City or town
Things to see in Kirkwall (United Kingdom): 61 places and when to go
Kirkwall is a town in United Kingdom, and this site lists 61 places in and around it, mainly History (24), Nature (24), Food and drink (6). The best known are HMS Royal Oak, St Magnus Cathedral and Scapa distillery. The best time to come is April to September; also possible: February to March, October and December. In June there are 18 h 06 of daylight, and in December, 5 h 54. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- United Kingdom · 58.967, -2.95
- Places
- 61 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- History (24) · Nature (24) · Food and drink (6) · Temples (4) · Mountains (4) · Diving (2)
- Best time
- April to September.
- Also possible
- February to March, October and December.
- Nearest airport
- EDI Ingliston, Edinburgh, 337 km as the crow flies
What to see in Kirkwall
The places in and around Kirkwall, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- HMS Royal Oak1914 Revenge-class super-dreadnought battleship4.7 km
- St Magnus CathedralCathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney, Scotland1.7 km
- Scapa distilleryWhisky distillery in Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK2.0 km
- Highland Park distilleryWhisky distillery in Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK413 m
- Broch of GurnessTower in Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK19 km
- Italian ChapelChapel in the Orkney islands built by Italian prisoners of war9.3 km
- Balfour CastleCountry house on Shapinsay, Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK7.5 km
- Mor SteinNeolithic standing stone in southeast Shapinsay, Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK10 km
- Bishop's Palace, KirkwallPalace in Kirkwall, Scotland1.6 km
- Midhowe Chambered CairnNeolithic chambered cairn in Scotland23 km
- Midhowe BrochBroch and hillfort on Rousay, Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK23 km
- Mine HowePrehistoric chamber in Orkney, Scotland6.4 km
- Castle BloodyPrehistoric feature on the island of Shapinsay, Orkney, Scotland11 km
- Cobbie Row's Castle12th century castle ruins on the island of Wyre, Orkney , Scotland, UK17 km
- The Orkney MuseumMuseum in Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom1.7 km
- Rennibister Earth HouseSouterrain in Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK6.6 km
- St Peter's Pool, OrkneyBay on Mainland, Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK10 km
- The OuseTidal estuary in northern Shapinsay, Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK11 km
- Blackhammer Chambered CairnNeolithic cairn on Rousay, in Orkney, Scotland19 km
- Dounby Click MillWatermill in Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK19 km
- Copinsay LighthouseLighthouse in Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK18 km
- Cuween Hill Chambered CairnNeolithic chambered cairn on Mainland in the islands of Orkney9.7 km
- Grain Earth HouseUnderground building in Orkney Islands, Scotland, UK2.7 km
- Inganess BayBay in Mainland, Orkney, Scotland, United Kingdom3.7 km
And the other 37, by what you come to do:
- History: Knowe of Yarso chambered cairn, St. Mary's Chapel, Wyre, Taversöe Tuick, Broch of Ayre, Cairns O' The Bu, Linton Chapel, Dingy's Howe, broch, Upper Sanday, Eves Howe,broch 640m N of Braebuster
- Nature: Veantro Bay, Bay of Berstane, Bay of Carness, Bay of Cornquoy, Bay of Crook, Bay of Furrowend, Bay of Sandsgarth, Bay of Sandoyne, Bay of Work, Blotchnie Fiold, Echnaloch Bay, Keelylang Hill, Kierfea Hill, Manse Bay, Mull Head Nature Reserve, Newark Bay, Pool of Cletts, Scapa Bay, Wideford Hill, Wood Wick, Marwick Head
- Museums and art: Orkney Wireless Museum
- Beaches: Sands of Evie
- Food and drink: Deerness Distillery, J Gow Rum, MACFOYS Bar, Orkney Gin Distillery
- Diving: Juniata
- Temples: St Ninian's Church, Skaill
When to go to Kirkwall
The best time to visit Kirkwall is April to September; also possible: February to March, October and December. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanBetter not6:38
- FebPossible8:55
- MarPossible11:22
- AprBest time14:08
- MayBest time16:35
- JunBest time18:06
- JulBest time17:27
- AugBest time15:12
- SepBest time12:30
- OctPossible9:49
- NovBetter not7:18
- DecPossible5:54
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 18 h 06 of daylight, and in December, 5 h 54. In June, 61 of the 61 places are at their best.
When to go to United Kingdom in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to Kirkwall
The nearest main airport is Edinburgh Airport (EDI, Ingliston, Edinburgh), 337 km as the crow flies. How to get around United Kingdom (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Hoy35 places21 km
- Sandwick34 places24 km
- Stronsay20 places25 km
- Caithness17 places37 km
- Westray13 places39 km
- Thurso21 places54 km
And all of United Kingdom, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Kirkwall?
The best known: HMS Royal Oak, St Magnus Cathedral, Scapa distillery, Highland Park distillery, Broch of Gurness. In all, 61 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit Kirkwall?
April to September; also possible: February to March, October and December. In June there are 18 h 06 of daylight, and in December, 5 h 54.
How do you get to Kirkwall?
The nearest main airport is Edinburgh Airport (EDI), 337 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with Kirkwall as the destination and these 61 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- United KingdomBefore travelling to United Kingdom: 7 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. Since leaving the EU, two things are needed that were not before: a passport (th…
- History4915 places for history in United Kingdom, from Stonehenge to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: April to September. Each with its own season by altitude and dayligh
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.