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Eshaness

© Promote Shetland / Euan Myles

  1. Home
  2. Places to go
  3. Islands
  4. Shetland

Shetland

The Shetland islands have some of the richest Viking heritage and most incredible landscapes, including Breckon Beach which was recently featured in Condé Naste Traveller's list of Best Beaches in the World. Enjoy adrenaline-soaked adventure and experience spectacular wildlife on the Shetland islands, from seabirds and seals, to otters and orcas, not forgetting the famous Shetland ponies.

Get the latest updates on Scotland's ferries to plan your trip - spring and summer 2026 sailing information is now available and Scotland's islands are ready and open to visitors.

Great things to do in Shetland

From incredible nature to contemporary arts, Shetland is a real adventure and a truly cosmopolitan place - not on the edge but in the centre of the northern seas. 

History and heritage in Shetland

Discover more about the rich history of Shetland.

Walking in Shetland

Find 1,697 miles of spectacular coastline for the ultimate walking adventure.

In Viking footsteps

Step back in time and delve into Shetland's Norse past.

Nature and wildlife in Shetland

Shetland has a fascinating and unique natural environment.

World class archaeology

Explore 5,000 years of human history at some of Shetland's best-known historic sites.

Top days out ideas

Discover new locations, attractions and days out across the Shetland Isles.

Geopark Shetland

Where else can you walk on an ancient ocean floor, explore an extinct volcano and stroll across shifting sands all in the space of a day?

Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement

Explore this extraordinary site featuring a collection of ancient settlements which cover more than 4,000 years of human history.

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse and Visitor Centre

A world class visitor attraction, providing an engaging and interactive experience.

Clickimin Broch

Centuries of history await at this historic site on the outskirts of Lerwick.

Hermaness National Nature Reserve

A feast for the senses, the sounds and sights of Hermaness are full of drama.

Shetland ponies

Shetland's world-famous small ponies can be seen throughout the islands.

Northern Lights in Shetland

One of the great experiences during the Shetland winter is the ‘Northern Lights’.

Kate Humble's Guide to Shetland

Discover Shetland with Kate Humble.

History of Vikings in Scotland

Delve into the history of Vikings and Norse culture in Orkney and Shetland and find ways to get involved in places that exist today.

Shetland Museum & Archives

Spend the day at Shetland Museum & Archives with additional measures put in place to offer an excellent experience for all visitors.

Find more attractions in Shetland

Inspiring routes, trails & itineraries

A couple at Meal Beach in Burra, Shetland

Follow a route

Shetland provides visitors with many miles of stunning landscapes and glorious island scenery to explore on foot and by bike. Here are some wonderful walks, trails and tour ideas.

  • Unst Sky Trail
  • Shetland by sea
  • Shetland Craft Trail
Find more ideas

See what's on in Shetland

Enjoy an event or festival in Shetland, there is always lots of things to do.

Up Helly Aa

Shetland Noir, 11 - 14 June 2026 - Celebrating all things crime writing over 4 days with internationally known writer events, workshops and panel discussions.

UnstFest, 20 - 26 July 2026 - Experience the UK's most northerly festival in Shetland.

Shetland Fiddle Week, 3 - 8 August 2026 - A week of workshops, concerts, and immersive fiddle tradition led by top Shetland tutors like Jenna Reid.

Shetland Wool Week, 27 September - 3 October 2026 - A celebration of Shetland's textile industry.

Up Helly Aa Fire Festival, January - March 2027 - Join Shetland's Up Helly Aa celebrations! Enjoy torchlight parades, live music, and Viking-inspired fun for all ages.

Shetland Folk Festival, May 2027 - The UK's most northerly folk festival.

Explore all events in Shetland.

Map of Shetland

Explore Shetland

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How to travel to and around Shetland

Shetland may be the most northerly point of the British Isles, but it is also surprisingly accessible by ferry and plane. The island is also well served by public transport services including bus and inter-island flight and ferry services, helping you get from A to B in no time.

Getting to

Ferry

Take the overnight ferry to Lerwick from Aberdeen or Kirkwall with NorthLink Ferries.

For full details, prices and booking, visit the NorthLink Ferries website

Flying

Fly into Sumburgh Airport from a number of destinations.

Flying is the quickest way to get to Shetland with daily flights to and from major Scottish airports, and regular summer flights from Bergen in Norway.

Book flights to Shetland with Loganair

Find out more about public transport to Sumburgh Airport

Getting around

Ferry

Shetland Islands Council operate an inter-island ferry service. The services are fast and frequent, and you can travel to all of them as a foot passenger and many of them with your own vehicle.

Travel around Shetland using inter-island ferries

Bus and coach

Bus services within Shetland are provided by Zetland Transport Partnership and operated by a number of different operators.

Check out bus timetables and other transport information from ZetTrans

New for 2026, travel around Shetland by bus for just £2 for a single fare! This offer is open to locals and visitors alike, letting you discover more during your trip.

Find out more with Stagecoach

Cycling

Shetland is part of the National Cycling Network and the North Sea Cycle Route passes through the islands. 

Shetland offers quiet roads in excellent condition for cycle touring. There are bike hire shops in Lerwick, with electric, road and mountain bikes available.

Find out more about cycling in Shetland

Vehicle hire

Explore Shetland at your own pace and hire a car, coach or motorhome.

Search for car or vehicle hire in Shetland

Driving

Shetland is beautiful to drive around, however it is important to take care as many of the roads here are single track. 

Find out more about driving in Shetland 

Taxi

There are several taxi companies operating in Shetland.

Find taxi details and book a journey

Flying

The Inter-island flight service is operated by Airtask Group making it easier to go island-hopping around Shetland’s most remote islands.

Flights depart from Tingwall Airport flying direct to Fair Isle, Foula and Papa Stour frequently.

View flight timetables

Braewick Caravan & Campsite

Places to stay on Shetland

Stay in a stunning Shetland hotel, or what about a cosy lighthouse? From B&Bs to budget-friendly hostels and campsites, there are spectacular places to stay in Shetland. 

  • Accommodation on Shetland

Smoked salmon served at the Busta House Hotel

Places to eat on Shetland

From Shetland pubs to amazing island restaurants, you're sure to eat well on these islands.

  • A Taste of Shetland
Browse food & drink options

Influencer Caroline McQuistin experiences Shetland

Caroline recently took a trip up north - here's why she would recommend adding a Shetland adventure to your list of places to visit in Scotland! 

 

Caroline McQuistin on Shetland

© Caroline McQuistin

The friendliness and depth of knowledge of the locals was one of the stand out features of Caroline's trip:

"I couldn’t think of a better place for visitors to go to be able to experience a little bit of everything Scotland has to offer. You’ll get so much more out of your time on Shetland if you open up conversations with the people that live there."

She also loved how restorative the landscape and nature felt:

"It was so nice to slow down for a few hours and just focus on one thing, spotting an otter! It was a very calming experience and left me feeling connected to nature."

  • See more of Caroline's trip to Shetland

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