Visit Edinburgh in April
Visiting Edinburgh: April 2024
April is a lovely spring month in Edinburgh. As the city bursts into bloom, you’ll find a lot is going on to keep you busy during a short break. So let’s take a look at what’s happening in the city this April.
April festivals and events
The Edinburgh Science Festival will be held from 30th March to 14th April with the theme “Shaping The Future”. This festival is a celebration of science and technology for all ages, with a programme featuring many fascinating events, such as discussions, debates, workshops, screenings and more.
We’ll be cheering on the blues, as Scotland’s home games of the Women’s Six Nations rugby tournament are hosted at Edinburgh Rugby Stadium near Murrayfield on 30th March and 13th April. See fixtures.
And on the last day of April, the spectacular Beltane Fire Festival returns to Calton Hill. A modern interpretation of the ancient Celtic festival, which banishes winter and welcomes summer, through performance, ritual, fire and drums. The event takes place late evening and into the early hours of the morning, and is aimed at over 18s.
Theatre breaks this April
Our hotel is just around the corner from Edinburgh Playhouse, a fantastic theatre that presents a packed programme of live shows throughout the year. This month, the Pretty Woman rom-com musical runs from 2nd to 13th April. Dance sensation Johannes Radebe brings his jam-packed celebration House Of Jo Jo to the stage on the 21st. Followed by the colourful stage musical of Madagascar from the 25th to 27th. See full listings here.
Attraction of the month: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
For April, our attraction of the month is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This stunning garden begins to wake up at this time of year. Enjoy a spring walk and look out for early seasonal blooms. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is one of the leading botanic gardens in the world! There are 70 acres to explore, with many different areas including the Rock Garden, Alpine Houses, Woodland Garden, Chinese Hillside and Rhododendron Collection. Daily guided walks are also available from 1st April, starting 11 am at the John Hope Gateway. Entry to the gardens is free, but there are charges for guided walks and other events. Plan your visit here.
Offer of the month: Spring Special
Our Spring Special hotel package includes 2 nights in a twin or double room at our central Parliament House Hotel, a full Scottish breakfast on both mornings and a chilled bottle of prosecco on arrival. Available in March and April 2024, this is a blooming good spring deal! It’s the perfect time to visit our beautiful city. Full details and T&Cs.
Day trip of the month: South Queensferry
Edinburgh is a great base from which to explore the rest of Scotland. With convenient transport links by train and bus, and hire car options available, it’s so easy to get around. Our day trip of the month is South Queensferry, situated northwest of Edinburgh city centre, on the banks of the Firth of Forth estuary. The journey takes around 30 minutes by car or 45 minutes by bus. Here, you can see the three magnificent Forth Bridges, including the historic Forth Rail Bridge. You can even walk or cycle across the middle bridge, the Forth Road Bridge, for fantastic views. There are lots of nice places to eat and drink and quirky independent shops in South Queensferry, making for a great day out. Plus, boat trips on the Firth of Forth are available from Easter, which will take you under all three bridges and down towards Inchcolm Island.
Our top April blogs
Our Edinburgh Blog features news, guides and travel information to help you plan your visit. Check out our pick of the best blogs for April:
- What’s on in Edinburgh this spring?
- Best spring/summer festivals in Edinburgh
- Spending a spring day in Edinburgh
- Things to do this Easter weekend in Edinburgh
- Visiting the Beltane Fire Festival
Visiting us this April
So, book your stay at Parliament House Hotel in Edinburgh and start planning your adventures. Remember, we have further information on attractions, shopping, itineraries, road trips and more in our Edinburgh Guide. And we are always here, should you need any help planning activities during your stay.
