What to Pack for Summer in Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s reputation for wild weather makes it a bit challenging to know what to pack for a visit. When I lived in Edinburgh, I experienced firsthand how quickly the weather can change and learned to prepare for all kinds of conditions. Edinburgh is a city that sometimes requires you to sacrifice fashion for practicality, but I promise staying comfortable is so worth it!

Summer in Edinburgh is unlike any summer I’ve ever experienced and the cool temperatures might come as a shock to visitors from warmer climates. However, there’s always the chance of perfectly sunny, refreshing days that make exploring the city even dreamier. I hope all of you get to experience a blissfully warm day on your trip, but would also encourage you to embrace the rainy, coziness that Edinburgh is so famous for.

Here is a packing checklist to help you choose what to bring for a summer trip to Edinburgh.

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Edinburgh Summer Packing List

Clothing

Waterproof jacket: The most important item to bring! Because of the wind, umbrellas are basically useless in Edinburgh - so a good waterproof jacket is a must! It doesn’t have to be anything too heavy, but something like this Uniqlo Lightweight Parka is perfect.

Cardigan/Sweater: An essential layer for visiting Edinburgh year-round, including summer.

Short sleeve t-shirts: I’d recommend breathable fabrics for warm days that can also be layered under sweaters when it’s chillier.

Linen pants: It rarely reaches shorts weather in Edinburgh, so I’d recommend lighter, flowy pants for warmer days.

Jeans/Pants: I’d recommend primarily packing jeans or any other pants that you find comfortable for walking.

Dresses/skirts: Edinburgh can get very windy, so if you’re planning to bring dresses or skirts, I’d recommend packing shorts to wear underneath!

Comfortable walking shoes: Edinburgh is a walkable, but hilly city so good walking shoes are very important! Any kind of comfortable sneaker would be ideal.

Waterproof shoes: If the forecast calls for rain all day, I would commit to a comfortable waterproof shoe. These Waterproof Chelsea Boots would work great if you’re mainly exploring the city. However, if you plan to take advantage of Edinburgh’s beautiful natural areas, like hiking up Arthur’s Seat, you might want something a bit sturdier.

Secure, waterproof bag: When you’re spending all day exploring Edinburgh, it’s important to keep all your belongings dry. I personally use the water-repellant Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag to keep my phone, wallet, etc. easily accessible but still tucked away in case I get caught in a storm.

Reusable bag - The UK charges extra for all plastic bags when shopping so having a reusable bag is always helpful. I love the Baggu Reusable Bags because they have a little pouch to keep them compact and easy to throw into other bags. Not only are they practical for carrying things, but they’re also useful for waterproofing. I often use a reusable bag to sit on in parks when the grass is damp or to wrap up books or anything I don’t want to get wet if it starts raining.

Extras

Converters: The UK uses a unique power outlet, so if you’re traveling internationally you’ll likely need a power converter. A Universal Power Converter will come in handy, especially if you’re combining your visit to the UK with European travel. *I should note that these converters do not work for heated appliances like hair dryers/straighteners/curlers - so it’s best to rely on what’s available at your hotel or even purchase appliances while you’re there.

Portable Chargers: Using your phone for maps and photos will quickly drain your battery and it’s sometimes tricky to find outlets in cafes and restaurants.

I hope this checklist helps make packing and preparing for your trip a bit easier. If you need any additional help planning your trip to Edinburgh, I offer personalized itineraries and recommendation maps here!