The catch is that Skye is bigger than it looks on the map, and the roads are narrow. So where should you base yourself so you don’t spend your holiday in the car? Here are six towns and areas, each with its own strengths, and three places to stay in each.

Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye: The Best Towns

• Portree - best town for first-time visitors and travellers without a car
• Trotternish (Uig & Staffin) - best area for nature and photographers
• Dunvegan & Waternish - best area for castles, good food and peace and quiet
• Carbost & Minginish - best area for hikers and whisky lovers
• Broadford - best town for budget stays and short visits
• Sleat & Armadale - best area for luxury and the ferry from Mallaig

I go through the areas clockwise, from Portree heading north and west, and finally down towards the bridge and the ferry in the south. Before you choose, there are three things you need to know. First, accommodation on Skye is expensive and gets snapped up fast. There are few large hotels, so many of the best places are B&Bs and small guesthouses with just a handful of rooms, and from May to September the popular addresses are often sold out months in advance. Book as early as you can, and ideally choose a rate with free cancellation.

Second, a car is almost essential. Buses run between the larger towns, but they don’t reach the Fairy Pools, Neist Point or the Quiraing, so without a car you’re tied to Portree and guided tours. I’d hire a car via Booking.com at the airport and drive over. Third, everything takes longer than the map suggests, because many roads are single-track with passing places. The prices below come from searches for weekends in April and May for two people, and in summer they’re higher.

1. Portree - best town for first-timers and travellers without a car

• Distance to the centre: Portree is small. From the harbour it’s a five-minute walk up to Somerled Square, and the town’s hotels and B&Bs are no more than a 15 to 20-minute walk from the square.
• Transport: Buses stop on Somerled Square, and from here Citylink buses run to Inverness and Glasgow, while local buses travel around the island. The fastest bus from Inverness to Skye takes just over three hours.
• Time from Inverness Airport: Around 3 hours by car via the Skye Bridge. From Glasgow Airport it’s around 5 hours, and from Edinburgh Airport around 5.5 hours.
• Price level: ££ to ££££. The three places below were around £195 to £440 per night when I searched.
• Safety: Very safe. The biggest problem is traffic and parking in summer, when the town’s narrow streets are packed with cars and coaches.

Portree is Skye’s largest town and the only place on the island that feels like a proper town. The harbour with its colourful houses is the island’s most photographed sight, and from the viewpoint at the Apothecary’s Tower you can look out over the whole bay. Most of the island’s restaurants, pubs, supermarkets and shops are here, and that matters a lot when you come back after a long day in the rain and just want dinner without getting back in the car.

The town is also central. The Old Man of Storr is around 15 minutes to the north, Kilt Rock and the Quiraing are half an hour’s drive away, and Dunvegan and Carbost are 30 to 40 minutes away. That makes Portree the best base if you only want one address for the whole trip, and the obvious answer to where to stay on the Isle of Skye for most visitors. Use VisitScotland’s page on the Isle of Skye to get an overview of the rest of the island before you plan your day trips.

See hotels in Portree here.

I would stay in Portree if it’s your first trip to Skye, if you only have two or three nights, or if you’re coming without a car. Most guided tours start here, such as a day trip to the Fairy Pools, Talisker and Dunvegan Castle for around £65 per person, so you can see most of the island without driving yourself.

The downside is that Portree is where everyone else wants to stay too. In summer the town is full of tourists, prices are the highest on the island, and the good rooms go early. The hotels by the harbour and around the square rarely have their own parking. If my suggestions are sold out, you’ll find three other hotels in Portree in my guide to where to stay in the Scottish Highlands.

Hotels in Portree

Bracken Hide Hotel - four-star hotel with sea views and a sauna

Bracken Hide is on Struan Road on the western edge of Portree, around a 15-minute walk from the harbour, and has views over the water. There’s a restaurant, bar, sauna and free private parking, and breakfast is served in the hotel’s central main building. Some guests do feel, however, that the price is too high for the service, and that a few things are starting to look worn.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Absolutely everything. The hotel is even better in real life.”

See photos and book Bracken Hide here.

The Portree Hotel - central hotel with a restaurant and live music on the square

The Portree Hotel sits right on Somerled Square, where the buses stop, and it’s a couple of minutes’ walk down to the harbour. There are 24 rooms, a restaurant, a bar and live music at weekends. The hotel has no parking of its own, but there’s a short-stay car park opposite the hotel that is free overnight, and a larger free car park by the Community Centre five minutes away. Several guests mention old-fashioned décor and views of the car park.

From one review: “All in all a wonderful hotel with lovely staff, good facilities, a great location and truly exceptional food.”

See photos and book The Portree Hotel here.

Portree Youth Hostel - cheapest bed in town with a shared kitchen

Hostelling Scotland’s hostel is in the middle of Portree, close to the shops and the harbour, and has more than 1,200 reviews on Booking.com. There’s a shared kitchen, a lounge and family rooms, and breakfast can be ordered in advance. You can park in the public long-stay car park opposite, which is free from 8pm to 8am. The beds aren’t the most comfortable, according to some guests.

One guest highlights: “A fantastic kitchen with everything you needed, and a large, clean communal area where you can eat and meet other people.”

See photos and book Portree Youth Hostel here.

2. Trotternish (Uig & Staffin) - the best area for nature and photographers

• Distance to Portree: Staffin is about 30 minutes north of Portree along the east coast road, and Uig is about 25 minutes along the road to the west. A full loop around the peninsula is roughly 80 kilometres.
• Transport: A car is more or less essential. Local buses do run around the peninsula, but not often. From Uig, ferries sail to Harris and North Uist in the Outer Hebrides.
• Time from Inverness Airport: Around 3.5 hours by car.
• Price level: £ to ££££. The places below cost around £125 to £290 per night on a weekend in April, but in May Monkstadt was almost twice as much.
• Safety: Safe. The car parks at the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing fill up quickly, and the road over the Quiraing is narrow and steep, so take it slowly and use the passing places.

Trotternish is Skye’s northern peninsula, and it’s where most of the landscapes you’ve seen in photos are found. The Old Man of Storr is a rock pinnacle about 50 metres high on the slope above the road north of Portree, and the path up is steep but good. Further north, Kilt Rock drops straight into the sea with the Mealt Falls waterfall beside it, and at the Quiraing you walk along paths between rocky peaks and green slopes created by a huge landslip.

Uig on the west side is a small harbour village where the ferries to the Outer Hebrides dock, and just outside the village is the Fairy Glen with its small, cone-shaped hills. At the very northern tip, the ruins of Duntulm Castle stand on a cliff facing the sea. Staffin on the east side is a scattered village with views of the cliffs, and at An Corran beach you can find dinosaur footprints in the rocks at low tide.

See hotels in Uig and Trotternish here.

I’d stay here if you’re coming for the scenery and photography, and if you want to be at the Quiraing or the Old Man of Storr at sunrise, before the car parks fill up. Two nights are enough to see the whole peninsula at a relaxed pace, and it combines nicely with Portree or Dunvegan. If you’re heading on to the Outer Hebrides, Uig is also the natural place to spend the night before the ferry.

The downside is that places to eat are few and far between. There’s only a handful of restaurants and pubs on the whole peninsula, and some close outside the season, so book a table in advance or choose somewhere with a kitchen. Carbost and the Fairy Pools are a good hour away, so combine Trotternish with a base further south if you also want to hike in the Cuillin.

Hotels in Trotternish

Monkstadt 1745 Restaurant with Rooms - five-star country house with a restaurant north of Uig

Monkstadt 1745 is out in the countryside, about a five-minute drive north of Uig, and is officially five-star, with a restaurant, garden, free parking and rooms with walk-in showers. It scores 9.2 on Booking.com and is the most luxurious place on the peninsula. On the other hand, the price in May was among the highest on the whole island, and one guest was disappointed with the vegan breakfast.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A fantastic room and a beautiful location.”

See photos and book Monkstadt 1745 here.

Flodigarry Hotel - four-star hotel with sea views near Staffin

Flodigarry Hotel sits on the hillside at Flodigarry north of Staffin, about a ten-minute drive from the Quiraing, and looks out over the sea. There’s a restaurant, bar, terrace and free parking, and with a score of 9.5 it’s one of the highest-rated hotels on the island. Flora MacDonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape in 1746, lived for a time in a house that now belongs to the hotel. The attic rooms have low ceilings, so choose your room type carefully if you’re tall.

From a review: “Everything! In our opinion, this is pretty much the perfect hotel.”

See photos and book Flodigarry Hotel here.

Skye Accommodation - cheap rooms without breakfast in Uig

Skye Accommodation is in Idrigill in Uig, a few minutes’ drive from the ferry terminal and the Fairy Glen. It offers simple rooms without breakfast, including family rooms, plus a garden and free parking, and it was by far the cheapest of my three suggestions. It only scores 7.2 on Booking.com, and one guest warns that the restaurants in the area were closed or fully booked on a Friday evening, so plan your dinner.

One of the guests highlights: “The place was very clean and had a good location.”

See photos and book Skye Accommodation here.

3. Dunvegan & Waternish - best area for castles, good food and peace and quiet

• Distance to Portree: Around 35 minutes by car. Stein in Waternish is about 15 minutes north of Dunvegan, and Neist Point is about 30 minutes to the west.
• Getting around: There are local buses to Portree, but they’re infrequent, so a car is the only realistic option.
• Time from Inverness Airport: Around 3.5 hours by car.
• Price level: ££ to £££. The three places below cost around £145 to £220 per night on a weekend in April.
• Safety: Very safe. The roads to Neist Point and Waternish are single-track, and at Neist Point you should keep well back from the cliff edge when it’s windy.

Dunvegan is a small village on Loch Dunvegan in the north-west of Skye, and it’s best known for Dunvegan Castle. The castle has been the home of Clan MacLeod for around 800 years, and besides the castle itself you can stroll through the large gardens and take a short boat trip out to see the seals in the loch. According to the castle’s own website, a ticket to the castle and gardens costs £18, and the castle is only open from late March to mid-October.

From here you can also reach some of the island’s most dramatic spots. Neist Point, with its lighthouse on the far western tip of Skye, is one of the best places to watch the sunset, and north of the castle you can walk out to the Coral Beaches, where the beach is made up of white, crushed coralline algae. On the Waternish peninsula lies the village of Stein with an old inn by the water, and around Dunvegan and Colbost you’ll find some of the best-known restaurants on the island, including The Three Chimneys.

See hotels in Dunvegan here.

I’d stay in Dunvegan if you’ve been to Skye before, or if you want peace and quiet and long evenings looking out over the water. It’s also a good base for couples who like to eat well and don’t miss city life. The places to stay here are small B&Bs and apartments with high review scores, and prices are a little lower than in Portree.

The downside is that Dunvegan sits at one end of the island. It’s about an hour to the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr, and just over an hour to Broadford. There are few shops, so stock up in Portree before you drive out here, and remember that the castle is closed in winter. Book the restaurants well in advance, as they have few tables and are popular.

Hotels in Dunvegan & Waternish

Kilmuir Park - four-star adults-only B&B

Kilmuir Park is just outside Dunvegan, about 3 kilometres from the castle, and is an officially four-star, adults-only bed and breakfast. Breakfast is freshly cooked and served in a private dining room, and there’s a guest lounge and free parking. It scores 9.7 on Booking.com. Some guests mention that the car park is tight.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A fantastic view and a beautiful place.”

See photos and book Kilmuir Park here.

Roskhill House - guesthouse with a bar and one of the island’s highest scores

Roskhill House is in Roskhill, south of Dunvegan, about 6 kilometres from the castle, and scores 9.8 on Booking.com. There’s a bar, an EV charging point, free parking and a wide choice at breakfast, including vegan and gluten-free dishes. Some guests say the Wi-Fi could be better.

From one review: “The atmosphere is very welcoming.”

See photos and book Roskhill House here.

Babas rooms - budget adults-only apartment in the heart of the village

Babas rooms is on Kings Brae in Dunvegan itself, about 3 kilometres from the castle, and is an adults-only apartment with a kitchen, outdoor seating and free parking. It was the cheapest of my three suggestions, and its score of 9.6 is high. Some guests mention that the bathroom is shared with another room, so read the room description carefully.

One guest highlights: “Baba is very hospitable!”

See photos and book Babas rooms here.

4. Carbost & Minginish - best area for hikers and whisky lovers

• Distance to Portree: About 30 minutes via Sligachan. From Carbost it’s about 15 minutes to the Fairy Pools in Glen Brittle.
• Transport: Local buses run via Sligachan, but they’re infrequent, so you’ll need a car. The road down through Glen Brittle to the Fairy Pools is narrow and single-track.
• Time from Inverness Airport: About 3 hours by car.
• Price level: ££ to ££££. The three places below cost around £160 to £400 per night when I searched.
• Safety: Safe in the villages. The Cuillin are the most demanding mountains in Britain, so only tackle the big routes if you’re experienced or with a guide, and check the forecast before you set off.

Minginish is the peninsula south-west of Portree, home to the black Cuillin mountains, which are the reason many hikers come to Skye. The little village of Carbost on Loch Harport is home to Talisker, the island’s oldest whisky distillery, and a tour with tasting costs from £22. Book well ahead in summer, as groups are small and fill up quickly.

Just a 15-minute drive away are the Fairy Pools, a series of clear blue pools and small waterfalls in the river at the foot of the Cuillin. The walk there and back from the car park takes around an hour to an hour and a half. Carry on down through Glen Brittle to the beach at the end of the glen, and stop at Sligachan on the way back, where the old stone bridge with the mountains behind it is one of the island’s classic photo spots.

See hotels in Carbost here.

I’d stay here if you’re planning to hike, or if you want to reach the Fairy Pools early in the morning before the tour coaches arrive. The area also suits you if you’d rather have whisky and nature than shops and restaurants. Ullinish near Struan sits roughly halfway between Carbost and Dunvegan, so you can reach both areas from there, and from Sligachan you’re in Portree in no time.

The downside is that the Fairy Pools are one of the most visited spots on the island. The car park is full by the middle of the day, and parking isn’t free. There’s only one small shop in Carbost and a couple of places to eat, so stock up in Portree or Broadford before you drive out here. Accommodation is limited and spread out, and some of the cheaper cabins require a minimum stay of several nights.

Hotels in Carbost & Minginish

Ullinish House - lovely B&B with a garden between Carbost and Dunvegan

Ullinish House is in Ullinish near Struan, about a 20-minute drive from both Carbost and Dunvegan. It’s a bed and breakfast with a garden, terrace, free parking and a continental breakfast with freshly baked pastries and cheese, and it scores 9.2 on Booking.com. On the other hand, some guests feel the rooms are small and the price high for what you get.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A beautiful house in a lovely location.”

See photos and book Ullinish House here.

Sligachan Hotel - classic hikers’ hotel at the foot of the Cuillin

Sligachan Hotel stands on its own at the junction of the roads to Portree, Broadford and Carbost, right by the old stone bridge and the paths into the Cuillin. There’s a restaurant, bar, playground and free parking, and dogs are welcome. Prices vary a lot: on a weekend in April it was one of the cheapest hotels in the area, but in May it cost over £500 per night. Some guests complain about noise from the other rooms.

From a review: “A fantastic location, nicely decorated room and friendly staff.”

See photos and book Sligachan Hotel here.

Croft Seven Cabins - budget cabins with kitchens near Carbost

Croft Seven Cabins is in Fernilea just north of Carbost, a few minutes’ drive from Talisker, and consists of small cabins with a fully equipped kitchen, washing machine, terrace and free parking. With a score of 9.8 it’s one of the highest-rated places on Skye, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions. The cabins are adults only, so they’re not suitable for families with children.

One guest highlights: “A fantastic cabin, well equipped with everything you need.”

See photos and book Croft Seven Cabins here.

5. Broadford - best town for a budget and short stays

• Distance to Portree: About 45 minutes by car. It’s about 15 minutes to the Skye Bridge and Kyleakin.
• Transport: Citylink buses from Inverness and Glasgow stop in Broadford. If you’re coming by train, ScotRail runs from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh in about 2.5 hours, and from there it’s about 15 minutes by car over the bridge.
• Time from Inverness Airport: About 2.5 hours by car. From Glasgow Airport it’s about 4.5 hours.
• Price level: £ to £££. The three places below cost around £110 to £295 per night on a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe. The main road runs through the town and cars often drive fast, so take care when walking along the road in the evening.

Broadford is Skye’s second-largest town and the first proper town you come to after driving over the Skye Bridge. It isn’t as charming as Portree, as the houses are spread out along the road and the bay, but it has a large supermarket, a petrol station, cafés and a few restaurants, which makes it very practical. From the bay you look across to the island of Scalpay, and behind the town rise the reddish Red Cuillin mountains.

The best thing about Broadford is the road to Elgol, one of the most beautiful drives on the island. It takes 30 to 40 minutes along a single-track road and ends at a small harbour with views of the Cuillin. From here the Bella Jane boat sails to Loch Coruisk, and a boat trip from Elgol to Loch Coruisk with seals costs from around £36.

See hotels in Broadford here.

I’d stay in Broadford if you’re arriving late on your first evening, if you only have a night or two on Skye as part of a longer road trip, or if your budget is tight. Some of the island’s cheapest accommodation is here, and you save time both getting on and off the island. If you’re coming from Glencoe and Fort William, have a read of my guide to a Scotland road trip with Glencoe and the Isle of Skye.

The downside is that Broadford is a long way from Trotternish and Dunvegan. It’s a good hour each way to the Quiraing, so if you stay here all week, you’ll be doing a lot of driving. The town isn’t especially cosy in the evening either. Kyleakin, on the other side of the bridge, is a small alternative with hostels and an inn by the harbour, but it’s even further from everything.

Hotels in Broadford

House of Juniper - The Manse - four-star hotel with a spa

House of Juniper is at Lower Harrapool in the eastern part of Broadford, and it’s the only place in town with a spa, sauna, steam room and hammam. There’s also a restaurant, bar, garden and free parking, and you can walk to the town’s places to eat. Some guests say the rooms are small, with limited space for luggage.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything was lovely. A great location, and it’s easy to walk into town and choose between different places to eat.”

See photos and book House of Juniper here.

Dunollie Hotel - large waterfront hotel with views from the restaurant

Dunollie sits right on the water in Broadford Bay and has over 2,300 reviews on Booking.com. There’s a restaurant overlooking the bay, a bar and a garden, and dogs are welcome. Parking is limited, so you’ll often have to use the public car park nearby, and the score of 7.5 shows that the standard doesn’t quite live up to the view.

From one review: “Fabulous view from the dining room.”

See photos and book Dunollie Hotel here.

Bayview Hostel - budget hostel with a shared kitchen

Bayview Hostel is in the building that used to be Broadford Youth Hostel, on a path a little way off the main road. There’s a shared kitchen, lounge, laundry, family rooms and free parking, and it was the cheapest accommodation in this entire guide. The rooms are small and basic, and one guest felt the price was high for what you get.

One guest highlights: “A lovely location with a beautiful walk along the path from the main road and easy access to the bus, coffee, fish and chips and the Co-op.”

See photos and book Bayview Hostel here.

6. Sleat & Armadale - best area for luxury and the ferry from Mallaig

• Distance to Portree: About 1 hour and 10 minutes by car from Armadale. Broadford is about 25 minutes away.
• Transport: The ferry from Mallaig to Armadale takes 45 minutes according to CalMac, and if you’re bringing a car, you should book the crossing in advance. Mallaig has a railway station with connections from Fort William.
• Time from Inverness Airport: About 3 hours by car via the Skye Bridge. From Glasgow, many people drive to Mallaig and take the ferry across.
• Price level: ££ to ££££. The three places below cost roughly £215 to £430 per night on a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe and quiet. The main road between Broadford and Armadale is good, but the side roads are single-track.

Sleat is the peninsula in the southern part of Skye, and it’s often called the garden of the island because it’s greener and more wooded than the rest of Skye. This is where you’ll find Armadale Castle, the old home of Clan Donald. Today the castle is a ruin surrounded by large gardens and the Museum of the Isles, which covers the history of the islands. A ticket costs around £14 in the summer season, and in winter there are shorter opening hours and lower prices, so check Armadale Castle’s website before you drive there.

Further north lies the little harbour of Isleornsay, where you look out towards a lighthouse on an island in the bay, and this is where you’ll find two of the most atmospheric hotels on Skye. At Teangue you’ll find the Torabhaig whisky distillery, and right out at the southern tip a walking path leads to the lighthouse at the Point of Sleat. It’s the quietest corner of Skye, and in the evening the main thing you’ll hear is the sea.

See hotels in Sleat here.

I’d stay in Sleat if you’re arriving on the ferry from Mallaig, for example after a train journey from Fort William, or if you want to treat yourself to a country house hotel by the water. If you need a night on the mainland first, I’ve also written a guide to Fort William. Sleat is also a good place to end your trip if you’re taking the ferry back.

The downside is that Sleat is a long way from the big sights in the north. The Quiraing and Neist Point are an hour and a half or more each way, so it’s better to stay here for a couple of nights at the start or end of your trip and then move on further north. Prices are high because the choice is small and dominated by country house hotels, and there are only a few shops.

Hotels in Sleat & Armadale

Duisdale House Hotel - four-star country house with hot tub and garden

Duisdale House is just north of Isleornsay on the road between Broadford and Armadale. It’s a four-star hotel with a restaurant, bar, garden, sun terrace, hot tub and free parking, and breakfast is included in the price. It was the most expensive of my suggestions in Sleat, and some guests feel the rooms are too small for two adults.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A beautiful hotel with clean and comfortable rooms, and the staff were absolutely fantastic.”

See photos and book Duisdale House here.

Hotel Eilean Iarmain - traditional harbour hotel in Isleornsay

Hotel Eilean Iarmain sits by the little harbour in Isleornsay with views across the bay towards the lighthouse. There’s a restaurant, bar and family rooms, dogs are welcome, and a full English breakfast is included. The price was close to Duisdale’s, so it’s not a cheap hotel, and one guest mentions that the sofa in the room was an uncomfortable sofa bed.

From a review: “A lovely traditional hotel in a fantastic location, with good food, super helpful staff and a comfortable room.”

See photos and book Hotel Eilean Iarmain here.

Seillean Trang - budget cottage with kitchen and sea views near Teangue

Seillean Trang is a cottage in Saasaig near Teangue, about a ten-minute drive from the ferry in Armadale. There’s a fully equipped kitchen, a garden, free parking, streaming services and sea views, and it was by far the cheapest of my three suggestions in Sleat. One guest had no hot water on the first day because of a problem with the water heater.

One of the guests highlights: “A lovely, spacious cottage with everything you need for a weekend away.”

See photos and book Seillean Trang here.

Where not to stay on the Isle of Skye?

I wouldn’t stay in Inverness or Fort William and drive back and forth to Skye. It’s two to three hours each way, and you’ll end up seeing more main road than island. Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland is fine for a single night if you arrive late by train, but from there it’s just as far to Trotternish as it is from Broadford. Also be careful with cheap holiday cottages far out along single-track roads if you’re arriving late or don’t have a car. Many require a stay of several nights, and it can be a half-hour drive to the nearest dinner. And don’t spend the whole week in Sleat if it’s the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr you’re dreaming of, because then you’ll be sitting in the car for three hours every day.

If it’s your first trip to Skye and you have three or four nights, I’d stay in Portree and take day trips in every direction. If you have a week, split it up: two nights in Portree or Trotternish, two nights in Carbost or Dunvegan and one night in Broadford or Sleat on the way in or out. If you’re travelling without a car, Portree is the only real choice, and if you’re a couple looking for peace and good food, Dunvegan and Sleat are hard to beat.

Many people fly into Edinburgh and drive up here. My guide to getting from Edinburgh Airport will help if you’re picking up your car there, and if you have a couple of days in the city before or after, you can read about where to stay in Edinburgh. Book your accommodation on Skye first, then plan the rest of your road trip around it.

The post Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.