Best Areas to Stay on the Isle of Skye

For most first-time visitors, Portree is the best place to stay on the Isle of Skye thanks to its central location, restaurants and accommodation options. However, Staffin is a better base for hiking the Quiraing and Old Man of Storr, while Glen Brittle is ideal for nature, camping and visiting the Fairy Pools.

Area to Stay	Best For
Portree	First-time visitors
Staffin	Hiking
Glenbrittle	Nature and remote scenery
Broadford	Budget friendly stays

Things to Know Before Choosing Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye

One of the first things you need to know about booking the best accommodation on the Isle of Skye is to book early. Accommodation is limited and popular hotels and campsites can book out months in advance during summer. When I visited, I had to adjust parts of my itinerary due to campsites being fully booked and there were a few times I had to settle for an unpowered site because the powered sites had already been booked.

You should carefully consider travel times when deciding where to stay on the Isle of Skye. Driving distances can be deceptive due to traffic and narrow single track roads. Google Maps may tell you somewhere is only a short drive away, but in reality the journey can often take much longer than expected.

It’s also worth noting that some areas of the island have limited or no phone signal. I experienced this while staying at the Glenbrittle Campsite, where there was no signal and no Wi-Fi. While this took some getting used to, it became the perfect opportunity for a digital detox and a chance to properly switch off in nature.

Where to Stay in Portree: Best for First Time Visitors

Portree is centrally located, making it one of the most convenient bases for exploring the island and one of the best areas to stay on the Isle of Skye for first time visitors.

In Portree, you’ll find a good range of shops, restaurants, supermarkets and accommodation options, along with several public car parks. Portree Harbour is also a lovely area to wander around, with its iconic row of colourful buildings lining the waterfront. 

While Portree is busier and more touristy than some other parts of Skye, it makes up for it with its convenience, amenities and central location.

If you’re visiting the Isle of Skye for the first time, Portree is one of the best places to start your accommodation search. I’ve included some popular hotels, a hostel and a campsite I personally stayed at below.

Hotels in Portree

Cuillin Hills Hotel

The Cuillin Hills Hotel is one of the most popular and highly rated hotels on the Isle of Skye, ranking among the top 10% of hotels worldwide on Tripadvisor. 

Set in parkland on the outskirts of Portree, the hotel overlooks Portree Bay toward the Cuillin Mountains. The rooms are modern and well-appointed, and there’s also an award-winning restaurant on site with breakfast included. It’s an ideal choice if you’re looking for a more comfortable and scenic stay near Portree. 

If you’re planning to stay here during peak season, I’d highly recommend booking several months in advance.

Tongadale Hotel

The Tongadale Hotel is located in the heart of Portree, less than 100 metres from the main bus stop, making it a great choice for travellers visiting the Isle of Skye without a car. 

The hotel offers a range of room types, including family rooms and is also pet friendly. There’s a bar and restaurant on-site, while there are also plenty of cafes, pubs and dining options within walking distance nearby. 

Hostels in Portree

Portree Youth Hostel

Accommodation on the Isle of Skye can be expensive, so Portree Youth Hostel is one of the best budget friendly places to stay in Portree. Alongside dorm rooms, the hostel also offers some private rooms, including family rooms. 

The hostel is centrally located, just a short walk from the main bus stop. If you’re arriving by car, there’s also a large public car park behind the hostel with free overnight parking between 8pm and 8am. 

It’s an especially good option for backpackers and solo travellers visiting the Isle of Skye on a budget.

As budget accommodation on the Isle of Skye is limited, Portree Youth Hostel can book out months in advance during peak season, so I’d recommend booking as soon as you know your travel dates. 

Campsites in Portree

Portree Campsite

The best thing about Portree Campsite is its central location, making it a great base for exploring the Isle of Skye, but what really sets it apart is the facilities. 

The bathrooms are modern, heated and spacious, with large showers and even a Dyson hairdryer, all much appreciated luxuries after days spent hiking and exploring Skye. A fellow camper enthusiastically described the bathrooms as “deluxe” when she walked in for the first time, and honestly, she wasn’t wrong.

There are also free washing machines and dryers available, which come in handy after battling the unpredictable Scottish weather.

If you’re looking for a campsite with excellent facilities and a convenient location near Portree, this is one of the best campsites on the Isle of Skye.

Where to Stay in Staffin: Best for Hiking the Quiraing & Old Man of Storr

If you’re planning to hike while visiting the Isle of Skye, Staffin is an excellent base. It’s only around a 15 minute drive to both the Quiraing and Old Man of Storr hikes, making it easy to arrive for sunrise or start hiking before the crowds arrive and the car park fills up.

Other nearby attractions include Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls, Lealt Falls and An Corran Beach, all within a short drive of Staffin.

Staffin also has a much quieter atmosphere compared to busy areas like Portree. While there are fewer amenities, you’ll still find a local shop and a couple of cafes. 

If your priority is hiking, photography and staying close to some of Skye’s most dramatic landscapes, Staffin is one of the best places to stay on the Isle of Skye. 

I’ve also written detailed hiking guides for both the Quiraing and Old Man of Storr, including parking information, trail details and tips for visiting.

Campsites in Staffin

Staffin Caravan & Camping

Staffin Caravan & Camping is a lovely little campsite tucked away from the main road, yet still close to many of the island’s top attractions. It’s a great base for exploring some of the best things to do on the Isle of Skye, including the Quiraing and Old Man of Storr. Staying here also makes it much easier to start the hikes early before the crowds arrive.

One of my favourite things about this campsite was having the indoor camp kitchen, which was a welcome escape from cooking outside in the wind and a great place to socialise with other campers. If you’d rather skip cooking altogether, there’s also a small kiosk on site serving breakfast in the morning and food in the evenings. 

The campsite offers both hard standing and grass pitches, with optional electric hook-up available. It’s suitable for motorhomes, campervans, caravans and tents.

Where to Stay in Glen Brittle: Best for Nature & Fairy Pools

If you’re wondering where to stay on the Isle of Skye to fully immerse yourself in nature and switch off for a few days, Glen Brittle (sometimes written as Glenbrittle) is hard to beat. Located on the southern end of the island at the foot of the Cuillin Mountains, it’s one of the most remote and scenic areas on Skye. 

Amenities are limited out here, so it’s best to plan ahead and bring your own food and supplies. Phone signal can also be patchy in the area. When I stayed at the Glenbrittle Campsite, there was no phone signal or Wi-Fi at all. 

Glen Brittle is a fantastic base for coastal walks, hiking in the Cuillin Mountains and visiting the Fairy Pools.

Hostels in Glenbrittle

Glenbrittle Youth Hostel

If you’re looking for budget accommodation in Glenbrittle, the Glenbrittle Youth Hostel offers a mix of dorms and private rooms. Facilities include a self-catering kitchen, laundry, large drying room and secure bike storage, making it an excellent budget friendly base for hikers and cyclists exploring the Isle of Skye. 

Due to its remote location, there is no public transport, very limited phone signal and no Wi-Fi, so it’s best to come prepared before arriving. 

Despite the word “Youth” in the name, there are no age restrictions for staying at the hostel. However, children under 18 can only stay in a private room and must be accompanied by an adult.

Campsites in Glenbrittle

Glenbrittle Campsite & Cafe

The Glenbrittle Campsite & Cafe is the perfect place for a digital detox. There’s no phone signal or Wi-Fi here, just nature.

The campsite sits right along the shoreline, with peaceful coastal walks nearby. There’s also a small cafe on site where you can warm up with a hot drink and a pastry, and they cook pizzas in the evenings too. If you’re hoping to grab a pizza, I’d recommend ordering ahead of time because by the time I checked into my pitch they had already sold out for the evening.

For a campsite on the Isle of Skye, this site is huge. Even in peak season, you can often still get a non-electric pitch without booking in advance, as these operate on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Stay in Broadford: Best Budget Friendly Base

Accommodation in Broadford is often overlooked in favour of Portree, but I think it’s a great budget friendly alternative. Broadford has a good range of shops, restaurants and accommodation options, while still offering easy access to many of Skye’s main attractions.

Located close to the Skye Bridge, Broadford is one of the easiest areas to access from the mainland. This makes it a convenient option for a first or last night on the Isle of Skye if you’re arriving late or leaving early the next morning.

Hotels in Broadford

Broadford Hotel

The Broadford Hotel is conveniently located just a few minutes walk from the supermarket, shops and cafes at Skye Market Square.

The hotel offers a range of uniquely designed rooms, including family friendly and dog friendly options. There’s also a restaurant and bar on site serving locally sourced produce, making it a great option for travellers wanting comfortable accommodation with easy access to the rest of the island. 

Campsites in Broadford

Camping Skye

Camping Skye is a community owned campsite on the outskirts of Broadford, but still an easy 10 minute walk to the shops and restaurants. 

They accommodate motorhomes, caravans, campervans and tents with both electric and non-electric pitches. Their facilities include free Wi-Fi, laundry and drying room, washing up area, as well as picnic area and firepit. 

Its convenient location near shops and restaurants makes it a great choice for travellers wanting an easy and comfortable base in Broadford. 

Helpful Planning Tips

Best Place to Stay on the Isle of Skye Without a Car

The best area to stay on the Isle of Skye without a car would be Portree as it has the main bus stop and many tour buses for day trips depart from here. 

Portree is also a convenient location for accommodation options, supermarkets, shops, cafes and restaurants. Portree Harbour is also a vibrant and popular area to explore. 

An alternative area would be Broadford, as this is also along the main bus route, with a bus stop outside the Post Office.

Camping on the Isle of Skye

Be prepared for midges

Midges are tiny flying insects that bite and feed on blood, causing itchy red bumps on your skin. They thrive in damp and marshy areas like the Scottish Highlands, meaning there are lots of them on the Isle of Skye. They’re most active from late May to early September, with July and August considered the worst months. 

Come prepared with insect repellent, ideally wear long sleeves and consider wearing a head net. I honestly thought the head net was overkill when I packed it, but I’m very glad I did because I definitely used it.

Expect unpredictable weather

The weather on the Isle of Skye can be very unpredictable and can change quickly.

I was planning to hike the Old Man of Storr on the day I arrived, but as soon as I had parked the campervan, I realised the winds were so strong that the van was actually swaying. It was also raining heavily, so I had to adjust my itinerary and return the next day instead. 

That night at the campsite, several people camping in tents had their tent poles snap in the strong winds. It even got to the point where I googled “can high winds blow over a parked campervan”…

Pack for all weather conditions, including a waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers. I actually didn’t pack waterproof trousers and ended up buying them from an outdoor store in Portree.

Bring a long extension lead for electric hook-up sites

If you’re staying at a campsite in a campervan, motorhome or caravan and booking an electric hook-up site, bring a long extension lead. At several campsites, the hook-up point wasn’t close to the pitch and I ended up borrowing leads from reception.

During the peak season, campsites might not have enough spare leads available to borrow, so it’s best to bring your own.

Book accommodation early during summer

The Isle of Skye is an extremely popular destination during summer and accommodation can book out well in advance.

I’d recommend booking accommodation as soon as your travel dates are confirmed and you’ve decided where to stay on the Isle of Skye. While some places, such as Glenbrittle Campsite, offer unpowered sites on a first-come, first-served basis, most accommodation on Skye needs to be booked in advance during summer. 

When planning my trip, I hadn’t booked my accommodation early enough and ended up having to adjust my itinerary based on campsite availability.

FAQs About Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye

Where is the best area to stay on the Isle of Skye?

For first-time visitors, Portree is one of the best areas to stay on the Isle of Skye. It’s centrally located and has plenty of accommodation options, restaurants, shops and supermarkets. 

I’ve personally travelled around the Isle of Skye staying in several different areas, as each offers something unique, whether that’s proximity to hikes or coastal views.

Is Portree the best place to stay on the Isle of Skye?

Portree is widely considered one of the best places to stay on the Isle of Skye due to its central location, transport connections and amenities. 

However, it is also one of the busiest areas during peak season. If you’d prefer to skip the crowds for somewhere quieter, consider staying in areas such as Staffin or Glen Brittle instead.

Do you need a car to explore the Isle of Skye?

I definitely recommend exploring the Isle of Skye with a car, campervan or motorhome, as the island is large and many of the best places to see are in remote locations. 

If you’re unable to drive, joining a guided tour is one of the best ways to explore the Isle of Skye and make the most of your time.

Where to stay for hiking on the Isle of Skye?

If you’re planning to hike on the Isle of Skye, I’d recommend staying in Staffin. 

Staffin is only a 15 minute drive from two of the island’s most popular hikes, the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr. Staying nearby also means you can reach the car parks early and avoid the busiest crowds.

Should you stay at one accommodation or move around the Isle of Skye?

If you use Portree, its central location makes it easy to explore the island on day trips.

During my trip, I moved around the island and stayed at different campsites. This meant I could stay close to attractions and arrive early before the crowds. For example, I stayed in Staffin before hiking the Old Man of Storr and in Glen Brittle for visiting the Fairy Pools.

How many days do you need on the Isle of Skye?

I’d recommend spending at least 2–3 days on the Isle of Skye to see the main highlights. If you’re planning to do several hikes, I’d suggest allowing 4–5 days instead. 

The weather can also be unpredictable, so adding an extra day to your itinerary gives you more flexibility to rearrange plans if needed.

When should you book accommodation on the Isle of Skye?

I’d recommend booking your Isle of Skye accommodation as soon as your travel dates are confirmed, especially if you’re travelling during summer.

Accommodation on the Isle of Skye often books out well in advance during the peak season, particularly in popular areas like Portree.