Edinburgh weather
in December
“Cool and moody. Best paired with warm rooms and long lunches.”
In december, Edinburgh settles into its cold, contemplative stillness. The city keeps a different pulse than in summer or midwinter, and travellers who arrive with the right expectations are rewarded.
Days average around 8°C (46°F), cooling to 4°C after sunset. Expect meaningful rain — some 12 wet days across the month. Pack accordingly and let the weather choose your afternoons. Daylight is short — the mornings arrive slowly and the evenings settle in early.
These figures are climatological averages, drawn from a decade of daily records via the Open-Meteo Archive — not a forecast. But they are honest, and they are the sort of thing a good travel guide ought to tell you before you book the flight.
What to pack for Edinburgh in December
- •A properly warm coat — not a fashion piece
- •A compact travel umbrella — one you'll actually carry
- •A merino base layer for the cold evenings
- •Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes
- •A small daypack that won't look like a tourist beacon
What to pack for Edinburgh in December
- →Lightweight fleeceAmazon · shop this
- →Merino travel socksAmazon · shop this
- →Compact travel umbrellaAmazon · shop this
- →Universal travel adapterAmazon · shop this
- →Compression packing cubesAmazon · shop this
- →Anti-theft crossbody bagAmazon · shop this
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Where to stay in Edinburgh
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in Edinburgh across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Other places with a similar climate right now
Edinburgh in December — FAQ
Q01Is December a good time to visit Edinburgh?
Is December a good time to visit Edinburgh?
It is a fair time to visit — expect variable conditions and plan flexibility. In December, Edinburgh averages a high of 8°C (46°F) and a low of 4°C (38°F), with 99mm of rainfall.
Q02What is the average temperature in Edinburgh in December?
What is the average temperature in Edinburgh in December?
The average high temperature in Edinburgh during December is 8°C (46°F), with an average low of 4°C (38°F). These figures are averaged from ten years of daily records (2015–2024, Open-Meteo Archive).
Q03How many rainy days does Edinburgh have in December?
How many rainy days does Edinburgh have in December?
Edinburgh averages approximately 12 rainy days in December, with a total monthly rainfall of about 99mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04What should I pack for Edinburgh in December?
What should I pack for Edinburgh in December?
For Edinburgh in December, pack a warm winter coat, a merino base layer for evenings, a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on the ten-year weather averages for this specific month.
Q05How crowded is Edinburgh in December?
How crowded is Edinburgh in December?
Tourist crowds in Edinburgh during December are typically low — winter is off-season, meaning quiet streets and better hotel deals. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely.