here are the indoor picks first, then the outdoor ones for drier spells.
- Edinburgh Castle — book ahead indoors
- National Museum of Scotland — free indoors
- 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
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 August
- Layers and a light jacket: days around 18 °C (64 °F), nights near 12 °C (53 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 11 days this month see real rain.
- 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. August is usually high season in Edinburgh: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
August in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 19° / 13° | 10 | Good time to go |
| London | 22° / 14° | 7 | Good time to go |
| Amsterdam | 22° / 14° | 10 | Mixed weather |
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 August a good time to visit Edinburgh?
By the numbers, August is a tough month: cool and wet, with average highs of 18 °C (64 °F) and about 11 rainy days. August is usually high season in Edinburgh: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest. The best months for weather are May, June, July.
How warm is Edinburgh in August?
Average highs are 18 °C (64 °F) and lows 12 °C (53 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in August?
Expect about 11 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 82 mm in total. It is the 5th wettest 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.