Edinburgh skyline with the Balmoral clock tower at sunset

London skyline along the River Thames at golden hour

Edinburgh vs London in August

Edinburgh and London are close in August. Edinburgh averages 12–19°C with extremely high crowds; London 16–23°C with high crowds.

By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026

Edinburgh and London

The verdict for August

WeatherLondon has the better weather6.5/10 vs 9/10
CrowdsLondon is quieterExtremely High vs High
PricesLondon is cheaper€€€€€ vs €€€€
OverallVery similar7/10 vs 7/10

Edinburgh in August

The Fringe takes over the entire city.

Temperature: 12–19°C
Crowds: Extremely High
Prices: €€€€€

+The Fringe, the International Festival and the Tattoo, all at once

–The year’s highest crowds and prices by a wide margin

August is Edinburgh Festival Fringe month, running roughly from the first Friday to the last Monday of the month, alongside the Edinburgh International Festival and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It is one of the world’s largest arts festivals, and the entire city reorganises around it — for better and for much more crowded.

Edinburgh in August

London in August

Carnival month

Temperature: 16–23°C
Crowds: High
Prices: €€€€

+Summer events, long days and Notting Hill Carnival make the city highly energetic.

–Major attractions and central areas remain busy.

The most atmospheric street-life month of the London year.

London in August

Scores and crowd levels are my own judgement; temperatures are monthly averages. Higher scores are better: quieter, cheaper and more pleasant.

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