Best time to visit Edinburgh

Edinburgh – the Capital of Scotland – is one of the most touristy destinations in the UK. Throughout the year it has something to offer and never lets you down. Though the prices can vary from season to season there is no right or wrong to this question. You can go to Edinburgh all year round with each season having something different. Here is a breakdown of each season:

Winter (December- March)

Winter days are short, cold and dark with a lot of rain as well but if it’s festive season, you always have a great time! Though considered to be the low season, the Christmas period is filled with a lot of tourists with the city lit up and the Christmas market in full boom. The Scots know how to spend New Year’s Eve with street parties, dances and fireworks.

January-March is considered the quietest period but there are occasions when the city wakes up. On January 25th, you might get the chance to enjoy a Burns Night supper, honouring the renowned Scottish poet, Robert Burns. Expect haggis, poetry, a dram (or two) of whisky, and singing your heart out to “Auld Lang Syne.” If you are really lucky, you might witness snowfall and from visuals that I have seen, Edinburgh resembles Narnia after snowfall! March is the transition period from winter to spring where the days start getting longer, flowers start to blooming and the sun finally comes out.

The prices vary during this period as holiday period (December) can get expensive but overall if you visit between Jan-March, the prices are comparatively low and considered as the cheapest months to visit.

Spring (March-May)

There are two shoulder seasons out of which one is during Spring. There are very few tourists on the streets and as spring arrives, the green spaces in the city shimmer with cherry-blossoms. Late spring is an excellent time to travel with kids, as the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival takes place. This nine-day event showcases the finest in children’s dance and theatre, offering a memorable experience for the entire family.

It is a really good time to plan hiking adventures as well with the cold reducing, having longer days and less crowd.

At the end of Spring, it’s time for the Beltane fire festival which marks the return of summer. It is one of the four fire festivals held throughout the year where the Celts named the first day of May, “Beltane”. This festival is often commemorated with bonfires, maypoles, dancing, and performing fertility rituals.

As it’s the shoulder season, the prices start to hike but still with less tourists, it can easily be done on a budget.

Summer (June-August)

The most happening and warmest months of the year with long days, less rain and an influx of people from all over the world. July and August tend to be the sunniest months with minimal rainfall. The Edinburgh Fringe in August is the highlight of summer. It is one of the largest art festivals that runs for three weeks in August having artists, performers, entertainers from all over the world to showcase their talent.

The prices skyrocket during this time and it is advisable to book your accommodation and travel months in advance to witness this event. It estimates more than a million extra visitors during this time. The Royal Mile is filled with street performers, comedians, entertainers which creates a different ambience and atmosphere during this time.

If you can, then you should definitely go during the Edinburgh Fringe and witness the arts and culture!

Autumn (September-November)

Considered as the second shoulder season, the temperature begins to drop, rainfall gets heavier and tourists start to dwindle. The orange and yellow autumn colours start to prevail at the end of September with the city getting a beautiful sepia tone to it. The crisp air carries the scent of fallen leaves as they crunch underfoot along the city’s cobblestone streets. The iconic Edinburgh Castle and the historic Royal Mile are framed by trees ablaze with autumn colours, offering breathtaking views against a backdrop of moody, overcast skies.

The city’s cultural scene continues to thrive with events like the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, where you can immerse yourself in traditional tales and folklore.It is the perfect time to start layering up, going for a walk in the orange gardens and ending the day at a cosy cafe with a book and some marshmallows with hot chocolate.