What to do in Hoy Island

Activities, attractions and tours

A coastal cliff with a prominent vertical rock formation.
A coastal village with houses, a golf club, and mountains in the background.
A rugged cliff with green vegetation and a visible cave entrance.
A coastal cliff with layered rock formations and a clear sky.
A large, rugged cliff with layered rock formations and patches of green vegetation.

Hoy Island Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Hoy Island has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Hoy Island is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Hoy Island to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Hoy Island Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Hoy Island.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Hoy Island attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

Things to do

Orkney Day Trip: Meets the Scrabster - Stromness Ferry

Orkney Day Trip: Meets the Scrabster - Stromness Ferry

CA $224
per adult
Orkney Day Trip: Meets the Scrabster - Stromness Ferry
Neolithic Tour Discover Orkneys Ancient Past

Orkney Private Tour: Skara Brae & Ring of Brodgar

CA $395
per adult
Orkney Private Tour: Skara Brae & Ring of Brodgar
Picture 1 for Activity Historic Orkney Private Odyssey Tour By a Native Islander 5H

Orkney Islands All-Rounder Day Tour with a Native Guide 5h

CA $989
per traveller
Orkney Islands All-Rounder Day Tour with a Native Guide 5h
Standing Stones of Stenness

Private Tour to Explore Orkney's Neolithic Sites

CA $800
per traveller
Private Tour to Explore Orkney's Neolithic Sites
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Top places to visit

1. Dunnet Head Lighthouse

The Dunnet Head Lighthouse is located on the northernmost point of the Scottish mainland, perched on dramatic cliffs that plummet 300 feet (90 meters) into the turbulent Pentland Firth below. Drive or make the rewarding coastal hike up to this scenic viewpoint and enjoy vistas stretching over the sea to Orkney.
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A coastal cliff with a lighthouse and ocean waves crashing below.

2. Castle of Mey

The Castle of Mey is the northernmost castle on the U.K. mainland. A favorite home of the late Queen Mother, this beautifully restored castle has been preserved to look much as it did during her regular visits here. Tour the castle, stroll through its lovely surrounding gardens and bring the kids to the interactive animal center.
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A historic stone castle with multiple towers and a flag, surrounded by a well-maintained lawn and a pathway leading to the entrance.

3. Skara Brae

Learn about prehistoric life at Skara Brae, a small settlement that, despite being thousands of years old, still retains its original shape and structure. The buildings here form one of the best preserved sites of its kind in the British Isles. The layout of the ancient village is still intact, with several of the houses even displaying their original furnishings.
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A stone-walled interior with a stone bench, a fur-covered object, and a small fire pit.

4. Old Man of Hoy

An imposing 450-foot (137-meter) high rock stack located off the island’s western coast, the Old Man of Hoy is one of Orkney’s most recognizable landmarks and a popular challenge for experienced climbers. The stack can also be viewed by following the pleasant footpath from nearby Rackwick. Stroll along this picturesque path and enjoy spellbinding views over Rackwick Bay.
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A coastal cliff with a prominent vertical rock formation.

5. Ward Hill

Towering 1,571.5 feet (479 meters) above sea level on Hoy’s northeastern coastal fringe, Ward Hill is the tallest mountain in Orkney. Climb to the top of this hill for incredible views over the entire archipelago and stop to inspect the wildlife and historical sites found en route.
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A rugged mountain landscape with a body of water in the foreground.

6. St. John's Head

St. John's Head is comprised of stunning red and yellow rock cliffs, which plummet 1,128 feet (344 meters) to the beach below. Enjoy wonderful scenery as you hike along the coastal path leading to this viewpoint and see how many different types of birds you can spot along the way.
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A coastal cliff with layered rock formations and a small tower structure at the base.

What to do in Hoy Island

Stay near popular Hoy Island attractions

A coastal cliff with a prominent vertical rock formation.

Old Man of Hoy

8.8/10 (30 reviews)
Walk along the scenic trail leading to this iconic sea stack, which is among the tallest in Britain.
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Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Hoy Island

A coastal town with stone buildings, a harbor with boats, and a hill in the background.

Stromness

A calm harbor with a docked ship, a lighthouse, and a snow-covered shoreline.
Photo by Ian Balcombe (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

South Walls

Frequently asked questions

Is Hoy Island worth visiting?
Hoy Island offers a unique mix of attractions, local charm and culture. Whether you're into the outdoors, history or local cuisine, there's plenty you'll enjoy here.
How do I spend a day in Hoy Island?
After you've visited key attractions like Stromness Museum and Longhope Lifeboat Museum, spend some time exploring the food and retail options in Hoy Island.
What is the top tourist attraction in Hoy Island?
Don't leave without exploring Stromness Museum, ranked the top tourist attraction in Hoy Island.
Is three days enough to stay in Hoy Island?
Three days is enough for a short getaway in Hoy Island — you'll hit the main attractions and get a good idea of the local vibe. But if you really want to soak it all in, plan at least seven to ten days to explore the nearby areas too.
What are some activities to do in Hoy Island with kids?
Whether you're vacationing with tiny adventurers or thrill-loving teens, an itinerary filled with cool activities makes a big difference. Check out our recommendations for what to do in Hoy Island with kids.

What to do in Hoy Island for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or fan of Mother Nature, there's lots of things to do in Hoy Island for adults including Lyness Naval Cemetery.
Are there free things to do in Hoy Island?
One of the best ways to find free things to do in Hoy Island is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider advice on vibrant neighbourhoods, parks and other hotspots you can experience without opening your wallet. Ward Hill is one place that doesn't charge an admission fee.

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