Last Updated on January 21, 2026
Planning a trip to the Isle of Skye is the main event of almost every traveler’s Scotland itinerary.
Although tourists flock here like white on rice these days, the rugged isle has still maintained its charms over the years. Everyone gets excited about coming to Skye, and that’s exactly why you need to secure accommodation before you even start dreaming of your Isle of Skye itinerary.
I’ve visited Skye once in a record-heat July, and as I write this, I am planning my second trip, which prompted me to write this guide.
Below is chock-full of advice and recommendations for where to stay on the Isle of Skye. No stone goes unturned here, and I offer suggestions for budget travelers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between to help you get the ball rolling in your search.
My guide is broken down by the Isle of Skye’s main areas, with brief descriptions that will help you determine which area is best for your specific trip needs. As soon as you know where you want to stay, book it. Accommodation gets scooped up nearly a year out from the most popular trip dates.
That said, here are my eye-wateringly good recs. for the best hostels, B&Bs, and more on Skye.
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Kinloch Lodge is one of the most luxurious places to stay on the Isle of Skye
Types of accommodation on Skye
The Isle of Skye may be rugged, but it offers a trove of places to stay for your trip.
Historic B&Bs, pub stays, guesthouses, hotels, restored cottages, cabins, yurts, and remote pods are all available at a wide variety of price points throughout the year.
If you’re visiting the Isle of Skye on a budget, all the main hub towns have hostels with plenty of amenities to make yourself comfortable.
Camping is another viable budget option for the Isle of Skye, albeit a brave option at that. Established campsites are plotted everywhere, wild camping is legal (mostly everywhere), and bothies (restored huts) can be found in the most secluded locations.
For those not brave enough to camp, they camper-van. Roadtripping Skye is a really common option for travelers, but you need to double-check overnight parking rules so your night isn’t disrupted. If you’re not looking for free parking, camping and caravan parks are widely available.
Having a base on Skye vs. moving around?
Many travelers wonder if it’s better to base themselves in one spot or to find different places to stay on the Isle of Skye throughout their visit.
My answer: There’s no bad choice. It will depend on your preferences as well as when and where you’re booking. Some places have minimum stay requirements, and availability will play a huge factor in which route you go.
Also, Skye isn’t very big. You can drive from the southern tip (Armdale), to the very top (Duntulm) in just under 2 hours, depending on traffic. So no matter where you stay, you’re not a far drive from everything else. That’s why it won’t make a huge difference if you prefer to base yourself somewhere vs. move around each night.
The benefit of moving around and staying in different locations is that you can maximize your Isle of Skye itinerary and have more time to explore more remote areas.
I’ve made two trips to Skye now and have done it both ways. The first time I was based in Kyleakin on a 3 day, 2 night trip. The second was a much longer trip; 6 days, and I moved around so I could thoroughly explore and see a lot that I had missed on the previous trip.
If it’s your first time in Skye or you’re planning a weekend trip to see all the main places like the Trotternish Loop, Neist Point and the Fairy Pools, choosing a base is a great option.
Portree has a bunch of different shops and restaurants that make it very appealing after a long day of exploring, but there are plenty of other great bases that will get you away from all the tourists (which I cover in this guide).
Alternatively, if you have more time to work with, I encourage you to book nights in multiple different areas.
The coziest and remote accommodation at the Skye Shepard Huts
How many nights should you stay on the Isle of Skye?
Any traveler should plan to spend at least two nights minimum on Skye. If you’re tight on time, one night, or two full days, is doable too.
When factoring that into your Scotland itinerary, keep in mind that it takes at least half a day to get to Skye from Edinburgh, or longer if you’re using public transport. This can easily eat up an entire day, depending on how you’re getting there and when you leave.
This transit day should be a buffer day in your itinerary. So two days in Skye would be days you’re physically on the isle traveling. If you have your own rental car and can leave early, this can be tweaked.
Knowing all of that, a day trip is nearly impossible unless you’re ambitious, so that’s why you need an absolute minimum of two days. Another thing to think about is how many underestimate how big Skye is and how long it can take you to get around. Especially if you’re visiting during peak season months.
Any amount of time you can spend on the Isle of Skye is worth it, and will leave a lasting impression, but it’s not a place I recommend rushing through.
When should you book accommodation on Skye?
You should book your accommodation for the Isle of Skye as soon as you know you’re visiting there. For a more concrete answer: 6 months minimum from your anticipated travel dates to make Skye worth it.
So if you’re visiting Skye in July, you should have your stays booked by January of the same year. Many people book their hotels and B&Bs almost a year out from their travel dates because the best get booked the quickest.
As soon as you know you’re going to Skye, BOOK.
You, me, and the views at the Isle of Skye Rotunda?
Is accommodation on the Isle of Skye expensive?
Generally, yes, and that’s mainly because the supply is much smaller than the demand for places to stay on Skye.
What’s considered expensive is subjective and will depend on your travel budget and a variety of personal preferences. As I write this, the U.S. dollar is worth about 25% less than the British pound, so even things like conversion rates can play a huge factor in what you feel comfortable booking.
Overall, prices in Skye trend higher than average accommodation prices, especially in high season. For example, a hostel in Portree starts at £30 ($41) per night in high season. Mid range accommodations average £131 ($175) per night and luxury properties go for even more.
If you wait until the eleventh hour to book your accommodation, prices will inflate even more since all the best value stays will be booked first. I include stays at a variety of different price points throughout this blog so you can find one that best aligns with your travel plans.
You can save money by booking at least 6 months out from your trip dates, visiting in off-peak season, staying in villages beyond Portree and Broadford, and choosing self-catering accommodation that allows you to cook your own meals. There are plenty of ways to travel Scotland on a budget, though.
Where is the best place to stay on the Isle of Skye?
The most obvious choice for travelers coming to Skye is, without a doubt, Portree.
Portree is the capital of the isle. Therefore, it’s the most developed and also central to just about all the main things to see and do there. It makes the most sense, especially if it’s your first time there.
However, you may want to avoid Portree because it’s touristy and can be crowded in peak season.
With that, I invite you to this guide, where I share all the best places to stay on the Isle of Skye, by region and accommodation type, so you can pick the area and spot that best aligns with your travel preferences.
Where to stay on the Isle of Skye
To make your search for the perfect accommodation on the Isle of Skye easier, I’ve broken down the isle into five main regions: South, Central East, North, Northwest, and Central West. You can get a feel for each region on a map I’ve created below.
For each area, I offer details about what village serves as the main hub, what facilities are nearby, its proximity to Portree, and a few accommodation options at varying price points.
There are endless places to stay on Skye. I mainly stick with options that are close to main hubs, but with a little digging, you can find some true remote gems (and I include a few you’ll love!). If you plan to have your own rental car while exploring Skye, you can take advantage of that to find something truly unique and special.
In the process of writing this guide, I’ve been planning my own return trip to Skye, and as a result, I have a very fruitful guide to share with you if you’re doing the same. Let’s dive in!
Can you believe this view at The Anchorage in Kyleakin?
Southern Skye: Kyleakin, Broadford, and Surrounds
Everyone arrives on the Isle of Skye from the Scottish mainland from the south. Whether that’s on wheels via the Skye Bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh, the ferry terminal in Mallaig, or the unique turntable ferry near Glenelg.
If you’re getting to Skye late in the evening or leaving early in the morning, one of the gateway southern villages (Kyleakin or Broadford) is a good option for you.
Kyleakin is the very first village you’ll see on the left when you cross the Skye Bridge to get onto the isle. It’s a small settlement with a handful of accommodation options and restaurants.
I’ve stayed in Kyleakin before at Skye Backpackers. It’s adorable, but very quaint and feels a bit out of the action. There are the most budget-friendly stays here (an upside), but I think it’s worth driving 10 more minutes to Broadford because it’s a bit more lively with more variety.
Passing Kyleakin and following the A87 right will take you ten minutes up the road to Broadford.
Broadford is the second most established village on Skye after Portree. It has better restaurants, more facilities like gas stations and a supermarket, and casts a wider net with all the different places to stay. It’s also a great place to do a little shopping for local or handmade souvenirs.
Driving from Kyleakin to Portree usually takes about 50 minutes, and from Broadford it’s about 40 minutes to Skye’s capital.
I highly recommend these top-rated stays that are dotted around Kyleakin, Broadford, and the Sleat peninsula if you’re arriving by way of Mallaig:
🛏️ Skye Basecamp Hostel | Budget-friendly hostel with a maximum value. They have a full kitchen, a five-person max bunk room, free wifi, private parking, and even spare hiking shoes if you’re traveling light.
🫏 Skye Shepard Huts | Small, but modern converted shepherd huts that are immersed in rugged nature, and share paddocks with the local owners’ donkeys, Gilbert and George. A true, wild gem on Skye that every guest raves about.
🏠 The Anchorage | Beachfront holiday home with a unique and charming atmosphere. It’s recently renovated with a full kitchen, laundry services, and a balcony overlooking the bay.
🏨 Broadford Hotel | Traditional 18th-century hotel that offers a ton of old-world charm and overlooks a scenic bay.
🏨 Eilean Iarmain Hotel | cozy and picturesque hotel overlooking the Sound of Sleat. Some rooms have open fireplaces, local seafood and game highlights food menus, and it’s a particularly romantic choice for couples.
⭐ Kinloch Lodge | family-run luxury hotel that was previously a 17th-century hunting lodge. Local and seasonal produce are used for award-winning dishes, rooms are historic, but modern, and the onsite spa calls anyone’s name after a long day exploring Skye.
The Allt Dearg Cottage is a dreamy and secluded escape at the base of the Cuillin Mountain Range on the Isle of Skye
Central East: Sligachan & Surrounds
Sligachan is the next region along the A87, and this area is particularly ideal for hikers and outdoorsy folk looking to explore the Cuillin mountains. Or, anyone who wants a more remote place to stay on the Isle of Skye.
The actual village of Sligachan doesn’t have much accommodation, so most of these recommendations are going to be along side roads like the B883 that runs south of Portree and overlooks the Isle of Raasay.
It’s about a 15-minute drive north to Portree from Sligachan. Keep in mind that Sligachan isn’t really a “hub” and facilities are limited. These are the stays that caught my eye for this area:
🏘️ Kinloch Ainort Apartments | Secluded, but modern group of apartments that have everything you need to be remote, cook your own meals, and enjoy the solitude.
👒 Allt Dearg Cottage | A unique, solitary cottage at the base of the Black Cuillin Hills that can sleep five. Travelers praise it for scenery and seclusion, but also for all the modern creature comforts like wifi.
🛖 Isle of Skye Rotunda | A private and modern yurt that’s close to Portree, but far enough out to still be serene. It has a full kitchen, is spotlessly clean, and is surrounded by picturesque farmland.
🏠 The Crofters House | A traditional Scottish croft house made modern. It has a wood-burning stove, a full kitchen, and is a short walk to a waterfront beach. Perfect for couples.
🏨 Sligachan Hotel | Modern hotel with spacious rooms, central location, and an on-site microbrewery. Ideal spot to walk right out of the hotel and start driving.
Air on Oir is a private, one-bedroom villa near Portree that couples love
North: Portree and the Trotternish Peninsula (Uig & Staffin)
The answer for most travelers wondering where to stay on the Isle of Skye is Portree.
Portree is the capital of the Isle of Skye, the most settled village, and is central to everything you’ll want to see and do. The wide variety of restaurants, facilities, markets, shops, and accommodation options checks many travelers’ boxes and provides tons of comfort on this rugged isle.
Not to mention it’s at the base of the Trotternish Peninsula, which is the northernmost spur of Skye that has the most popular landmarks like the Old Man of Storr, Quiraing, and Kilt Rock, among many others. There’s also accommodation around the peninsula, so make note of that, too.
It’s easy to see why everyone flocks here. Knowing that, stays here book the fastest, and so if you want to stay in Portree while exploring the Isle of Skye, you should be booking far in advance for the creme de la creme.
You could scroll through properties for days, but these are particularly ideal:
🛏️ The Cowshed Boutique Bunkhouse | A far superior hostel compared to what’s offered in Portree. This is on the western side of the peninsula near Uig. It’s the hostel all the others wish they could be.
🍳 Creagory Skye | An adorable, locally owned B&B with a heavy focus on supporting local businesses. It offers free on-site parking and is only a 5-minute walk to the center of Portree.
🏘️ Glenfalloch Beag Apartment | A modern, but still cozy 2B 2B apartment with a private garden, free parking, and a small kitchenette. About a 10-minute drive from Portree.
🏰 The Viewfield House | Unique, Victorian-era country home built by Lord MacDonald that’s been turned into a B&B. Oozes charm with 11 one-of-a-kind rooms. Also, they have a private yacht. A true gem for couples or anyone with a bigger budget for Skye.
🏡 | Air on Oir | Modern, self-catering one-bedroom villa with pristine reviews, sweeping views, and a fireplace. Ideal for couples for a romantic getaway.
The Three Chimneys is a luxurious hotel with an onsite, Michelin-recommended restaurant
North West: Waternish, Dunvegan, and Duirinish
The expansive area west of Skye encompasses two main peninsulas, Waternish and Duirinish, which are glued together by Dunvegan, the region’s main hub.
The most well-known attractions in this area are Neist Point (Skye’s most western point), the famous Claigan Coral Beach, Dunvegan Castle & Gardens, wildlife boating tours, rugged cliffsides, and the Isle of Skye’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, Loch Bay.
Dunvegan is around a 30-minute drive from Portree and is much quieter than the aforementioned capital. It has a handful of restaurants, a gas station, and pockets of cottages and guesthouses that line the peninsulas on either side of it.
To experience Skye’s truly wild and rugged side, these are the top-rated places travelers can’t get enough of:
🏠 Tigh Dubh | A converted traditional Blackhouse that originally housed animals is now an idyllic cottage in Edinbane, about 20 minutes from Portree.
🧱 The Three Chimneys | Luxury suites that overlook Loch Dunvegan and the Outer Hebrides. Best for romantic retreats or any special occasion worth celebrating. On-site is a Michelin-recommended restaurant, but no matter if you’re staying or just dining in, reserve in advance.
🏠 The Stein Inn | It would be heinous not to mention the oldest inn on the Isle of Skye. It’s nestled in a historic crofting village and blends modern, traditional, and romantic motifs along the shores of Waternish. About 35 minutes from Portree. Next door is Loch Bay, the only Michelin-starred restaurant on the Isle of Skye.
🏨 Edinbane Inn | This historic stay has been in operation since 1543, and stands today as one of Skye’s oldest inns. Don’t worry, though, the rooms have been slightly modernized with subtle Scottish flair. On-site is the Edinbane Lodge restaurant, whose native Skye chef has been recognized by Michelin.
The fully equipped kitchen at The Old Inn Waterfront & Bunkhouse
Central West: Carbost & The Cullins
The central west of Skye is dominated by the Cuillin Mountain ranges, and is full of wild nature.
There are two, sparsely populated hubs: Carbost and Elgol. Carbost is on the Minginish Peninsula, where you’ll famously find Talisker Bay, the Talisker Distillery, and the Fairy Pools nearby. It has a handful of restaurants and cafes, and is about a 45-minute drive to Portree.
Elgol is a bit wilder on the Strathaird Peninsula. It has just a sprinkle of accommodation options and eateries, but it makes up for it in its rugged nature and access to hiking trails, boat tours, and surrounding scenery. Loch Coruisk tours depart from Elgol, as do ferries to the Isles of Soay, Canna, Rum, and Eigg.
Elgol is 1 hour and 15 minutes away from Portree. The only way to access the small coastal village is via the B8083 that runs south from Broadford. Driving from Elgol to Broadford takes about 40 minutes.
The Cuillin Mountains separate both villages; therefore, there are no roads that connect the peninsulas, and you must drive around the range via Sligachan and Broadford to travel between the two.
These are the properties travelers rave about in this region:
🛏️ The Old Inn & Waterfront Bunkhouse | This coastal inn acts as a B&B, bunkhouse, and offers family chalets under the same roof. On-site is a pub with Skye ales and a food menu made using local fish, meat, and produce.
🌊 Seascape | A private four-bed, three-bedroom house with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea. Grab you and your seven closest friends ASAP.
🪵 This must be the place | Idyllic cottage that’s right on the loch next door to multiple cafes and restaurants. Talisker Distillery is right across the street, and the property is surrounded by sweeping vistas. It has two bedrooms and one bathroom, a full kitchen for cooking hearty meals, and a fireplace for maximum coziness.
🛥️ Bracadale House | A peaceful B&B that overlooks Port na Long Harbor. Guests rave about the attentive host, clean rooms, and access to nature.
🛏️ Glenbrittle Youth Hostel | A rugged little hostel at the base of the Cuillin range. Ideal for day hikers and backpackers heading into the mountain range. Laundry facilities are on-site, but other things like wifi are limited or not available due to the hostel’s remote location.
Best Time to Visit the Isle of Skye
The main tourism season on the Isle of Skye runs from April to October, with the majority of travelers visiting in peak summer from June through August.
Most travelers choose peak summer dates because this window offers the best weather, and everything is open and accessible on the isle. Don’t be fooled, though, you can experience all four seasons in a day on Skye, and so you should pack and set your expectations accordingly.
The best time to visit does fall in that main tourism season. If you want better chances of good weather, but not peak season crowds, visit in May or October. Otherwise, book anytime in that window for explorable conditions on Skye.
Most things to do on the Isle of Skye are outdoors, but it’s all beautiful no matter the conditions. With the right attitude and clothing, you’ll have a fulfilling trip to Skye.
How To Get To Skye
There are many different ways to get to the Isle of Skye: train, bus, car rental, and guided tours.
Almost everyone will be traveling from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye, so read that post for a full breakdown of all the routes you can take and what you can expect it to cost. It also includes routes from Glasgow and Inverness, which can be helpful if you’re coming from either of those cities.
No matter how you get there, plan for it to take a full day of traveling. If you’re self-driving, Skye is 5 hours from Edinburgh and Glasgow, and almost 3 hours from Inverness not including stops. Most public transit routes from any of those cities take upwards of 8 hours total.
If you have any other questions about visiting Scotland, please feel free to reach out! Otherwise, have a look at my other Scotland guides to help you plan your trip:
Tips For Traveling Scotland On A Budget
Is The Isle of Skye Worth Visiting? An Honest Guide
How To Get From Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye
Best Coffee Shops In Edinburgh
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