Edinburgh in Winter: 17 Reasons It’s The Best Time To Visit!

Coming to Edinburgh in Winter, and wondering what’s going on around town in the cooler months of the year? Let’s be honest up front (& we can be as we’re Scottish!): Scotland’s weather in winter can be unpredictable, and the days are shorter! But there are plenty of indoor fun experiences and days can be bright!

Our advice is to come dressed as a ‘local’. Pack layered clothing options, a good woolly hat, a warm jacket, and boots. With the right gear, you’re going to be ready for whatever greets you, and the welcome will always be warm 🙂

We are also happy to report that between November and January Winter in Edinburgh is especially magical! Christmas Markets and Winter Wonderlands spring up around the city, adding sparkle to the many year-round activities.

Indoors, try the ancient sport of curling, go skating, or make your own chocolates with a Scottish flavour twist.

Climb the National Monument on Calton Hill, be entertained by Castle of Light Shows, visit free galleries and world-class museums. Oh, come evenings, linger in cozy restaurants, fun bars, & listen to live music in traditional pubs.

This post is a guide to unique indoor and outside experiences in Edinburgh in Winter. Pick and choose to fit your interests, budget and length of stay.

Edinburgh Map With Main Suburbs

This map of Edinburgh shows the wider boundaries of the city, including Leith and Portobello on the coast.

We mention these up front because some of our accommodation options are here, and they are also wonderful to visit during your stay.

Best Activities in Edinburgh In Winter

For many, winter is the best time to visit Edinburgh because it’s typically less crowded, a little cheaper for accommodation, and most top sights are open!

Whether you love the idea of Scottish fresh air in winter giving you a healthy glow or dream of sitting by a cozy fire sipping a whisky, you’re going to love this city!

Our best of Edinburgh In Winter experiences suit couples, friend groups, families, and multi-generational visitors. Edinburgh really is for everyone!

1. Edinburgh Christmas Market & Fair

Imagine a festive marketplace within a majestic city park, overlooked by a medieval castle on top of an ancient volcano! Add to that, church spires, a 200-meter-high Gothic monument, and Scotland’s national gallery grandeur around you. Welcome to Edinburgh’s enchanting Christmas market.

With multiple awards, including the best in Europe and UK, it continues to grow in popularity.

The main market is held in Princes Street Gardens, as is the annual Christmas Fair with its LNER Big Wheel & Star Flyer rides. You can’t miss it, next to Waverley Train Station and Princes Street tram stop.

Some of our favourite wood huts are the foodie ones, with a perfect combination of traditional mulled wines, hot chocolates, waffles, together with cedar smoked salmon baguettes and French macarons.

Pick up a few gifts for the special people in your life, or treat yourself to a Scottish Pine candle or locally made decoration.

2. Edinburgh Castle & Winter Light Show

If this is your first time visiting Edinburgh, make time to tour the castle during the day. There’s so much hidden behind the drawbridge and ancient stone fortress walls and you’ll enjoy endless views over to the Firth of Forth.

During the winter season, there are also nightly Castle of Light Shows.

Spending an hour or so one evening at Edinburgh Castle watching the illumination spectacular Castle of Light is fabulous! Having seen this last year, it’s truly awesome and lights up the night sky on and around the castle walls.

During the show, enjoy toasted marshmallows, warming fire pits, and local food trucks. This is a unique winter in Edinburgh experience for all the family.

After the show, stroll down the Royal Mile and enjoy an evening dinner or cocktail at one of the many cafes that border the cobbles. We recommend these 3:

The Witchery – high end dining with the twists of Gothic 16th-century architecture. Dine in the secret garden or inside by candlelight. Essential to pre-book.

Makars Gourmet Mash – just off the Royal Mile on Bank Street (The Mound). Come for a taste of Scotland, including veggie haggis and great desserts at affordable prices.

A low-cost option is Wings, on Fishmarket Close (a side passageway off the Royal Mile). Try a wide selection of chicken that locals also rave about.

3. Ice-Skate Or Ice Curl (A 16th Century Sport)

Every winter, George Street transforms into a winter festival wonderland with the main attraction being an ice-rink! At 120 meters, it’s a nice size for a fun skate and as it’s covered, great whatever the weather. Skates are available to rent.

It’s not just the ice rink that brings us down to George Street over winter. There are several warming bars (tents) set up around the rink, serving drinks, snacks and live music adds to the atmosphere.

Alternatively, why not try the ancient Scottish sport of curling!

Try Curling Edinburgh offers slots for everyone from 8 to 80! Come along and learn the basics of this beloved Scottish sport with a professional curler. Often described as ‘chess on ice’ there’s more to hitting the ‘puck’ than you might imagine.

We’ve been playing curling in Scotland since the 16th century and it’s our traditional sport. A little known fact is that the granite stone used for every Olympic Game Curling competition still comes from Alisa Craig in Scotland.

4. Join The International Storytelling Festival

In Scotland, we celebrate great storytellers like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes); Alexander McCall Smith (Ladies Detective Agency) and of course JK Rowling for the Harry Potter series.

2025 marks the 36th year of this festival and it runs from 22 Oct – 1 Nov 2025 with events in Edinburgh and throughout Scotland.

In October, you can be part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, joining readings, workshops and a range of activities. You will hear northern Scottish stories, poems and music from a range of nordic countries and it’s a unique experience when visiting this part of the world.

5. Climb UNESCO Calton Hill For City View

Remarkably close to Princess Street, it’s a fairly easy walk up Calton Hill from Waterloo Place. Plan to spend a couple of hours here, as you might be surprised to learn of the number of historic sights and views awaiting:

• Scotland’s National Monument
• Nelson Monument (entry free to climb to the top)
• Dugald Stewart Monument
• City Observatory
• The Lookout Restaurant and Cafe – for the best rooftop views in Edinburgh!

It’s not necessary to get a guide or join a tour to enjoy Calton Hill. Just walk around at your leisure and maybe bring a snack/refreshment to enjoy as you sit and soak in the views from Holyrood Palace to Leith’s Cruise Terminal!

Unfortunately, we had a fire this summer on Arthur’s Seat, and as of writing, it remains closed to the public due to rock slide risks. We will update this post when this changes.

6. Enjoy A Show In A Classic Scottish theatre

Edinburgh has some superb venues for live entertainment, and in the winter months leading up to Christmas, there’s a great selection to suit all interests.

How about a candlelight performance at St Giles Church? Or a musical version of Love Actually at the Usher Hall?

Edinburgh’s Playhouse has recently been refurbished and is a small, intimate venue which we love.

7. Have An Adventure in WhiskyLand!

As our national tipple, you’ll find hundreds of whisky choices in Edinburgh. If you fancy something a little more local, here’s a hidden gem. Check the Jolly Topper’s Facebook Page to see what tastings are happening during your visit.

You might just find yourself sitting in a hidden-away venue, mixing with locals and learning just enough about why Scottish whisky is a passion of so many.

Alternatively, these bars and hotels have excellent choices to suit all budgets.

Devil’s Advocate – just off the Royal Mile down the passageway with the same name, this used to be an old pump house. Sample from 300+ whisky brands. If a straight ‘nip’ isn’t for you, they also make some lovely cocktails!

Scotch Whisky Bar (Balmoral Hotel) – if you can’t afford to stay here, maybe pop in for a whisky. The whisky choices here range into the £1000 for rare years, but they sell more affordable ones too 🙂

Teuchter’s Landing, Leith – if you’re staying in Leith, head down to this waterside pub, which has a good whisky selection and a local community vibe.

8. Warm Up in Edinburgh’s Cozy Cafes

Winter in Edinburgh means hot chocolate drinks all round! With branches in Old Town (Victoria Street) and George Street, hot chocolate chain Knoops is our favourite spot.

Pick your type of chocolate, milk and flavouring and let the magic happen. They also have great packaged drinks to take home or for a gift!

If you’re more hands on, how about spending a few hours at The Chocolatarium and create your own Scottish chocolate.

🔍 Check Chocolatarium Prices and Availability

If chocolate isn’t your thing, no worries. We love our coffee shops in Edinburgh and have personally visited at least 50 (stopped counting!).

Here’s 3 we suggest for different parts of town that are independent, with awesome pastries and cakes too!

• Uplands Roast, The Meadows
• Black Medicine Coffee Co
• Cairngorm Coffee

We often pop into the cafes at museums and galleries: the Scottish National Museum (Old Town) and National Gallery (Princes Street) are both excellent.

If it’s sunny, sit outside in the Gallery Cafe for fabulous views over the Christmas Market and city gothic and modern skyline.

9. Treat Yourself To Afternoon Tea In Edinburgh

We also love our tea! If you haven’t had an Afternoon Tea before in Scotland, don’t miss out while you are exploring Edinburgh in the winter.

Here’s 4 suggestions:

• splurge in The Palm Court, Balmoral Hotel which we did for a 50th birthday and it is fantastic!
• hop onto an Edinburgh Double Decker Bus for Afternoon Tea while you tour around Edinburgh.
• go regal and enjoy tea at Cafe At the Palace within Holyrood Palace.
• if you are in Leith, why not indulge in afternoon tea at the Fingal Hotel, actually a historic boat moored at the quayside.

Harry Potter Walking Tour & Afternoon Tea

Our next suggestion is to take a fun Harry Potter Edinburgh Walking Tour and follow this with your version of a high afternoon tea at the Department of Magic.

They also offer wizardly cocktail making (for kids too!) and all underground, so perfect if it’s a rainy day.

10. Edinburgh Botanical Gardens Light Trail

If you want to plan a romantic stroll, head through the enchanting Botanical Gardens discovering sparkling light shows and festive illuminations. It’s also great fun for families to come and let the little ones run off some energy!

If you walk from town, pop into The Marshmallow Lady for a hot chocolate or delicious baked treat. Her drinks are topped with marshmallows and you can pick from a menu that includes toasted coconut to lemon meringue.

Open Mondays & Sundays until 5pm; 6pm on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays. Closed Tues/Wed.

Continue on and walk along Circus Lane, probably one of the most photographed spots in Edinburgh. The curved architecture is stunning and in winter it twinkles with festive lights too.

11. Create Your Unique Scottish Tweed Bag

We love our Harris Tweed in Scotland. Did you know this is the sole fabric on our planet that is protected by law, to ensure what you buy is authentically spun from wool on the Outer Hebrides islands?

In Edinburgh you can go to an Islander Workshop where you can assembly your own stylish Scottish Harris Tweed tartan bag. You pick your bag size, design, the tartan and then are guided to put it all together.

If you’re coming here with a group of friends, it’s a super fun few hours!

There are a number of places around Edinburgh and the most central ones are on Bow Street and Candlewick Row, in Old Town. Check the Islander Site to book, and do plan ahead as these are so popular, especially during weekends.

These bags make great gifts too!

12. Take Kids to Santa’s Stories & Post Box

You don’t actually need to be a kid to visit Santa’s Winter Garden in St Andrews Square. As well as Santa’s Stories, a cabin or tent where you can write and mail your letters, there is a spruce tree maze.

Book ahead on Ed Winter Fest Tickets for the story time slots, which last around 20 minutes. Kids adore the elves and Santa characters that enact stories and yes ramp up the excitement of Christmas even more 🙂

A few stalls offer sweet treats and hot drinks and it’s full of nostalgic festive aromas like cinnamon, chocolate and spiced drinks.

If you are a couple checking out the area, there are several high end restaurants and bars around St Andrew’s Square. These include Gordon Ramsay’s Bread St Kitchen, Dishoom (Indian), Tattu’s (Chinese.)

13. Enjoy A River Walk to Dean Village

On a frosty morning, as the sun is rising or the golden hour before sunset, you’re going to get some spectacular views of Dean Village!

You’ll know by now that Edinburgh has a vibrant history. Today tourism, banking and technology drive much of the economy, but there were days when milling was a top industry and 11 operated here.

The pathway known as the Waters of Leith leads you from Princes Street down towards the picturesque Village of Dean with its remnants from those days. It’s around half a mile (30 minutes) walk from town to this point, although the total pathway is around 19km/12 miles.

The name Dean stems from the Scots word ‘dene’ meaning deep valley as this is how the bridge, which is 106ft tall with 4 arches, looked.

As well as the bridge, check out the old remnants of mills as you walk along the river, and keep an eye out for birds in trees around the river banks.

People live in Dean Village and it is a desirable part of Edinburgh these days.

It is possible to continue from Dean Village to Stockbridge, which is a more lively suburb of Edinburgh with streets of cafes and some independent shops. They also have a great weekend farmers market!

14. Stroll Victoria Street To The GrassMarket

Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is on everyone’s list of things to see as we have mentioned. You should definitely walk end-to-end if you are able to, popping into the side passageways and alleys that make it so atmospheric.

It’s also where you will find St Giles Cathedral and many shops and restaurants.

However, there are other streets that are inviting to explore and often less packed than the Royal Mile: colorful Victoria Street; hilly Cockburn Street and the historic Grassmarket.

Named after the British Queen of the same name, Victoria Street is a winding cobbled street off the Royal Mile that leads down to the Grassmarket. It curves beautifully giving an aesthetic that has made it world famous in photos.

Come early for a quieter experience just before 9am when shops and cafes get going. If you start off at the higher end (off George IV Bridge), you will end up in the Grassmarket.

Victoria Street or Is It Daigon Alley?

One of the main draws is that Victoria Street is known as Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books. You won’t be disappointed as a fan when you visit because this is now where the relocated Elephant House Cafe is.

It’s famous for being where JK Rowling wrote her first Harry Potter book. The original cafe burnt down a few years ago, and so this is its current location.

Along with Harry Potter souvenir shops, there are some cute stores. Do pop into the Isle of Skye Candle Company, or find your perfect Scottish cheese at J Mellis cheesemongers. (They are very kind giving free samples!)

At the bottom of the street, turn right and you’re at The Grassmarket. This is an ancient city marketplace and also the spot where hangings took place in centuries past.

There are several old pubs on the left that are worth popping into for a refreshment or coffee. You will get a real feel for the history and legends who frequented them, so make sure to read the plaques on the doorways too.

• The Last Drop
• The White Hart Inn
• Maggie Dickson’s Pub

Keep going to the end of the street for more awesome views of Edinburgh Castle. On Sundays, there is a traditional farmers’ market where you can find local foods and, in the lead up the Christmas, festive goodies too.

15. Take An Haunted Vaults Night Tour

Being a Gothic city, Edinburgh has countless stories, myths and characters from the darker side of history. Whether they are all fact or fiction is for each of us to decide, and the best way to do this is to join a haunted night tour of Edinburgh.

Winter is also the perfect time to join a shorter night time walking tour around the city with a spooky visit to Greyfriars Graveyard and Underground Vaults.

🔍 Book Your Edinburgh Haunted Tour Here

Dating back to the 16th century, Greyfriars Graveyard in the Old Town is fascinating as you pass by burial sites of famous Edinburgh residents, hear stories of grave robbers and learn of prisons within the grounds.

As you enter, make sure to pay homage to our national dog Bobby who is also buried here.

Your next stop is quite a contrast, descending under the South Bridge Edinburgh Vaults. As well as the center of ‘illegal activities’, several ghosts are believed to haunt the stone passageways!

It takes around 30 minutes to tour through each stop and perhaps 10 minutes to walk between them, so plan an hour for this fun evening activity.

16. Enjoy National Gallery & National Museum

Winter is a perfect time to keep warm indoors while admiring global and Scottish arts.

The National Gallery brings together an impression collection of international and local art in a beautiful building. We especially love the old art showing Edinburgh over the ages.

On Chambers Street in Old Town, step into a world of the past at the Scottish National Museum. As we live just round the corner, we pop in often and never tire of the Victorian architecture. It’s a huge collection over 6 floors plus a rooftop with more amazing views on the 7th level.

Check out this Scottish National Museum Map showing current and permanent items.

Some of the top exhibits are Dolly The Sheep, The Scottish History Section, Engineering, Space and Fashion Designs over the centuries.

17. Unmissable Winter Day Trips From Edinburgh

Although there’s so much to do in Edinburgh to fill your days and nights, we say take a day and see a little bit more of Scotland.

Here’s 3 tours from Edinburgh that we love where you don’t have to figure out train or bus schedules or worry about driving if the weather isn’t the best.

The Kelpies, Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond – a six hour fun trip where you can visit Stirling Castle (think William Wallace and Braveheart), our wonderful mystical Kelpies (horses) and the stunning Lomond.

🔍 Check Prices and Availability

Outlander Tour From Edinburgh – if you’re a fan, this tour is for you. You’re going to see several film locations including castles, South Queensferry (wow!) and your guide will regale you with Outlander history. A full day of film fun!

🔍 Outlander Day Trip Prices and Availability

Take a small group tour into the Scottish Highlands. Enjoy the beauty of the Trossachs National Park, Doune Castle and towns of Luss and Inveraray.

Even in winter, you’re going to marvel at the stunning glens as you travel north of Edinburgh. Whether snow capped peaks greet you, or sunny skies, the moods of our mountains are ever changing and awesome to experience.

If you’d like to see more of the country on a future trip, read our Ultimate Scotland Road Trip Itinerary. You will find a comprehensive route plan, top things to see in Scotland, along with suggested hotels and places to eat.

Getting Around Edinburgh

We live several months a year in Edinburgh without owning a car!

If you are able to walk around, you will enjoy exploring Edinburgh on foot, especially when the city is lit up in winter. It is hilly in places, so be prepared to walk up and down a few slopes and on cobbled streets in the Old Town.

Edinburgh Trams

This is a fantastic service to get into town from the airport, around central Edinburgh and down to Leith (where cruises depart from).

You can buy tickets on-line at Edinburgh Trams or in person at each tram stop. You can download the Tram schedule and App. Currently a single ticket from the airport to Princes Street is £7.90. Multi-day tickets are also available.

Big Bus Edinburgh (Hop On Hop Off)

If you are in town for a few days, get a Big Bus Ticket to easily get to all the top sights including the Botanical Gardens, Leith as well as within the city.

🔍 Check Hop On Hop Off Bus Prices Here

Ride Share Apps In Edinburgh

Uber is well established and easy to use with your App. Lyft does not currently operate here. There are two other local ride share apps to consider: Gett and Freenow which have solid reputations.

Where to Stay In Edinburgh

It’s true that Edinburgh prices have ticked up and accommodation can be a large part of any travel budget to Scotland. The city has recently (October 2025) added a ‘tourist tax’ of 5% which may be added to your hotel bill. This applies to everyone, whether you are coming from overseas or elsewhere in the UK.

Our picks are based on location, links to transport hubs and value for money. There are frequent tram and bus services from the suburbs so our budget option in Leith is a great option to consider.

FAQs

Edinburgh In Winter: Travel Tools To Get Here!

If it’s helpful when planning your trip to Scotland, here are our TPOP recommended resources. We use these ourselves otherwise we wouldn’t suggest them to you!

Other Winter Wonderland Destinations

Iceland has a similar northern vibe and much to enjoy indoors and around the island. Our Best Things to Do in Iceland in Winter article shares all you need you know before you go! It is a wee bit chillier than Scotland though 🙂

And if you prefer the idea of visiting Scotland in summer, do read our 3 Days In Edinburgh Itinerary.