Edinburgh holidays
Layered Scottish capital of closes and crescents, ideal for festival seasons and atmospheric winter city breaks.
19°C AugustBest Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep2–4 nightsDirect from London Stansted
At a glance
- festival-focused trips
- heritage city breaks
- short Scottish stays
Trip cost
- Return flight
- ≈€33
- Stay
- ≈€414
- Food & local
- ≈€112
Includes the return fare from London Stansted. An estimate, not a quote — each booking happens separately with its supplier. How we work this out.
Stays
Stays in Edinburgh
From €155/night · Typical €350 · 59 stays · 3-night stay assumed
Booking.com (opens in a new tab)- Best 3-star
Entire Victorian house Edinburgh 2BR - 4 guests4.2 km from the centre€408 a night (opens in a new tab)See more 3-star options
- Best 4-star
Brunswick Apartment1.9 km from the centre€350 a night (opens in a new tab)See more 4-star options
- Best 5-star
Fingal Hotel3.8 km from the centre€643 a night (opens in a new tab)See more 5-star options
- Cheapest
Cozy Apartment3.1 km from the centre€155 a night (opens in a new tab)See more options, cheapest first
Map
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Getting to Edinburgh
- AirportEdinburgh Airport (EDI)
- Transfer optionsTram, bus, taxi
Airlink buses, trams and taxis connect the airport west of the city with the centre and main rail stations.
Indicative, per traveller. You book with Aviasales.
Areas of Edinburgh
A few places people base themselves, and who each tends to suit.
- Old TownWorld Heritage core ideal for visitors who want to stay among historic closes and main sights.
- New TownGeorgian terraces and shopping streets suiting families and those who prefer wider streets.
- Royal MileStrip between castle and palace good for first-time visitors on short visits.
- West EndArea recommended for budget-conscious travellers wanting access to central attractions.
- LeithHarbour district for travellers looking for a more independent-feeling part of town.
When to go
Monthly climate normals (multi-year reanalysis data). Gold months are the best weather fit.
- Best overall
- June · July · August · September
- Hottest
- July · 19°C
- Wettest
- October · 126mm
- Jan7°69mm
- Feb8°67mm
- Mar10°69mm
- Apr11°56mm
- May14°70mm
- Jun17°54mm (good month)
- Jul19°76mm (good month)
- Aug19°66mm (good month)
- Sep17°79mm (good month)
- Oct13°126mm
- Nov10°96mm
- Dec8°110mm
What each season is like
- Spring
- Moderately busy with improving conditions and more daylight, suiting general sightseeing.
- Summer
- August festival season brings large crowds and highly active streets, especially in central areas.
- Autumn
- Quieter than peak festival months, with a more local feel and shorter days.
- Winter
- Cold and darker but atmospheric, fitting those who want a cosier city break and indoor culture.
What’s on in Edinburgh
Fri 21 AugEdinburgh Summer Sessions - Biffy ClyroSee all events in Edinburgh on Wanderistan (opens in a new tab)
Compare United Kingdom destinations
Still deciding? Other United Kingdom destinations, with the same weather and typical-stay data behind them.
| Destination | Aug | Typical stay |
|---|---|---|
| London | 23°C | 3–7 nights |
Good to know about Edinburgh
Worth it for
Offers a clear split between Old Town and Georgian New Town, giving different feels within one compact centre.
Keep in mind
Festival periods, particularly August, can feel extremely busy and make accommodation harder to secure.
Why go
- Offers a clear split between Old Town and Georgian New Town, giving different feels within one compact centre.
- Hosts major August festivals, including the Fringe and the Tattoo, that transform the city each summer.
- Works well as a base for short train trips into surrounding landscapes without needing a car.
Worth knowing
- Festival periods, particularly August, can feel extremely busy and make accommodation harder to secure.
- Hilly streets, cobbles and stairs may be tiring, especially in Old Town.
- Changeable weather means you need to plan for rain and wind even in summer.