Most people pack for Edinburgh like it's freezing. It rarely is. Summer highs sit around 18–19°C (64–66°F) and winter lows hover near 2–4°C (36–39°F), but rain shows up on 11 to 19 days every month and the wind off the Firth of Forth makes it feel colder than the number. Pack for wet and windy, and bring shoes that can handle steep, slick stone.
Edinburgh weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 6°C43°F | 8°C46°F | 9°C48°F | 12°C54°F | 15°C59°F | 18°C64°F | 18°C64°F | 19°C66°F | 16°C61°F | 13°C55°F | 9°C48°F | 8°C46°F |
| Low | 2°C36°F | 4°C39°F | 3°C37°F | 5°C41°F | 8°C46°F | 10°C50°F | 12°C54°F | 12°C54°F | 10°C50°F | 8°C46°F | 5°C41°F | 4°C39°F |
| Rain days | 12 | 12 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 12 | 19 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 16 |
Season by season
Winter
December–FebruaryHighs of 6–8°C (43–46°F), lows of 2–4°C (36–39°F), and 12 to 16 rain days a month. It's damp more than icy, and it's dark before 4pm in December. Bring a warm, water-resistant coat, a hat and gloves for Calton Hill at night, and a layer you can strip off in overheated pubs and museums.
Spring
March–MayMarch is the wettest stretch of spring with 17 rain days, and highs climb from 9°C (48°F) to 15°C (59°F) by May. Lows still dip to 3°C (37°F) in March, so a mid-weight jacket beats a winter coat. May is the driest month of the year at 11 rain days, which makes it a good bet for Arthur's Seat.
Summer
June–AugustHighs of 18–19°C (64–66°F) and lows of 10–12°C (50–54°F). Don't count on sun. July is the wettest month of the year with 19 rain days, and August, when the Fringe takes over, still gets 14. A packable rain shell does more for you here than a pair of shorts.
Autumn
September–NovemberSeptember is mild at 16°C (61°F), then it drops to 9°C (48°F) by November with lows of 5°C (41°F). October gets 16 rain days. A sweater under a waterproof covers you for walks through Dean Village and up to the castle.
What to bring to Edinburgh
0 of 20 packedRain on up to 19 days a month and wind that wrecks umbrellas is exactly why a waterproof shell that packs into its own pocket belongs in your bag every day here.
A light, packable women's rain shell for Edinburgh's showers. Easy to keep in a day bag.
- Peak Design Everyday Backpack Zip 20LBags & Luggage
A 20L day bag sealed around the main compartment and zippers keeps your layers and phone dry when drizzle rolls in halfway up Arthur's Seat.
- Epicka 70W Universal Travel AdapterTech & Power
Edinburgh is all type G sockets, and this 70W adapter has a UK plug plus 3 USB-C and 2 USB-A ports, so one wall socket charges everything you brought.
Hopping over from elsewhere in Europe, this 19-inch spinner at 5.3 lb is the size we'd take, and its water-resistant DuraGuard polyester handles a wet walk up from Waverley.
- Mack's Blackout Soft Foam Earplugs, 7-pairSleep & Comfort
Book anywhere near the Cowgate or the Grassmarket in August and a handful of foam earplugs is the cheap fix for Festival crowds that run past midnight.
Clothing
- Warm fleece or midlayer · 1Wind off the Firth of Forth
- Merino base layers · 2
- Sweaters · 2
- Hat, gloves and scarf · 1 setWinter lows of 2–4°C
- Light layers for summer · 3Highs only 18–19°C
Footwear
- Waterproof walking shoes with grip · 1Steep, slick stone streets
- Spare shoes · 1Rain 11–19 days every month
Gear
- Wool socks · 4 pairs
- Compact umbrella · 1
- Small daypack · 1
Health and toiletries
- Lip balm
Documents and money
- Passport
- Festival tickets booked aheadAugust, when the Fringe runs
Tech
- Phone power bank · 1Short winter days, heavy map use
What shoes should you pack for Edinburgh?
Shoes with real grip, and waterproof if you can. The Old Town is all cobbles, steep closes and stone stairs, like the climb from the Grassmarket up Victoria Street, and it gets slick in the rain. Leave thin-soled fashion sneakers at home and bring something you could walk up Arthur's Seat in.
What do people wear in Edinburgh?
Casual and practical. Locals wear dark jeans, knitwear and a waterproof jacket most of the year, and nobody dresses up for a pub. A smarter outfit is only worth packing for a nice dinner in the New Town.
What plugs does Edinburgh use?
Edinburgh uses type G plugs, the UK's three flat pins, at 230V. Bring an adapter with a UK option. Most phone and laptop chargers handle 230V fine, but check the label on anything like a US hair dryer.
Tours and things to do in Edinburgh
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Edinburgh.
What should you leave at home for Edinburgh?
Leave the umbrella. The wind on North Bridge and the Royal Mile turns most cheap ones inside out, and a hood works better. Skip heavy winter gear in summer too. Layers do the job.
Around Edinburgh
Packing for Edinburgh: questions people ask
What should I wear in Edinburgh in summer?
Layers and a waterproof. Highs are only 18–19°C (64–66°F) and July averages 19 rain days, so jeans, a light sweater and a rain shell cover most days.
Do I need an umbrella in Edinburgh?
Not really. The wind breaks most umbrellas, so a jacket with a hood is the better bet, and you'll want it, with rain on 11 to 19 days a month all year.
What is the weather like in Edinburgh in December?
Cold and damp but rarely freezing, with highs around 8°C (46°F), lows around 4°C (39°F) and 16 rain days. Daylight runs about 7 hours, so start sightseeing early.
What shoes are best for Edinburgh?
Comfortable shoes with grip, ideally waterproof. The Old Town's cobbles and stone steps get slippery in the rain, and you'll be walking hills all day.
What plug do I need for Edinburgh?
Type G, the UK three-pin plug, at 230V. A universal adapter with a UK setting covers it.
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