Month guide · Edinburgh · United Kingdom
Edinburgh in February
What February is really like in Edinburgh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
February is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 8°C (46°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 9.5 hours of daylight. Chilly and quiet, with crisp days for hill walks; Six Nations rugby weekends at Murrayfield bring crowds.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 8°C (46°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 9.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 7°C (45°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in February
February is the 10th-warmest month in Edinburgh: days average 8°C (46°F) against a yearly average high of 13°C (55°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 28 days. Compared with January (7°C (45°F)), February is about as warm; by March highs climb to around 10°C (50°F).
- Sunrise (15 February)
- About 07:38
- Sunset (15 February)
- About 17:16
- Daylight
- About 9.5 hours
- Sea
- 7°C (45°F)
Winter (December–February). Short, cold days, Christmas markets and Hogmanay, then Burns Night and the lowest prices of the year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, February rates 2 for crowds (the peak is August at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in August). That makes February one of the better-value months to book.
Events in February
- Six Nations rugby at Murrayfield (February–March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in February
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Old Town
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Beside the castle at the top of the Royal Mile, the Camera Obscura has projected live images of the city onto a viewing table since 1853, and five floors of optical illusions, mirror mazes and a spinning vortex tunnel sit below its rooftop terrace.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Views
Museum · Holyrood
Dynamic Earth
Pair it with a walk in Holyrood Park next door to see real volcanic rock on Salisbury Crags.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Historic site · Old Town
The Real Mary King's Close
Beneath the City Chambers on the Royal Mile lie streets of 17th-century houses that were partly demolished and built over in the 18th century.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Rainy day
Gallery · Dean Village
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Walk there along the Water of Leith from Dean Village; steps lead up from the riverside path to the gallery grounds.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 8°C, lows near 1°C and 10 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is February a good time to visit Edinburgh?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Edinburgh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is February a good time to visit Edinburgh?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Chilly and quiet, with crisp days for hill walks; Six Nations rugby weekends at Murrayfield bring crowds.
+How warm is Edinburgh in February?
Average highs are around 8°C (46°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in February?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.