Month guide · Edinburgh · United Kingdom
Edinburgh in November
What November 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
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Quick answer
November is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 10°C (50°F), lows of 4°C (39°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 8.1 hours of daylight. Dark and damp, but the Christmas markets open late in the month while hotel prices are still low.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 10°C (50°F) / 4°C (39°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 8.1 hours
- Sea temperature
- 10°C (50°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in November
November is the 9th-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 4°C (39°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 30 days. Compared with October (13°C (55°F)), November is cooler; by December highs drop to around 7°C (45°F).
- Sunrise (15 November)
- About 07:50
- Sunset (15 November)
- About 16:06
- Daylight
- About 8.1 hours
- Sea
- 10°C (50°F)
Autumn (September–November). Quieter after the festivals, with autumn colour in the parks and atmospheric misty days; increasingly wet by November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, November rates 2 for crowds (the peak is August at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in August). That makes November one of the better-value months to book.
Events in November
- Edinburgh's Christmas markets open (usually mid-to-late November)
- St Andrew's Day — Scotland's national day (30 November)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in November
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 4°C and 12 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is November a good time to visit Edinburgh?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events 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 November a good time to visit Edinburgh?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Dark and damp, but the Christmas markets open late in the month while hotel prices are still low.
+How warm is Edinburgh in November?
Average highs are around 10°C (50°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in November?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.