Isle of Skye will forever hold a place in our hearts. We visited for three days back in 2022 and were amazed by the stunning scenery of this place. This mini-guide will cover what to know, where to stay, what to do (hikes, sights, and activities), and where to eat.
The Isle of Skye is such a beautiful place! Connected to the mainland of Scotland, it's easy to get to. About 5-6 hours of driving from Edinburgh will get you here - it may sound like a lot but we promise its worth it. This well known island is best recognized for its stunning scenery and landscapes.Â
The Isle of Skye is one of our favourite places in Scotland. The scenery is SO beautiful, it's a nature lovers paradise with so much hiking and outdoor activities to participate in.
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What To Know
How To Get Here
There are tours, trains, buses, and ferry's that can take you to Isle of Skye, but we highly recommend renting a car to come here. It's the easiest and more convenient way to get around the Isle, otherwise you'll be limited to tour options and the local bus service timings (which are limited). These options may not even go to all the far corners of the Isle you'll want to visit! Taxi's on the Isle of Skye are also quite expensive.
All this to say, come with a car (and remember to drive on the LEFT side of the road). By car, you could use any vehicle but note that some areas in Scotland are tight but people are able to manoeuvre themselves pretty well. We had a campervan and we were completely fine.Â
On the subject of campervanning, we highly recommend campervanning here, or in Scotland in general! There's no shortage of quiet areas around here to freedom camp. If you want to camp or camper van, it's SO easy in Scotland we loved it - just make sure you research where you want to overnight to follow the guidelines of the area.Â
When To Visit
The Isle of Skye can get BUSY, so coming on shoulder seasons is key here if you want to avoid crowds (or have availability). May - September are the nicest months to visit and get out with decent weather, but May and September will be the quieter of the summer months (we visited in May, it was somewhat busy but not overwhelming and we were still able to find accommodations 2 weeks before we arrived).Â
Also note the midges in Scotland are bad during the summer and May and September also happen to be outside of peak midge season - so you can avoid the views without an enormous amount of bugs bothering you.Â
Spring and Autumn are also great times to visit Isle of Skye, although the weather will be colder it'll likely be bearable enough to do what you want - you just will need more layers or it may be slightly less enjoyable. And yes, you can still visit in winter - the Isle of Skye doesn't have too much snow but the weather will be cold. However, these seasons will be way less busy so you'll be able to see some of the famous Isle of Skye sights without the crowds.Â
How Much Time Do You Need?
Honestly, you can spend as little or as much time in the Isle of Skye as you want. Just one day will give you a little taste of Skyes stunning scenery (and we recommend you spend this day outdoors!), but a full week here could make sure you see all the sights plus some off the beaten path activities. We would recommend three days as a sweet spot to make sure you get enough in of Skye but are also able to tour some more of Scotland during your trip.Â
Where To Stay
Where you'll want to book your hotel depends on a few things. What town you're deciding to stay in and the activities you want to do. If you want to be central and have access to restaurants in walking distance, we highly recommend you book in Portree (and book ahead as this place is a busy spot). However, there are SO many beautiful lodges, cottages, and houses scattered around Isle of Skye that we recommend you check out - lots of people come to Skye for the scenery so why not get off the beaten path to see more of it!
Here are a few options below but there really are so many options of where you could choose to stay in Skye, and you can't really go wrong.Â
Portree
Portree is the downtown of Isle of Skye and is usually the busiest of all the towns. However, if you're into being close to a town with restaurants, bars, and activities, this is the place to be. Check out the links below and also airbnb as there are some good options on there too!
This hotel is located in Portree and boasts stunning views over the Portree Bay and Cullins mountain range (hence the name). Only a 10-15 minute walk from the town centre, you have most things within walking distance (restaurants, harbour for boat trips, tour options). The location and views make this place a great option for your stay in Skye!
If you're here purely to adventure and aren't looking for a fancy place to sleep, this is a budget friendly option only two miles from Portree.
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Uig
Uig is the PERFECT place to get off the beaten path. You'll truly feel in the middle of nowhere here, which is exactly the right way to feel in the Isle of Skye. Country roads, seaside views, and dramatic scenery is what Uig does best. Plus, Uig is close to some of the best hikes in the area.Â
This place is in the middle of nowhere in the best way possible. The views are STUNNING and it's a quick drive to some of the best spots. The lodge is amazing but we stayed in one of their cottages (check their website) and it was the best choice ever - our own hot tub in Scotland weather was a game changer.
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Sconser
Highland Coos and island views can be found in Sconser!
Insane views are a common thing here in Skye (it's what you come for), but lots of people actually come to the highlands of Scotland for something else - the highland coos! Here is a great spot to see them.
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This self catered cottage is a great choice AND just so happens to have friendly visits from the highland coos mentioned below!
You can't go wrong with any place in Skye, but Dunvegan is another scenic place with proximity to the Dunvegan castle. Its also one of the larger towns in the area.
This place has EXCEPTIONAL reviews - maybe it has something to do with the stunning scenery, cozy cabins, or secluded vibe to really get in the Isle of Skye feel? You have access to the coast line via a trail directly on the property and you can even bring your dogs! This is located outside the town of Dunvegan so you'll have to make your own way out there.
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Broadford
This is a runner up to Portree for another great place to stay if you want to be close to restaurants, bars, and cafes.Â
What To Do
Hiking / Outdoors
As much as you should check out the activities and the food, the real reason to come to the Isle of Skye you will find in THIS section. The scenery is the epitome of Scotland here! Dramatic, epic, and vibrant. You can't come to Scotland and miss taking in the views - even if the weathers a bit moody (which it most likely will be - it adds to the vibes!).Â
Included below is the all trails link which will take you right to the start of the hike and give you some more information on the trails and reviews.Â
My absolute favourite hike and views on the Isle of Skye - iconic! Below is a longer version of the hike, but if you're not up for a full hike even just parking and walking 10 minutes out onto the trail will give you insane views over the Quiraing.
Although we've included the trail link to All Trails, we recommend showing up and strolling the area in whichever directions you want - there are so many unique views here. Ofcourse you'll have to make it to the main attraction which includes fairy circles that look mythical! Best to come super early or late as the ease of getting here means its a really busy spot. And you'll want some of these views to yourself (especially if you want photos).
This is a super popular spot on the Isle of Skye - it probably has something to do with the stunning views for little effort! Less than 4 kms of walking will take you here (and back). You can see the stunning water pools with the mountain range in the background, and if you're adventurous enough even jump in for a swim!
Probably one of the most popular places in the Isle of Skye, is this hike. Its between 5-6 kms with less than 400m elevation. In our opinion, it's an easy hike but we know it can get BUSY - including the parking lot. We advise coming early in the morning or in the evening to avoid the crowds and be able to explore the area properly!
This spot is best viewed at sunrise when the sun hits the peaks here at the right angle for the best shots. The dramatic cliffs and stunning scenery will be worth the walk here.
These dramatic cliffs harbour a picturesque lighthouse and is a beautiful spot on the Isle. About 40 minutes - 1 hour walk total will take you here and the view isn't all there is to offer as you can spot birds, and marine life!
Scotland has surprisingly beautiful beaches (i know - not what you expect when you think Scotland), and here is one of them! Even if you're not up for a swim or the weathers a little off, come here for the views and the sound of the waves and you wont be disappointed.
You can find these guys on instagram and are a HIGHLIGHT of any trip to Scotland. These lil guys are seriously so cute and can be seen from the roadside. Stop to see these friendly highland coos and snap some cute photos.
As you can see in the photo, this is a great small town where highland coos roam freely and you may be able to spot them out and about! You may already be out here for some of their scenery, so look out for the coos if so.
A magical castle situated in the Isle of Skye has amazing architecture, grounds, and views. You don't need to book tickets in advance (but doesn't hurt to be prepared) and is open from April - October (check the opening hours before you visit!).
Another scotch tasting tour - visit the distillery, taste the scotch, admire the views, and even visit the on site cafe if it's early in the day!
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See The Northern Lights
Mostly in the darker winter months, you're sometimes able to see the Northern Lights on the Isle of Skye. Glendale and Rubha Hunish as super northern parts of Skye are great spots to potentially see the auroras in action.Â
The most northern part of Skye. Stunning scenery and an increased chance of seeing the Northern Lights in the right conditions!
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Take A Tour
If you want to see the highlights but don't want to find out all the details, consider joining a tour to take you everywhere you want to go! Here are a few options:
Isle of Skye Boat Tour: In this tour you'll be immersed in the marine life of the Isle of Skye surrounded by the stunning scenery.Â
Isle of Skye Highlights Day Tour: In this tour you will hit so many of the highlights in one day. This is a great option if you want to see the highlights without coordinating it yourself, or you don't have a vehicle.Â
Depending on where you stay, you may do most of your own cooking (we had a campervan and also stayed in a cute cottage with its own kitchen so we usually made our own breakfasts and lunches for the road, and enjoyed dinner!).Â
This spot is right in the town centre of Portree so a great place to hit up if you're visiting! Plenty of cocktails, brews, and the best part... pizza. A great cozy lunch spot in a pub setting.
Take away or dine in - here is a local spot for seafood (and ofcourse other items). Fish and chips is a must in the UK, and this takeaway spot offers chips with curry sauce (an epic combination). Can't go wrong with this cute lunch spot!
This michelin star restaurant is a local favourite for fine dining and tasting menus. You'll have an experience here with locally inspired dishes! Its a small dining room with an intimate experience.
Another spot to stay on the Isle of Skye and these accomodations are BEAUTIFUL. The surroundings really are something else. They also have a restaurant on site so if you don't opt for a room here, you can still experience the beauty of this lodge.
This fine dining spot offers fresh four course meals (with wine pairings if you so please) inspired by and made with local ingredients. This spot also has a kitchen table available where you can have a private table right in the kitchen to see and experience the hustle and bustle - what a cool concept.
Indian food in the UK is no joke! They love their curries so definitely check out this Indian spot (or really any in Scotland).
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See You In Skye!Â
We really loved this place with all of our heart and is one of our favourite places in the world - we hope you love it just as much. The best part is the scenery so get out and about! Head over to our blog to see more things Scotland related (and more!):
With a full time job, there are twenty five days a year I want to FILL with travelling and have been doing so every year. We love to research, plan, and travel to new destinations around the world as much as possible. We travel at least twice per year and quite a bit for work, and love to share our favourite places along the way with everyone who wants it!
