Edinburgh · Scotland

March

Spring light begins to return — longer days, occasional warmth, and the city still largely to yourself.

Best match

#6 of 12 months

There are better months for Edinburgh — see the full ranking below.

See when to go instead →

Climate

High

9°C

Low

3°C

Rain

47mm

Sun

3.8hrs/day

30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5

How March scores in Edinburgh

Weather

Average

Value

Outstanding

Crowds

Outstanding

Events

Average

Atmosphere

Above average

What you gain in March

↑Sunshine hours climb meaningfully to 3.8 daily and temperatures edge toward 9°C — the first days that reward a walk up Arthur's Seat or a full circuit of the Royal Mile without misery
↑Six Nations concludes in March; if Scotland have a home final round, the city's atmosphere is extraordinary regardless of the result
↑Budget prices persist through March; this is the last genuinely cheap month before Easter and the spring shoulder season begin to lift rates

What you sacrifice

↓Weather remains unpredictable and cold — Edinburgh's spring is reluctant; a warm March day can be followed by sleet and a 40mph wind off the Firth
↓Easter (if it falls in late March) brings short but significant price spikes for the holiday weekend; check dates when planning
↓The city's outdoor culture — the café terraces, the Meadows park scene, the Leith waterfront — is still mostly dormant; Edinburgh doesn't fully wake up until May

How March compares to May (best month)

Factor	March	May ★
Weather	4	7
Value	9	7
Crowds	9	7

Full comparison: March vs May →

← February All months →April →

March in other destinations

Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Edinburgh, not across destinations. Methodology →