Inverness

Travel Guide

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

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(85 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

Dalneigh

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

Dalneigh
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
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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $323 per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
CA $323
CA $388 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
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! (723 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
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 CA $237 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
CA $237
CA $284 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
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! (1,002 reviews)
"Very convenient location and parking is great. Breakfast came with the room, which is always nice when you’re just overnighting. The rooms had plenty of space, this is not a brand new hotel but was comfortable and clean and the staff were super friendly. My only caveat would be that the bed in our ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 3, 2025

The Glen Mhor Hotel and Uile-bheist Brewery & Distillery
River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals
River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals
4 out of 5
CHURCH ST 83-97, Inverness, Scotland
The price is CA $209 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
CA $209
CA $251 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (451 reviews)
Highly recommend
"Fantastic trip away, room was so modern and comfortable. The bed and pillows were just perfect, the decor was very relaxing. The hotel was very clean and breakfast was lovely."

Reviewed on Jul. 1, 2025

River Ness Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals
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! (487 reviews)
Get a better system to check in
"To begin with the address, you give address as Union st then it’s got also another name with a different number then you didn’t send a code to get inside the apt until I contacted you and I arrived on a Saturday evening there was no one to communicate with and took a long time in the lobby waiting ..."

Reviewed on Jun. 28, 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! (28 reviews)
"The best view and nicest staff we encountered on our whole trip. We added a second night because we couldn’t bear to leave!"

Reviewed on Jun. 12, 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

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
52
5 - Excellent 43%
4 - Good
49
4 - Good 41%
3 - Okay
15
3 - Okay 13%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Michelle

Really liked the small town feel of Inverness.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A must visit city!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Fun place to go out on a Saturday night!

4/5 - Good

John

The pasta at Bella Italia for the lunch time special is excellent! As was the service.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Very busy city, traffic horrendous. Some areas a bit sketchy around the bus terminal. No desire to go back. Shopping marginal.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We just stayed the night and moved on. Our planned accommodation in Conon Bridge had closed, and Expedia very kindly re-located us to the Holiday Inn Express in Inverness, for which we were very grateful.

Cities near Inverness