What are the best things to do in Kirkwall?
Top picks in Kirkwall include St Magnus Cathedral, Bishop's & Earl's Palaces, Orkney Museum, Orkney Wireless Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this Kirkwall travel guide.
Photo: Stevekeiretsu · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Kirkwall
Travel guide for Kirkwall, United Kingdom — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Kirkwall is a stop in United Kingdom, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise St Magnus Cathedral, Bishop's & Earl's Palaces, Orkney Museum instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 120–260 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Experiences
Things to do in Kirkwall
1
St Magnus Cathedral
2
Bishop's & Earl's Palaces
3
Orkney Museum
4
Orkney Wireless Museum
5
Highland Park Distillery
6
Play@Wellpark
Budget travel
Free things to do in Kirkwall
St Magnus Cathedral
Highland Park Distillery
Play@Wellpark
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Kirkwall itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit St Magnus Cathedral
- Visit Bishop's & Earl's Palaces
- Visit Orkney Museum
- Eat at Dil Se
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Orkney Wireless Museum
- Visit Highland Park Distillery
- Visit Play@Wellpark
Budget
Kirkwall trip cost
Budget
USD 55–90
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 120–260
per person / day
Luxury
USD 300–495+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Kirkwall, United Kingdom. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Kirkwall
Estimated total (USD)
$3,265
≈ $1,633 per person · $466 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $195/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Kirkwall mid-range ground costs (budget 55–90 · mid 120–260 · luxury 300–495+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Dil Se
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Albert Hotel
Ayre Hotel
Kirkwall Hotel
Orkney Hotel
Avalon House
Museums & culture
- St Magnus Cathedral
- Bishop's & Earl's Palaces
- Orkney Museum
- Orkney Wireless Museum
In pictures
Kirkwall gallery
Photos: Stevekeiretsu, Chmee2, TriodeFollower, LordHarris at English Wikipedia — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Kirkwall travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Kirkwall?
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
How many days do I need in Kirkwall?
Plan at least 2 days in Kirkwall for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Kirkwall?
Popular stays in Kirkwall include Albert Hotel, Ayre Hotel, Kirkwall Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Kirkwall cost?
On the ground in Kirkwall (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 55–90 per person per day, mid-range about 120–260, and luxury about 300–495+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Kirkwall, United Kingdom. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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