Orkney on Your Doorstep
A Local’s Guide from Kirkwall Harbour

Seven compelling reasons to stay right on Kirkwall Harbour when you visit Orkney

Orkney is every bit as wild, remote and wonderfully far away as you imagine. But it's amazing how much easier the islands feel when you stay somewhere that keeps you close to everything: history, transport links, food, harbour life and the everyday rhythm of Orkney.

That’s why Kirkwall works so well as a base when visiting Orkney for the first time.

Right on the waterfront, the Kirkwall Hotel puts the best of the islands within walking distance while still making it easy to head out for bigger adventures. It’s one of the most convenient and characterful places to stay on Kirkwall Harbour if you want to explore, not commute.

1. You can explore centuries of history without starting the car

When you stay on the harbour, you just need to step outside and you’re already at the centre of Orkney’s story.

Within a few minutes' walk you can reach St Magnus Cathedral — the great red sandstone landmark at the heart of town — along with the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces and the Orkney Museum. Norse heritage, medieval power struggles and island life through the centuries are all laid out in walkable form.

No parking, no planning - easy breezy!

2. Kirkwall isn’t just convenient — it’s atmospheric

Staying by the harbour means Orkney doesn’t switch off once you’ve seen the sights.

Fishing boats come and go, light shifts across the water, and there’s always something to watch from the waterfront.

The harbour-facing rooms and lounges at the Kirkwall Hotel give you front-row seats to this gentle, working-island energy — one of the reasons guests looking for hotels in Kirkwall Orkney love this location.

3. It’s one of the best bases for Orkney island hopping

Kirkwall sits at the heart of transport links, which makes it an ideal Orkney island hopping base.

From here you can:

• Head west across Mainland for Neolithic sites and coastal walks
• Catch ferries to outer islands
• Join wildlife or sea-stack boat trips
• Explore dramatic landscapes like Old Man of Hoy and the cliffs of Hoy

You’re not constantly doubling back or spending hours relocating — a big plus on an Orkney holiday.

4. You get big landscapes by day — and an easy evening

Orkney’s scenery is expansive: open skies, wide horizons, coastal roads. Days can be windswept and full of fresh air.

The difference with staying in Kirkwall? Even after a long day out, you’re back somewhere lively and welcoming, with food and warmth on the doorstep rather than a remote drive in fading light.

That balance is part of what makes Orkney holidays based in Kirkwall feel so relaxed.

5. Eating and drinking starts right outside your door

The Kirkwall Hotel’s own restaurant and the Highland Park Bar mean you don’t have to go far for good food, local flavour, hearty dinners, and a proper Orkney nightcap. With harbour views and a relaxed welcome, it’s the kind of place you drift back to after a windswept day — especially when the light starts softening over the water.

Step outside, though, and you’re right in the middle of Kirkwall’s independent food scene. Within a few minutes’ wander you’ll find cosy coffee shops, bakeries and relaxed pubs where locals and visitors mix easily.

6. It works brilliantly for four-legged explorers

Orkney is made for fresh-air walks, coastal paths and big skies — and that often means travelling with a dog.

The Kirkwall Hotel is a genuinely dog friendly hotel in Orkney, and Kirkwall’s harbourfront and nearby walking routes make it easy to stretch legs without long drives. It’s a base where nobody in the party gets left behind.

7. You experience Orkney’s culture, not just its scenery

Kirkwall is Orkney’s cultural heart. Music, storytelling, festivals, independent shops and everyday island life all meet here. Staying in town means you’re part of that atmosphere rather than just passing through.

It’s one of the big differences between visiting Orkney, and experiencing it.

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Best time to visit Orkney

There’s no single “perfect” season to visit Orkney — just different moods.

May–June: Long daylight hours, wildflowers, quieter roads

July–August: Livelier atmosphere, festivals, best ferry frequency

September–October: Big skies, dramatic light, fewer visitors

Winter: Raw, powerful seascapes, cosy harbour evenings, strong likelihood of snowfall — but shorter days

Local tip: The shoulder seasons (May/June & September) often feel the most magical.

What to pack

Orkney weather changes quickly (even in the summer), and wind is often the biggest factor. Bring:

• A proper waterproof jacket
• Layers you can add/remove easily
• A warm jumper or fleece
• Good walking shoes (even for “town days”)
• Binoculars if you like wildlife

You might need sunglasses and a raincoat in the same afternoon!

How to get around

One of the great things about staying in Kirkwall is that you don’t need a car to start exploring — locals and visitors alike use a mix of buses, ferries, walking routes and guided tours to get around. 

From Kirkwall you can:

• Drive across Mainland for archaeology and coast
• Reach ferry terminals for outer islands
• Join organised boat or wildlife trips

Some of the more remote or off-beat spots are easiest reached by car or as part of a tour.

Public buses from Kirkwall

Orkney’s Stagecoach bus network covers much of the mainland and links key towns and sites. Regular routes run between Kirkwall, Stromness and villages in between, and buses can take you close to major attractions like the Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae and other sites that are part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.

There’s also a seasonal T11 bus tour that functions like an open-top sightseeing loop — leaving from Kirkwall each morning and routing via Stromness, Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar — with ample time at stops to explore.

Buses run to most corners of the Mainland, and there are community services on some of the smaller islands too, but timetables are seasonal and more limited in evenings or winter, so check current routes before you travel.

Dogs are often welcome on local buses (including sightseeing services), but it’s always at the driver’s discretion — so calm, well-behaved four-legged explorers tend to travel best.

Insider tip: Bus travel here is part of the experience — routes that hug the coastline or sweep past ancient sites can be scenic in their own right.

Walking and cycling options

Kirkwall itself is wonderfully walkable. Many of the town’s historic sites — from St Magnus Cathedral to local museums and harbourfront paths — are just a gentle stroll apart.

Beyond the centre, Orkney offers extensive coastal and countryside paths. Sections of the Orkney Coastal Path link beaches, headlands and archaeological sites — ideal for day walks and dog walks! 

For a slightly different pace, several local bike-hire shops offer cycles or e-bikes — a great way to explore more of the Mainland at your own rhythm.

Guided tours and local expertise

If you’d prefer someone else to handle the logistics and show you hidden gems, there are plenty of guided tour options departing from or near Kirkwall:

• Local operators offer private or small-group tours that explore island highlights including ancient stone circles, dramatic coastlines and wildlife spots.
• Some guides specialise in tailored itineraries, combining archaeology, natural history and storytelling with local insight.
• E-Tour Orkney runs walking tours and e-bike tours that can be a great introduction to Orkney’s landscapes on foot or two wheels.

These experiences are ideal if you want context behind what you’re seeing — the Neolithic history, Norse influences, or island lore that doesn’t always come across on your own.

Ferries and island connections

From Kirkwall, ferries connect to several of the smaller inhabited islands, so you can plan day trips to places like Sanday (reachable by Orkney Ferries) or even Rousay if you want to deepen your exploration.

Go slower than you think

Distances are short, but views are enchanting. What looks like a 20-minute drive can become an hour once you factor in photo stops, seals, sea cliffs and “just one more viewpoint”.

Plan fewer stops — enjoy them more!

Don’t ignore the harbour evenings

Some of the best moments aren’t on a big itinerary. The light over Kirkwall Harbour at the end of the day, boats moving in the distance, a drink in hand — this is Orkney life as much as any landmark.

A warm Orcadian welcome awaits at the Kirkwall Hotel

Location, warmth, harbour views, good food and an easy-going welcome all come together here at the Kirkwall Hotel. It’s a place where you can head out for island adventures, then return to comfort and a sense of being right where things happen.

A few of the things guests mention most:

• A perfect base for exploring Orkney — step outside and you’re already on Kirkwall Harbour, close to shops, history and transport links.
• Comfortable hotel accommodation with well-appointed en-suite bedrooms, ideal after long coastal walks and big-sky days.
• A place where a good night’s sleep really happens — cosy beds, quiet harbour evenings and fresh island air help.
• A beautifully prepared breakfast each morning, setting you up for the day ahead (and even better when you book direct for the best rates and FREE breakfast).
• A restaurant and bar where you can dine well without leaving the building — perfect for a relaxed meal, a dram of whisky, or a gin and tonic overlooking the harbour.
• The welcoming Highland Park Bar for a special evening drink or nightcap.
• Fast, reliable WiFi, making it equally suited to leisure stays and business travellers.
• That balance of island character and quiet luxury touches that make a stay feel considered rather than ordinary.
• A friendly team who ensure the hotel is filled with warm Orcadian hospitality!

It’s this mix of location, comfort and atmosphere that keeps people returning — whether they’re here for history, wildlife, walking or simply a slower pace of island life.

Ready to explore Orkney from Kirkwall?

If you want history on your doorstep, easy access to island adventures, and a wonderful harbourside base with character, comfort and a friendly welcome, Kirkwall is hard to beat.

Book your Orkney adventure at the Kirkwall Hotel – the original harbourside base for island explorers (and their dogs).