2 Days in Inverness Itinerary
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Inverness is the heart of the Scottish Highlands and is a popular stop for tourists especially for anyone taking part in the North Coast 500.
If you only have 2 days in Inverness then this itinerary is perfect for you to see the main sights before moving on to other beautiful Scottish destinations.
Most travellers will tend to visit Inverness whilst doing the NC500 and will either start or end in Inverness. It is a beautiful part of Scotland to visit and absolutely should not be missed at any cost.
Being that Liam is originally from Inverness and we visit family there once a month, we are here to share our expertise of this wonderful city and point you in the right direction on the best way to spend your time there.
Quick 2 Day Inverness Itinerary
Day 1
09:00 Breakfast at the Perk
10:30 Wander through the Victorian Market
11:00 Visit Inverness Castle
12:30 Marvel at the infamous Inverness Bridge
13:00 Lunch at Platform 8
14:30 Visit Leakey’s Bookshop
15:00 Visit Inverness Cathedral
15:30 Wander around Ness Islands
18:00 Dinner at Kool Runnings
19:30 Cocktails at Scotch & Rye
20:30 Hootenanny’s
Day 2
09:00 Breakfast at Wild Wee Pancakes
10:00 Take the bus to Loch Ness
11:00 Boat trip around Loch Ness
13:30 Lunch at Loch Ness Cafe or enjoy your packed lunch
14:30 Bus to Urquhart Castle
14:45 Wander around Urquhart Castle
16:00 Bus back to Inverness
17:00 Freshen up for the evening
18:00 Dinner at Prime Steak & Seafood
19:30 Drinks at Encore
Is 2 Days in Inverness Enough?
Whilst Inverness is a major Scottish city, it is not the most abundant with tourist attractions. In honesty, this is one of the reasons why we like the city so much because it feels more traditionally Scottish.
As there’s only so many attractions to do in Inverness, 2 days is plenty of time to sample the best parts of the city. For most tourists, taking a trip to visit Loch Ness, explore around the city itself and visit Urquhart Castle tends to be the main attractions.
If you’re planning to do more than this and want to visit Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, the Botanic Gardens as well as the main attractions then you will need more than 2 days in Inverness.
However, as we said, it is absolutely enough time to tick off the main attractions and get a good feel for Inverness.
Where to Stay in Inverness for 2 Days?
There are lots of great accommodation choices in Inverness depending on what type of budget you have for the trip, who you’re travelling with and where in Inverness you want to be based.
Below we’ve shared our top picks for staying in Inverness depending on your budget. Underneath that you can find a map where you can explore further accommodation in Inverness.
Black Isle Hostel – for budget travellers
This option is great for budget travellers & solo travellers looking to meet new people. We were shown around the hostels and they are incredibly clean and spacious. Not just that but there is also a bar linked to the hostel which is perfect for making new friends on your Highland adventure!
Mercure Inverness – Perfect for mid-range budget & couples
We were pleasantly surprised when we got to visit the Mercure in Inverness. It is a beautiful hotel, clean and very modern so you will easily feel comfortable here. It’s a great space to come back to after a long day exploring and enjoy a drink at the bar or even a game of pool before heading to your comfy room!
Ness Walk Hotel – made for our luxury travellers
If you’re someone who likes the finer things in life or you just appreciate a really good hotel then Ness Walk hotel is where you will want to stay. Nestled right on the River Ness, the views and location are unbeatable.
Things to do in Inverness Over 2 Days
Whilst 2 days in Inverness is plenty of time to explore the main attractions in the city, if you’re wanting to do everything you can then this absolutely won’t be enough time.
Below we’ve shared some of the best things to do in Inverness to help you adapt your itinerary to fit in with your interests. There are so many great things to do in Inverness that we’ve just included a small selection below.
However, if you’re exploring Inverness on a budget then you may want to visit our free things to do in Inverness guide for even more activities!
Leakey’s Bookshop
This bookshop has been the talk of TikTok and it’s a stop in Inverness that you absolutely can’t miss!
When you walk into this bookshop, you will feel like you’ve been transported into Flourish and Blotts from Harry Potter. Wander around the ceiling high bookshelves and see what gem you can find hidden away!
Inverness Castle
No trip to Inverness is complete without paying a visit to the infamous and historic Inverness Castle.
For 2025, Inverness Castle will be opening its new visitor experience and this is something that absolutely cannot be missed.
Whilst wandering around the castle, you will learn more about the history and traditions of the Highlands and about Scotland in general. If you’re travelling to Scotland from another country then this is an imperative stop to appreciate Scottish culture.
Loch Ness
Of course one of the main reasons that tourists want to visit Inverness is to take a trip to Loch Ness and try to spot the monster Nessie herself!
This is the ultimate bucket list item in Inverness and can absolutely not be missed whilst you’re visiting the Highlands.
Whether you take a trip to Loch Ness just to see the Loch in all it’s beauty or you take part in a boat trip to spot Nessie herself, you are guaranteed to have an amazing time here!
Best Tours to Loch Ness
- Loch Ness & Outlander Sites Tour from Inverness
- Inverness: Loch Ness & the Highlands
- Loch Ness Cruise & Urquhart Castle Visit from Inverness
Urquhart Castle
If you’re taking a trip to Loch Ness then you will be best to also take a trip to Urquhart Castle whilst you’re at it! It is a stunning part of Scottish history with a beautiful backdrop.
You will be able to wander around the remnants of the castle and explore the artefacts that remain.
Hootenanny’s
If history is not quite your thing then you may want to take part in a bit of Scottish culture instead. This Scottish bar regularly plays live Scottish music and folk dancing.
If you have the time whilst you’re in Inverness you will absolutely want to let your hair down and dance the night away at this great bar!
The Victorian Market
Wander around the beautiful Victorian Market within Inverness city visiting the different shops or even grabbing a bite to eat!
It’s a really great place to walk through, admire the architecture and maybe even do a little bit of shopping whilst you’re there.
2 Days in Inverness Full Itinerary
Day 1
For your first day in Inverness, it is worth spending the day exploring what the city has to offer before venturing further out. This itinerary below is a guide on things that you can do but it is quite fluid so you can add in more items if you have time!
09:00 Breakfast at the Perk
This is a cool little place where you can enjoy coffee and doughnuts in the morning to start off your day right. By the evening, it becomes an awesome little martini bar so you may want to head back here later in the evening.
10:30 Wander through the Victorian Market
At the Victorian Market, you will find that there are often events on so it’s worth checking the schedule before you visit Inverness in case you need to change this itinerary around.
However, if you’re just wanting to see what it’s all about then 30 minutes is plenty of time for you to wander and appreciate the market.
11:00 Visit Inverness Castle
With Inverness Castle opening their new visitor experience for 2025, you will want to spend a good amount of time here delving into the history.
This is one of the main highlights of Inverness City so take your time learning more about Scottish history and admiring the beautiful castle itself.
12:30 Marvel at the infamous Inverness Bridge
This definitely won’t take 30 minutes but just in case you overrun, it is worth wandering down to the Inverness Bridge especially if you’re looking for some fab Instagram photos!
At night, you will find that the bridge is all lit up as well so if you have time, head back here for more awesome photos!
13:00 Lunch at Platform 8
Platform 8 is a fantastic pub restaurant that will give you a sample of not just delicious food from the UK but a brief insight into the Highlands too especially if you’ve never visited the UK before.
Enjoy typical pub grub such as burgers and chips, pies and other comforting hearty food.
14:30 Visit Leakey’s Bookshop
Calling all book nerds! This is the ultimate haven for anyone that is obsessed with books like Amy is. If you’ve read the Harry Potter books then this bookshop gives you Flourish and Blotts vibes and is absolutely stunning!
15:00 Visit Inverness Cathedral
Admire the beauty and architecture of Inverness Cathedral and capture your next Instagram shots! Whether you’re religious or not, the Cathedral is a stunning place to visit even just to appreciate the internal architecture.
15:30 Wander around Ness Islands
For anyone that loves being in nature, Ness Islands is a great escape from the city and perfect for any families visiting Inverness.
You will be able to wander around Ness Islands and enjoy the woodlands as well as the natural islands in between the River Ness!
18:00 Dinner at Kool Runnings
Whilst this is a restaurant we are yet to try, we’ve always heard great reviews and it is very firmly at the top of our restaurant bucket list in Inverness.
Kool Runnings serves Caribbean food as well as some traditional Scottish dishes. You are bound to find something amazing to eat here and it’s very affordable too!
19:30 Cocktails at Scotch & Rye
This is one of our favourite cocktail bars in Inverness and they are delicately crafted for any cocktail connoisseurs out there!
The relaxed environment in this bar is a great place to enjoy a few casual cocktails, a romantic evening as a couple or even catch up with friends.
20:30 Hootenanny’s
Sample a bit more of the Scottish culture and end your night with a good old ceilidh dance at Hootenanny’s.
This bar regularly plays traditional Scottish music and you’ll find that often everyone will get up and take part in a ceilidh. This is an incredible and interactive bar where you’re guaranteed to make new friends!
Day 2
For your second day in Inverness, you will want to head out of Inverness city centre and explore around Loch Ness. Follow this itinerary to make the most of your time in and around Loch Ness.
09:00 Breakfast at Wild Wee Pancakes
Enjoy a sweet treat to start your morning off right before heading out on a long day exploring. Whether you’re looking for savoury or sweet pancakes, you will have a pleasant surprise!
10:00 Take the bus to Loch Ness
If you’ve rented a car in Inverness then it may be easier to drive to Loch Ness. However, it is simple to get the bus from Inverness to Loch Ness.
To head to Loch Ness, catch the number 16 bus from Inverness bus station. It will take around an hour to get there. Just make sure that you check the bus times so that you can get there at a good time!
11:00 Boat trip around Loch Ness
If you’re going all the way to Loch Ness then you definitely want to take part in a boat trip and try to catch a glimpse of Nessie, the Loch Ness monster.
Even if you don’t believe in the myths of the Loch Ness monster, you will still want to explore the area and enjoy the beautiful sights. We’ve popped a few recommendations of the boat tours below
Best Tours of Loch Ness
- Loch Ness Cruise & Urquhart Castle Visit from Inverness
- Loch Ness & Caledonian Canal 2-Hour Cruise from Dochgarroch
- Loch Ness 1-Hour Cruise with Urquhart Castle Views
13:30 Lunch at Loch Ness Cafe or enjoy your packed lunch
When you’re visiting Loch Ness, there are surprisingly not many places to stop and eat. Depending on where you end up around the Loch Ness area, there is pretty much only the Loch Ness cafe to eat.
Due to this, you might prefer to pack yourself a lunch or take some snacks with you to keep up your energy!
14:30 Bus to Urquhart Castle
Head on the next bus to Urquhart castle for your next stop off! It will only take around 10 minutes by bus so it’s not far at all.
If you’ve not got anything to eat then you may want to stop off in Drumnadrochit which is a lovely, off-the-beaten-track area to enjoy some great food.
14:45 Wander around Urquhart Castle
When you arrive at Urquhart Castle, take some time to wander around the castle remains and appreciate the beauty in the area.
This is known as one of the best castles in Scotland so it is definitely well worth a visit!
16:00 Bus back to Inverness
Take the hour bus journey back to Inverness ready to spend your last night in the city!
17:00 Freshen up for the evening
It will have been a long day and you will have most likely done a lot of walking so spend some time resting and freshen up ready for the evening.
18:00 Dinner at Prime Steak & Seafood
Celebrate your final evening in Inverness with the best food that you can find. This gorgeous steak and seafood restaurant is a sure way to celebrate your last night in the Highlands.
19:30 Drinks at Encore
Before ending your night and going on your further travels or heading back home, finish your evening with some drinks at Encore.
This lovely bar is stunning and gets quite lively in the evening. Not to mention that they also serve great cocktails too!
Explore Inverness Now!
Inverness is a great city with lots to offer travellers no matter what you’re looking for. Whether you’re a history buff looking to be transported back in time, heading for a city break, wanting to experience more of nature or you just want to do a bit of everything!
This 2 day Inverness itinerary is perfect for any travellers that are stopping to see the main sights. Alternatively, if you’re looking to do a bit more in Inverness and want to see as much as possible then our 3 day Inverness itinerary might be better suited to you.
No matter how long you’re spending in Inverness, embrace the Highlands and experience as much as you can whilst you’re there!
Scotland Travel Resources
- 3 Days in Inverness
- Free Things to do in Inverness
- Cheap Things to do in Aviemore
- Things to do in Haddington
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