The Edinburgh Festival has triggered a rise in hotel prices to make the Scottish capital the most expensive in Europe this month.
Edinburgh rates have risen above Geneva, London and Venice to as much as £237 a night, based on the 50 most popular cities on Trivago.
A hotel in Edinburgh is an average of 22% and £38 more expensive than a hotel in London, consistently the most expensive city in the UK for a hotel stay.
The Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe run simultaneously from August 7-31 for the first time in 18 years.
The most expensive day for a hotel stay is currently tomorrow (Saturday), the second day of the festival, when a hotel will cost an average of £237. This is a 44% increase from the previous Saturday, when a room cost an average of £164.
Prices are also high on August 15 (£227), August 22 (also £227) and August 29 (£226).
The average this year of £207 is 6% higher than during last year’s Edinburgh Festival, despite widespread criticism that prices were too high.
Meanwhile, a hotel stay in Glasgow will cost an average of £107 this month, 93% cheaper than Edinburgh.
A Trivago spokeswoman said: “For those still seeking accommodation for the Edinburgh International or Fringe festivals, a nearby town or city might be their best bet, with availability low and prices high in Edinburgh.
“Perth, for example, is just over an hour’s drive from Edinburgh and boasts an average of £91 for a hotel stay.
“Glasgow is another option, with plenty of accommodation options and prices approximately £100 cheaper than Edinburgh.
“Guests still hoping to join the festivities without a set date should consider visiting during the week, rather than the weekend.
“The most expensive accommodation prices in Edinburgh are found on each of the Saturday nights, with hotel prices approximately 20% cheaper during the week.”