January in Edinburgh averages highs of 6 °C (44 °F) and lows of 2 °C (36 °F), with about 11 rainy days and 7 h 34 min of daylight.
January weather in Edinburgh at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is January a good time to visit Edinburgh?
Tough month: cold and wet. January is usually shoulder season in Edinburgh: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
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 January 2026
- Thu 1 Jan: New Year's Day public holiday
- Fri 2 Jan: 2 January 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 January
With cold days in January, 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 January
- A warm winter coat, hat and gloves: it rarely gets above 6 °C (44 °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. January is usually shoulder season in Edinburgh: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
January in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 8° / 4° | 10 | Tough month |
| London | 8° / 2° | 9 | Tough month |
| Amsterdam | 7° / 2° | 11 | Tough month |
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FAQ
Is January a good time to visit Edinburgh?
By the numbers, January is a tough month: cold and wet, with average highs of 6 °C (44 °F) and about 11 rainy days. January is usually shoulder season in Edinburgh: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower. The best months for weather are May, June, July.
How warm is Edinburgh in January?
Average highs are 6 °C (44 °F) and lows 2 °C (36 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in January?
Expect about 11 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 78 mm in total. It is the 6th 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.