Month guide · Edinburgh · United Kingdom
Edinburgh in March
What March is really like in Edinburgh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
March is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 10°C (50°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 11.6 hours of daylight. Lengthening days and the first daffodils in Princes Street Gardens; the weather swings between sunshine and sleet.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 10°C (50°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 11.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 7°C (45°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in March
March is the 8th-warmest month in Edinburgh: days average 10°C (50°F) against a yearly average high of 13°C (55°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with February (8°C (46°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 12°C (54°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 06:28
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 18:16
- Daylight
- About 11.6 hours
- Sea
- 7°C (45°F)
Spring (March–May). Daffodils and cherry blossom, lengthening evenings and the Beltane Fire Festival; showers and cold snaps remain common.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 2 for crowds (the peak is August at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in August). That makes March one of the better-value months to book.
Events in March
March has no major recurring festival in Edinburgh, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in March
With cold days, 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 10°C, lows near 2°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 March a good time to visit Edinburgh?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September are better overall. Compare every month.
Edinburgh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Edinburgh?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Lengthening days and the first daffodils in Princes Street Gardens; the weather swings between sunshine and sleet.
+How warm is Edinburgh in March?
Average highs are around 10°C (50°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in March?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.