Major city · United Kingdom
Stenness
Base in Kirkwall or Stromness and treat Stenness as a half-day: the Stones and Ring of Brodgar are free and open 24 h, Maeshowe needs a booked tour.
Stenness is a scattered village on the A965 between Kirkwall and Stromness, holding the core of Orkney's UNESCO-listed Neolithic landscape: the Stones of Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar and Maeshowe, with Skara Brae a few miles north. There is almost no village centre, so most travellers sleep in Kirkwall or Stromness and visit on a half-day or full-day loop. Two nights on Orkney covers it; Stenness itself needs three to four hours plus travel.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short daylight, weather), mid-summer cruise-ship days for Maeshowe
- Airport
- KOI
- Nights
- 2–3 on Orkney
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Stenness999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Stenness, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyOrkney is a low-crime, low-risk place; the real hazards are weather, single-track roads and walking between sites on roads with no footpath.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKOI Kirkwall Airport (About 20–25 min by road from Stenness; flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness).
- Getting aroundBus X1 runs hourly along the A965 between Kirkwall and Stromness, and from April to October it extends to double back from Stromness past Stenness…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea and cakecheck£4–7 (≈ US$6–10)
- Sit-down mealPub main coursecheck£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- Metro or bus rideBus X1 single, Kirkwall–Stennesscheck£3–5 (≈ US$4–7)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per room£130 (≈ US$180)
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per room£190 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £100 (≈ US$140) · High £180 (≈ US$250)
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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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.
- Airports
- KOI Kirkwall Airport (About 20–25 min by road from Stenness; flights from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
May
Best
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Jun
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Jul
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Aug
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Jun (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Stenness: 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 (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
20 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
16 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
17 rd
Apr
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
14 rd
May
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Jun
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
Jul
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
14 rd
Sep
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
16 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
19 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
20 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
20 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Bus X1 runs hourly along the A965 between Kirkwall and Stromness, and from April to October it extends to double back from Stromness past Stenness, the Ring of Brodgar and Skara Brae. Bus 5 runs twice Monday–Friday from Stromness to Stenness, Ophir and Houton for the south Hoy ferry. You can walk between the Maeshowe visitor centre, the Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar, but there is no footpath in places. A car or bike makes the loop far easier.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Skara Brae and Skaill House
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min by road
Bus X1 (April–October) or drive north on the B9056
Combined ticket with Skaill House; check seasonal hours.
Door to door: About 20–25 min
Bus X1 east on the A965
St Magnus Cathedral, museums and the main bus hub.
Stromness
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Bus X1 west on the A965
Harbour town; ferries to Scrabster on the mainland.
Birsay
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Drive or bus via the A967/A986
Earl's Palace and the tidal Brough of Birsay; check tide times.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Stenness and Harray
A handful of B&Bs and a hotel on or near the A965/A964; quiet, car needed for everything.
Stromness
About 15 min west; harbour town with more rooms, food and the Scrabster ferry.
Kirkwall
About 20 min east; the largest choice of beds, buses and services on Orkney.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–75 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- £75–130 (≈ US$100–180) excl. bed
- High
- £130 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 2 nights × £130 | £260 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £100 | £400 |
| Maeshowe tour, adult2 × £10 | £20 |
| Skara Brae and Skaill House combi, adult2 × £13 | £25 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 · check | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £73 |
| Trip total≈ £200 per person per day, bed included | £798≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in pounds; flights and ferries excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Maeshowe tour, adult / conc / child | £10 (≈ US$14) / £8 (≈ US$11) / £6 (≈ US$8) |
| Skara Brae with Skaill House, adult / conc / child | £12.50 (≈ US$17) / £10 (≈ US$14) / £7.50 (≈ US$10) |
| Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar and Unstan Cairn | Free, open 24 h |
| Coffee or tea and cakecheck | £4–7 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Pub main coursecheck | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Bus X1 single, Kirkwall–Stennesscheck | £3–5 (≈ US$4–7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Maeshowe entry is by booked tour only, from the visitor centre about a mile west of the tomb; it often sells out in summer and on cruise-ship days.
- Do not go to the old visitor centre near the Stones of Stenness turn-off or to the road outside the tomb: there is no access from there.
- Walking between sites means sharing or crossing roads with no footpath in places; wear something visible and watch traffic.
- Mobile signal is patchy on EE, O2 and Three and absent on Vodafone (as of 2024): download maps and tickets before you set out.
- Ring of Bookan is on private farmland with no public access.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
Pocket card
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StennessStenness
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
No embassies in Orkney; the nearest consulates and embassies are in Edinburgh. US citizens: consulate general in Edinburgh (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus X1, Kirkwall → Stenness: about 20–25 min
- Bus X1, Stromness → Stenness: about 15 min
- Maeshowe tour: adult £10 (≈ US$14), booked from the visitor centre
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
- One ticket, please — One ticket, please
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
Tipping: 10–12.5% in restaurants if no service charge is added; not expected in pubs.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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 Stenness. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short daylight, weather), mid-summer cruise-ship days for Maeshowe · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares