Edinburgh Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 07 October 2024

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, offers a mix of scenic landscapes, rich history, and renowned cultural events. From the iconic Edinburgh Castle atop an ancient volcano to the lively Royal Mile with its shops and pubs, the city draws visitors from around the world.

How many tourists visit Edinburgh each year?

Over 2.3 million international visitors travelled to Edinburgh in 2023, a 4% increase from 2019.¹

On average, 2 million international visitors travel to Edinburgh annually.

• In 2019, 2.21 million international tourists arrived in Edinburgh.
  
• However, the city only recorded 199,000 international visitors in 2021. This was a decrease of 91% compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic).
  
• Recovery began in 2022, with over 1.8 million international visitors.
  
• By 2023, Edinburgh welcomed 2.3 million international visitors. This was a large increase in visitors compared to 2021 levels and surpassed 2019 pre-pandemic figures by 4%.
  

The IPS was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in no tourism data for Edinburgh from April to December 2020. Available data for that period is based on models.

How many tourists visited Edinburgh in 2023?

• In 2023, Edinburgh welcomed 2.3 million international visitors, representing a 28% increase from the previous year and exceeding 2019 pre-pandemic levels by 4%.

How many tourists visited Edinburgh in 2022?

• In 2022, over 1.8 million international tourists visited Edinburgh. This number was up by 89% compared to the previous year, but still 19% down from the 2019 figure (pre-pandemic).

How much do tourists spend in Edinburgh each year?

International visitors to Edinburgh spend over £1 billion annually. 

• In 2019, international visitors spent over £1.19 billion during their visits.
  
• International tourism expenditure generated £149,000 in 2021, showing an 87% decrease compared to 2019.
  
• International visitors spent over £1.14 billion during trips to Edinburgh in 2022.

The IPS was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in no tourism data for Edinburgh from April to December 2020. Available data for that period is based on models.

How much did tourists spend in Edinburgh in 2022?

International tourism expenditure generated £1.14 billion in 2022. Visitor spending was up 86.91% compared to the previous year but still 4% less than 2019.

• International tourists spent an average of £633 per visit in 2022. This number was 18.01% less than in 2021, but 14.69% more than in 2019.

Who visits Edinburgh the most?

The United States, Germany, and France consistently rank as the primary sources of international visitors to Scotland, where Edinburgh is located.²

• The USA contributed the most with a total of 794,000 visits in 2023. This number was 13% higher than the previous year.
  
• Germany contributed the second-highest number of visitors to Scotland with 343,000 total visits, a 31% increase compared to 2022.
  
• Followed by France with 355,000 visits, Netherlands with 280,000 visits, and Spain with 201,000 total visits in 2023.

Why do people visit Edinburgh? 

• Holidays were the primary reason tourists visited Edinburgh in 2022 (1.24 million visits), accounting for 68.88% of all visits.³
  • This was a 36% increase compared to the previous year but still 72% less compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic year).
    
    
• Visiting Friends and Relatives was the second most common reason, with 390,000 visits, making up 21.71% of total visits to Edinburgh in 2022.
  • This was a 348% increase compared to the previous year and 9% higher compared to 2019.
    
    
• This was followed by trips for Business Purposes, which totalled 117,000 visits in 2022.
  • This was a 64% decrease compared to the previous year and 36% less compared to 2019.
    
    
• Study-related visits accounted for 0.61% of total visits in 2022 with 11,000 people visiting for this purpose.
  • This was a decrease of 55% compared to the previous year but still 72% less compared to 2019.
    
    
• Apart from the top four reasons mentioned, miscellaneous reasons made up 41,000 of total visits to Edinburgh in 2022.
  • This number was a 90% increase compared to the previous year and 17% higher than 2019.
    

How many nights do international tourists stay during visits to Edinburgh?

• 2022: International visitors stayed for an average of 5 nights in Edinburgh
• 2021: International visitors stayed for an average of 12 nights in Edinburgh
• 2019: International visitors stayed for an average of 6 nights in Edinburgh

When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?

When considering the best time to visit Edinburgh, visitors should think about what is most important to them.

• January to February is the quietest period, making it the easiest time to find accommodations.

• January to March offers the best value for visiting Edinburgh, while June to September is the most expensive period.

• July to August are the warmest and busiest months to visit Edinburgh.

How many tourists visit Edinburgh Castle each year?

Over 1 million tourists visit Edinburgh Castle annually.⁴

• In 2021, Edinburgh Castle welcomed 400,000 visitors.
  
• However, this number rose to 1.3 million visitors in 2022, indicating a 218% increase compared to the previous year.
  
• Over 1.9 million tourists visited Edinburgh Castle in 2023.

How much does it cost to visit Edinburgh Castle?

Tickets to Edinburgh Castle may vary according to the type of visitors as well as online prices compared to on-the-gate.⁵

Ticket Prices at Edinburgh Castle
Ticket Type	Online price	Walk-up price
Adult/16-64yrs	£19.50	£22.00
Concession/65yrs+	£15.50	£17.60
Child/7-15yrs	£11.40	£13.20
Family/1 Adult, 2 Children	£38.50	£43.50
Family/2 Adults, 2 Children	£56.00	£63.50
Family/2 Adults, 3 Children	£66.50	£75.00

How many tourists visit the Edinburgh Festival Fringe each year?

The Edinburgh International Festival Fringe is the most important cultural celebration in the world.

• Edinburgh Festival Fringe welcomes over 400,000 tourists annually.⁴

UK Travel Resources

What tourist landmarks are there in Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is home to several iconic landmarks that attract millions of visitors annually.

• Edinburgh Castle: A world-famous symbol of Scotland and part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, welcoming over 1.9 million visitors each year.

• Arthur’s Seat: Located within Holyrood Park, this ancient hill fort offers scenic walks, wildlife, and panoramic views of the city.

• Camera Obscura and World of Illusions: Features five floors of interactive optical illusions, including a Vortex Tunnel, Mirror Maze, and Shrinking Room.

• Edinburgh Old Town: A maze of historic alleys and streets, offering shops, restaurants, and pubs, leading to the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle.

• Royal Mile: The historic heart of Edinburgh, rich in history and a hub for visitors exploring the city.

How far is Edinburgh from London?

• The distance from Edinburgh to London is 411.7 miles.

How far is Glasgow from Edinburgh?

• Glasgow is 46.6 miles away from Edinburgh. This is equivalent to a 1 hour and 10-minute drive, depending on the traffic on the route.

How far is St. Andrews from Edinburgh?

• St. Andrews is 52 miles away from Edinburgh. This is equivalent to a 1 hour and 28-minute drive, depending on the traffic on the route.

UK Travel Statistics Resources

• United Kingdom Statistics
  • Glasgow Statistics
  • London Statistics
  • Oxford Statistics
  • Scotland Statistics

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References

1.  ONS: Inbound and Outbound Tourism, UK ↩︎
2.  VisitScotland: International Visitors ↩︎
3.  VisitBritain: Inbound visits and spend – trends by UK town ↩︎
4.  ALVA: Top Attractions in the UK ↩︎
5.  EdinburghCastle: Tickets ↩︎