Cruises to Lerwick (Shetland Islands)

104 Reviews
Lerwick (Photo:Zdenka Mlynarikova/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Lerwick (Shetland Islands)

Lerwick, the Shetland Islands' capital, is undeniably multifaceted. Superficially, Lerwick's architecture reflects that of its past -- deeply rooted in Dutch traditions with stone-facade buildings, known as lodberries, lining the busy port. Lerwick, like the rest of the Shetland Islands, is more than just superficial beauty though -- and just a few hours in town will uncover a rather fascinating history.

A gift to Scotland from a Danish princess in the late 1400s, the town wasn't actually founded as a port until the late 17th century. The geographic location close to Norway is reflected in all facets of Lerwick -- from many of the store's decor to the people. The locals' warm and embracing personalities are a near-perfect blend of Norwegian and Scottish. The Scottish reminders come when you're strolling through the UNESCO town and see rolling green hills behind tall castle-like administrative buildings and sheep traffic jams in the center of town.

For visitors, there's plenty to do here -- whether you're docking for just a few hours or overnight. With vibrant green-hued hills flanking the beautiful Bressay Sound, be sure to book an excursion that gets you outside to explore the wildlife (like the Shetland ponies) and the stunning scenery. If you're visiting in July, the Shetland Nature Festival brings thousands to Lerwick to celebrate the islands (which are comprised of more than 1,500 small archipelagos) diverse wildlife and outdoor activities. For those visiting on rainy days, the town has museums, restaurants, theaters and more to keep you immersed in the local culture. As a bonus, there are public buses and ferries that can cart you to neighboring islands and other landmarks, like the historical site of Jarlshof. Plan your trip to Lerwick with our upcoming Scotland cruise itineraries.

  • More about Lerwick (Shetland Islands)

  • Why Cruise to Lerwick (Shetland Islands)?

  • Lerwick (Shetland Islands) Cruise Port Facilities?

Loading...

We found you 168 cruises

Loading...
Loading...
Norwegian Star
Norwegian Star

14 Night
Europe - Iceland

2,583 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Nieuw Statendam
Nieuw Statendam

14 Night
North Cape & The Midnight Sun

267 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Nieuw Statendam
Nieuw Statendam

14 Night
Wild British Isles: Belfast Evening Stay

267 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Nieuw Statendam
Nieuw Statendam

14 Night
North Cape & The Midnight Sun

267 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Cruise Critic Favorite

12 Night
British Isles Cruise

1,945 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

18 Night
Europe - Northern Cruise

282 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

12 Night
Europe - Northern Cruise

45 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

14 Night
Europe - Western Cruise

1,873 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

14 Night
Scotland & Norwegian Fjords

9 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker
Cruise Critic Favorite

11 Night
British Isles Cruise

2,099 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

83 Night
World Cruise

392 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

14 Night
Europe - Iceland

2,583 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

51 Night
World Cruise

231 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

14 Night
Wild British Isles: Belfast Evening Stay

267 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

15 Night
Iceland & Ireland Cruise

1,641 Reviews
Leaving:
Cruise Line:
No prices currently available for this sailing.
  • Itinerary
  • Ship
  • Reviews
  • View All Prices
  • Fare Insight
  • Price Tracker

More about Lerwick (Shetland Islands)

Why Cruise to Lerwick (Shetland Islands)?

Pros:

A charming Scottish port with excellent local seafood and an abundance of wildlife

Cons:

It can get chilly -- even in the summer months -- so pack accordingly  

Bottom Line:

This historic port is packed with stunning scenery, friendly locals and a bounty of delicious local fare  

Lerwick (Shetland Islands) Cruise Port Facilities?

The small port harbor provides a few warm welcomes, like traditional Shetland music upon arrival and a “Meet and Greet” service to passengers from local representatives. If you're parked too far for walking comfort, the authority offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the town center for easy exploration. The main shopping areas, restaurants, bars, pubs and attractions are all located in the main Lerwick town center.

Good to Know?

The famed Shetlandic accent, which almost sounds like a dialect you'd hear in "Game of Thrones!"

Getting Around?

On Foot: Nearly all of Lerwick's main attractions are within a seven-minute walk from the port. In addition, shuttles are available to and from town if you're unable to walk.

By Inter-island Flights: Operated by Direct Flight, the inter-island flight service makes it easy to hop over to Shetland's other remote islands. The airport is just six minutes from the center of town and can be reached by shuttle or taxi. Even if you're just going for a short trip to another island, the aerial views from above are truly spectacular.

By Inter-island Ferry: Shetland Islands Council operate an inter-island ferry to and from the larger islands with the Shetland mainland. The ferries operate all around the archipelago, from Lerwick up to Gutcher, Belmont down to Fair Isle. The longest ride, to and from Fair Isle, takes four hours and 31 minutes each way. The ferries run to the closer islands every one to two hours and depart Monday to Sunday. Domestic fares start at ?5.30 per adult, making this an affordable (and picturesque) way to see the other islands.

By Bus: Buses are by far one of the most dependable and affordable options to get in and out of Lerwick, with service throughout the main archipelago. Bus schedules and fare information can be found at the tourist office or right outside the bus terminal.

By Taxi: Taxis can be found throughout the city and most drivers speak English. If you want to book a private taxi tour outside of Lerwick, Allied Taxis can take groups of eight and offers a guide.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

Lerwick's currency is the British pound. For up-to-date exchange rates, visit www.xe.com. Most ATMs are found in front of the banks, inside the Tesco supermarket, at the Sound Service Station and at the Toll Clock Shopping Center. Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept major credit cards, but it's safe to bring ample cash for eating and sightseeing just in case.

Language?

English is the language -- spoken with a local, Shetlandic twang. In addition to Shetlandic, Gaelic -- the Celtic language of Scotland -- is also spoken among some residents.

Where You're Docked?

Since the port itself is still relatively small, most ships dock either right alongside town or just a few meters away. Regardless of your parking spot, the town is within walking distance, and a large landing stage and welcome ashore pavilion will serve as a great meeting point. The port authority can also be reached by taxi or bus if you plan an excursion away from Lerwick. If you're not able to walk, a complimentary shuttle to and from town is available.


Lerwick (Shetland Islands) Cruise Reviews
This was my favorite port. The town is very walkable; it is easy to get to Fort Charlotte and other attractions. An afternoon excursion took us to see Shetland ponies, which are indigenous to the islands. If you are Read More
MostlyLegal
We were lucky that it was a perfect summers day. Very unusual for Shetland which is normally rainy and windy. This was a tender port. The ship was too big for the harbour.Read More
cruiseshipofficer
Did an amazing independent, private tour with Scenic Shetlands, which was arranged months in advance over email. After initially missing them at the pier (customs and tendering took longer than we expected to get ofRead More
Donna S Maryland
Long wait to get off boat with queues due to immigration process for entering UK plus tenders. We rented a car as above and explored the island. Lots of cute horses and a jewellery manufacturing area and galleries anRead More
heebee8

Related Cruises

Cruises to Virgin Gorda

77 Reviews

Cruises to Montreal

94 Reviews

Cruises to Amsterdam

1,057 Reviews

Cruises to Rouen

121 Reviews

Cruises to Saint John (New Brunswick)

449 Reviews

Cruises to Gdansk (Warsaw)

120 Reviews

Cruises to Marseille

934 Reviews

Cruises to Izmir

187 Reviews

Cruises to Adelaide

106 Reviews

Cruises to Lima

110 Reviews

Cruises to Rangiroa

30 Reviews

Cruises to Buzios

27 Reviews

Cruises to Hakodate

26 Reviews

Cruises to Picton

165 Reviews

Cruises to Mainz

18 Reviews

Cruises to Cinque Terre

354 Reviews

Cruises to Speyer

48 Reviews

Cruises to Bernkastel-Kues

37 Reviews

Cruises to Kinderdijk

8 Reviews

Cruises to Dawson City (Yukon)


Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.