Inverness

Travel Guide
Inverness featuring heritage architecture, night scenes and a bridge
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 Castle or Victorian Market while you're exploring the area.

Inverness City Centre
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Inshes

Notable for its river views, restaurants, and golf courses, Inshes is a sought-after destination for many travelers visiting Inverness. If you want to see some sights in the area, check out Inverness Castle or Inverness Cathedral.

Inshes
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Kinmylies

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

Kinmylies
Kessock Bridge, Inverness taken from Milton of Leys in the Scottish Highlands.

Milton of Leys

When in Milton of Leys, you can plan a visit to Inverness Castle and Eden Court Theatre, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Milton of Leys
AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness
AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness
4 out of 5
GLEBE STREET, Inverness, Scotland
The price is CA $173 per night from Apr. 14 to Apr. 15
CA $173
CA $208 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (219 reviews)
Convenient and very modern
"The room was modern, clean, and very smartly appointed. The hotel’s location made it very convenient to the city and to the train station. It only took us a few minutes walk. The best part of our hotel was the lobby bar and restaurant. It was an open air floor plan overlooking the river. It was great ..."

Reviewed on Mar. 25, 2024

AC Hotel by Marriott Inverness
Mercure Inverness Hotel
Mercure Inverness Hotel
4 out of 5
Church Street, Inverness, Scotland
The price is CA $141 per night from Apr. 1 to Apr. 2
CA $141
CA $170 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,006 reviews)
"We enjoyed ourselves at the hotel. Staff were friendly, courteous and nice"

Reviewed on Mar. 26, 2024

Mercure Inverness Hotel
The Royal Highland Hotel
The Royal Highland Hotel
3 out of 5
Station Square, Academy Street, Inverness, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is CA $160 per night from Mar. 31 to Apr. 1
CA $160
CA $192 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
"Had a good stay. Highly satisfied with the hotel facilities."

Reviewed on Mar. 21, 2024

The Royal Highland Hotel
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 eco-certified aparthotel in Inverness. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a terrace. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (398 reviews)
Great place a home from home
"We had an amazing stay despite the weather. There was a broken hinge on one of the kitchen cupboards I reported issue as I didn’t want held responsible for damage and molly sent us a lovely basket for breakfast which was totally unexpected and a nice gesture Everything else was perfect"

Reviewed on Mar. 25, 2024

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. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (190 reviews)
"Beautiful and spacious apartment in the heart of town."

Reviewed on Mar. 20, 2024

Inverness City Suites
Rossal House Apartments
Rossal House Apartments
3.5 out of 5
Rossal House, 31 Island Bank Road, Inverness, Scotland
Stay at this 3.5-star vacation home in Inverness. Enjoy free parking, a terrace, and 1 bedroom. Popular attractions Ness Islands and Inverness Botanic Gardens ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (14 reviews)
"Apartment is in an addition to a heritage home in a quiet neighbourhood. Apartment is spacious, modern, well maintained. Very comfortable beds."

Reviewed on Sep. 27, 2023

Rossal House Apartments
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 43.333333333333336%
4 - Good
49
" "4 - Good 40.833333333333336%
3 - Okay
15
" "3 - Okay 12.5%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 1.6666666666666667%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 1.6666666666666667%

5/5 - Excellent

Michelle
Dec. 21, 2019

Really liked the small town feel of Inverness.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Oct. 5, 2019

A must visit city!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Sep. 23, 2019

Fun place to go out on a Saturday night!

4/5 - Good

John
Aug. 28, 2019

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

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
Aug. 26, 2019

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
Aug. 23, 2019

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