Three Days in Inverness Scotland

In our opinion, Inverness is the real gateway to the Highlands especially if you’re spending a few weeks in Scotland or following the NC500. If you are travelling to Scotland then Inverness should be at least in your top 5 destinations, if not number 1!

A lot of travellers tend to visit Inverness on a day trip from Edinburgh and have a quick run through some of the attractions to visit. However, this itinerary is perfect if you’re planning to extend your stay in Inverness.

Everything that Scotland has to offer can be found within Inverness. If you’re looking for history, hillwalking, sight-seeing, Lochs or even just a night out, you will find it here.

Even though we don’t currently live in Inverness, Liam grew up here and we visit at least once a month so we are always on the lookout for new things to do.

Below, you will find information on the best places to stay in Inverness, things to do and of course an itinerary for how to spend three days in Inverness.

Three Day Inverness Itinerary

Day 1

Morning – Breakfast at Wild Wee Pancakes and take a trip to Loch Ness. Make sure to pack a picnic to bring with you. Whilst you’re at Loch Ness head out on a boat trip to spot the infamous Nessie.

Afternoon – enjoy a picnic lunch with views of Loch Ness. Visit Urquhart Castle and Clava Cairns.

Evening – Head back to Inverness City Centre and get some delicious food at Urquhart’s Restaurant. End the night with some drinks at Scotch & Rye or Black Isle Hostel.

Day 2

All Day – Breakfast at Ambiance Cafe. Choose to either head to Landmark Adventures (ideal for families travelling to Inverness), or alternatively take the Hogwarts Express and Scenic Highlands Day Tour (if you’re doing this tour then you will want to skip the Urquhart Castle on Day 1).

Day 3

Morning – Breakfast at The Rendezvous Cafe. Today, take the time to explore around Inverness City Centre. Use the morning to head over the bridge, enjoy a walk down Ness Bank and visit Inverness Cathedral.

Afternoon – Lunch at The Kitchen Restaurant. Visit Leakey’s Bookshop, The Victorian Market and Inverness Castle.

Evening – Dinner at Encore. Enjoy some of the bars within Inverness such as Scotch & Rye, The Castle Tavern, The Wee Bar. End the night with some Scottish music and dancing at Hootenanny’s.

What is the weather like in Inverness?

When visiting Inverness, you’ll find that the weather is not quite like the rest of Scotland. For example, the whole of Scotland could have rain all week long but for some reason Inverness will be sunny.

However, it also works the other way round and often the weather can be terrible in Inverness but sunny and bright elsewhere in Scotland.

We have had times when we have been in Inverness and snow is still on the hills in August! The weather can be a bit hit and miss so you need to make sure that you check the weather before visiting and plan accordingly.

However, there are plenty of things that you can do in Inverness when it’s raining so it shouldn’t put too much of a dampener on your trip (forgive the pun!).

How To Get Around in Inverness

If you have rented a car then this is definitely the easiest way to get around Inverness because there are some sights that are a little bit further out of the city such as Loch Ness, Clava Cairns and the Culloden Battlefield.

If you decide to rent a car then you may want to drive through some of the North Coast 500 and make the most of your time in Scotland!

The bus fares are cheap and can be purchased when getting on the bus with a contactless card or cash. If you’re using cash for the bus then make sure that you have the exact amount for your fare.

An alternative way to getting around (and also much more eco-friendly) is by renting a bike. You will find many great routes to cycle and you will get some incredible views cycling around too.

There is a train station within the city centre and you can purchase tickets either at the station itself or online using sites like Trainline.

Lastly, there are lots of local taxi companies that will be happy to help you out but remember that these are charged on a meter so it should be used more for getting from and to instead of asking for a driver to wait for you. Otherwise, you will find that you’ll rack up a very high meter!

Where To Stay in Inverness

If you’re planning on spending three days in Inverness Scotland then one of the first things you are thinking about is where you’re going to stay. Don’t worry, we’ve got you! 

We’ve made a list of 10 different places ranging in price so that you’re located in the centre and don’t need to worry about travelling around too much. 

This will help you find the perfect place for your stay no matter what your budget is!

Hostels in Inverness

Bazpackers

One of the top-rated hostels in Inverness, you will be guaranteed to be surrounded by a great atmosphere. There are not many other hostels that provide a free guitar for playing!

The hostel is located just in front of the castle and offers 4 and 6 mixed shared dormitories. For our female travellers, there is also a 4-bed female only dorm.

For our couples, you can get a private double room with gorgeous views or if you’re just friends, there’s twin beds too! Families can also have the option of a private self-catering apartment so there really is an option for everyone!

One of our favourite parts about this hostel is how warm and cosy the communal area is. You will be able to enjoy your evenings curled up with other guests socialising!

With free board games, a guitar, cosy fireplace and a garden to have an awesome barbeque, you will have an incredible experience at this hostel!

Black Isle Hostel

This is easily one of the most popular hostels to stay in when you’re visiting Inverness. One of the top reasons why is that the hostel is located above the owner’s bar so there is a great place to socialise with friends.

The Black Isle Bar offers a selection of 26 craft beers on draught, never mind what they have to offer for bottles & cans too. You can order some wood fired pizza too which is super yummy!

We absolutely love the beautiful artwork across the hostel which shows just how open and bubbly Black Isle is. The staff are friendly and will be happy to help you in any way they can.

You can choose between a 4 or 6 bed mixed dorm room or a private room. There are towels and hairdryers for hire and security lockers to keep your belongings safe. The hostel also has a common room and for book lovers there is a book exchange too! For those of you with furry family members in tow, it is also pet-friendly at an additional charge of £10.

This is a unique hostel within Inverness because it has great rated accommodation, drinks, food and it is incredibly close to the train and bus stations.

Hotels in Inverness

Mercure Inverness Hotel

This hotel provides some great views of River Ness due to being based on Church Street. The bar located on site will give you a great place to sit, enjoy a drink and for the digital nomads get some work done whilst admiring some great views.

It is in a really good location with only a 4 minute walk to Inverness Castle and is also pet-friendly. There is parking and breakfast available for additional charges. What’s more is that there is also 24-hour room service available too!

The bar area is beautiful and a great place to relax! The one thing we really love about this hotel is that there are a lot of social and communal areas where you can have fun. This is especially good if its raining (very common in Inverness) and you don’t want to venture out for the evening.

This is the perfect hotel for you if you’re looking for a little bit of luxury but still at an affordable price.

The Glenmoriston Townhouse Hotel

This is a stunning luxury hotel in Inverness located just a 4 minute walk from Bellfield Park and 6 minutes from Inverness Castle. The photos of the hotel speak for themselves on how luxurious your stay will be here.

You will finish your day sightseeing and be able to come back to your hotel and truly relax, especially if you want a soak in one of their incredible bathtubs!

One of the things that we love the most about Glenmoriston is the beautiful views from their dining areas. You can sit outside during the summer and enjoy some drinks right on the bank of Inverness.

This stunning town house also has a mixture of accommodation too. Not only do they have rooms available but you can also stay in an apartment for the night which are great options for families.

This is the perfect place to stay for anyone that is looking for picturesque views and some luxury. It is also a great choice for families to stay in their gorgeous apartments.

Best Western Inverness Palace Hotel & Spa

This is an incredible place to stay if you’re looking for some R&R on your trip to Inverness. You can treat yourself to a manicure / pedicure, aromatherapy and massages at their spa. 

There is also an indoor pool at this hotel. All this is located just a 3 minute walk from the cathedral and a 6 minute walk from the castle.

From the moment you walk into the Inverness Palace Hotel , you will know that your money has been well spent and you are paying for a quality room and luxurious amenities.

If you’re looking for a relaxing break away then this will be the perfect hotel for you. You will be able to take advantage of the spa treatments, soak in the pool and burn off some energy in the gym.

You will be delighted with the gorgeous views of River Ness and can enjoy lunch or dinner with this in your sight!

What To Do In Inverness

There is a lot to do within Inverness both inside the city centre itself and just on the outskirts of Inverness.

Whilst you can follow our 3 days in Inverness itinerary, we wanted to include details on the best things to do so that you also have the option to create your own itinerary.

If you’re travelling to Inverness on a budget then there are also plenty of free things to do in Inverness too!

For anyone planning to visit a range of these sights then it may be worth checking out a self-guided audio tour so that you can go the best route and listen to history behind them all.

1. Leakey’s Bookshop

2. Ness Islands

This is one of the best things to do if you want to explore a bit more of the nature within the Highlands. If you’re planning to visit Ness Islands then why not head over for sunset?

There is so much beauty to take in that you will be speechless. It is a rarity that you can walk from a modern city and within a few minutes you will be transported into the countryside.

You can occasionally see seals from here but they are very nervous of humans so keep your distance and you will be able to watch them for a long time.

3. Inverness Castle

4. Urquhart Castle

This is another place that is a little bit outside of Inverness but is well worth the journey. You will be transported back in history once you see this medieval fortress. It is one of the largest castles in Scotland and has a lot of history that comes with it.

This is one of the best castles to visit in Scotland with a stunning backdrop. You will be able to experience some beautiful views of Loch Ness and explore the artifacts and remains of the Castle. 

You will be able to get a bus to the Castle by taking the 919 bus. However, if you’re planning to visit Loch Ness too then you can always do a combined tour. We’ve left links below for guided tours that you can go on that include Urquhart Castle.

BEST URQUHART CASTLE TOURS

• Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle Visit from Inverness
• Inverness Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield and Urquhart Castle
• Loch Ness Cruise, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness

5. Inverness Cathedral

Cathedrals may not be something that you would first think of visiting within Inverness but we would recommend taking time to check out this one.

With beautiful architecture, you will be astounded by the details both inside and outside this Cathedral. It first began to be built in 1866. You will also find that you can get some incredible views of the River Ness from the churchyard.

The Cathedral is open 365 days a year between 10am – 4pm and there is no charge to enter. However, as there is a lot required to keep it maintained, they would always appreciate a donation if you can spare some change.

If you’re planning to visit Ness Islands, Inverness Castle and Inverness Cathedral then why not take part in a walking tour?

They are run daily at 11:30 and 17:30 and costs £14 per person to see some incredible sights. Also, if you’re travelling solo you’ll have people that will take photos for you too!

The highlands are one of the best destinations for solo travellers and this is a great way to meet other people travelling alone!

6. Loch Ness

Just outside of Inverness is the famous Loch Ness where the Loch Ness Monster lives. The monster has apparently been sighted over 1100 times!! If you go you might see Nessie for yourself!

There are plenty of tours that will take you on a boat trip for Nessie spotting. If you don’t get to see her though, it’s not a waste of a journey because you’ll be looking at a Loch that holds more water in it than all the English and Welsh lakes put together! Believe us when we say it is a sight to behold and this is one of the best things to do in Inverness.

Alternatively, there are a plethora of affordable guided tours that you can take part in. Some of which will stop at Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle if that is also on your list to visit. We’ve linked a few different options below for you so that you can see what will be easier for you.

It’s a beautiful day out and if you’re self-guiding then you can also go hillwalking up the glen or some of the Munros. If you like to get out walking, spotting mythical monsters or love exploring nature then we would definitely recommend a visit!

Loch Ness Tours

• Loch Ness Cruise, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness
• Loch Ness & The Highlands from Inverness
• Loch Ness 1-Hour Cruise with Urquhart Castle Views

7. Landmark Adventures

Landmark Adventures is a great place to visit for families. It is located just outside of Inverness in Carrbridge but it is easily accessible from Inverness.

There are a number of attractions at the park including Dinosaur Kingdom, Networx (an aerial net challenge only open on weekends), Lost Labyrinth, WonderWood. The list goes on and on. It is recommended as well to head up the 105 steps to The Forest Tower and get 360 views of the surrounding area!

It costs £15 per adult for entry and £13 per child. Under 3’s are free entry and Toddlers are £10 but you will have access to the entire park!

If you don’t have a car then you can either take the bus or get a train to Carrbridge. The Stagecoach bus takes around 43 minutes and you can jump on either the X37, 37 or the 39. It is worth checking the availability on their website in advance.

Alternatively, you can get the train which will take around 27 minutes. This would be the quickest option especially if you’re staying in one of the accommodations we recommended above as they are located near the train station.

8. Inverness Botanic Gardens

The Botanic Gardens is a great unique thing to do when visiting Inverness. You can wander your way around the Tropical House, Cactus House, The Gardens and so learn more about their GROW Project. The gardens are completely free to enter and are open 7 days a week.

9. The Victorian Market

10. Clava Cairns

The Clava Cairns is around 4,000 years old making it one of Scotland’s most prehistoric sites! You can learn more about the cemeteries of the Bronze Age and why it was such an important place during this era.

They are very well-preserved Cairns that have a plethora of history to be discovered. This is also one of the filming locations of Outlander so is a great spot to visit!

It is located just outside of Inverness just past the east of Culloden Battlefield. It can take around 17 minutes to get there if you’re driving. If you’re not driving then one of the best options is to hire some bikes.

Alternatively you can get a public bus to the Culloden Battlefield and walk to the Cairns. You will need to get the number 2 bus from the city centre.

If you’re planning to visit the battlefield too then it is worth heading out early as you may be in for a little bit of a long day if you want to spend a good amount of time there!

When you’re spending the day at Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns, there are plenty of different walks to enjoy around this area. Take some time to see the infamous Highland Coos in Inverness whilst you’re at it for an added highlight to your trip!

If you’re planning to visit Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield and Loch Ness then it may be worth checking out a guided tour that groups all of this together!

Best Day Tours from Inverness to Explore Scotland

• The Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle from Inverness
• Hogwarts Express & the Scenic Highlands Day Tour from Inverness
• 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles
• Loch Ness Cruise & Urquhart Castle Visit from Inverness
• Loch Ness & Outlander Sites Tour from Inverness
• Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle & More from Inverness City

Final Tips for Visiting Inverness

This travel guide to Inverness should have given you the information you need to visit and you will be able to adapt the 3 day itinerary for the things you want to see the most in Inverness.

Many people we have met have moved to Inverness after they went for a visit so we think that says it all.

If you’re planning on visiting somewhere in Scotland then make sure that Inverness is at the top of your list!

Already visited Inverness? Why don’t you try visiting Edinburgh? As we live here, we have lots of articles to help guide you around the city including cheap things to do in Edinburgh for those that are on a budget.

Scotland Travel Resources

• Scotland Tourism Guide
• Travel Guide to Inverness
• Edinburgh Solo Travel Guide
• Cheap Things to do in Edinburgh
• Edinburgh Best Date Ideas
• Harry Potter Cocktail Making Edinburgh
• Arthur’s Seat & Holyrood Park
• Cheap Things to do in Aviemore
• Things to do in Haddington

Save This For Later

Scotland Bucket List