You need to agree with the cookies and privacy policy of this external service to view the content
Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world. With its stunning architecture, fascinating history, and vibrant festivals, Edinburgh is a top choice for those looking for an unforgettable vacation. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning traveler, this city has so much to offer, and it should be on every wanderlust-filled person’s itinerary.
Wander through the narrow and atmospheric streets of Edinburgh's Old Town, get your adrenaline pumping by climbing Arthurs Seat, duck into pubs that have been around for centuries, or time your Edinburgh trip to coincide with renowned festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe.
No matter what sort of trip you're after, whether that's a romantic getaway, a fun-filled group vacation or a family adventure, Edinburgh truly has something for everyone. Check out our guide for the best Edinburgh vacation deals.
We won't sugarcoat it: Scotland’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, with rain and clouds being a regular feature, even during the summer! But, if you're going to Edinburgh for the weather alone, then there are better months to plan a visit.
But, if you're happy to work with the weather and make the most of your trip to Scotland, regardless of what's going on outside, then you'll be delighted to hear that Edinburgh has a full roster of events and festivals across the entire year. That means that there's no bad time to visit Edinburgh – it all depends on what you want to do while you're there!
Here's our breakdown of Edinburgh's seasons and what you can expect when you visit.
🌸 Spring: There may still be a bit of a chill in the air, but spring is a beautiful time to be in the city. Flowers will be blooming, and the daily sunshine hours will steadily increase as the season progresses. Head to the Royal Botanic Garden to see the city's most vibrant blooms and check out events like the Edinburgh Children's Festival.
☀️ Summer: As the best time to go to Edinburgh, summer is when temperatures hit their peak. Sunshine hours are the longest, and the big summer festivals, like Edinburgh Fringe, will be in full swing. Book early, as this is when flights to Edinburgh and hotels in Edinburgh will be priced at their highest.
🍁 Autumn: With Edinburgh's foliage taking on hues of red, gold and orange, and the weather still being fairly mild, autumn is a gorgeous time to be in the city. Climb Arthurs's Seat to get the best views of the autumn colors, and don't miss out on Bonfire Night – a real highlight of November.
❄️ Winter: Christmas, Hogmanay and Burns Night – Edinburgh's winter is far from boring! While the weather may be cold, this is another popular time to go to Edinburgh. Bundle yourself up in a coat and venture into the city for some quintessentially Scottish events.
Edinburgh is a large city, so it can be a little daunting when choosing a place to stay. Fortunately, many of Edinburgh's main sights are concentrated in the city center – many within walking distance of each other – and public transportation links are excellent.
That means no matter where you may base yourself in the Edinburgh – it'll still be easy to get to where you need to go. Whether it's your first time in the city or you're looking for great food or nightlife, some areas will be better suited to you than others. Here are our top picks.
If you're fortunate enough to be visiting Edinburgh for the very first time, your best plan of attack is to stay central. This means that you'll want to check out accommodation in two specific areas: Old Town and New Town.
Meeting at Princes Street, Old Town and New Town contain almost all of Edinburgh's most renowned sights. That includes Edinburgh Castle, the National Galleries of Scotland, Camera Obscura, the Royal Mile and Calton Hill, to mention but a few. So, if sightseeing is your main goal, central is where you need to stay.
Thankfully, these areas feature a huge range of accommodation types, some more budget-friendly than others. From cheap hotels and apartments to boutique hotels and luxury five-star hotels in Edinburgh, you'll have the freedom to choose the accommodation that makes the most sense for your vacation budget. But be warned – staying central is the most popular option, so you'll want to book Edinburgh hotels ahead, especially during festivals and summer.
You can find great food and drink across Edinburgh, but Leith is a bit of a hidden gem. This is where you'll find an impressive concentration of the city's finest restaurants, bars and cafes. Among these are Michelin-starred restaurants and a range of eateries that seem to encompass just about every type of international cuisine. If you're short on time, make sure that you visit the Kitchin, Fishers and Borough at a minimum!
A port district, Leith feels very different compared to Old Town and New Town, although it's got great connections to the center. Leith is an ideal choice for visitors who want to discover a different side of Edinburgh.
For families wanting options away from the city center, Stockbridge is a firm favorite. Close to the Royal Botanic Garden and Inverleith Park, this area has a village-like feel to it, which appeals to families looking for a peaceful city break.
As Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh is a large city and home to a huge range of things to do. It would take many trips here to do it all. So, a better approach would be to pick the activities that suit your interests – and the interests of those you're traveling with!
If you're traveling with kids, there are plenty of family-friendly things to do in Edinburgh, including Harry Potter-themed venues and activities! There are walking tours to suit every theme, as well as historical places, art galleries, outdoor spots, day trips and much, much more – it's impossible to run out of things to do in and around Edinburgh.
If you're feeling stuck for ideas, here are some fantastic things to do in Edinburgh.
Spend the afternoon at Edinburgh Castle.
Wake up early and climb Arthur's Seat for unbeatable views.
See the blooms at the Royal Botanic Garden.
Marvel at the atmospheric ruins of Holyrood Abbey.
Go to Edinburgh Zoo or explore Edinburgh Vaults.
Take a trip to postcard-perfect Dean Village.
Book ahead on a Harry Potter walking tour.
Enjoy the view from Calton Hill.
Given the fact that Edinburgh hosts world-renowned events all year long, it's highly likely that your Edinburgh vacation coincides with one of these, especially during summer or towards the end of the year.
And that's only a good thing: Scottish hospitality is second to none, and some of the capital's biggest events have snuck their way onto many people's bucket lists. If this is you – or if you're simply looking to have a particularly memorable time in Edinburgh – then these are some of the biggest and best events going on throughout the year.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival: Known for being one of the world's biggest performing arts festivals, the Fringe takes over numerous venues across the city every August.
Hogmanay: The Scottish name for the last day of the year, Hogmanay is Scotland's version of New Year's Eve. Edinburgh hosts the biggest celebrations, with parties, fireworks, food and drink.
Christmas: Although a tad cold, a Christmas vacation in Edinburgh is a great idea, with a number of large Christmas markets open from mid-November until mid-January.
International Children's Festival: Taking place at the end of May, this festival celebrates the best in children's theater and dance, with plenty of free performances and pop-up events.
Burns Night: Hosted on or around January 25th, Burns Night events usually consist of a traditional dinner that celebrates the life of Scottish poet Robert Burns. Expect bagpipes, haggis and poetry, of course.
If it's your first time visiting Edinburgh (or even your tenth), we've gathered up some top tips that'll help you get the most out of your time in the city. Here are some things to keep in mind during your trip to Edinburgh:
Book your accommodation and flights to Edinburgh in advance. Edinburgh is a popular vacation destination, so if you have your heart set on staying in the center or attending one of the big festivals, secure your bookings well ahead of time!
Pack the right gear. Just like much of the UK and Scotland, Edinburgh's weather can be unpredictable, so make sure you pack plenty of layers and any waterproof outerwear you may need. If you'd like to do some hiking, check out our camping vacations.
Get your walking shoes on. Although Edinburgh's public transportation network is top-notch, many of Edinburgh's main attractions are within walking distance of one another. Yes, it may be hilly at times, but exploring on foot is one of the best ways to get around in Edinburgh.
Set aside enough time. If your goal is to do plenty of sightseeing, as well as a day trip from Edinburgh or two, make sure that you've allocated an adequate number of days for your vacation in Edinburgh. Some of the city's attractions can take a full day on their own, so make sure that you don't run out of time!
Save money on public transportation. If you're planning to make use of the city's public transportation, consider getting a daily or weekly ticket. This allows unlimited use of Lothian buses and Edinburgh's trains for that time duration – but for a much cheaper price compared to individual journey tickets.
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalized content, and analyze our traffic. By clicking "Accept All" you accept this and consent that we share this information with third parties and that your data may be processed in the USA. For more information, please read our .
You can adjust your preferences at any time. If you deny, we will use only the essential cookies and unfortunately, you will not receive any personalized content. To deny, .