December · United Kingdom
Best time to visit Edinburgh in December Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Edinburgh in December
Average temperature 5°C, 99 mm of rain, about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 93% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
December score
3.4/10
Ranked #12 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- 5°C
- Rainfall
- 99 mm
- Humidity
- 93%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 0
- Crowd Density
- Quiet / Uncrowded
- Average Expenses
- $ · Budget Friendly ($)
December in Edinburgh scores 3.4/10 for sightseeing and cultural travel - ranked #12 of 12. Expect around 5°C, 99 mm of rain, and roughly 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Edinburgh's Old Town climbs a volcanic ridge from the castle down to Holyrood, with the Royal Mile threading closes and courtyards between them.
December in Edinburgh — off-season conditions
December averages 5°C (40°F) — jacket weather. Comfortable for walking and museums, too cool for anything water-based.
Rainfall runs 99 mm, so plan one flexible day in three; you still get almost no days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 6.7 hours of daylight.
It scores 3.4/10 here, 12th of 12 months, against 8.7/10 in the destination's best month.
Pack a mid-weight jacket, long sleeves and shoes you can walk 15 km in, a packable rain layer.
Plan for low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination.
Flexible dates? June scores 5.3 points higher here — enough to change the trip.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Edinburgh in December?
- In December, Edinburgh averages 5°C, 99 mm of rain, and about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 3.4/10.
- Is December a good time to visit Edinburgh?
- December earns a 3.4/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Edinburgh in December?
- Expect about 99 mm of rain in December. Average humidity is 93% and there are about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in Edinburgh
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.