If you’re visiting Scotland’s Isle of Skye for the first time, this guide has everything you need to plan the perfect stay and feel less overwhelmed. We’re answering all your questions about Skye and sharing helpful tips for first-timers!
When planning our Scotland road trip, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of amazing places. The more I researched, the longer my list grew. It was truly difficult to narrow it down. Because you can’t see it all in one trip, after all!
But one place that I knew for sure, 100%, without a doubt, would make it onto our Scotland itinerary was the Isle of Skye.
Known as one of Scotland’s most magical destinations—a place with jaw-dropping landscapes, charming villages, and rich history, Skye is a can’t-miss destination on your Scotland itinerary.
Whether you’re chasing epic hikes, seeking cozy pubs with hearty meals, or simply want to take a scenic drive through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the UK, Skye has something for every type of traveler.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip—from when to go and how to get there to the best things to do, where to eat, and tips that’ll make your time on Skye unforgettable.
Isle of Skye Travel Guide
- What is Skye known for?
- Best time to visit
- How to get there
- Top things to do in Skye
- Isle of Skye itinerary
- Isle of Skye itinerary map
- How to get around
- Isle of Skye travel tips
- Where to eat
- Where to stay
- What to pack
- FAQs
What is the Isle of Skye known for?
The Isle of Skye is part of an archipelago known as the Inner Hebrides. Situated just off the western coast of mainland Scotland, the Isle of Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides, and is the most accessible.
In fact, you can easily drive to the Isle of Skye via the Skye Bridge – the main portion of which is just under 0.4 miles (0.6km) long. Easy peasy.
Being that the Isle of Skye is so easy to get to, it is a popular destination for international tourists and local travelers alike.
With hiking trails of all levels, world-class restaurants, charming hotels and well-equipped campgrounds, the Isle of Skye is beloved by all types of travelers.
Isle of Skye top attractions
There is so much more to Skye than this list, but these are the top attractions that make most visitors’ wish lists:
- Fairy Pools: A relatively easy hike brings you to a series of small waterfalls and pools, with a mountain backdrop.
- Portree: The colorful capital of the Isle of Skye, Portree is a beautiful seaside town, brimming with fine dining options and cozy guesthouses.
- Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls: An iconic viewpoint featuring a sheer cliff over which a small waterfall tumbles into the ocean.
- Old Man of Storr: This hike is moderate but well worth the effort as it brings you through an otherworldly landscape littered with moss-covered rock formations.
- The Quiraing: This viewpoint and hiking trail rewards travelers with epic panoramic views.
Interesting comparison: If you’ve ever been to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland, the Isle of Skye will feel eerily familiar. Wild beaches, rugged treeless landscapes, and seaside villages can be found in both places.
Best time to visit Isle of Skye
Exploring the Isle of Skye is best during times with favorable weather. While Scotland’s weather is ever-changing, you can count on spring and fall to be the most ideal times to visit.
Summers in Scotland are magnificent, but it’s the busiest time of year and filled with both tourists and midges (pesky mosquito-like bugs). If you’re doing a lot of hiking, this is a great time, but bring a bug net (you’ll thank us later!).
However, there are perks of visiting Skye in all seasons, and we cover them in-depth in our guide to the best time to visit Scotland!
Our experience: We visited Isle of Skye in September 2022 and were pleasantly surprised by the lack of crowds. While most restaurants in Portree were booked up and a lot of accommodation options (like some of the most popular campsites) were
Good to know: Some restaurants and cafes on the Isle of Skye are open seasonally. If you’re visiting during the winter months, you may find you have fewer dining options.
How to get to the Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye can only be accessed by car, bus, or guided tour. Most people fly into Glasgow or Edinburgh, the two closest cities, rent a car, then drive from there.
There are a variety of great stops between both cities and Skye, making for an epic Scotland road trip if you’re planning to self-drive.
- Self-drive: From Glasgow or Edinburgh, expect it to take 5 hours minimum to drive to the Isle of Skye. Consider stopping in Stirling, Cairngorms, Loch Lomond, Glencoe, and Fort William along the way.
- Bus: The cheapest way to get to Skye is by public bus. You can take any of the multiple routes from either city to Portree. Once in Skye, there is limited public transport so this may not be the best option for continued exploration.
- Guided tours: An ideal option for first-timers exploring the Isle of Skye without their own ride. We recommend this tour from Edinburgh.
→ Will you be traveling from Edinburgh? There are several options for transportation between the two cities, and we have a detailed guide on how to travel from Edinburgh to Isle of Skye which outlines all of your options.
Things to do on Isle of Skye
If you’re looking for the very best things to do on Skye, here are our top recommendations:
- Hike Old Man of Storr
- Take a selfie with highland cows
- Wander colorful Portree
- Visit Fairy Glen at sunset
- Hike to the iconic Fairy Pools
- Get weak in the knees at Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls
- Indulge in fresh seafood
We have an entire article dedicated to the best things to do on Isle of Skye where we share details and tips for first-time visitors.
Perfect Isle of Skye itinerary
Wondering how to fit all these great recommendations into just 4 days? We did the legwork for you and came up with what we think is the perfect Isle of Skye itinerary.
Isle of Skye itinerary map
Click on the map and enter your email to gain access to our interactive Isle of Skye itinerary map. It’s filled with custom pins of everything from our 4-day Isle of Skye itinerary.
Getting around the Isle of Skye
Without a doubt, the best way to get around the Isle of Skye is self-driving.
There are buses, but they aren’t very frequent, so we wouldn’t recommend relying on public transport.
The only other ways to get around would be by hitchhiking (which we wouldn’t recommend unless you have unlimited time to wait around and a super adventurous spirit!), and by a guided tour of Skye.
So let’s assume that you’re going with the first option (smart choice, by the way!).
One thing I want to point out is that driving on the Isle of Skye is a wee bit different than driving in mainland Scotland.
Whether you’re renting a car or hiring a campervan in Scotland, here are some tips specific to driving around Skye:
Isle of Skye driving tips
1. Download Google Maps
You’ll be going in and out of cell service as you drive around the Isle of Skye, so it’s a good idea to download this section of Google Maps before your trip so that you can still have real-time access to your GPS location and the ability to get directions even when you have no cell signal.
- Wondering how to download the offline version of Google Maps? We have instructions here.
2. Watch out for sheep
That’s right – in some of the less-populated areas of Skye, sheep graze alongside the road, crossing as they like. Keep your eyes peeled and drive cautiously any time you see them.
3. Be prepared to give way to oncoming traffic
There are many narrow roads around Skye, and in some places, you’ll need to pull into small pull-outs known in Scotland as “passing places”. Be patient and budget extra time when you’re driving on some of the smaller roads.
→ Renting a car in Scotland? We’ve got an entire guide to driving in Scotland and tips for choosing the best rental car for your needs.
→ Thinking about hiring a campervan or motorhome? Yaassss! This will be an adventure of a lifetime. We have everything you need to know about camping in Scotland as well as how to choose the best campervan for you.
→ We have an entire guide to driving in Scotland including where to find the best deals on rental cars and tips for safety.
Essential Isle of Skye travel tips
Traveling around the Isle of Skye is a wee bit different than around mainland Scotland. We’ve got you covered with some essential things to know about Skye so you can make the most of your visit.
1. Be prepared to go in and out of cell signal
Cell service is spotty around the Isle of Skye. Near Portree and some other areas, we had pretty decent coverage. However, as we drove outside the main villages, we found our signal was weak or non-existent.
Be prepared by downloading Google Maps ahead of time so you can still get directions. It’s a good idea to download the Alltrails maps for any hikes you plan to do in the Isle of Skye. (This is one of the main features that convinced us to go Pro with Alltrails, and we’ve never looked back!)
2. Stock up on snacks before getting to Skye
For being somewhat remote, there are a surprising amount of great places to eat around the Isle of Skye (check out our top recs here!).
That said, there’s a good chance that you’ll find yourself far from any dining establishment at some point during your time on the Isle of Skye. And if you plan on doing any walks or hikes, your tummy will be ‘a rumblin’ and no food in sight.
Do your travel companion a favor and avoid those cankerous hangry moments by stocking up on snacks and even some simple grab-and-go meals before you get to the Isle of Skye.
Plus, there’s some really freaking beautiful spots to have a picnic!
Sure there’s a small grocery store in Portree, but the selection is rather meh. Do your shopping in mainland Scotland so you’re all set and ready when hunger strikes.
3. Fill up your gas tank before getting to the Isle of Skye
Yes, there are gas stations (called petrol stations in Scotland) around the Isle of Skye. But there aren’t many.
We discovered this the hard way…
We were running low on gas – like, really low. There are two gas stations in Portree, and one was closed. Unless we wanted to drive 20 minutes out of the way, we were left with one option…
And this gas station was very small, with hardly enough space for our campervan to pull through. Did I mention that there was a line? It was a 20-minute stressful ordeal that easily could have been avoided if we had simply filled our tank ahead of time.
Learn from our mistake. Fill up before reaching the Isle of Skye and hopefully you won’t have to worry about it until after your visit.
4. Make Portree restaurant reservations in advance
Another mistake we made was just assuming we’d be able to find a place to eat for dinner.
We aren’t picky, we told ourselves.
We don’t mind waiting a bit, we told ourselves.
Well, it didn’t matter.
We drove 20 minutes from our campsite to Portree to spend an hour walking around town, getting turned down by every single restaurant we walked into.
Every single restaurant was full.
And the couple mediocre fast food options that didn’t take reservations had crowds of people waiting to order.
We ended up giving up and going to the town’s only (poorly stocked) supermarket where we gathered a random assortment of things for a pretty sad dinner.
We were in such a beautiful town with excellent restaurants, and yet, here we were eating a bag of chips and a sad-looking pre-made Indian meal.
If you plan to visit Portree (you should!) and you want to have a nice seafood dinner in town (you should!), be sure to make reservations at least a few days (if not more!) in advance.
→ Jump down to our Isle of Skye restaurant section for our top recommendations.
5. Book your hotels or campsite well ahead of your trip
Speaking of reservations…
You’re gonna want to get on those Isle of Skye hotel reservations ASAP.
My advice is to book those hotels before any others on your trip. Being that it is a popular tourist destination (aka high demand) and an island (limited supply), hotels here book out well in advance (especially during the peak summer months).
And what if you’re camping?
You should reserve your campsite ahead of time, too. We originally wanted to stay at the campground closest to Portree, but when we called 4 days in advance, they were already totally booked. Thankfully we found a different campground that had availability and snagged their last spot.
The lesson here is if you plan to travel around the Isle of Skye, make dinner and accommodation reservations in advance.
6. Expect rain
The Isle of Skye, like the rest of Scotland, is famously rainy.
- Rainiest Months: September – January
- Driest Months: March – June
But don’t let that deter you! We visited the Isle of Skye in mid-September, which is approaching the rainiest month of the year (October). It rained in some form each day, but we were still able to do everything we had planned.
As Scots say, “If you don’t like the weather now, wait a few minutes.”
We found that the heaviest rains didn’t last long, and would eventually turn into a fine mist (which was kind of a cool, eerie vibe). And even though we had rain every day, we also had blue skies.
Our advice:
- Expect rain. If it’s wet, you won’t be disappointed. But if it doesn’t rain, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
- Be prepared with rain gear (aka rain jackets that are waterproof, not just water resistant), an umbrella, and good shoes. As they say, “There isn’t bad weather. There’s only bad clothing.”
- Bring your own sunshine! It sounds corny, but truly, a positive attitude can mean the difference between an adventure in the rain and a crappy day ruined by weather.
7. Be prepared for midges
A what?
Midges are pesky little bugs that love nothing more than to swarm your face. Kind of like a mosquito. Talk about annoying.
Before our trip to Scotland, we read enough rants about “THE DAMN MIDGES” that we were quite worried.
We were pretty lucky and hardly noticed them during our mid-September trip. But we were traveling in Scotland at the tail end of “midge season” (May – September).
So if your trip falls into this range, there are a few things you’ll want to know…
Things to know about midges
- They’re most common near water sources (like rivers and lakes) and in humid weather.
- They bite, like mosquitos.
- They are most active during the summer months (May – September).
- You can check this “midge forecast” to see how bad they’re predicted to be in different locations around Scotland. It’s based on some science-y stuff like rainfall, temperatures and humidity.
How to avoid midges
If you’re traveling during peak midge season and planning to spend a good bit of time in the outdoors, these tips will help you minimize the annoyance.
1. After landing in Scotland, grab yourself some Smidge. We saw this repellant at many shops all around the country, and we’ve read pretty good reviews.
Alternative: We bought this natural repellant before our trip because we read it also worked for midges, though, like I said, we got lucky and didn’t have to deal with them in the first place, so we can’t speak from experience.
2. Get yourself a fashionable head net. It doesn’t look great, but at least you won’t have to deal with them dive bombing your ears!
8. Start your days early to avoid crowds
The Isle of Skye is one of the most popular places to visit in Scotland. And for good reason. It is absolutely epic (you probably know that by now!).
Other than crowded parking lots, we didn’t find it to be too crazy busy. There’s lots of open space and people tend to spread out.
But if you want to have the popular spots to yourself, get there early. Noon is when things start to get more crowded.
Alternatively, if you’re not a morning person, you could aim to get to some of the bigger sites around sunset when most people have turned in for dinner. This is a sweet spot where you’ll hit that golden hour glow and fewer people to share the views with.
Insider Tip: If you do a hike around sunset, be prepared to walk back in the dark. Don’t forget your headlamp!
9. Driving on Skye is a little different than mainland Scotland
As we mentioned above, there are a few things to keep in mind as you drive around the Isle of Skye:
Watch out for sheep. Yes, really. They graze beside many of the smaller roads and are known to pop out into traffic without a second thought. It happened to us on more than one occasion. So keep your eyes peeled and slow down when you see them.
Be prepared for very narrow roads. Like very narrow. So narrow that you’ll have to pull over (in a passing place) to allow online traffic to drive past.
Don’t forget to check out all of our tips for driving in Scotland!
10. Keep your Skye itinerary flexible
If possible, have a bit of flexibility in your schedule so you can choose the best weather windows for hiking (if that’s important to you).
For example, we knew the second day of our time on the Isle of Skye would be less rainy, so that’s when we did our major hikes.
Where to stay on the Isle of Skye
When it comes to accommodation, Isle of Skye has options for all types of travelers.
From budget-friendly campgrounds to unique glamping pods to luxurious guesthouses, there truly is something for everyone.
Check out our guide for the best places to stay on Isle of Skye for every type of traveler.
Important: If you plan to visit the Isle of Skye while in Scotland, we’d recommend booking this accommodation first. Being that it is a popular tourist destination (aka high demand) and an island (limited supply), hotels here book out well in advance (especially during the peak summer months).
Where to eat on the Isle of Skye
For being a relatively small and somewhat remote part of Scotland, the Isle of Skye has many excellent food options. From cozy cafes to unique venues (like a yurt!) to fine dining, there are plenty of places to choose from.
Insider Tip: While there are plenty of restaurants in Skye, we’d recommend bringing snacks with you as there are some areas where you’ll be hard-pressed to find a place to eat. Bring some staple items so you can avoid hangry moments! Your travel companion will thank you.
- Loch Bay Seafood Restaurant: A multi-course dining experience with locally caught seafood in the loch and waters around Skye.
- The Three Chimneys: Isle of Skye inspired dishes from locally grown, foraged, and harvested ingredients.
- The Oyster Shed: Freshly caught oysters and local seafood.
Cafes and quick bites
- Bogg Myrtle: A quirky, family-run cafe with cakes, coffee, and tasty food.
- The Noost: Lakeside cafe with tasty cakes and small eats.
- Chidakasha Skye: An off-beat teahouse that focuses on locally sourced ingredients.
- YURTea & Coffee: A unique cafe with coastal views, a cozy atmosphere, and sweet treats.
- The Coffee Bothy: A cult-favorite coffee shop on Skye with light lunch food and renowned baked goods.
- Lean To Coffee: An independent, specialty coffee shop with handmade goods and clean bites.
Portree restaurants
- Restaurant Rosedale: Scottish tapas and seafood dishes with harbor views.
- Sea Breezes: Seafood restaurant on the water known for their “seafood platters for two”. A friend of ours said this was her favorite meal in all of Scotland.
- Scorrybreac: Cozy restaurant with tasting menus featuring seasonal dishes made with local ingredients sourced from the island.
Good to know: Some restaurants and cafes on the Isle of Skye are open seasonally. If you’re visiting during the winter months, you may find you have fewer dining options.
Casual options in Portree
- Pizza in the Skye: Takeaway wood-fired pizza with homemade dough and fresh ingredients.
- Birch Cafe: Small batch specialty coffee and house made bites.
- Isle of Skye Baking Company: Discover pastries, cakes, breads, and other treats on the outskirts of Portree.
- Cafe Arriba: A colorful cafe in the heart of Portree serving up breakfast-to-lunch dishes.
What to pack for the Isle of Skye
With variable weather conditions, excellent hiking opportunities, and some nice restaurants, there are a few things you definitely don’t want to forget when you’re packing for a trip to the Isle of Skye.
Check out the exact items we recommend for traveling in Scotland.
- Rain gear
- rain jacket (make sure it’s waterproof, not just water resistant)
- travel umbrella
- dry bag: to keep your valuables from getting wet on a hike
- Hiking backpack
- Hiking boots
- Wool socks
- Layers
- Smart outfit if you plan to have a nice meal in Portree
- Bug repellent: midges are common in Skye, especially during the summer months
- Camera and lightweight tripod (optional)
Be sure to download our complete packing list for Scotland! It’s packed with good suggestions and insider tips to help plan your Scotland trip. And it’s completely FREE, so why not!?
Isle of Skye FAQs
We’ve got answers to some of your most common questions about the Isle of Skye.
How big is the Isle of Skye?
The Isle of Skye is roughly 50 miles long (80 km).
Fun Fact: The island’s coastline has many inlets, meaning that no place in Skye is further than 5 miles (8 km) from the ocean.
How long does it take to get around the Isle of Skye?
Technically, you could drive the main roads around the Isle of Skye in just shy of 5 hours.
But hold up – that would be a terrible idea!
It would be a shame to be in one of the most beautiful places in Scotland and not leave your car.
There are only so many things you can see from behind the wheel, after all. And some of the coolest places in the Isle of Skye – like the famed Fairy pools – require a bit of a detour.
If you plan on doing any hikes along the way, stopping for meals in cozy cafes, and, well, just taking in the views, you’ll need to devote a lot more than just 5 hours to the Isle of Skye.
Don’t let the island’s small size fool you. There are so many things to see and do that you’ll want to devote at least a couple of days to exploring, if not more.
How many days do you need to explore the Isle of Skye?
We’d recommend allotting a minimum of 2 full days for exploring the Isle of Skye.
Even better would be 3 days/2 nights or 4 days/3 nights.
If you are an avid hiker, we’d encourage you to lean toward the longer end as this area has some seriously cool hiking opportunities.
Our experience: We personally had 3 days and 2 nights in Skye, and there were several places we did not have enough time to see. We would have loved an additional day.
Plan your trip to Scotland
Scotland is one of our favorite destinations for road tripping, and we’ve created tons of resources to help you plan the ultimate adventure. Start with our Scotland Travel Homepage and check out these helpful articles:
- Find out the best time to visit Scotland (and what you can expect in each season!).
- Start dreaming with our Scotland bucket list full of epic experiences and must-see places.
- Not sure where to go? Our guide to the best places to visit in Scotland will help you narrow it down.
- Ready to hit the road? This guide walks you through how to plan a Scotland road trip step by step.
- Our Scotland campervan rental guide will help you choose the right one.
- Here’s everything you need to know about camping in Scotland.
- Prefer a little more comfort? Don’t miss these dreamy glamping stays in Scotland.
Want the perfect Scotland road trip planned for you?
We spent two unforgettable weeks road tripping through Scotland—hiking to epic viewpoints, wandering historic castles, cruising through lochs, and camping in some pretty epic locations.
We took all of that experience (plus a ton of extra research!) and created the ultimate 2-week Scotland itinerary. It’s completely done-for-you and includes stunning drives, epic hikes, unique stays, and practical advice—plus access to our custom Scotland map to make planning stress-free.
If you want to see the very best of Scotland without spending hours piecing it all together, this is it.
Don’t forget to grab our Scotland packing list!
If you’re planning a trip to Scotland, we have the ultimate resource for you!
This FREE PDF download includes everything you’re going to want to pack for your trip to Scotland, including what NOT to bring, plus tons of insider tips!
Sign up for our ultimate Scotland packing list now and get a copy sent straight to your inbox.
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We want to hear from you!
Which of these fun things to do in Isle of Skye has jumped to the top of your bucket list? Is there anything you think we’re missing from this list? Comment below and we’ll do our best to get back to you!
Wow this is a really comprehensive and insightful article. Otter spotting and a trip to Rubha Hunish and two excellent tips and rarely mentioned amongst the list of top attractions. I loved your mention of some of the local coffee shops. My wife and I have been living on Skye for 3 months.