Portree Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Kilt Rock featuring rocky coastline
The biggest and busiest town on the Isle of Skye, Portree is built around a colorful harbor where fishing boats still arrive to offload their catch of the day.

Skye’s capital and cultural center, the lively town of Portree is awash with seafood restaurants, shops, hotels, B&Bs and traditional pubs. Admire the row of pastel-colored houses lining the harbor, browse locally produced crafts in independent boutiques and embark on a wildlife-spotting boat trip from Portree Harbour.

Learn about the different theories regarding the origins of Portree’s name. Some believe it comes from “Port Righ,” Gaelic for “King’s Harbour,” referencing a visit made by King James V in the 16th century. Others suggest it may come from “Port Ruighe,” meaning “port of slopes,” referencing the hilly landscape.

Stroll around town and wander down to Portree Harbour, a picturesque area where fishing boats and pleasure craft moor. Go on a boat trip from the pier to the islands of Rona or Raasay. Seals, dolphins and golden eagles can occasionally be spotted out at sea.

Shops line the central Somerled Square and the streets branching off it. Purchase handcrafted cosmetics, carved wood crafts and locally made knitwear. Toward the south of the town is the Aros Centre, a cultural center that includes a theater, cinema and seasonal visitor center.

Choose from a range of dining options in town. Charming seafood eateries can be found down by the harbor with more restaurants and pubs scattered around town. The town is at its busiest during the annual Isle of Skye Highland Games, which features a program of events including traditional sports such as caber tossing as well as Scottish piping competitions.

With its proximity to the Old Man of Storr, the Kilt Rock and the Trotternish ridge, Portree is a popular base for travelers. Pick up maps and brochures in the town’s tourist office for more information.

Portree is located on the east coast of Skye. To get here, ride buses from Inverness, Glasgow and Edinburgh or drive. Local buses connect Portree to other spots on the island, but are infrequent. Driving or cycling is more convenient.

Tongadale Hotel
Tongadale Hotel
3 out of 5
WENTWORTH ST, Portree, Scotland
The price is NZ$323 per night from 29 May to 30 May
NZ$323
per night
29 May - 30 May
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Portree. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (626 reviews)
"Nice area"

Reviewed on 1 May 2024

Tongadale Hotel
Uig Hotel
Uig Hotel
3 out of 5
Uig, Portree, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$529 per night from 4 Jun to 5 Jun
NZ$529
per night
4 Jun - 5 Jun
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Portree. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (998 reviews)
"Great location with wonderful view. Staff were helpful, food was good and room was comfortable with excellent shower!"

Reviewed on 5 May 2024

Uig Hotel
Bracken Hide Hotel
Bracken Hide Hotel
4 out of 5
Struan Rd, Portree, Scotland
The price is NZ$664 per night from 27 May to 28 May
NZ$664
per night
27 May - 28 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Portree. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Portree Harbour and Sgurr Alasdair are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (40 reviews)
"Extraordinary place!"

Reviewed on 4 May 2024

Bracken Hide Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Princes Point Villa all on Ground Floor
Princes Point Villa all on Ground Floor
4 out of 5
Portree
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Portree. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Portree Harbour and Somerled Square are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"We loved our stay and would absolutely recommend Princes Point Villa! The location is perfect for an Isle of Skye road trip. The scenery is fantastic, with a sweeping view of the sea across a beautiful pasture. The apartment was clean and well appointed with a fabulous farm style kitchen. Tracy was ..."

Reviewed on 18 Jun. 2023

Princes Point Villa all on Ground Floor
Traditional Croft House, modern interior, in stunning landscape, near the coast.
Traditional Croft House, modern interior, in stunning landscape, near the coast.
Near Staffin
Stay at this cottage in Portree. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and in-room fireplaces. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions Duntulm ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (182 reviews)
"lovely cottage in dramatic landscape"

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Traditional Croft House, modern interior, in stunning landscape, near the coast.
Tides, Uig, Isle of Skye
Tides, Uig, Isle of Skye
Uig
Stay at this vacation home in Portree. Enjoy a beach locale, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Uig Pottery and The Fairy Glen are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
Uig
"Beautiful home with fabulous views. Very comfortable. We did have some issues w hot water , which was remedied."

Reviewed on 2 May 2024

Tides, Uig, Isle of Skye
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Portree

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
8
" "5 - Excellent 57.142857142857146%
4 - Good
5
" "4 - Good 35.714285714285715%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 7.142857142857143%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
25 Mar 2020

Stay in the room with lake view, it's worth paying a little more!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
14 Dec 2019

Lovely place but very overrun with tourists and all the buses. I would go at a quieter time than September.

5/5 - Excellent

Han
6 Nov 2019

Cute little town with everything that is needed

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
3 Jul 2019

Isle of SKYE was somewhat disappointing. The time getting there & out would have been better spent on the main land

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Jun 2019

On the way for food stop at the inn for a drink then move onto Dulse and Brose (in the Boswell Hotel) for dinner. Make sure you book ...

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