St Magnus Cathedral
A Romanesque red-sandstone cathedral founded in the 12th century, at the heart of Kirkwall's old town.
Tickets →Kirkwall, United Kingdom
Kirkwall: airports, things to do and where to stay
Kirkwall is the capital of the Orkney Islands, with the 12th-century St Magnus Cathedral and a lively harbour. Nearby are the Neolithic sites that are part of a World Heritage Site.
Kirkwall airports
From the airport to central Kirkwall
Kirkwall airport is about 4 km from central Kirkwall.
Taxi
Local taxis; it is best to book ahead. It takes about 10 min to Kirkwall.
NorthLink Ferries
NorthLink Ferries sail between Orkney and the mainland: Aberdeen–Kirkwall and Scrabster–Stromness. The ports are on the coast, not at the airport.
Kirkwall
Things to do in Kirkwall
Ring of Brodgar
A large Neolithic stone circle on Mainland, part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.
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Skara Brae
A Neolithic village about 5,000 years old, with stone houses preserved beside the Bay of Skaill.
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Italian Chapel
A chapel built on Lamb Holm by Italian prisoners of war during the Second World War, with a richly decorated interior.
Tickets →Frequently asked questions
Which airport serves Kirkwall?
Kirkwall is served by Kirkwall (KOI).
How far is the airport from central Kirkwall?
Kirkwall airport is about 4 km from central Kirkwall.
How do I get from the airport to central Kirkwall?
From Kirkwall airport you can take Taxi and NorthLink Ferries (boat). Pre-booked taxis and private transfers are also available.
What are the must-sees in Kirkwall?
Highlights of Kirkwall include St Magnus Cathedral, Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae, and Italian Chapel.
Photo credits
- St Magnus Cathedral: Virtual-Pano, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Ring of Brodgar: Stevekeiretsu, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Skara Brae: Dr. John F. Burka, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Italian Chapel: MichaelMaggs, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons