Kirkwall City
City in Scotland, United Kingdom
Kirkwall’s red-roofed harbor centers around St Magnus Cathedral and a compact town of Norse place names, seafood stalls and ferry links to Orkney’s Neolithic sites; it’s a base for archaeology, scallops and island-hopping.
56°F
Why Visit Kirkwall?#
Kirkwall is a compact gateway to Orkney’s Norse past and Neolithic wonders, anchored by the red-stone St Magnus Cathedral and a bustling harbour. Whisky fans make a pilgrimage to the Highland Park distillery, while museums and galleries interpret Viking history and island archaeology; nearby sites such as Skara Brae and Maeshowe are within easy reach. Fresh seafood, lively festivals and island hospitality round out the experience.
Best Things to Do in Kirkwall#
Kirkwall Bucket List#
St Magnus Cathedral - Visit St Magnus Cathedral, a red sandstone landmark at Kirkwall’s heart.
Earl’s Palace and Bishop’s Palace - Explore Earl’s Palace and Bishop’s Palace for Renaissance architecture and period rooms.
Orkney Museum - See regional archaeology and Viking artifacts at the Orkney Museum in Kirkwall.
Italian Chapel (Lamb Holm) - Visit the Italian Chapel on Lamb Holm, a wartime chapel built by POWs.
Scapa Flow Maritime Museum - Discover naval wrecks and Scapa Flow history at the local maritime museum.
Kirkwall Harbour Walks - Enjoy quieter harbour walks and small cafés along Kirkwall’s waterfront streets.
Skara Brae and Skaill House - Visit Skara Brae Neolithic village and Skaill House for prehistoric and historic contexts.
Hoy and the Old Man of Hoy - Take a ferry to Hoy for dramatic sea cliffs and the Old Man of Hoy.
Best Time to Visit Kirkwall#
Kirkwall is best late spring through summer for long daylight, birdlife and festivals. Weather is cool and changeable year-round-pack layers and a windproof jacket.
December - February
2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F)
Mild, windy winters with short daylight-museums open and dramatic coastal walks possible between storms. Not the season if you want reliable sun.
March - May
4°C to 12°C (39°F to 54°F)
Brisk, improving spring days bring nesting seabirds and blooming cliff edges; perfect for birdwatchers, though expect frequent winds and fast-changing skies.
June - August
9°C to 16°C (48°F to 61°F)
Cool, long summer days are ideal for archaeology tours, boat trips and festivals. Rain and wind remain possible-carry a waterproof shell.
January
Weather
February
Weather
March
Weather
April
Weather
May
Weather
June
Weather
July
Weather
August
Weather
September
Weather
October
Weather
November
Weather
December
Weather
How to Get to Kirkwall#
Kirkwall is accessed by short domestic flights to Kirkwall Airport (KOI) or by NorthLink ferries from the Scottish mainland. Ferries are essential if you need to bring a car; flights are fastest for foot passengers.
Kirkwall Airport (KOI): Kirkwall has its own airport with Loganair flights from Aberdeen (ABZ), Glasgow (GLA) and Inverness (INV). Flight times are short (often under an hour from the Scottish mainland) and are the quickest way to reach the Orkney mainland.
Aberdeen (ABZ): An alternative is the overnight NorthLink ferry from Aberdeen to Kirkwall (around 6-7 hours for the route to Stromness/Kirkwall depending on service); ferries operate year‑round and are useful for travellers with vehicles or lots of luggage.
Train: There is no rail service to Orkney. The nearest mainland railheads are Inverness or Thurso/Scrabster for ferry connections.
Ferry / Bus: NorthLink Ferries operate Scrabster-Stromness and Aberdeen-Kirkwall routes. From Stromness or Scrabster you can take local buses to Kirkwall; check sailing schedules and book ahead in summer.
How to Get Around Kirkwall#
Short domestic flights to KOI are the quickest option for most travellers, while NorthLink ferries are necessary for cars and for a slower scenic arrival. Local buses, taxis and car hire cover onward travel on the islands.
- Domestic flight (Loganair) (£50-£150) - Loganair operates frequent short flights to Kirkwall from several Scottish airports. Flights are fast and practical for day trips, but fares vary with season - book early for the best prices.
- Ferry (NorthLink) (£10-£80) - NorthLink Ferries connect Aberdeen and Scrabster with Orkney. Ferries carry passengers and vehicles; crossings can be overnight or several hours long. Book vehicle space well in advance during summer.
- Local bus (£1.50-£6) - Orkney Island buses link Kirkwall with Stromness, the airport and many rural settlements. Services are reliable but can be less frequent in winter; check timetables for early/late journeys.
- Taxi / Car hire (£30-£70/day) - Taxis are available in Kirkwall; hiring a car is popular for exploring Neolithic sites and outlying areas. Car availability can be limited in peak season, so reserve in advance.
- Bicycle (£6-£20/day) - Cycling is a popular way to explore Orkney in summer; many main roads are quiet and scenic. Consider weather and wind, which can be strong and changeable.
- Walking - Kirkwall’s compact centre and nearby heritage sites are best explored on foot; many attractions are within easy walking distance of the harbour.
Where to Stay in Kirkwall#
Town Centre / Harbour - $50-90/night
Kirkwall has several budget guesthouses and modest hotels close to the harbour and town centre. Good value outside peak tourist weeks.
The Albert Hotel - Economical, central in Kirkwall
Harray House B&B - No-frills B&B near the harbour
Central Kirkwall - $90-150/night
Mid-range hotels provide comfortable rooms, good breakfasts, and easy walking access to St Magnus Cathedral and ferry links.
Kirkwall Hotel - Comfortable rooms with good location
The Moorings Hotel - Boutique feel with local character
Waterfront & Historic Quarter - $150-240/night
Kirkwall has a few boutique, higher-end properties; full luxury resort experiences are limited and often spread across the Orkney islands.
Upscale Orkney stays (specialist) - Boutique luxury options across the islands
Luxury hotel packages (regional) - Premium service available island-wide
Where to Eat in Kirkwall#
Kirkwall is a good base for Orkney seafood, locally farmed meats and simple cafés - ideal after visiting St Magnus Cathedral and the harbour.
- Harbour-side restaurants - Seafood and local Orkney produce.
- Local bakeries and cafés - Fresh bread and pastries.
- Pubs serving local ales - Comfort food with regional beers.
Tea rooms, delis and fish-and-chip shops are staples for casual meals, showcasing smoked fish, local cheeses and island specialties.
- Fish and chips shops - Quick, fresh fried fish options.
- Deli counters - Local cheeses and smoked fish.
- Tea rooms and cafés - Homemade cakes and light lunches.
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Kirkwall’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Kirkwall#
Shopping in Kirkwall mixes independent boutiques, craft shops and useful services (grocers, outdoor shops). You’ll find Orcadian knitwear, local food products and galleries with regional art; for bigger-city brands, travel to mainland Scotland.
Nightlife in Kirkwall#
Evenings are relaxed: pubs, hotels with bars and occasional live music venues form the nightlife fabric. The town has a friendly pub scene rather than a late-night club culture.