12 Things to Do in Edinburgh in Summer

Edinburgh is a city whose charms are seasonless. But there are few better times to do so than summer. Not only because of the good weather, but also because of the extraordinary atmosphere and cultural life that takes over the Scottish capital in the summer months.

Edinburgh is often referred to as the "city of festivals". Summer is undoubtedly the time of year that lives up to this nickname. The variety of festivals is enormous, so you will not get bored. In this list I show you the most interesting ones and I also propose a little getaway to take a break and get away from the madding crowd for a while. These are, of course, just a few selected plans of what to see and do in Edinburgh, but you have to start somewhere!

If you want a total immersion in Scottish culture, you will love the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It consists of the grouping of various Scottish military bands in the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, for which you can hire a guided tour, which show their musical skills to attendees.

The interest of this Festival is, above all, for its location. And for the massive of his bet: usually participate in it more than 1000 people. Otherwise, it is all a display of musical folklore: bagpipes, drums, fifes ... and, of course, people parading in traditional Scottish attire.

Visit Edinburgh Castle

If you are fascinated by the surroundings of the castle where it takes place, I advise you to reserve a few hours to visit it in detail. Here you can find all the information on how to visit Edinburgh Castle. If you want maximum comfort, you can always resort to one of the many tours that take you into the castle as well as other significant places in the city.

How about a getaway to the Highlands? Undoubtedly a good place to take a breath of fresh air, enjoy the silence that nature provides and, of course, the good weather.

The Scottish Highlands are an immersion in the landscape of the country: extensions of land covered with green, wild coasts, steep cliffs and beautiful views of the sea and its islands.

In addition, it is in this area of the country where the famous Loch Ness is located. We cannot guarantee that you will see Nessie, as he may be on vacation. However, we do promise that you will get the most out of your experience if you check out this article about tours in the Highlands and Loch Ness.

A different plan and, above all, for all those who like scary stories is the trip on the Edinburgh ghost bus, for which you can book your tickets in advance. What is it about? It is a trip where you can learn about the spookiest ghost stories of the city from the hand of a tour guide.

An hour tour where you will know first hand themost mysterious events that, according to legend, occurred in such iconic places of the city as Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile or the Grassmarket.

Another plan that may also interest you is to visit the cemetery of Edinburgh, for which you can get your tickets here. This is a walking tour where you can learn mysterious stories of witches, haunted crypts, curses ... we assure you it will be, terrifyingly fun!

And, taking advantage that you will be in a good time for excursions and trips outside thanks to the good weather, we propose a trip to the Scottish Highlands.

At 50km from the capital, to visit some of the most beautiful castles and contemplate the spectacular views from its mountains, such as Doune Castle and Inveraray Castle, its lochs ... which were even the setting for such well-known series as Game of Thrones.

We start with the Edinburgh International Festival, the mother of all cultural festivals. It begins in the first week of August and usually lasts the whole month. During these days all kinds of shows take place, prioritizing theater, musicals, dance and opera.

When I mentioned that it is the mother of all festivals, I was not just saying it. Although it was the first to appear, around it have been orbiting the countless festivals that today characterize Edinburgh as one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the world.

Still today the Edinburgh International Festival has this focus of classical music, dance and opera show, although it is often referred to by the same name to the integrity of the festivals that enliven the city throughout August. However, it is advisable not to confuse them.

It takes place in many theaters and auditoriums of the city, although the most important are the following:

• Usher Hall: Specially dedicated to music concerts.
• Kings Theater: Usually hosts opera performances.
• Royal Lyceum Theater: Intended to host theatrical performances.

Ticket information

The price depends on many variables. On the one hand of the artists who will take part in the event. On the other hand, it depends on whether you have a festival membership. This means that, for the payment of an annual fee, you can access first to the reservation of tickets. There are different fees, from 60 € to more than 200 €.

If you do not have this type of patronage, then you have to wait until the tickets for the general public are released (usually in April).

Therefore, if you want to buy a ticket on time, the price will depend a lot on what the patrons have already chosen. The price, therefore, is not easy to determine precisely, although it is estimated that, for a classical music concert, tickets can be purchased from 40 €.

Returning to the festivals, the Edinburgh Jazz Festival is an established musical event that has been livening up the summer days of the Scottish capital for more than 40 years. It usually takes place during the second half of July, a few days in which some of the most renowned jazz and blues artists in the world congregate.

But that's not all. The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival also aims to showcase the young promises in these two musical styles. Therefore, you will be able to enjoy authentic glories but also rising stars. Can you ask for more? You might say a good location. You can make this wish come true because, taking advantage of the good weather, there are a lot of concerts taking place outdoors in the city center.

Some of them, however, take place in some of the best venues for shows, such as the Edinburgh Festival Theater. Tickets vary in price, depending on the artist, although you can get tickets from €15.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is an event closely related to the International Festival, although it runs in parallel. Its original objective, when it emerged in the late 1950s, was to give a voice to more alternative artists than those who were part of the International Festival.

This fact has led to the Fringe Festival being, today, one of the best forums to learn about new trends in the world of the performing arts. The genres and types of shows are very varied, although always maintaining that independent touch. This is what you will find:

• Dramatic and comic theater
• Music shows
• Performances
• Mime theater
• Experimental theater
• Circus shows
• Children's performances
• Living statues
• Street performers

The shows are street performances, so it can be a great way to get to know Edinburgh if you are traveling during the month of August when this event takes place. Regarding the price, you pay directly to the artist whatever you want, exactly the same as with a street performer!

It is definitely a great plan if you are traveling to Scotland with your family. By the way, if you want perfect plans for kids in Edinburgh, don't miss the Harry Potter tours in Edinburgh or the Mysteries and Legends tours in Edinburgh.

Another exceptional festival: the Edinburgh Art Festival. It takes place at the end of July and usually lasts until the end of August. It is the biggest event of these characteristics in Scotland and it is attended by renowned artists and emerging promises. Usually there are around 40 exhibitions, all of them related to contemporary art and abstract art.

It takes place in various galleries, museums and urban spaces in Edinburgh, among which are:

• The National Museum of Modern Art
• Stills Centre for Photography
• The Royal Botanic Gardens

Ticket prices

The price of the ticket will depend on the place where you want to access. To give you an idea, the entrance to the National Museum of Modern Art, one of the privileged spaces of this festival, can be purchased from 10 €.

The Edinburgh Book Fair is another of the most famous festivals of the Scottish capital. It usually takes place in the second half of August. The numbers of this fair are almost unbelievable. Hundreds of events take place during its approximately 15 days of duration. Not to mention the visits of authors, which are counted by dozens.

The strong points of this event are also the books on offer. If you like to get lost in bookshelves and mountains of books, this will be your paradise. In addition, there are also workshops and conferences (highly recommended if you are fluent in English).

And, if you are passionate about literature, keep an eye out, since this festival is visited by the best authors of the moment. In fact, it has already been visited by Murakami, Vargas Llosa, Paul Auster... and many others!

All of this takes place in Charlotte Square, one of the city's World Heritage attractions. As for prices, you will have to pay for the workshops, for the conferences and for the possibility of having your favorite author sign a book for you. However, prices are usually affordable: you can get your pass from 4 €.

The Edinburgh International Film Festival, active since 1947, is considered the oldest continuously running film festival. It takes place from the second half of the month and lasts about 8 or 9 days.

During these days there are screenings of films, documentaries, animation and experimental cinema. It also counts with the participation of professionals of the seventh art and also with workshops and conferences.

Most of the screenings take place at the Filmhouse in Edinburgh, although the opening takes place at the Festival Theater. Tickets are affordable: they are available from 9 € and from 4 € for those under 25 years old.

At the end of August takes place the Edinburgh Mela, an ideal festival if you like World Music and cultural diversity. "Mela" in Sanskrit means "welcome" and this is precisely what the festival offers: a welcome to the music and dance of the different cultures of the planet.

These are open-air performances, although there are also other parallel activities such as a multicultural market and a fashion festival. The venue for these events is the Leith Links, one of the main outdoor venues in the city.

If you travel to Edinburgh at the end of August, when the festival atmosphere begins to subside, it can be a great idea to come to this colorful event. Tickets can be purchased from £3.

The Royal Highland Festival is the perfect way to kick off the summer. It takes place at the end of June, always after the 21st. It is 3 days of celebration of rural Scotland, an immersion in the traditional ways of life of the country, especially through its agricultural and livestock activity.

It is, in fact, a festival that attracts thousands of people every year. It brings together numerous activities. From livestock competitions to craft markets. All enlivened by live folk music. It is held at the Royal Highland Center, located near the Edinburgh airport. You can buy a ticket from 25 €.

The time of year with the best weather is undoubtedly the summer. Between the months of June and September the weather in Edinburgh is pleasant without being hot. In fact, the maximum temperatures usually range between 18 and 19 degrees while the minimum stays around 8 or 9 degrees.

However, due to the particular oceanic climate of Edinburgh, we should not think directly that summer, as in Spain, means clear weather. In fact, even in summer there is more likelihood of cloudy skies than sunny ones. Only in mid-July does this ratio of cloudy to sunny skies even out at 50%.

I advise you to reserve space in your suitcase to bring some clothes that can keep you warm in case the weather is bad. Summers in Edinburgh can also be cloudy and temperatures can be 8 or 9 degrees. That's why it never hurts to bring some long sleeves just in case.

Yes, in fact summer is the busiest time for tourists in the city. Tourism is generally constant throughout the year (Edinburgh is not seasonal), but there will be a slight peak especially in mid-July. This is largely due to the very intense cultural life of the city in summer, especially through its many festivals.

Summer is the most touristy time of the year in Edinburgh. Many people come to the Scottish capital to enjoy its festivals, which function as a major tourist attraction. That is why prices increase, especially those of tickets and accommodation. To give you an idea, the average cost of a Madrid-Edinburgh flights can be purchased from 80 € and exceed without difficulty the 200 €.

Regarding accommodation, the night in an accommodation for two adults during the month of July is available from 150 €. From this amount it can go up to 250 € if it is a three-star hotel.