September in Edinburgh averages highs of 16 °C (61 °F) and lows of 10 °C (50 °F), with about 10 rainy days and 12 h 38 min of daylight.
September weather in Edinburgh at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is September a good time to visit Edinburgh?
Tough month: cool and wet. September 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 September 2026
No public holidays fall in September 2026 in United Kingdom, so opening hours should be normal.
Things to do in Edinburgh in September
With frequent rain in September, 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 September
- Layers and a light jacket: days around 16 °C (61 °F), nights near 10 °C (50 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 10 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. September is usually shoulder season in Edinburgh: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
September in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dublin | 17° / 11° | 10 | Mixed weather |
| London | 20° / 11° | 8 | Good time to go |
| Amsterdam | 19° / 12° | 10 | Good time to go |
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 September a good time to visit Edinburgh?
By the numbers, September is a tough month: cool and wet, with average highs of 16 °C (61 °F) and about 10 rainy days. September 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 September?
Average highs are 16 °C (61 °F) and lows 10 °C (50 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in September?
Expect about 10 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 74 mm in total. It is the 6th 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.