What to do in Isle of Skye

Activities, attractions and tours

Isle of Skye showing a bay or harbour, a beach and a pebble beach
Isle of Skye featuring a lighthouse, mountains and rugged coastline
Isle of Skye showing a pebble beach, a sandy beach and tranquil scenes
Isle of Skye featuring tranquil scenes and mountains
Isle of Skye featuring a sandy beach as well as a small group of people

Isle of Skye Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Isle of Skye has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Isle of Skye, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Isle of Skye with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Isle of Skye, and make it a breeze to explore Isle of Skye and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Isle of Skye to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Isle of Skye, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Isle of Skye.

Isle of Skye attractions

Isle of Skye has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Isle of Skye to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Isle of Skye.

Looking for things to do in Isle of Skye can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Isle of Skye or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Isle of Skye attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Top places to visit

1. Portree Harbour

Portree Harbour is a sheltered, calm space lined by rows of pastel-colored storefronts and fringed by gentle green hills. Embark on boat trips to nearby islands from the pier and enjoy fresh seafood dishes at one of the family-owned establishments lining the harbor.
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Portree Harbour which includes a coastal town, a bay or harbour and boating

2. Talisker Distillery

Whisky is part of Scottish culture and Talisker is one of the country’s most famous whisky producers. Find out how the popular beverage is crafted here on Skye during a guided tour of the distillery. At the end of the tour, taste the beloved golden elixir and purchase a few exclusive bottles to bring home.
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Talisker Distillery showing heritage elements

3. Dunvegan Castle

Dunvegan Castle is one of the most iconic attractions on the island. Its image can be seen on postcards and promotional materials for Skye. Discover oil paintings and precious heirlooms and take boat trips out on to the loch.
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Dunvegan Castle featuring heritage architecture, a castle and tranquil scenes

4. Old Man of Storr

The Old Man of Storr is a 165-foot (50-meter) tall rock pinnacle set on an elevated position on the Trotternish Peninsula. The rock is a local landmark and on clear days, its protruding form can be seen from miles around. Follow a path up to the foot of the Old Man. From here, admire views that extend out across the sea to the islands of Rona and Raasay and south toward shimmering lochs, Portree and the dark stone peaks of the Black Cuillin range.
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A girl is staring from a peak at the pillars of the Old Man of Storr overlooking the Ocean behind under a cloudy sky; Shutterstock ID 663654922; Purchase Order: -

5. Quiraing

Lace up your hiking boots for a walking adventure through the strange, otherworldly terrain of the Quiraing. Jagged rocks, craggy cliffs and odd-shaped ridges jut up from the grassy slopes. The elevated parts of the terrain offer spectacular panoramic views that extend over the high cliffs and out to sea.
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Quiraing which includes tranquil scenes and mountains

6. Kilt Rock

Kilt Rock is a visual delight, even by the Isle of Skye’s high standards. Bring along your camera to the roadside viewpoint and try to capture the aesthetic beauty of the wind and water-beaten cliffside. The patterns and colors of the basalt columns bear resemblance to Scottish tartan pleats, a fact referenced in the cliff’s unusual name.
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Kilt Rock featuring rocky coastline and a cascade

What to do in Isle of Skye

Popular places to visit

Portree Harbour featuring a bay or harbour and boating

Portree Harbour

4/5(64 reviews)

Observe fishing boats coming ashore and dine on fresh seafood in a waterside restaurant at this picturesque harbor.

Portree Harbour
Talisker Distillery featuring mountains, heritage elements and street scenes

Talisker Distillery

4/5(23 reviews)

Tour a working whisky distillery and sip a dram of the smoky yet sweet single-malt Scotch produced here.

Talisker Distillery
Dunvegan Castle featuring heritage architecture, a castle and tranquil scenes

Dunvegan Castle

4.5/5(21 reviews)

Set on a basalt outcrop overlooking Loch Dunvegan, this historic fortress has been home to the chiefs of a prominent Highland clan for eight centuries.

Dunvegan Castle
Fairy Pools Scotland ; Shutterstock ID 192551468; Purchase Order: -

Fairy Pools

4.5/5(3 reviews)

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Fairy Pools during your travels in Minginish.

Fairy Pools
Old Man of Storr which includes tranquil scenes, a lake or waterhole and a monument

Old Man of Storr

4.5/5(54 reviews)

Hike up a sloping path to reach this craggy volcanic spire, one of the natural icons of the island.

Old Man of Storr
Quiraing which includes tranquil scenes and mountains

Quiraing

4.5/5(19 reviews)

Beloved by hikers, this unusual landscape is dotted with fractured rock formations, shimmering lochs and a hidden grassy plateau.

Quiraing
Isle of Skye featuring a lighthouse and rocky coastline

Neist Point Lighthouse

4.5/5(10 reviews)

Learn about the local history of Glendale with a stop at Neist Point Lighthouse. You can enjoy the restaurants while in the area.

Neist Point Lighthouse
Taken with a DJI phantom 4 pro. Sadly slowly falling into the sea and limited access. Taken just before sunset. #BVStrove #InStone

Duntulm Castle

3/5(5 reviews)

After visiting Duntulm Castle, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Duntulm. While you're here, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Duntulm Castle
Kilt Rock which includes rocky coastline and views as well as a family

Kilt Rock

4/5(16 reviews)

Watch water plummeting down the sheer rock edge into the ocean below at these dramatic sea cliffs.

Kilt Rock

Explore areas of Isle of Skye

Portree, United Kingdom

Portree Town

If you're spending some time in Portree Town, Somerled Square and Portree Harbour are top sights worth seeing.

Portree Town
Private driveway through the woods This driveway leads from the road through Edinbane village to three private houses.

Edinbane

Be sure to enjoy the restaurants and waterfront views while you're in Edinbane, and make a trip to Skeabost Golf Course if you have time to see some sights in the nearby area.

Edinbane
I was in the kitchen, making myself a morning cuppa when I saw the pink sunrise and the thick misty fog coming from the magnificent Cuillin Mountains past Loch Harport. I quickly put a coat on and ran in my pyjamas to capture this. I am sure I saw a local driving past me on the icy road muttering something about crazy tourist :D #hiddenscotland #discoverscotland #isleofskye #cuillins #igscotland #explore #ig_scotland #scotland_insta #scotland_ig #uk #perspectives #mountains #loch #winter #walking #hiking #outdoors #britain #scotland #carbost #travel #nature #skye #ontheroad

Carbost

If you're spending some time in Carbost, Talisker Distillery and Isle of Skye Oysters are top sights worth seeing.

Carbost
Walled Garden. Marked on OS as a sheepfold, that is probably a more recent use than its original purpose as a shelter for vegetable growing.

Breakish

While Breakish isn't home to many top sights, Isle of Skye Market Square and Skye Bridge are some notable places to visit nearby.

Breakish
View of the remains of the castle from a local access point.

Teangue

Teangue is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Torabhaig Distillery and Traigh a' Chnuic.

Teangue
Colbost

Colbost

Colbost might not have many top sights, but Skye Silver Gift Shop and Dunvegan Castle are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Colbost

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Isle of Skye

Portree Harbour featuring a coastal town and a bay or harbour

Portree

Eilean Donan Castle featuring a river or creek, heritage elements and château or palace

Kyle

Summer Skye. 1
Photo by grumpylumixuser (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0)

Aird of Sleat

Dunvegan Castle which includes interior views, a house and heritage elements

Dunvegan

Scotland - The Sound of Sleat

Kyleakin

Uig Bay Aerial Isle of Lewis Outer Hebrides Scotland

Uig

Quiraing mountains sunset at Isle of Skye, Scottland, United Kingdom

Skeabost

Taken just before getting drenched by a rain shower as I waited for sunset.

Glendale

Frequently asked questions

Is Isle of Skye worth visiting?
Isle of Skye offers an interesting mix of attractions, culture and local charm. Whether you're into the outdoors, history or local culinary flavours, there's a lot you'll enjoy here.
How do I spend a day in Isle of Skye?
Once you've visited key attractions like Fairy Pools and Faerie Glen, spend some time exploring Isle of Skye's shopping and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Isle of Skye?
Fairy Pools is one of the top tourist attractions in Isle of Skye and should feature high on every itinerary of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Isle of Skye?
Three days will be enough time to tick off popular city sights, like Fairy Pools, Sgurr Alasdair and Sgurr na Banachdich. The average stay in Isle of Skye is two days. If you have the time to extend your holiday, Portree isn't far away.
What are some activities to do in Isle of Skye with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with young explorers or playful teenagers, an itinerary filled with fun activities takes your trip to the next level. Check out our ideas for what to do in Isle of Skye with kids.

What to do in Isle of Skye for adults?
Talisker Distillery and Isle of Skye Oysters are just a couple of the things to do in Isle of Skye. With plenty of activities available, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Isle of Skye?
One of the top ways to find free things to do in Isle of Skye is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can experience without taking your wallet out. Sgurr Alasdair is one place that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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