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Orkney · Best Attractions · Curated · Updated 2026
Best Attractions in Orkney
Discover the best attractions in Orkney. Find inspiration for your trip with our curated list of top-rated spots, local favorites, and hidden gems.
The 10 best attractions in Orkney
Skara Brae Prehistoric Village
Step back 5,000 years at Skara Brae, Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic village with stone houses, ancient furniture, and immersive exhibitions.
Sandwick, Stromness KW16 3LR
St Magnus Cathedral
Explore Scotland’s oldest cathedral, a stunning medieval masterpiece and spiritual heart of Orkney, rich with Norse history and vibrant cultural life.
Broad St, Kirkwall KW15 1DH
Ring of Brodgar
Explore the majestic Neolithic Ring of Brodgar, a vast stone circle and henge steeped in mystery and ancient ritual on Orkney’s Mainland.
B9055, Stromness KW16 3JZ
Italian Chapel
A stunning WWII chapel on Lamb Holm, crafted by Italian POWs, symbolizing faith, artistry, and resilience amid adversity.
Lamb Holm, Orkney KW17 2SF
Standing Stones of Stenness
Explore the ancient Standing Stones of Stenness, a mystical Neolithic henge and one of the oldest stone circles in the British Isles, set amidst Orkney’s stunning landscapes.
Stromness KW16 3JZ
Broch of Gurness
Explore one of Scotland’s finest Iron Age brochs and village ruins set against the stunning coastal landscape of Orkney.
Aikerness, Evie, Orkney KW17 2NH
Skara Brae Visitor Centre
Explore one of Europe’s oldest and best-preserved Neolithic villages with a modern visitor centre and rich archaeological insights on Orkney’s stunning coast.
Historic Scotland, Stromness KW16 3LR
Yesnaby
Dramatic sandstone cliffs, ancient fossils, and the iconic two-legged sea stack create a captivating coastal experience on Orkney’s wild west shore.
Yesnaby Rd, Stromness KW16 3LP
Brough of Birsay
Explore a tidal island rich with Pictish symbols, Viking ruins, medieval churches, and vibrant seabird colonies including puffins.
Birsay, Orkney KW17 2LX
Birsay Earl's Palace
Explore the windswept ruins of a 16th-century earl’s palace on Orkney’s northern coast, where Renaissance ambition met ruthless rule and dramatic coastal scenery.
Mainland
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