Are you thinking about visiting Inverness, UK? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Inverness worth visiting?
Inverness is worth visiting for one to three days so that you can explore everything that the city has to offer. Inverness is the largest city in the Scottish Highlands, and it is rich in the regional culture. You'll find local restaurants and festivals that really bring the area's heritage to life. The area also has a beautiful natural setting with nearby hikes and scenic spots.
Inverness, Scotland
Reasons to Visit Inverness
Museums
As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.
Food
The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.
Shopping
The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the
Inverness Victorian Market.
Nightlife
Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.
Is Inverness worth visiting in the Summer?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 14°C (58°F).
The peak season for travel is summer in Inverness, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to savor the small town atmosphere, wander through the museums, and grab some drinks at a bar.
Summer Weather in Inverness
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 14°C (58°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| August | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| September | 12°C (54°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Is Inverness worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Inverness. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
The weather in Inverness can be quite cold during autumn, and averages around 9°C (49°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to browse through museums and explore the small town.
Autumn Weather in Inverness
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 9°C (49°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| November | 5°C (42°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| December | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Is Inverness worth visiting in the Winter?
This is the low season for travel in Inverness. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
The weather in Inverness can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 3°C (38°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the cuisine, and the nightlife scene.
Winter Weather in Inverness
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 3°C (38°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| February | 3°C (38°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| March | 5°C (41°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Is Inverness worth visiting in the Spring?
The weather in Inverness can be quite cold during spring, and averages around 7°C (44°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Inverness, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
This is a great time of year to browse the shops, browse the museums, and soak up the small town charm. Also, you can experience the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Inverness
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| June | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
Related
What is Inverness most famous for?
Inverness is most famous for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness. The city is very popular for its museums, food, and shopping. It's also known for nightlife. It is often described as cultural, traditional, local, and historic.
What is the most famous sight in Inverness?
The most popular sight in Inverness is Loch Ness. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Inverness on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Loch Ness and other attractions here.
How touristy is Inverness? Is it a popular city to visit?
Inverness is a popular city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Walking Tours in Inverness City Centre: $19
- Inverness Half-Day Highlands Bucket List Tour: $139
- Isle of Skye and the Fairy Pools Tour: $228
- DAY TOUR; loch Ness, Coo's,Drams,Battles &Stones,from INVERNESS: $163
- Full-Day Private Guided Shennachies Road to Isles and Skye Tour: $253
- Quad Bike Private Tour in Achaderry Estate: $63
- Invergordon Shore Excursion Highland Bucket List Tour: $152
- Outlander Adventure, The Stones, The Battle, Loch Ness & More: $139
How long should I spend in Inverness?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Inverness is one to three days. Since Inverness has activities such as museums, dining, and shopping, many visit for up to three days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Inverness? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Inverness?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.