Kirkwall Travel Guide
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.
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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
All Attractions ›
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.
Best Time to Visit Kirkwall #
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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 #
Kirkwall is compact and very walkable; the main sights, shops and harbour are within easy walking distance of each other. Orkney has regular bus links around the islands and ferry/flight connections off-island; taxis cover local journeys. Public-transport fares and schedules vary by season, so check timetables in advance if you’re making day trips to other islands.
Where to Stay in Kirkwall #
- The Albert Hotel - Economical, central in Kirkwall
- Harray House B&B - No-frills B&B near the harbour
- Kirkwall Hotel - Comfortable rooms with good location
- The Moorings Hotel - Boutique feel with local character
- Upscale Orkney stays (specialist) - Boutique luxury options across the islands
- Luxury hotel packages (regional) - Premium service available island-wide
Where to Eat in Kirkwall #
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.