CHOOSE A PLACE. MAKE A DAY OF IT.
Kirkwall and Stromness are two different bases on Orkney’s Mainland, not a shortcut to seeing the whole island group. Kirkwall offers cathedral and town history around Broad Street; Stromness brings maritime collections, art and narrow harbour streets, with separately planned outings towards western archaeology and coast. Our current Orkney Islands collection centres on these two towns. Give each a clear purpose and keep the weather, arrival port and opening calendar in the plan. A ferry to another island or an exposed coastal walk needs more preparation than adding another town museum.
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START WITH WHAT YOU ENJOY
Choose Kirkwall for St Magnus Cathedral and the Orkney Museum, with time between them to look through the historic streets. The Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces are seasonal ruined sites with stairs and temporary closures, not dependable indoor shelter. A Phoenix Cinema screening at Pickaquoy is a separately programmed outing away from Broad Street. It does not imply the centre’s swimming facilities are operating.
Stromness suits a slower day around its museum, Pier Arts Centre and public harbour streets. The paid museum and free art centre provide different perspectives rather than duplicate stops. Skara Brae is a separate road journey to a timed archaeological visit; Yesnaby is an exposed coastal choice. Neither is part of a casual walk through town, and the sea stack at Yesnaby is not a castle you can enter.
PLAN A DAY THAT WORKS
Both towns are on Orkney’s Mainland, so travelling between them does not itself require a ferry. A trip to another island is a different plan with specific departure points, bookings and return arrangements. Kirkwall town harbour, Hatston terminal and other Orkney ferry ports are not interchangeable. Check which terminal your journey actually uses and allow for the transfer before fitting an attraction around an arrival or departure.
On a confirmed opening day, visit St Magnus Cathedral around worship and events, then have lunch and explore the Orkney Museum. Add a modest harbour and historic-street walk if conditions suit. The shorter version keeps one interior and the surrounding streets. The palaces are closed on 15–16 September 2026; check the current operator notice before considering them as an extra, and do not rely on a presumed reopening.
Families can choose one museum and a short outdoor interval rather than several consecutive historic interiors. In Stromness, the art centre and a town walk can offer a different pace from a substantial archaeology trip. Couples interested in maritime history can spend longer in the museum and leave time for a meal. Skara Brae needs a deliberate journey and admission slot; Yesnaby’s rough ground and cliff edges make it a conditions-led choice, not an essential family stop.
Ordinary cathedral and Orkney Museum visits invite donations, while the Pier Arts Centre offers free entry on its open days. Stromness Museum and archaeological attractions have separate admission arrangements. For rain, use actual indoor collections or a booked film, keeping seasonal hours in mind. Skara Brae’s visitor centre does not make the ancient settlement an indoor attraction, and palace ruins remain exposed despite their names.
Stromness has narrow shared streets and flagstones that can be slippery, while historic interiors may involve steps or limited lift access. The cathedral remains a working church with parts sometimes restricted. Check current opening and access notices before choosing the day’s main visit. At Skara Brae, follow the managed visitor route rather than expecting to enter the original houses; any separate house visit nearby has its own operation and admission.
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