Edinburgh Trip Planning – planning a trip to Scotland? A visit to Edinburgh should be on everyone’s bucket list if you are planning a trip to Scotland. There is so much to see and do. I recommend at least three days to get the most out of your visit.
For people who like to be here for one of our many Festivals, don’t leave it too late to book accommodation as it’s a very popular time to visit.
Of course some like to book last minute, so when we’re looking to help people make a decision about when they’d like to visit Edinburgh, we’re either focusing on a year ahead or the next few weeks. If you are looking to visit Edinburgh this year, we hope you’ll find help here for planning your trip.
12 of Edinburgh’s Top Tourist Attractions – Open all year round
- Edinburgh Castle
- National Museum of Scotland
- Edinburgh Zoo
- Holyrood Park – Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags
- Palace of Holyroodhouse
- Royal Mile and Edinburgh’s Old Town
- Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town
- Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh
- Royal Yacht Britannia
- Camera Obscura
- Calton Hill
- Art Galleries – National Gallery of Scotland, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art One and Two, Scottish Portrait Gallery, Royal Scottish Academy, City Art Centre and many smaller private galleries to explore
Trip Planning – January
A great time of year for people looking to escape the extreme temperatures in parts of the southern hemisphere. When we are hearing about 40˚C and more temperatures on the centre court at the Australian Open Tennis, we’re wrapping up for outdoors activities and welcoming guests from Australia and New Zealand who may be coming to Scotland to visit relatives, or to investigate their family tree. Check out our blog for a top tips for visiting the Scotland’s People Centre where the Archivist’s Garden is worth a look. In January we sometimes enjoy walking on Salisbury Crags and finding ideas of places to enjoy a Burns Supper in Edinburgh.

February
People planning trips to Edinburgh in February may be coming to celebrate Valentine’s Day, or to enjoy Rugby at Murrayfield. Great time to take a short break in Edinburgh. Business travellers may also find self-catering a convenient alternative to a hotel stay. We’re collecting ideas for Romantic Breaks in Edinburgh – any ideas to add?
March
By the time we reach March each year, people are planning short breaks to visit friends and relatives, to see the remainder of the Scottish International Rugby series or simply to start to see the signs of spring arrive in Scotland’s Capital city.
April
The first of the big Edinburgh Festivals is in April each year – with something for all the family. The Edinburgh International Science Festival is a great reason to visit. We’ve enjoyed being reviewers for the Science Festival in the past for Edinburgh Spotlight, and there’s lots going on for children at the Edinburgh City Art Centre which acts as the HQ. Lovely time for walks in the Royal Botanic Gardens, and there’s also a celebration of the changing of the seasons as the Beltane Fire Festival takes place on Calton Hill and in the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

Trip Planning – May
Time for the Imaginate Festival, lots of bank holiday weekend breaks and the Edinburgh Marathon. A popular time to visit Edinburgh. Hope you’re planning ahead as May is a busy time for all accommodation providers.
Edinburgh Trip Planning – June
A popular time for people to plan a weekly break in Edinburgh. It’s also the month when the festival and events season ramps up with The Meadows Festival, The Royal Highland Show and the Leith Festival
Edinburgh is also a destination for Harry Potter Fans.
Trip Planning – July
In early July it’s a time for us to say Edinburgh really is magic as the Edinburgh International Magic Festival comes to town. The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival takes place during the second half of July.
Edinburgh Trip Planning – August
Festivals galore! Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh International Book Festival We’re celebrating!

Trip Planning – September
Having staged so many festivals during the month of August, visitors to Edinburgh in September can expect to find us bouncing back from the August excitement, and ready for short breaks or weekly stays again. A great time to visit friends and family, or for families settling in students who come to study in Edinburgh. During one of the September weekends, it will be Doors Open Days in Edinburgh too – a great opportunity to visit properties which may not always be open to the public.

Trip Planning – October
School half-term holidays in October are often on different dates for different areas of the UK, so it can be a good time to book a holiday as accommodation is easier to come by. As autumn sets in, a city break means you have plenty of options of things to do no matter what the weather. We love to visit the Royal Botanic Garden to see the trees turn to autumn colours, and have plenty of ideas for indoor activities too! Time for museums, art galleries and visitor attractions. October’s also the month for the International Storytelling Festival centred at the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. As the seasons change the Samhuinn Festival takes place on 31 October – Hallowe’en in Edinburgh. We’ve a whole board of Dark Edinburgh ideas for you too!
Trip Planning – November
For most people, shopping for Christmas takes priority during November. Some people choose to visit Edinburgh as the Christmas decorations start to go up and we prepare for a month or more of winter Festivals. To make the most of this, book breaks towards the end of November when the Christmas lights will be switched on, the Norwegian Christmas tree will go up on The Mound.
However we must not forget the start of the Edinburgh Christmas Market in Princes Street Gardens, St Andrews Square and George Street



We also celebrate Edinburgh’s Diwali, a multi-cultural celebration of the festival of light.

Trip Planning – December
Continue your Christmas shopping, visit friends and relatives, visit Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets, enjoy the events being staged for Edinburgh’s Christmas and prepare to bring in the New Year at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. We particularly enjoy the family events such as the Torchlight Parade. Plenty going on here during December!


More ideas of things to see and do on a Trip to Edinburgh
Our free Edinburgh Walking tour for First time Visitors
Our free Easy Walking Tour of Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town
A Walk in the Old Town and Climbing Arthur’s Seat
A Walk up Calton Hill for a spectacular View of the City
We hope that this has given a flavour of the things to do and see when you’re Edinburgh trip planning. Welcome to Edinburgh!
Post updated January 2025