• View over Kirkwall, Orkney

Kirkwall & St Ola

Orkney’s vibrant capital comes with an historic town centre full of character. Kirkwall is the beating heart of our islands, and a place where most journeys across our archipelago begin.

About Kirkwall

Kirkwall is home to around a third of Orkney’s population and a stroll through its bustling centre showcases its cosmopolitan nature. A single street snakes its way south from the colourful harbour, lined with hotels, restaurants, cafes, and a fabulous range of shops and independent retailers.

Its name comes from the Norse ‘Kirkjuvagr’, meaning ‘Church on the bay’, and a Viking spirit still runs through the town, focused on the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral. Reminders of the town’s medieval past are everywhere, and a day or two could easily be spent exploring its rich history.

It’s a hub for locals and visitors alike with all the services you’d expect from a town of its size, including a swimming pool, soft play areas, and Orkney’s cinema. But Kirkwall also has pockets of peace and quiet to enjoy, and excellent walking routes offering sweeping views of this special place.

Seven hidden gems in Kirkwall

Useful information

  • Getting around
  • Shopping
  • Fuel
  • Public toilets

As you might expect from a town the size of Kirkwall, there’s a lot to see and do here.

It’s home to some of Orkney’s most popular visitor attractions, but it’s also an ideal destination for food and drink lovers and shoppers, with a fabulous range of eateries and independent businesses.

Keep reading to discover some of the town’s best sites, and find out where you can get a taste of Orkney too.

History

From Iron Age and Viking sites, to pirate ships and palaces, Kirkwall is full of history. Check out our listings below to begin discovering the story of the town.

Leisure, sport & nature

Even though Kirkwall might feel positively metropolitan compared to the rest of the Orkney, there are still plenty of opportunities to get out, get active, and enjoy the great outdoors here.

Food, drink & crafts

Kirkwall is the base for many members of Orkney’s creative community, including whisky and gin distilleries, traditional furniture makers, and jewellery designers.

Eating out

If you’re looking to sample some of Orkney’s incredible larder then you’ll almost certainly find the perfect location in Kirkwall. The town hosts a wide range of restaurants, bars, cafés, and takeaways, all serving the finest freshly cooked local ingredients.

Use the key below to explore Kirkwall & St Ola with our interactive map.

Historical Sites
Grain Earth House
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Historical Sites
Groatie Hoose
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Historical Sites, Museums
Orkney Library & Archive
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Historical Sites, Museums
Orkney Wireless Museum
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Historical Sites
St Magnus Cathedral
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Historical Sites, Museums
St Magnus Cathedral tours
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Historical Sites, Museums
St Magnus Centre
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Historical Sites
The Bishop's and Earl's Palaces
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Historical Sites, Museums
The Orkney Museum
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Historical Sites
Wideford Hill Cairn
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Eating Out
Albert Hotel - The Neuk Restaurant & Bar
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Eating Out
Archive Coffee
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Eating Out
Cafelolz
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Eating Out
Judith Glue Real Food Cafe
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Eating Out
Kirkwall and St Ola Town Hall and Community Centre
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Eating Out
Lucano Restaurant
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Eating Out
Lynnfield Hotel & Restaurant
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Eating Out
Mrs Chips Ltd
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Eating Out
Nesting Box Bakes
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Eating Out
Picky Cafe
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Eating Out
Royal British Legion
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Eating Out
Sakura Kitchen
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Eating Out
Skippers Bar
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Eating Out
Snak Pot
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Eating Out
Some Good Cuppa
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Eating Out
SunBean Coffee House
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Eating Out
The Ayre Hotel
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Eating Out
The Daily Scoop
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Eating Out
The Foveran Restaurant with Rooms
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Eating Out
The Kirkwall Hotel Restaurant
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Eating Out
The Mart Cafe
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Eating Out
The Orkney Hotel
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Eating Out, Leisure Centres, Cinemas
The Pickaquoy Centre
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Eating Out
The Storehouse Restaurant
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Eating Out
Trenabies Cafe Bistro
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Eating Out
Twenty One
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Eating Out
Wellpark Garden Centre
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Food & Drink Trail
Highland Park Distillery and Visitor Centre
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Food & Drink Trail
Orkney Cheese Company Ltd
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Food & Drink Trail
Scapa Distillery Visitor Centre
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Food & Drink Trail
The Orkney Distillery & Visitor Centre
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Craft Workshops & Studios
Alison Moore Designs
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Craft Workshops & Studios
Orkney Cloth
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Craft Workshops & Studios
Robin Palmer Ceramics
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Leisure Centres
KGS Sports Centre
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Events
Grain Earth House Drop-in
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Events
The Orkney Accordion Course
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Events
Tours of St Magnus Cathedral
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Events
Viking Experience
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Beaches
Inganess
Beaches
Scapa
Play Areas
Balfour Hospital
Play Areas
Brandyquoy Park
Play Areas
Broadsands
Play Areas
Glaitness
Play Areas
Hordaland
Play Areas
Manse Road
Play Areas
Papdale East
Play Areas
Pickaquoy Centre Jungle World Soft Play
Play Areas
Skatepark
Play Areas
Summerdale
Play Areas
The Pickaquoy Centre
Play Areas
Watson Close
Play Areas
Wellpark Soft Play Area
Art Galleries
For Arts Sake
Cinemas
The Pickaquoy Centre
Marinas
Kirkwall Marina
Public toilets
East Pier Waiting Room
Public toilets
Kirkwall Travel Centre
Public toilets
Scapa Beach
Public toilets
Shapinsay Slip Waiting Room
Public toilets
Shore Street
Public toilets
St Magnus Lane

Find your perfect home from home in Kirkwall & St Ola.

Showing 12 of 91 found

Grain Park Apartment

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Overscapa Cottage

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Grainbank Mews

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Late Availability

Twin en-suite

Thursday 12th & Friday 13th June 2025

Sunday 15th June 2025

Wednesday 18th June 2025

King en-suite

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th June 2025

Friday 20th – Monday 23rd June 2025

Thursday 26th June 2025

Sunday 29th June – Friday 4th July

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Kirkwall Bay Touring Park

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Late Availability

Monday 26th May - Wednesday 9th July

Strathdhoran Self Catering

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Castleyards Apartment 2

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Upcoming Events in Kirkwall & St Ola

The Orkney Accordion Course

Viking Experience

Grain Earth House Drop-in

Grain Earth House Drop-in