Lerwick Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
town and port on Shetland, and capital of the Shetland Islands, Scotland, UK
About Lerwick
The town dates back at least 3000 years, initially centred a little to the west by the freshwater Clickimin Loch. A wooden town grew up but was burned down by the inhabitants of Scalloway in the 17th century, ostensibly because they objected to the drunken immorality of the Lerwick sailors. Their real motive was fear that Lerwick would supplant Scalloway as capital of Shetland, as indeed it did in 1708. Stone buildings came to predominate in the 18th and 19th centuries and Lerwick became a busy fishing and shipping port. It still is. VisitScotland iCentreis the tourist information centre. It's on Market Cross, south end of the harbour, open Apr-Sep daily 9AM-5PM and Oct-Mar M-Sa 10AM-4PM.
Top Attractions in Lerwick
Explore the best things to see and do in Lerwick:
- ★Clickimin Broch
- ★Clickimin Leisure Complex
- ★Fort Charlotte
- ★Mareel
- ★Shetland Museum and Archives
- ★Shetland Textile Museum
- ★Up Helly Aa Exhibition
Where to Eat in Lerwick
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴C'est la Vie
- 🍴Fort Cafe
- 🍴No 88 Kitchen and Bar
- 🍴Peerie Shop Cafe
- 🍴The Dowry
Where to Stay in Lerwick
- 🏨Glenorchy Hotel
- 🏨Grand Hotel
- 🏨Islesburgh House Hostel
- 🏨Kveldsro House Hotel
- 🏨Lerwick Hotel
- 🏨Queens Hotel
Lerwick Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 11 sections including: