Edinburgh in May
Long days, mild weather and before the festival crush.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
May is one of the best months to visit Edinburgh.
May offers some of Edinburgh’s most reliable weather, with long daylight hours and a city that is lively but not yet overwhelmed by the August festivals.
May in detail
What May actually feels like
- Weather
- 7–15°C
- Mild and often bright, with long, light evenings
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Moderate — busy without the August festival crowds
- Prices
- €€
- Moderate
+Edinburgh’s best shoulder-season weather
–Rain is always a possibility
My tip for May
Book Arthur’s Seat or a Pentland Hills walk for a clear evening — sunset light lasts well into the night by late May.
- Weather
- Overall experience
How May compares
Against the other eleven months
2nd of 12 overall in Edinburgh, 1st for weather, 6th for space, 8th for value. The emptiest month is February; the best value is February.
See all twelve months for EdinburghPlan around
What’s on in Edinburgh in May
- The sweet spot
- May, June and September all offer Edinburgh's best weather and a lively but manageable city, without the Fringe's scale or winter's cold and dark.
May, June and September
Not set on May?
Even stronger months in Edinburgh
Weather
Weather in Edinburgh in May
In May Edinburgh averages a high of 15°C (59°F) and a low of 7°C (45°F), with about 48 mm of rain or snow over 10 wet days. The warmest month is July (around 19°C) and the coolest is January (around 7°C); the wettest month is October.
- Average high
- 15°C
- 59°F
- Average low
- 7°C
- 45°F
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Wet days
- 10
Climate data: Met Office. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Edinburgh in May: the questions people ask
- Is May a good time to visit Edinburgh?
- May is one of the best months to visit Edinburgh. It ranks 2 of 12 months in Edinburgh overall (1 for weather, 6 for space, 8 for value). The main upside: Edinburgh’s best shoulder-season weather. The main downside: Rain is always a possibility.
- What is the weather like in Edinburgh in May?
- Average highs are around 15°C and lows around 7°C. Expect about 48 mm of rain or snow over roughly 10 wet days. Mild and often bright, with long, light evenings. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 19°C) and the coolest is January (around 7°C).
- Is Edinburgh crowded in May?
- Crowds are moderate. Moderate — busy without the August festival crowds. The quietest month is February.
- How expensive is Edinburgh in May?
- Prices are at level 2 of 5 (€€). Moderate. The best-value month is February.
- When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, June is the best month overall (May ranks 2 of 12). The quietest month is February and the best value is February.
Ready to book May in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh’s best shoulder-season weather
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