Visit Edinburgh in July

Visiting Edinburgh: July 2023

If the hustle and bustle during the Edinburgh International and Fringe Festival isn’t for you … why not come to Edinburgh in July instead? The sun is usually shining and there are lots of things to do during your stay at Parliament House Hotel.

July festivals and events

Edinburgh hosts the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival this July. Running from 14th to 23rd of the month, this music festival takes place at venues around the city such as the Jazz Bar and the Spiegeltent (a must!) as well as the Festival Theatre and Queen’s Hall. There’s also the amazing Mardi Gras on Saturday 15th July and Edinburgh Festival Carnival on Sunday 16th July – Two free events over an exciting weekend of entertainment and celebration!

In addition, we have Edinburgh Food Festival taking place from 21st to 30th July. This 10-day event in George Square Gardens showcases the best food and drink from around Scotland. With an array of stalls and stands, workshops and demonstrations. What’s more, entrance to the gardens is free!

Concert breaks this July

The summer concert season kicks off in Edinburgh with four huge concerts taking place on Edinburgh Castle Esplanade. The Lumineers will take to the iconic stage on 5th July, followed by Rod Stewart on the 6th and 7th, The Who on the 8th and 9th and Dermot Kennedy on the 13th.

Attraction of the month: Palace of Holyroodhouse

For July, our attraction of the month is the Palace of Holyroodhouse. From July to September, this Scottish royal residence increases its public opening to 7 days a week. Explore the State Apartments, Great Gallery and Throne Room. Visit the Palace Gardens and ancient Holyrood Abbey. And discover the palace’s connections with historical figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. View prices and book tickets here.

Offer of the month: Pay Upfront Discount

Enjoy a break in Edinburgh for less when you book your stay 5 days or more in advance. Simply book your stay online and choose our Advance Purchase rate to get up to 25% off*. Payment will then be taken at the time of booking. This discount is applied to our Room Only, Best Available Rate. The amount discounted is dependent on the time of year, but is always set to be our cheapest rate. *Full details and T&Cs.

Thistle with bee at Duddingston Loch in summer

Day trip of the month: Perth

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 the city of Perth. The journey from Edinburgh takes around an hour by car, or 1 hour 20 minutes by train or coach. Set on the banks of the River Tay, this is a picturesque place to visit with museums, galleries, castles and gardens to explore. Top attractions in Perth include the Black Watch MuseumPerth Art Gallery and Branklyn Garden. The historic Scone Palace is nearby, and there are regular buses from Perth to the palace.

Our top July 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 July:

  1. The best festivals in Edinburgh this summer
  2. The biggest concerts in Edinburgh this summer
  3. Great beaches to visit near Edinburgh
  4. Top Outlander locations in Edinburgh
  5. Top golf courses in Edinburgh
View of Edinburgh from Arthurs Seat on a sunny day

Visiting us this July

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.