Mainland · Town
Lerwick
Shetland's compact capital and natural base, with harbour, old town and museums.
Explore Lerwick →Sea cliffs, Norse heritage and island landscapes far beyond mainland Scotland
Explore Lerwick, head south to Sumburgh and Jarlshof, drive north towards Eshaness and cross to Unst for some of Britain's most northerly island landscapes.
Scotland's far-northern islandsBig skies, ancient settlements and coast that never feels far awayShetland rewards travellers who accept that weather, ferries and distance are part of the experience.
Explore Shetland
Choose somewhere to begin
Use the map to explore Mainland Shetland, archaeological sites, sea cliffs and northern islands.
Featured places
Where to go in Shetland
Mainland Shetland provides the easiest introduction; northern islands work best when you give them a full day.
South Mainland · Heritage
Jarlshof
An extraordinary archaeological site spanning thousands of years of settlement.
Explore Jarlshof →South Mainland · Coast
Sumburgh Head
A lighthouse headland of sea cliffs, wide views and seabird habitat.
Explore Sumburgh Head →South Mainland · Coast
St Ninian's Isle
An island connected to Mainland by a striking sandy tombolo.
Explore St Ninian's Isle →North Mainland · Coast
Eshaness
Dramatic volcanic sea cliffs, stacks and Atlantic views.
Explore Eshaness →Mainland · Village
Scalloway
A historic harbour settlement with castle and strong links to Shetland's wartime story.
Explore Scalloway →Shetland · Island
Unst
Britain's northernmost inhabited island, with cliffs, beaches and Norse heritage.
Explore Unst →Shetland · Island
Yell
A large northern island of moorland, coast and small communities.
Explore Yell →West Mainland · Landscape
St Magnus Bay
A broad western coastline of cliffs, sea lochs and remote roads.
Explore St Magnus Bay →Choose your kind of day
What is Shetland best for?
Atlantic headlands & seabird coastSea Cliffs
Jarlshof, brochs & island historyNorse & Ancient Heritage
Yell, Unst & ferry journeysNorthern Islands
Moorland, sea lochs & open skyWild Landscapes
Easy combinations
Places that work well together
Shetland's roads are good for exploring, but ferry-linked islands deserve their own itinerary.
Lerwick & Scalloway
A strong first day on Mainland.
- Lerwick harbour and old town
- Museum and local history
- Scalloway for castle and harbour
Sumburgh, Jarlshof & St Ninian's
A classic south-Mainland route.
- Jarlshof for archaeology
- Sumburgh Head for cliffs
- St Ninian's Isle for coast
Eshaness & north Mainland
A dramatic landscape day.
- Drive north at an unhurried pace
- Eshaness for cliffs and geology
- Leave time for small coastal stops
Treat distance and ferries as part of the trip
Shetland is larger than many visitors expect. Mainland routes are straightforward, but northern islands need ferry planning.
For a dayChoose south Mainland, central Mainland or Eshaness.
For a weekendAdd one northern-island day.
By carThe simplest way to reach dispersed sites.
By ferryEssential for Yell, Unst and other island extensions.
When you know where you are going
Stay · Do · Explore
Lerwick is the easiest base for a first visit; longer trips can move north.
Keep exploring
Continue through Shetland's northern islands
Once Mainland Shetland is explored, Yell, Unst and smaller island journeys form the natural next layer.