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Eshaness
© Promote Shetland / Euan Myles
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.
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.
How to Train Your Dragon: Scotland’s Mythological Legacy
Enter a world of Viking heritage and dragon folklore and discover the Scottish locations inspired by the How to Train Your Dragon series.
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.
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.
See what's on in Shetland
Sands of Meal
© Promote Shetland / Euan Myles
Events
Enjoy an event or festival in Shetland, there is always lots of things to do.
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.
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.
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
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.
Vehicle hire
Explore Shetland at your own pace and hire a car, coach or motorhome.
Driving
Shetland is beautiful to drive around, however it is important to take care as many of the roads here are single track.
Taxi
There are several taxi companies operating in Shetland.
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.
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.
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.
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."
Other things you might like
Watch Shetland the TV series on BBC iPlayer
Shetland 2024 Visitor Guide
Shetland: Scotland's Wondrous Isles
Shetland awarded IMMA status
Lerwick
Airports & flights in Scotland
Getting around Scotland by ferry
Scottish writers & literature
8 Places in Scotland you must visit in 2026
11 Off-the-beaten-track holiday destinations in Scotland
12 Must-visit historic towns in Scotland
Short coastal holidays in Scotland
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