Edinburgh in September
The festivals end and the city exhales.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
September is one of the best months to visit Edinburgh.
September brings a dramatic change after the Fringe ends in early September — mild weather, far fewer crowds and a city that feels like itself again.
September in detail
What September actually feels like
- Weather
- 10–17°C
- Still mild, with shortening days as the month progresses
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Moderate — a sharp drop from August once the festivals end
- Prices
- €€
- Moderate
+Mild weather + a dramatic drop in crowds after the Fringe
–Daylight starts shrinking noticeably
My tip for September
The first week can still carry some festival overflow — the second half of September is the calmer, better-value window.
- Overall experience
- Value after August
How September compares
Against the other eleven months
3rd of 12 overall in Edinburgh, 4th for weather, 5th for space, 6th 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 September
- 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 September?
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Weather
Weather in Edinburgh in September
In September Edinburgh averages a high of 17°C (63°F) and a low of 10°C (50°F), with about 55 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
- 17°C
- 63°F
- Average low
- 10°C
- 50°F
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Wet days
- 10
Climate data: Met Office. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Edinburgh in September: the questions people ask
- Is September a good time to visit Edinburgh?
- September is one of the best months to visit Edinburgh. It ranks 3 of 12 months in Edinburgh overall (4 for weather, 5 for space, 6 for value). The main upside: Mild weather + a dramatic drop in crowds after the Fringe. The main downside: Daylight starts shrinking noticeably.
- What is the weather like in Edinburgh in September?
- Average highs are around 17°C and lows around 10°C. Expect about 55 mm of rain or snow over roughly 10 wet days. Still mild, with shortening days as the month progresses. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 19°C) and the coolest is January (around 7°C).
- Is Edinburgh crowded in September?
- Crowds are moderate. Moderate — a sharp drop from August once the festivals end. The quietest month is February.
- How expensive is Edinburgh in September?
- 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 (September ranks 3 of 12). The quietest month is February and the best value is February.
Ready to book September in Edinburgh?
Mild weather + a dramatic drop in crowds after the Fringe
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