Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Orkney Islands: is it crowded? When to visit

Orkney Islands (United Kingdom) is busiest in August and calmest in January and February. At its busiest, around the week of 9 Aug 2027, about 4,738 tourists stay there each night.

Then it gets very busy: come another month, or try one of the quieter places below. 6/9 · Very busy

Tourists week by week, for the year ahead

Forecasts from official statistics, estimated from figures for the wider region. The first three months are the most reliable. See Orkney Islands on the map, week by week →

What to see in Orkney Islands

• Heart of Neolithic Orkney
• Italian Chapel

39 listed monuments, including a UNESCO World Heritage site and 78 more things to see and do.

Quieter places near Orkney Islands

No calm place worth the trip within 2 hours in the busiest week: come outside August.

Where to stay and what to do

Explore Orkney Islands and the calm places around it on the map →