Inverness

Travel Guide

Urquhart Castle featuring a lake or waterhole and building ruins
Inverness featuring night scenes, a bridge and heritage architecture
Inverness showing a river or creek and night scenes
Urquhart Castle showing a ruin and a lake or waterhole
Inverness which includes heritage architecture, a river or creek and heritage elements

Inverness has all the attractions of a major city, including quality museums and heritage sites, as well as a perfect placement for Highland exploring.

Lively urban life and stunning country landscapes come together in Inverness, a city that mixes modernity and tradition to create a unique Highland experience. Visit the town center’s galleries, museums and theaters and explore the historical city buildings. Experience Scotland’s famous wilderness in the surrounding mountains or discover the nature contained within the town itself.

Saints and Shakespearean kings have all reportedly lived here at the mouth of the River Ness, where a city has existed since the 12th century. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Inverness flourished as a port. Remnants of this period are still evident in places such as Church Street, where many buildings date back to this era. Step into Abertarff House, one of the city’s oldest buildings, for a glimpse of life during this time.

Follow the historic trail around the city, stopping at Inverness Castle, which today functions as the courthouse, and Victorian buildings such as the Town House and Public Library. Buy souvenirs in the Victorian Market, a traditional arcade containing shops.

Learn about the history of the old town in Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, which traces the story of the Highlands and displays art by local painters and sculptors. Eden Court Theatre and Cinema provides evening entertainment for the city's culture enthusiasts.

Disappear into the wooded riverside walks of Ness Islands, a swath of nature cutting through the middle of the city. Look for salmon jumping and otters gamboling in the water.

Find historical sights outside the city limits too. Climb the tower of stunning Urquhart Castle on the green banks of Loch Ness or reenact a battle at Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre.

Inverness has a station served by regular trains from the rest of Scotland and an airport with connections to most of the U.K.'s major cities, including London and Belfast. Visit in winter for skiing in the nearby mountains or arrange your trip for summer to enjoy warm days and light evenings.

Where to stay in Inverness

Inverness Castle showing a river or creek, chateau or palace and heritage elements

Inverness City Centre

4.5/5(343 area reviews)

The fantastic nightlife and stunning river views are just a few highlights of Inverness City Centre. Make a stop by Inverness Museum and Art Gallery or Inverness Castle while you're exploring the area.

Inverness City Centre
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Crown

While there might not be top attractions in Crown, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Inverness Castle and Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.

Crown
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Ballifeary

While visiting Ballifeary, you might make a stop by sights like Eden Court Theatre and Inverness Cathedral.

Ballifeary
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Lochardil

When in Lochardil, you can plan a visit to Eden Court Theatre and Inverness Cathedral, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Lochardil

Dalneigh

Though Dalneigh may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Eden Court Theatre and Inverness Cathedral.

Dalneigh
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Merkinch

If you're spending some time in Merkinch, Merkinch Local Nature Reserve and Merkinch Local Nature Reserve are top sights worth seeing.

Merkinch
AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness

AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness

4 out of 5
GLEBE STREET, Inverness, Scotland
The price is RM1,086 per night from 19 Aug to 20 Aug
RM1,086
RM1,304 total
19 Aug - 20 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (732 reviews)
"Great accommodations! The hotel was clean. The staff was friendly and helped answer our questions. We were even able to get some ice for our water bottles at the bar. Definitely recommend!"

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness
Courtyard by Marriott Inverness Airport

Courtyard by Marriott Inverness Airport

4 out of 5
Fresson Circle, Dalcross, Inverness, Scotland
The price is RM754 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
RM754
RM905 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (904 reviews)
Best hotel by an airport I have ever visited.
"Everyone there were wonderful to deal with!! Great experience to be a hotel right next to an airport."

Reviewed on 14 Jul 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Inverness Airport
The Glen Mhor Hotel and Uile-bheist Brewery & Distillery

The Glen Mhor Hotel and Uile-bheist Brewery & Distillery

4 out of 5
8-15 Ness Bank, Inverness, Scotland
The price is RM911 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
RM911
RM1,094 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Inverness. Enjoy 2 bars/lounges, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the restaurant ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
"We really enjoyed our stay at the hotel. It was a lovely property with an incredible view of the river. It was very close to the shopping/restaurants in town."

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

The Glen Mhor Hotel and Uile-bheist Brewery & Distillery
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Highland Apartments By Mansley

Highland Apartments By Mansley

4 out of 5
Living by the Bridge, 20-23 Bridge St, Inverness, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Inverness Castle and Inverness ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (489 reviews)
"Good location. Advertising shows the Colombia Hotel ACROSS the river but makes it seem like it’s the unit you are purchasing. A bit deceptive."

Reviewed on 13 Jul 2025

Highland Apartments By Mansley
Inverness City Suites

Inverness City Suites

4 out of 5
2-7 High Street, Inverness, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Inverness Castle and Inverness Museum and Art Gallery ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (249 reviews)
"Loved the double windows in the bedroom. Cut out 98% of the street noise."

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

Inverness City Suites
Loch Ness Cottages

Loch Ness Cottages

3.5 out of 5
Brachla, Loch Ness-side, Inverness, Scotland
Stay at this 3.5-star cottage in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Urquhart Castle and Abriachan Forest ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (29 reviews)
Must stay adorable cottage
"Adorable little cottage overlooking Loch Ness. On the same property as Clansman Hotel so close to restaurant and cafe. Across the street from Jacobite boat tours. Amazing for a girls trip. Slightly outdated but very clean, comfortable, and relaxing. Stunning views of the loch."

Reviewed on 8 Jul 2025

Loch Ness Cottages
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Inverness

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
212
5 - Excellent 44%
4 - Good
231
4 - Good 48%
3 - Okay
35
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

MrsMacleod

Great vibrant city with loads of places to shop, eat & have a dram

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

We had planned to visit the castle and museum while we were staying there. But unfortunately when we got up on the Friday 20th March everything was ordered to be closed down due to the coronovirus. Glad we had the apartment this gave us more space.

4/5 - Good

Larry

Worth visiting Glencoe and Fort William

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

I would not recommend this hotel to anyone

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lots of good bars. Local ale was excellent.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lots of good clothes, home shops and coffee shops