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Major city · United Kingdom

Kirkwall

Base here 2 nights for Orkney's Neolithic sites: cathedral and museums in town, day trips to Stenness, Birsay and the coast by bus or car.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
GBP
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Nov–Feb (short days, wind and rain); mid-summer cruise-ship days at the main sites
Airport
KOI
Nights
2
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
  • Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
  • United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
  • United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.

Kirkwall is the main town of the Orkney Islands, off the north tip of mainland Scotland, with about 7,400 residents. It is a working harbour town with a compact old centre: a 12th-century cathedral, two ruined palaces and a good local museum, all within a 10-minute walk. Most travellers use it as a base for the island's prehistoric sites, which are 20–40 minutes away by bus or car. Two nights covers the town and the main sites; three nights adds a distillery, a coastal walk or a ferry to a smaller island. Cruise ships call at Hatston Terminal in summer and can fill the main sights for a few hours at midday.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Kirkwall, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
  • Sit-down mealIndian or Chinese main course£10–16 (≈ US$14–25)
  • Street or quick mealSoup or sandwich lunch£6–10 (≈ US$8–14)
  • BeerPint of local beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
  • Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi across towncheck£6–10 (≈ US$8–14)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person£23 (≈ US$35)
  • Mid-range bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
  • High-end bedB&B or hotel double room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £85 (≈ US$120) · High £150 (≈ US$200)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

St Magnus CathedralBishop's and Earl's PalacesOrkney MuseumNeolithic sites nearby (Skara Brae, Maeshowe, Ring of Brodgar)Highland Park and Scapa whisky distilleries
Airports
KOI Kirkwall Airport (5 miles (8 km) southeast of town; Loganair flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee and Sumburgh. Bus 4 runs to town every 30 min Mon–Sat, hourly Sun, 10–15 min.)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Kirkwall: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

6°C

1°C

20 rd

Feb

6°C

1°C

16 rd

Mar

7°C

2°C

17 rd

Apr

9°C

3°C

14 rd

May

12°C

5°C

12 rd

Jun

14°C

8°C

12 rd

Jul

16°C

10°C

13 rd

Aug

16°C

10°C

14 rd

Sep

14°C

9°C

16 rd

Oct

11°C

6°C

19 rd

Nov

8°C

3°C

20 rd

Dec

6°C

1°C

20 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The old centre is walkable in 10 minutes end to end. Stagecoach buses run from the bus station: X1 hourly to Stromness via Stenness (the standing stones), Bus 4 to the airport every 30 min Mon–Sat, Bus 2 to Houton for the Hoy ferry, Bus 6 to Tingwall. A day ticket costs about £7.30 adult (check). Buses are geared to shoppers and school runs, with gaps in the afternoon; no bikes on board. Taxis are limited, so book ahead for early ferries and flights. A car gives the most freedom for the Neolithic sites.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Stenness (Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe)

go

Door to door: About 40 min

Bus X1 from Kirkwall bus station to Stenness, about 20 min, then walk

The main Neolithic sites; Maeshowe entry is by guided tour only, book ahead.

Birsay (Earl's Palace, Brough of Birsay)

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Bus 7 from Kirkwall, twice per afternoon, about 40 min

The Brough is a tidal island: cross at low tide only. Bus 6 only reaches Birsay on the first and last runs of the day.

Stromness

go

Door to door: About 40 min

Bus X1 from Kirkwall, hourly, about 30 min

Harbour town with the Pier Arts Centre; pairs well with the Stenness stones on the same bus line.

Skara Brae and Skaill House

caution

Door to door: 1–1.5 h

Bus X1 to Stenness or Stromness, then a connecting bus or taxi; easiest by car

The best-preserved Neolithic village in northern Europe; check the connecting bus times, they are sparse.

Mull Head and the Gloup, Deerness

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Bus 3 from Kirkwall, about 20 min, then walk

Coastal cliffs and a collapsed sea cave; 5.6 km or 9.2 km loop, wet underfoot, wear boots.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Town centre (Broad Street, Albert Street, Bridge Street)

Walk to the cathedral, palaces, museum, pubs and the inter-island ferry piers. Best for a short stay without a car.

Harbour and Peedie Sea

Seafront hostels and hotels, 5–10 min walk from Broad Street; quieter at night.

Old Scapa Road and Muddisdale Road

Hostels and B&Bs 10–15 min walk west of the centre; cheaper, but you will walk or take a taxi into town.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
£45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
£70–120 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
High
£120 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
B&B or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × £110£220
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £85£340
Stagecoach day ticket, one day2 × £7 · check£15
Bishop's and Earl's Palaces entry, adult2 × £8£15
Scapa Distillery basic tour2 × £25£50
eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10£20
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge£66
Trip total≈ £182 per person per day, bed included£726≈ US$1,000

2026 estimate in pounds; flights and ferry fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
Soup or sandwich lunch£6–10 (≈ US$8–14)
Fish and chips takeaway£10–14 (≈ US$14–19)
Indian or Chinese main course£10–16 (≈ US$14–25)
Pint of local beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
Taxi across towncheck£6–10 (≈ US$8–14)
Car park, 3 hours in summer£1 (≈ US$2)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Kirkwall is a small, low-crime town and feels safe day and night. The real risks are weather (wind, rain, fast changes), wet and uneven paths at coastal and prehistoric sites, and limited buses and taxis: plan the last bus back before you set out.
  • Cruise ships berth at Hatston Terminal or anchor in the bay in summer; St Magnus Cathedral, the palaces and Skara Brae get crowded for a few hours around midday. Go early or late.
  • The NorthLink ferry from Aberdeen or Lerwick arrives at Hatston Terminal around 11PM; sort your bed before you sail, and disembark promptly as the ferry sails on.
  • Highland Park Distillery has been closed for upgrading; check before planning a tour.
  • Some sites are free but need a key collected in town during shop hours (for example Grain Earth House, keys from a Broad Street shop).
  • Weather changes fast: wind and rain are possible in any month, and exposed coastal walks can be very wet underfoot.

Emergency numbers

NHS non-urgent
111
Police non-urgent
101

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

KirkwallKirkwall

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • NHS non-urgent111
  • Police non-urgent101

Embassy

No embassies in Kirkwall; the nearest US consulate-general is in Edinburgh. UK nationals: standard UK services apply.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bus 4, Kirkwall Airport → town: about £2–3 (≈ US$3–4), 10–15 min (check)
  • Bus X1, Kirkwall → Stromness: about £4–5 (≈ US$6–7), 30 min (check)
  • Stagecoach day ticket: about £7.30 (≈ US$10) adult (check)

Say or show

  • Hello — Hello
  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Please — Please
  • Where is the bus station? — Where is the bus station?
  • One day ticket, please — One day ticket, please
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?

English is spoken everywhere; no phrase list needed beyond the basics.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kirkwall. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, wind and rain); mid-summer cruise-ship days at the main sites · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport and ferry arrival fixtures: Bus 4 from KOI, X10 to Hatston Terminal, taxi fallback for the 11PM sailing.
  2. Four walking clusters with anchors: Broad Street and the cathedral, the harbour, the Peedie Sea, and the Old Scapa Road hostels.
  3. Place pages with verified hours and prices for St Magnus Cathedral, the Bishop's and Earl's Palaces, the Orkney Museum and the two distilleries.
  4. Cruise-ship day fixtures so the main sights can be flagged green or red by hour.

Meanwhile

Back to United Kingdom

Sources