Edinburgh

Edinburgh is Scotland's capital, a city of a medieval Old Town, a planned Georgian New Town and hills that give views over the centre.

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Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, in the southeast of the country on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. It is Scotland's second-largest city after Glasgow. Most visitors start at Edinburgh Castle, on Castle Rock at the top of the Old Town, and walk the Royal Mile downhill to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the British monarch's official residence in Scotland. North of Princes Street Gardens, the New Town is a planned Georgian district with a grid of streets, George Street and Charlotte Square. The Old Town and New Town together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Scottish Parliament sits at Holyrood. The festivals run from late July to early September, with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. The climate is cool and maritime, and the city is known for wind. Summers are moderate and rarely above 22 °C, and winter days rarely drop below freezing. Allow at least two days for the castle, the Royal Mile and a museum or two, and more if you visit during festival weeks.

Edinburgh in five

Budget for the 5% visitor levyStays from 24 July 2026 pay 5% of the room cost on the first 5 nights, for every paid overnight stay in the city. Stays booked and paid before 1 October 2025 are exempt.City of Edinburgh Council
Book August rooms months aheadThe Fringe, the International Festival and the Tattoo fill the city in August. Rooms cost several times the spring rate and sell out early.
Take the tram from the airportThe tram runs from the terminal to Princes Street and York Place in about 30 minutes. The Airlink 100 bus goes to Waverley.
Book a timed slot for the castleEdinburgh Castle tickets are best bought online ahead in summer. Go at opening, before the Royal Mile fills.
Get your UK ETA before you flyVisa-exempt visitors, including US and EU citizens, need an ETA to enter the UK. Irish citizens are exempt.UK ETA explained

Things to do in Edinburgh

See all attractions in Edinburgh

Presbyterian church · EdinburghDuddingston KirkVisit in daylight to see sunlight through the stained glass.

Castle · EdinburghCraigmillar CastleWear shoes with good grip; the grounds can be muddy, and exploring involves stairs and plenty of walking.

Park · EdinburghDunbars CloseWatch for the narrow, easy-to-miss entrance near Canongate Kirk.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to EdinburghPut the places you like in Edinburgh on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Edinburgh (EDI), about 30 min to the center by tram
Getting there: Trains from London King's Cross in about 4.5 hours
Getting around: Walk the center; Lothian buses and the tram for the rest
Best base: New Town for calm, Old Town to be in the thick of it
Time needed: 2–3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Festival

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh6°Low2°Short days
FebruaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Cold, quiet
MarchRain15 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low3°Windy
AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Longer days
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Mild, green
JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh17°Low9°Long light
JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Busy, warm
AugustRain14 rainy daysHigh18°Low11°Festivals
SeptemberRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Mild, calmer
OctoberRain16 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Autumn color
NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Dark, wet
DecemberRain15 rainy daysHigh7°Low3°Christmas, Hogmanay

Average daily high and low in Edinburgh, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Aug Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh International Festival

Right now in Edinburgh

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 6°
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Edinburgh

08:40 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+0

Today10°4°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue11°7°8%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 8%.
Wed10°5°4%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 4%.
Thu10°7°13%Thursday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 13%.
Fri10°8°18%Friday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 18%.
Sat8°7°22%Saturday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 22%.
Sun10°2°6%Sunday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 6%.

Updated 06:30 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP

Amount

Converted to

GBP · British Pound

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Edinburgh

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Every year

JulTRNSMTGlasgow, a day trip
AugEdinburgh International Book FestivalEdinburgh
AugEdinburgh International FestivalEdinburgh

Day trips by train

Glasgowabout 50 min by trainFree museums, Victorian streets and live music.Read the guide
Stirlingabout 50 min by trainThe castle and the Wallace Monument.Read the guide
North Berwickabout 35 min by trainSandy beaches, seabird boat trips and Berwick Law.
The Highlandsa long day by tour bus or carBetter as a trip of its own, with nights in Inverness or Fort William.Read the guide

Before you go to Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle and attractionsOnline tickets save the summer queueBook timed entry

Hotels for festival monthAugust rates need early bookingCheck availability

eSIM for the UKMaps and train apps for day tripsRead the guide

Travel insurance for ScotlandCover for festival-month cancellationsRead the guide

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Rules for Edinburgh, checked

Edinburgh's visitor levy is 5% of the room cost on the first 5 nights, for stays from 24 July 2026. Stays booked and paid before 1 October 2025 are exempt.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

Plan around Edinburgh

All of Scotland

Cities, the Highlands, Skye and the UK ETA

Read the guide Glasgow

Free museums and live music, 50 minutes away

Read the guide Scottish Highlands

Glens, lochs and long drives north

Read the guide York

On the East Coast line to London

Read the guide UK ETA guide

Who needs one and how to apply

Read the guide Getting around Britain

Trains, coaches and rental cars compared

Read the guide Central Scotland

Linlithgow, the Falkirk Wheel and Stirling by train

Read the guide Southern Scotland

The Borders Railway and the abbeys

Read the guide

Edinburgh FAQ

How much is the Edinburgh visitor levy?

5% of the accommodation cost, charged on the first 5 nights of a paid overnight stay from 24 July 2026. The provider adds it to your bill.

When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?

May, June and September have long days and fewer crowds than August. August is the festival month, lively but expensive.

How many days do I need in Edinburgh?

Two days covers the castle, the Royal Mile, the New Town and Arthur's Seat. Add a day for a trip to Glasgow or Stirling.

Do I need an ETA to visit Scotland?

Yes, if you are a visa-exempt visitor such as a US or EU citizen. Scotland is part of the UK, so the UK ETA applies. Irish citizens are exempt.

Where should I stay in Edinburgh?

The Old Town for the thick of it, the New Town for calm Georgian streets, Stockbridge and Leith for cafes and local food, and the Southside for lower prices. All are a short bus ride from the Royal Mile.