Why Autumn is Secretly the Best Time to Visit Edinburgh (And How to Do It on a Budget)
You might be thinking - Scotland? In Autumn (or 'Fall', depending on which side of the Atlantic you're from)? Isn't it going to be too cold? Too dark? Cast your worries aside, weary traveller, because when the leaves turn orange and brown, Edinburgh often looks its best. With its winding cobbled streets, leafy parks, cosy coffee shops and comfy pubs, I often tell people that autumn in Edinburgh is the city's best kept secret.
On top of that, you're dodging the crowded summer time, making the most of more affordable prices for beds in backpackers' hostels around the city at the same time. Your wallet will be happy, and so will you! If you can fit a midweek trip in across September, October or November, you'll find beds in Edinburgh starting from as low as £23! As an added bonus, book your stay through Scotland's Top Hostels and get 10% off selected dates:
Contents
The Cosiest Coffee Shops in Edinburgh Old Town for Rainy Autumn Days
Top Comfy Edinburgh Pubs with Fireplaces, Live Trad Music & Drams of Whisky
Where to Stay in Edinburgh in Autumn: The Best Old Town Hostels for Backpackers
Extending Your Autumn Trip: Heading North to Loch Ness & The Scottish Highlands
Frequently Asked Questions: Visiting Edinburgh in Autumn on a Budget
The Best Things to Do in Edinburgh in Autumn: Ghost Walks, Leafy Parks & Waterway Walks to Dean Village
Take a Ghostly Walking Tour with City of Edinburgh Tours (+ a Discount for Our Guests!)
One of the best ways to ring in spooky season is with a ghostly walking tour around what our friends at City of Edinburgh Tours call the 'most haunted city in the World'! Their guides are all characters based on historical figures from Edinburgh's ghostly past, and they can take you across centuries of history both above and below the ground.
Best of all, guests staying at Castle Rock Hostel, High Street Hostel or Royal Mile Backpackers can bag an exclusive backpackers discounts when they book their tours at the City of Edinburgh Tours booth on the Royal Mile. Whether you're hoping to explore the historic South Bridge Vaults, or take a moonlit wander around the cobbled streets while hearing spooky stories, they've got you covered.
Explore Edinburgh's Leafy Parks - The Meadows and Holyrood Park (home to Arthur's Seat!)
Located on each edge of the Old Town, you'll find two sprawling parks that offer amazing views, beautiful leafy golden trees, and great coffee spots along the way to keep your hands warm! The Meadows is located a short walk from all the backpackers hostels in the Old Town, and you'll find a mix of students, locals and tourists wandering around, trying to get a great view of Arthur's Seat. For a bonus, pop into the Golf Tavern for a quick pint when you're done - a historic pub just on the edge of the park.
You're likely to hear about the hike up Arthur's Seat pretty quickly when you arrive in Edinburgh - both from locals (who often haven't found the time to do it) and from fellow backpackers. Just outside of the city, the ancient crest of the dormant volcano that the city is built upon rises to 251 metres above sea level, now a part of the expansive Holyrood Park that traces the edges of the eastern Old Town.
The walk to the summit typically takes around 30-45 minutes depending on the route, and will reward you with an unbeatable view across Edinburgh, out to the Firth of Forth (the mouth of the River Forth located next to Edinburgh that opens into the North Sea), and the surrounding countryside. It's often said to be one of the best viewpoints in the city, and it's easy to see why. You won't need anything like serious hiking gear to head up, but do be prepared for some mud and some elevation.
Head along the Water of Leith Walkway to Explore Dean Village
Connecting Edinburgh to the suburb of Leith (formerly a separate Burgh in itself, and with its own distinct identity) is the Water of Leith, and a scenic walk along it called the Walkway, which is clearly signposted and easy to access, a short walk from both Edinburgh's Old and New Towns, most easy to spot if you arrive in the neighbourhood of Stockbridge.
From Stockbridge, you can either head left or right along the Walkway and be greeted with plenty to see, and lots of beautiful golden trees marking the way. Heading left, you'll soon find yourself at Dean Village, a historic milling area that is known for its old stone buildings, small bridges, and quaint leafy park that hugs the river. Heading right, you'll head towards Leith proper through some quiet and peaceful parts of the city.
A real bonus is to pair this walk with a visit to Stockbridge Food Market, which runs on Sundays only just steps away from the river at Jubilee Gardens.
The Cosiest Coffee Shops in Edinburgh Old Town for Rainy Autumn Days
Be sure to check out fan favourite coffee shop The Milkman on Cockburn Street for their excellent coffee and scenic views looking out on this famous cobbled street. If it's too busy (which it may well be), then head just a short walk up the way to South College Street where you'll find Origin Coffee, fantastic specialty coffee and a relaxed atmosphere embedded just inside the University Campus.
If you're taking a walk to The Meadows, be sure to drop by local favourite spot Cult Coffee Roasters, where you'll find a relaxed atmosphere where you can cosy up with a book. If the weather holds, it's also worth heading down to Half-Cut Coffee on Candlemakers' Wynd - there's not much space on the inside, but it's a seriously good coffee at an excellent price, and it makes the perfect pit stop before or after a wander around the Old Town. Plus, guests who stay at Scotland's Top Hostels locations in Edinburgh get a 20% discount with their check-in card!
Top Comfy Edinburgh Pubs with Fireplaces, Live Trad Music & Drams of Whisky
There's no better feeling at the end of a long day of strolling around a new city than pulling up somewhere for a hearty pint in cosy surroundings. Some of the best pubs you can stop at around Edinburgh's Old Town include The Jolly Judge, where you'll find a toasty fireplace and surprisingly affordable pints for the Royal Mile. If you're wanting to try local Scottish beers, you can also check out The Blue Blazer, a real traditional boozer also packing an incredible whisky selection.
Finding Scottish trad music is also often high on the agenda of many visitors to the city, and luckily there are a range of fantatsic session pubs right in the Old Town. Stop by the Captain's Bar or Sandy Bell's if you're heading early in the evening - both have open music sessions throughout the day and night. And if you can hold out till later, you'll find many of Edinburgh's best local musicians at The Royal Oak, a tiny little pub that's world-famous for its lively atmosphere.
Where to Stay in Edinburgh in Autumn: The Best Old Town Hostels for Backpackers
If you're planning a stay in Edinburgh this Autumn, don't miss the chance to book a Scotland's Top Hostels location. With all three located right in the middle of town, you'll be sure to find a place that suits your vibe.
Every bed at these locations has its own USB sockets, separate plug sockets, a locker with a key proivided during your stay. You can get continental breakfast for just £4, and you're bound to have an unforgettable experience with our daily social events. Find out which hostel is right for you:
Royal Mile Backpackers, located slap-bang in the middle of the city on the historic Royal Mile, offers a friendly, cozy experience. With just 38 beds, you'll soon get to know all of your bunkmates by name.
Castle Rock Hostel, with three large social lounges, a cinema room, well-equipped kitchen, and well-renowned for lively social events like their free weekly Thursday Pub Crawl.
High Street Hostel, where you'll get the warmest welcomes, explore the city with new friends on Free Walking Tours, join in the hostel community with Quiz Nights and Pool Tournaments, and use their large kitchen and relaxed lounge space.
Here's what a backpacker recently had to say about their stay at Castle Rock Hostel:
"Amazing hostel! This was my first solo trip/experience of being in a hostel and the hostel was great! The location was perfect, the staff were really helpful and friendly and the atmosphere was super chill." - from a review on Hostelworld this September
As an added bonus, book your stay through Scotland's Top Hostels and get 10% off selected dates this autumn, with beds starting from just £23:
Extending Your Autumn Trip: Heading North to Loch Ness & The Scottish Highlands
Don't be fooled by the internet telling you that the Scottish Highlands shuts up shop completely over the Autumn. There are some excellent places to visit, including the stellar Lochside Hostel on Loch Ness.
The magic of Lochside Hostel is how much effort the volunteer team and staff put into making the social atmosphere happen. But don't expect awkward ice-breakers and the like, instead, the volunteer team will introduce everyone through exploring the best of Loch Ness together - be that Group Swims every morning at 8am or through Social Hikes out around the stunning local countryside.
In the evenings, you can enjoy a laidback social atmosphere, where the convenient bar & shop located at reception means you're not worried about heading out for a meal or to the pub. Some nights are really easy-going, with games nights or pool tournaments around the free pool table. Others can get lively, with Scottish Folk Dance Parties livening up the spacious common room.
Here's what Amy, a backpacker who stayed at Lochside Hostel in April 2026, had to say about her stay in a review from Hostelworld:
"It was the best hostel stay I ever had! The location was incredible, everything had a peacefull and welcoming atmosphere. The people and activities were great. Just good vibes, would always come back!" - Amy, in a review from Hostelworld in 2026
Book your stay through Scotland's Top Hostels to save 10% on selected dates this Autumn:
Frequently Asked Questions: Visiting Edinburgh in Autumn on a Budget
Is autumn a good time to visit Edinburgh?
Yes, autumn (September through November) is widely considered one of the best times to visit Edinburgh. You get crisp weather, stunning golden leaves across Princes Street Gardens and Holyrood Park, ghost tours around Halloween, and livelier local pub scenes - all with significantly smaller crowds and cheaper hostel rates than during the summer Fringe Festival.
What is the weather like in Edinburgh during autumn, and what should I pack?
Autumn temperatures in Edinburgh typically range from 6°C to 14°C (43°F to 57°F). Rain and cool winds are common, so backpackers should pack waterproof layers, a good rain jacket, warm sweaters or fleeces, and sturdy walking shoes or boots for cobbled streets and slippery hiking paths on Arthur’s Seat.
How many days should I spend in Edinburgh in autumn?
3 to 4 days is the ideal amount of time to explore Edinburgh in autumn. This allows enough time to visit Edinburgh Castle, take a ghost tour through the underground vaults, hike Arthur's Seat, enjoy the cozy Old Town pub culture, and still leave room for a quick Highland trip up north.
What are the best hostels to stay at in Edinburgh during autumn?
The best budget hostels for an autumn stay are located right in Edinburgh's historic Old Town near top attractions, cozy cafes, and historic pubs:
Castle Rock Hostel: Located directly beneath Edinburgh Castle, featuring grand social lounges, movie rooms, and nightly group events.
High Street Hostel: A warm, mid-sized, wholesome hostel tucked off the Royal Mile—ideal for solo travelers looking to connect over coffee.
Royal Mile Backpackers: An intimate, flatshare-style hostel sitting directly on the Royal Mile, perfect for LGBTQIA+ backpackers and couples.
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