I feel slightly disingenuous writing this as I’m off to warmer climes for a conference. But I do LOVE Edinburgh in the Spring. I’d encourage you to visit the Scottish capital, one of the most popular Europe destinations in Spring, if you can. Here’s why.
- Nobody’s Here. It’s not as quiet as Jan/Feb, but it’s still quiet here. That means good hotel rates while everything is open and waiting.
- The Days are Getting Lighter. After the winter equinox, we tend to see the daylight get longer quite quickly. That makes the sunrises and sunsets more accessible, and they are truly incredible.
- Spring Flowers. I love seeing little patches of flowers budding out of the ground in hidden places. The grass is green and lush and stretching out ready for summer.
It’s still a touch chilly sometimes right about now, but here are my Edinburgh travel tips for the Edinburgh Spring:
- Watch the sunrise (or sunset) from Arthur’s Seat. It is truly incredible. Bring a torch to get up (or down), a warm jumper, and be careful. Ask your hotel to check the times for you.
- Go to the Royal Yacht Britannia down in Leith. It’s so crowded in summer, but now you can get in no problem, linger and enjoy yourself, and even nab a table at their new cafe which serves up some amazing soups and sandwiches.
- Walk along the Water of Leith. It is my favourite thing here and I will recommend it whatever the season.
So you’re in Europe travel planning mode whether that be a quick weekend city break or a week exploring both Edinburgh and the Highlands (which can be chilly/wet but still enjoyable in Spring), now’s the time to visit. Although there’s so much to do and see in Edinburgh, there are also many great Edinburgh day trips.
Photo by the yes man
