Kirkwall travel guide

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Introduction to Kirkwall

Welcome to Kirkwall! This town in Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK is a bucket list destination, home to many famous attractions, including St Magnus Cathedral, Scapa Beach, and Bishop’s and Earl's Palaces.

Easily accessible from Kirkwall, Kirkwall is the perfect base for a memorable and unique vacation in Scotland any time of the year. Traveling to Kirkwall is especially rewarding for anyone eager to connect with locals and learn more about their unique culture and traditions.

Discover the day-to-day life of the over 7.4 thousand people who call Kirkwall home and explore the town’s fascinating history, rich culture, and distinct architecture.

Top services in Kirkwall

On this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Kirkwall, Scotland. Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Kirkwall, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place.

Discover the cheapest and most popular flights offered by a variety of airlines that fly to Scotland. Check out the best things to do in Kirkwall by browsing over 6 top-rated tours available to you in the town. Compare the rates and services of the stays and car rental companies offering CDW insurance coverage.

Experience the best of Kirkwall with an expertly curated and fully customizable itinerary. Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Kirkwall from our free 24/7 customer support. We make it easy for you to find and book every detail of your trip to Kirkwall with this travel guide.

Continue reading this Kirkwall travel guide to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the town of Kirkwall!

Learn more about Scotland

With destinations such as Kirkwall, a trip to Scotland needs no further explanation. Spanning over 78,782 square kilometers, Scotland is an expansive playground of discovery, offering a wealth of diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and captivating experiences awaiting exploration. From bustling metropolises to historic towns and modern urban hubs, Scotland has something to enchant every traveler.

In Kirkwall alone, travelers are spoiled for choice with an array of experiences and world-famous attractions such as St Magnus Cathedral, Scapa Beach, and Bishop’s and Earl's Palaces. Thus, a trip to Scotland becomes essential. Whether you're drawn to historical sites, natural wonders, or vibrant cultural experiences, Scotland offers an abundance of treasures waiting to be discovered.

There's so much to explore and uncover in Scotland. Click or tap the link below to discover more about Scotland and its offers.

What to see in Kirkwall

Expect an exhilarating journey through Kirkwall, a haven brimming with attractions to suit every traveler’s taste. From historical landmarks to natural wonders, and delectable cuisine, Kirkwall offers an abundance of experiences waiting to be discovered. Dive into this ultimate Kirkwall travel guide to uncover must-visit spots and get the scoop on what makes the town so special.

Top attractions in Kirkwall

With its blend of traditional and modern culture, Kirkwall is more than just a wonderful town in Scotland. It's a hub for diverse experiences, boasting top attractions that range from historical landmarks to modern marvels, offering a glimpse into Scotland's rich heritage and innovative spirit.

One popular place to visit in Kirkwall is the unforgettable St Magnus Cathedral. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the town, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn't miss on your trip to Kirkwall.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Kirkwall, check out our list of top attractions below. Discover the best places to visit in Kirkwall, including the fascinating St Magnus Cathedral, Scapa Beach, Bishop’s and Earl's Palaces, and The Orkney Museum.

Map of attractions

Take a closer look at the town map below for the exact locations of all the top attractions in Kirkwall.

Things to do in Kirkwall

You've explored Kirkwall's top attractions and marked them on your map. So now, it's time to delve deeper and discover the top things to do in Kirkwall. These activities not only offer excitement and adventure but also provide unique insights into the city's culture and heritage. Take your experience to the next level by checking out the best sights with a knowledgeable guide, embarking on fun adventures unique to Kirkwall, or learning more about the town's rich history and traditions.

Discover the most popular tours and experiences in the town below.

Most popular experiences in Kirkwall

A visit to Kirkwall gets more exciting with memorable experiences. And the town is just perfect for that, with plenty of fun activities. Historical Tours, Ports of Call Tours, Bus Tours, and more are just some of the options you could explore to fully immerse yourself and make the most of your time.

In this travel guide, we've included some of the best things to do in Kirkwall, adding a special touch to your journey in this vibrant town. Explore bustling markets, embark on scenic hikes, sample local delicacies, or immerse yourself in the rich history and heritage of Kirkwall. Browse this diverse array of unforgettable experiences Kirkwall offers and let your adventures begin!

Top tours & tickets starting in Kirkwall

In Kirkwall, travelers are spoiled for choice with a dazzling array of 6 categories of top-rated tours and tickets. But among this sea of options, one category reigns supreme: Trips & Excursions.

Trips & Excursions offer an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart and soul of Kirkwall. For example, the fantastic From Kirkwall - Orkney Mainland Private Tour.

Kirkwall also offers plenty of budget-friendly tours and activities that promise travelers a unique experience. Semi Private Tour - Orkney and Kirkwall , for example, is the cheapest Full-day Tour option in the town. This experience costs around 225 EUR.

Elevate your upcoming Kirkwall adventure with unforgettable experiences by booking top-rated tours in the town. Uncover the finest tours, activities, and tickets awaiting you in Kirkwall right below.

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All Experiences in Kirkwall

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Search for things to do in Kirkwall

Discover the best things to do in Kirkwall. Choose from 6 fantastic tours and activities available in the town.

Select your dates and number of travelers in the search bar below to receive the best recommendations for your vacation in Kirkwall. Click the green button to view your options and discover a variety of exciting things to do in Kirkwall.

How to get to Kirkwall

International travelers can fly to Kirkwall by booking flights with LoganAir, and LoganAir LM, offering flights to Kirkwall. From the arrival airport, travelers can choose from various public and private transfer options to Kirkwall.

For those seeking the best flight ticket deals to Kirkwall, knowing the cheapest travel times and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we provide this information to help you discover the cheapest and most popular flights to Kirkwall. Go to this page to compare all flights to Kirkwall.

Find cheap flights to Kirkwall

Booking budget-friendly flights to Kirkwall is a crucial part of planning your trip to the city. This section will guide you through the process, helping you find the best deals for your journey.

Booking in advance is a smart move when traveling to Kirkwall. Airlines release their best deals months ahead of departure, so early birds catch the lower fares. Consider flexible travel dates while planning your visit to the town. Mid-week and off-peak seasons often offer more wallet-friendly options.

To help you find cheap flights to Kirkwall, you can use the powerful booking widget below. Enter your departure city, choose between round trip or one-way, pick your fare class, select travel dates, and specify the number of travelers. Click "Search" and the widget will do the rest. You'll see a list of flights matching your criteria, making your trip to Kirkwall even more convenient.

Fine-tune your search with filters to sort by price, airline, layovers, and more. Once you've found your ideal flight, click "Book" and you'll be redirected to the booking page to complete your reservation. Enter your payment details and receive a confirmation – it's that simple!

Remember to book ahead, stay flexible, and utilize the widget's features to make your journey to Kirkwall both affordable and unforgettable.

Popular flights to Kirkwall

Travelers visiting Kirkwall can easily access the town via Kirkwall, offering direct connection to 2 destinations worldwide. To streamline your travel planning process, explore the most popular flights to Kirkwall below. Discover direct routes from major international hubs and convenient connections tailored to suit your travel preferences. Click to delve into the diverse array of flights available to Kirkwall and embark on an unforgettable journey.

Popular destinations to visit after Kirkwall

The town of Kirkwall is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in Scotland. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that Scotland has it all.

Each destination in Scotland offers something unique to experience! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in Scotland that are as magical as the town of Kirkwall. The most popular travel destinations in Scotland are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

All the best destinations in Scotland

When unsure about where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Scotland. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Domestic flights from Kirkwall

Experience the authentic charm of Scotland by expanding your travels beyond the boundaries of Kirkwall. Explore other destinations around Scotland with a domestic flight. A domestic flight is typically a short-haul flight, with the longest duration not exceeding two hours. To find the best flights from Kirkwall to other amazing locations in Scotland, add the required details below and select 'Search' to view the best domestic flights in Scotland for your chosen dates. You can also jump to the last section of this travel guide to find the most popular domestic flights from Kirkwall.

Popular domestic flights from Kirkwall

Travelers in Scotland can catch flights to domestic airports in Westray, Stronsay, Sanday, Orkney, Papa Westray, and North Ronaldsay. Domestic flights in Scotland are operated by 2 airlines, including LoganAir, and LoganAir LM. There are around 11 scheduled flight routes operating to Kirkwall on a weekly basis.

From Kirkwall, travelers can book scheduled flights to 11 domestic destinations.

Search domestic flights from Kirkwall

Traveling to another city or region in Scotland? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Kirkwall to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Scotland on the selected dates.

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