10 Things to Do in Edinburgh in July

July in Edinburgh is a busy month for tourism. Accommodation starts to become more expensive as demand soars. There are festivals, good weather, lots of tourist attractions, and people willing to make the effort: Edinburgh in July is not to be missed!

Here's everything you can't miss in Edinburgh to keep in mind when planning your trip to the city in July. Grab a pencil and paper.

Climbing Calton Hill is a great option to choose in Edinburgh in July as the weather is the best of the year in Scotland, making it an attractive, colourful and easily accessible option. On a fine day, from the top you can see neighbouring towns, boats and the whole of the medieval city, which is stunningly beautiful.

In addition, climbing Calton Hill, one of Edinburgh's 7 hills, is a free option in the heart of the Scottish capital. Once there, you'll only have to climb a few stairs to enjoy the best views of the whole city.

It's definitely one of the best things to do if you've decided to travel to Edinburgh in the summer.

When the weather is nice, the fear is less terrifying. Edinburgh has a lot of paranormal studies - it even has a university chair! So I think you should choose from the more than twenty options of ghost tours and mysteries and dare to face the bloody stories that travel through the city.

The options, as I said, are very numerous, but here are some of them, so you can think about it.

• The Edinburgh Dark Side tour, about mysteries, murders and urban legends. It lasts two hours and you can do it in English.
• The Edinburgh Ghost Tour, underground and sinister. Lasting one hour and fifteen minutes on foot, you can explore the vaults of Edinburgh's Old Town while hearing tales of ghosts, executions and cannibalism. Ouch.
• The Edinburgh Ghost Tour by vintage bus is a great option. It's only an hour long and you'll travel by bus, taking in sinister sights. Even the driver will give you the creeps.
• The Edinburgh ghost tour including cemetery. Lasting an hour and a half, this is ideal for those who enjoy touring cemeteries wherever they go. Don't be fooled - it'll be terrifying too.

The Highlands of Scotland offer spectacular scenery, but the sometimes hostile weather makes July one of the best months to visit.

There are plenty of options to enjoy this area of lakes, castles, rugged valleys and Celtic culture:

• Visit Loch Ness and the Highlands from Edinburgh- tour the area in comfort by bus and learn the history from a local guide. Who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster.
• Discover the Highlands' most iconic lochs and castles: visit rural Scotland with an expert guide and capture your memories with great photographs of Doune and Inveraray castles.
• Explore the Highlands and Sky Island on a 3-day tour: take advantage of the fine July weather to explore the Scottish countryside from Edinburgh with a guide and a small group of travellers.

The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival is usually held in the third week of July in Edinburgh and features incredible jazz and blues musicians from all over the world. The shows take place at various venues around the city, usually within easy reach of the city centre.

Edinburgh is internationally known as a city of festivals, so this is top of the list of things to do in the city, because if you're lucky enough to be travelling during festival season, you should make the most of it, don't you think? With the rest of the festivals coming up in August, now's your chance.

The Edinburgh Festival Carnival is an unmissable event held in the Scottish capital in July.

It is a free, colourful, dance-filled event, held year after year on the opening weekend of the Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues Festival.

Its main attraction is a parade of approximately 800 performers, spanning all disciplines. Attendees usually number in the tens of thousands of spectators lining the streets. They throng to watch processions and performances alike.

To enjoy Edinburgh's summer weather in July, you can visit the Royal Botanic Gardens. It's a great place to spend the day, enjoy, relax and get some fresh air. This is one of those places where you can feel like you 're no longer in a big city full of people, as it's one of the most touristy months of the year.

Among its 10 greenhouses you can see more than 3,000 species of exotic plants from all over the world. So, if you like plants and green spaces, this is a great stop you shouldn't miss.

Of course, you shouldn't forget to bring your camera, as it is a beautiful place to take pictures. Admission is free and I recommend you take at least two or three hours if you're passing through.

Actually, most of the rest of the festivals take place in August, but you still have a few opportunities in July very close to Edinburgh. Take the Glasgow Green Music Festival, for example, which usually takes place on the second weekend of the month.

It's the city's biggest festival, and attracts thousands of spectators every year, to see the various bands and enjoy the Scottish summer sunshine.

It's a festival you can get to from Edinburgh, as you're only an hour's drive away and tickets can be bought online. Prices start from £90, but vary widely, depending on the type of ticket you're looking for.

The Britannia is a place you'll want to visit when you travel to Edinburgh in July, as the weather is perfect for the experience of touring this incredible ship at anchor in the water. It's the huge, imposing yacht that took Queen Elizabeth II around the globe.

On the yacht, you'll see the beds in which Queen Elizabeth and her husband slept separately, as well as the dining rooms, the bar and the more humble quarters of the ship's staff.

You can buy a ticket on the ship itself, before entering. To get there, you can catch the 22 bus from Edinburgh city centre, and get off at the Ocean Terminal shopping centre. While you're at it, visit it.

If you want to get around while you see the sights, you can choose to travel on Edinburgh's best sightseeing bus.

Until recently, Dean Village was one of those areas of Edinburgh known only to the people who live there. However, this has changed, and now more than a few people are venturing into this Edinburgh paradise.

You'll be in the middle of the city, but you won't notice it at all. In the village, you'll see quaint cottages, old buildings and the river. It's a very calm place, ideal to disconnect while feeling like you've moved more in time than in space.

As there will be many tourists in Edinburgh in July, I recommend this plan for a day when you want to escape the hustle and bustle and the crowds.

Entry is free. You can start at Dean Village and walk to Stockbridge. You will enjoy it very much.

The Camera Obscura will be a great option to visit in July in Edinburgh if you want an enclosed space and especially if you are travelling with children to the city. It is a tower, which has a dark room at the top with a system of reflecting mirrors that projects the image of Edinburgh.

It's a good attraction to consider if you visit Edinburgh in July, as in bad weather, the Camera Obscura has really poor visibility, and in July's weather you can see the whole city clearly. You can also enjoy the terrace, which has incredible views.

The building is located next to Edinburgh Castle. It has six floors with all kinds of attractions and tricks: holograms, 3D, computers that transform the image of the observer, mirrors that deform the image. This is why it is ideal if you are travelling with children, and I highly recommend it, because, whatever month you are travelling in, it is always good to have options for the little ones.

What you should know before visiting the Camera Obscura

• Price: The price of the attraction is 22 euros for adults, 20 euros for students and senior citizens, 17 euros for children aged 5 to 15, and free for children under 5.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm (Friday until 9:00 pm). Saturdays from 9:00 to 21:30. Sundays from 9:00 to 21:00.

It is summerin Edinburgh in July. Temperatures can range from a low of 11.5° to a high of 19.1°.

All month you will have daylight saving time, with longer days and a greater chance of sunny days. These days are ideal for some excursions, for example, to Loch Ness from Edinburgh.

The number of tourists in Edinburgh in July starts to be very high. It is the start of the city's festival season, which are the busiest events of the year.

However, it is still probably not as crowded as August, which is the peak of festivals and tourist activities when Edinburgh welcomes travellers from all over the world.

Among the best tours and excursions from Edinburgh you'll find some great options for mingling in the crowds, and some more sensible ones for escaping the hustle and bustle and enjoying a few moments of peace and quiet.

Unlike other months of the year, July in Edinburgh is high season. If you're looking for a great deal, you should do your research, but I can't promise you anything.

The truth is, the higher the demand, the higher the price of tickets and hotel rooms. Of course, there are always exceptions. But you should know that at this time of year prices usually go up.

If you plan to travel to Edinburgh in July, you should pack cool, light and comfortable clothes, as the temperatures will be friendly. However, you should always pack some light and some heavier clothing, as well as relevant rainwear. In some places like Edinburgh, you never know. Even in summer.

Also, I recommend you take some nice clothes to go out in. There's bound to be a festival that will catch your eye. And, besides, in summer and with so many people travelling around, the urge to go out is bound to get the better of you. It's always best to be ready. In the worst-case scenario, you'll have packed a little too much.

On the other hand, don't forget to bring good shoes for trekking. The options for exploring the Edinburgh Hills are within easy reach, easy walks and sure to tempt you.

In case you can't think of what to do on a rainy day, here are some tempting options:

• Visit Edinburgh Castle from the inside: here you can access all the information you need about visiting Edinburgh Castle.
• Take the Haunted Crypts Tour: Walk through the graveyard and listen to the exciting haunted stories. It costs 24 euros, lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes and is ideal as long as you don't get too terrified.
• Dinner at the Hard Rock Café in Edinburgh. Includes a two- or three-course dinner with refreshments.
• Visit the Whisky Museum: discover all the secrets of Scotland's national drink while you sample a range of whiskies. To warm you up, I say.