Month guide · Edinburgh · United Kingdom
Edinburgh in July
What July is really like in Edinburgh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
July is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 19°C (66°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 17 hours of daylight. Mild by Scottish standards and busy with visitors; book ahead as the festival season approaches.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 19°C (66°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 17 hours
- Sea temperature
- 14°C (57°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in July
July is the warmest month in Edinburgh: days average 19°C (66°F) against a yearly average high of 13°C (55°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with June (18°C (64°F)), July is about as warm; by August highs stay near 19°C (66°F).
- Sunrise (15 July)
- About 04:48
- Sunset (15 July)
- About 21:49
- Daylight
- About 17 hours
- Sea
- 14°C (57°F)
Summer (June–August). Long, mild days with up to 17 hours of light and August's festivals; the busiest and most expensive season.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, July rates 4 for crowds (the peak is August at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in August). Book accommodation early: July is one of the pricier months.
Events in July
- Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (usually July)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in July
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Street · Old Town
The Royal Mile
Duck into the closes off the main street; many open onto quiet courtyards and views over the New Town.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Shopping
Viewpoint · New Town
Calton Hill
A short climb from the east end of Princes Street, Calton Hill is crowned by the unfinished National Monument, modelled on the Parthenon, the telescope-shaped Nelson Monument and the round Dugald Stewart Monument, which frames the classic view along Princes Street to the Castle.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Iconic
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Garden · New Town
Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument
The monument's spiral stairs become very narrow near the top; skip the climb if you dislike tight spaces.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Kids
- Iconic
Nature · Holyrood Park
Arthur's Seat
The 251-metre summit of an extinct volcano rises in Holyrood Park, about 15 minutes' walk from the Royal Mile.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Active
- Nature
What to pack
For highs near 19°C, lows near 11°C and 10 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is July a good time to visit Edinburgh?
A shoulder-season month, 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 July a good time to visit Edinburgh?
It is a shoulder-season month. Mild by Scottish standards and busy with visitors; book ahead as the festival season approaches.
+How warm is Edinburgh in July?
Average highs are around 19°C (66°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in July?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.