Inverness

Travel Guide

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

Inverness City Centre

4.5/5(346 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
Default Image

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
Inverness Cathedral showing a church or cathedral, heritage architecture and heritage elements

Ballifeary

If you're spending some time in Ballifeary, Eden Court Theatre and Inverness Cathedral are top sights worth seeing.

Ballifeary
Art of middle of nowhere.

Lochardil

Lochardil might not have many top sights, but Eden Court Theatre and Inverness Cathedral are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Lochardil

Dalneigh

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

Dalneigh
a bright light announcing the sunrise over the river Ness

Merkinch

While visiting Merkinch, you might make a stop by sights like Merkinch Local Nature Reserve and Merkinch Local Nature Reserve.

Merkinch
AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness
AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness
4 out of 5
GLEBE STREET, Inverness, Scotland
$264 nightly
The price is $316 total per night from Jul 23 to Jul 24
$316 total
Jul 23 - Jul 24
Total includes taxes and 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! (724 reviews)
"Great place to stay. The beds were very comfy, friendly staff. Location is within walking distance of shops and restaurants."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 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
$153 nightly
The price is $184 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$184 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and 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! (897 reviews)
"Nice staff.Hotel near the airport and free parking.Breakfast, dinner available.Our room was spacious and clean but no house keeping.Beds not made,bins not empty and tea,coffee,milk not replenished stayed for 2 nights. Everything provided but the shower pressure was not strong enough."

Reviewed on Jun 29, 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
$206 nightly
The price is $247 total per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
$247 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
Total includes taxes and 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! (1,000 reviews)
"Nice brewery/distillery on sites. Walkable location"

Reviewed on Jul 6, 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! (488 reviews)
"Excellent location and facilities; however, it is unfortunate that there is no TV in the room and no air conditioning, which forced me to sleep with the doors and windows open."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 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! (248 reviews)
"Loved the double windows in the bedroom. Cut out 98% of the street noise."

Reviewed on Jun 22, 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)
"The property is mostly as advertised with a beautiful view of Loch Ness. It was nice to have more room here than the rest of our accommodations on this trip. One note - if you stay in the Braeside cottage like we did, there is only a washer - no dryer or washer/dryer combo."

Reviewed on Jul 5, 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

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
260
5 - Excellent 55%
4 - Good
173
4 - Good 37%
3 - Okay
36
3 - Okay 8%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Our choice of going straight to Inverness gave us the real feel of the Scottish Highlands.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I loved Invernes. It was beautiful with lots of things to see, do, and experience. It is definitely on the short list of places I want to go to again.

5/5 - Excellent

Gary

Great small town with scenic river and nice restaurants/pubs.

4/5 - Good

Clark4

Nice town

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Small and quiet place. People is very warm and kind. Loved the full scottish breakfast. Lots of places to walk and enjoy with the family.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

It was absolutely beautiful! I loved the countryside. Loved McGregor's bar, they had a very lovely staff and a great beer selection. The only downside was getting racially profiled at the airport and singled out into a different security line.

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