Up Helly Aa
A Viking-inspired fire festival, with a torchlit procession and the burning of a galley, held in Lerwick at the end of January.
Tickets →Lerwick, United Kingdom
Lerwick: airports, things to do and where to stay
Lerwick is the capital of the Shetland Islands, with a historic harbour, stone-flagged streets and a strong Norse heritage celebrated in the Up Helly Aa fire festival each January.
Lerwick airports
From the airport to central Lerwick
Sumburgh airport is about 32 km from central Lerwick.
Local bus
There are local buses between the airport area and Lerwick along the A970, with limited frequency; check the timetable before you travel.
Taxi
Local taxis; it is best to book ahead. It takes about 40 min to Lerwick.
NorthLink Ferries
NorthLink Ferries run overnight sailings between Lerwick and Aberdeen. The ferry terminal is in Lerwick, not next to the airport.
Lerwick
Things to do in Lerwick
Jarlshof
An archaeological site near Sumburgh Airport, with remains of settlements from prehistoric times through the Viking and medieval periods.
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Mousa Broch
An Iron Age stone tower on the small island of Mousa, regarded as the best-preserved broch in Scotland; it is reached by boat.
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Lerwick Harbour
Lerwick's natural harbour, sheltered by the island of Bressay, which has shaped the life of the town for centuries.
Tickets →Frequently asked questions
Which airport serves Lerwick?
Lerwick is served by Sumburgh (LSI).
How far is the airport from central Lerwick?
Sumburgh airport is about 32 km from central Lerwick.
How do I get from the airport to central Lerwick?
From Sumburgh airport you can take Local bus (bus), Taxi, and NorthLink Ferries (boat). Pre-booked taxis and private transfers are also available.
What are the must-sees in Lerwick?
Highlights of Lerwick include Up Helly Aa, Jarlshof, Mousa Broch, and Lerwick Harbour.
Photo credits
- Up Helly Aa: Griceylipper, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Jarlshof: Ronnie Robertson, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Mousa Broch: Langus (talk), Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
- Lerwick Harbour: Florent Abel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons