Title: 10 TOP Things to Do in Orkney Islands December 2025 | Expedia.ca # What to do in Orkney Islands ## Activities, attractions and tours ## Visit Orkney Islands Types of activities [Orkney Islands travel guide](https://expedia.ca/Orkney-Islands.dx6051152) ![Stromness featuring rocky coastline and tranquil scenes](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/138000/138335-Stromness.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Stromness featuring a bay or harbour and a coastal town](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/138000/138355-Stromness.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Stromness showing rocky coastline](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/138000/138333-Stromness.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![St. Magnus Cathedral featuring heritage architecture, a cemetery and heritage elements](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/138000/138314-Kirkwall.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Bishop\'s Palace featuring building ruins, interior views and a castle](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/139000/139002-Bishops-Palace.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) --- - ![find price illustration](https://a.travel-assets.com/travel-assets-manager/pictogram-bex/light__find_price.svg) ### Explore activities Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer. - ![calendar shield illustration](https://a.travel-assets.com/travel-assets-manager/pictogram-bex/light__calendar_shield.svg) ### Book with ease Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities. - ![trophy illustration](https://a.travel-assets.com/travel-assets-manager/pictogram-bex/light__trophy.svg) ### Treat yourself Members save % or more when you book activities. --- ## Top places to visit ### 1\. 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. [Learn more ](https://www.expedia.ca/Skara-Brae-Stromness.d6089041.Vacation-Attraction) ![Skara Brae which includes heritage elements, heritage architecture and tranquil scenes](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6089041/4c928e04-b086-4979-b1a0-ce46e4d66890.jpg) ### 2\. Ring of Brogdar The Ring of Brodgar is both an enigmatic historical attraction and an area of spectacular natural beauty. Here, 27 standing stones form a perfect circle with a diameter of about 340 feet (104 meters). Examine the UNESCO-listed site, which sits amid the rolling hills and tranquil lochs of the Orkney Mainland. [Learn more ](https://www.expedia.ca/Ring-Of-Brogdar-Stromness.d6089039.Vacation-Attraction) ![Ring of Brogdar which includes a monument and heritage elements as well as a small group of people](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6089039/05a88827-4f12-4a0d-9cd9-914b14bb19fd.jpg) ### 3\. Standing Stones of Stenness Discover ancient history at the Standing Stones of Stenness. This collection of monoliths forms one of the oldest henge sites in the British Isles and is an ideal starting point to explore the prehistoric legacy of the Orkney Islands. The stunning landscape and diverse wildlife provide additional appeal to this iconic Orcadian landmark. [Learn more ](https://www.expedia.ca/Standing-Stones-Of-Stenness-Scotland.d6089037.Vacation-Attraction) ![Standing Stones of Stenness showing a monument, tranquil scenes and heritage elements](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6089037/7a4d5a1e-b2aa-4361-be5a-0a558e6882e3.jpg) ### 4\. St. Magnus Cathedral St. Magnus Cathedral is among Orkney’s most recognizable and striking landmarks. Known as the “Light in the North,” this medieval cathedral dominates the skyline of Kirkwall. Inside are memorials to a number of prominent Orcadians. Take a guided tour of the building’s upper levels for wonderful views over the cathedral itself and the surrounding landscape. [Learn more ](https://www.expedia.ca/St-Magnus-Cathedral-Kirkwall.d6089049.Vacation-Attraction) ![St. Magnus Cathedral which includes heritage elements, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6089049/3f783bef-8e8a-47cf-a0a0-b3fab8841d6e.jpg) ### 5\. Earl's Palace With only a two-story section left standing, the Earl’s Palace lies mostly in ruins today, but it was once considered to be one of Scotland’s most remarkable Renaissance buildings. Discover the remnants of the palace’s beautiful entrance decorations and step inside to see its spectacular fireplace. [Learn more ](https://www.expedia.ca/Earls-Palace-Kirkwall.d6089055.Vacation-Attraction) ![Earl\'s Palace which includes building ruins, heritage architecture and château or palace](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6089055/7d2cc554-853b-418a-82ee-7dd064fef261.jpg) ## What to do in Orkney Islands --- --- Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check [things to do near me](https://www.expedia.ca/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 Orkney Islands ![St. Magnus Cathedral featuring a cemetery, heritage architecture and a church or cathedral](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/138000/138304-Kirkwall.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Kirkwall ![Photo "Eday" by Rob Burke (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original](https://mediaim.expedia.com/destination/3/b6c15476cc2d1b5e522c61feb2bc0b68.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) [Photo](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0) by [Rob Burke](https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/827) ([CC BY-SA](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)) ### Eday ![Old Man of Hoy featuring rocky coastline](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/138000/138326-Hoy-Island.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Hoy Island ![Photo "Dounby" by Colin Smith (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original](https://mediaim.expedia.com/destination/3/f195fd20242d9f5c405404020cc7f6e3.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) [Photo](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0) by [Colin Smith](https://geo-en.hlipp.de/profile/28) ([CC BY-SA](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)) ### Dounby ![Stromness featuring a bay or harbour and a coastal town](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/138000/138355-Stromness.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Stromness ![Photo "Pierowall" by Isla17 (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original](https://mediaim.expedia.com/destination/3/c2f2e6c3a5622639f90e5ee532249d43.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) [Photo](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0) by [Isla17](https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/15805) ([CC BY-SA](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)) ### Pierowall ![Photo "Evie" by John Comloquoy (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original](https://mediaim.expedia.com/destination/3/566c04a2c77e0a460e6749a6810203f9.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) [Photo](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0) by [John Comloquoy](https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/6635) ([CC BY-SA](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)) ### Evie ![Photo "Shapinsay" by Stephen McKay (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original](https://mediaim.expedia.com/destination/3/0dfb9c4f5c9b472b8e4f0fb9cc4d495d.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) [Photo](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0) by [Stephen McKay](https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/1621) ([CC BY-SA](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)) ### Shapinsay ## Explore a world of travel with Expedia - 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[Visit Stromness ](https://www.expedia.ca/Stromness.dx6055102) - [Visit Toab ](https://www.expedia.ca/Toab.dx553248635974593406) - [Ward Hill ](https://www.expedia.ca/Ward-Hill-Hoy-Island.d6089069.Vacation-Attraction) - [Car rentals near John O' Groats Ferry Terminal ](https://www.expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-John-O-Groats-Ferry-Terminal.d687018877409058816.Car-Rental-Guide) - [Car rental Kirkwall ](https://www.expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Kirkwall.d1883.Car-Rental-Guide) - [Rental cars Kirkwall airport ](https://www.expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Kirkwall.d6029274.Car-Rental-Guide) - [Car rentals near Mainland ](https://www.expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Mainland.d553248635976196565.Car-Rental-Guide) - [Car rentals near Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre ](https://www.expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Orkney-Fossil-And-Heritage-Centre.d553248621532495069.Car-Rental-Guide) - [Car rental Orkney ](https://www.expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Orkney.d553248635975876286.Car-Rental-Guide) - [Car rental Stromness ](https://www.expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Stromness.d6055102.Car-Rental-Guide) - [Birsay Vacation Rentals ](https://www.expedia.ca/Birsay-Vacation-Rentals.d6166390.Travel-Guide-VacationRentals) - [Gills Vacation Rentals ](https://www.expedia.ca/Gills-Vacation-Rentals.d3000011392.Travel-Guide-VacationRentals) - [Kirkwall Vacation Rentals ](https://www.expedia.ca/Kirkwall-Vacation-Rentals.d1883.Travel-Guide-VacationRentals) - [Rendall Vacation Rentals ](https://www.expedia.ca/Rendall-Vacation-Rentals.d3000385134.Travel-Guide-VacationRentals) - [Things to do in John o' Groats ](https://www.expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-John-O-Groats.d3000392362.Travel-Guide-Activities) - [Things to do in Kirkwall ](https://www.expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-Kirkwall.d1883.Travel-Guide-Activities) - [Things to do in Thurso ](https://www.expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-Thurso.d6023216.Travel-Guide-Activities) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save on select hotels and earn double points when you book on the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. 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