• Bring layers and waterproof gear. The weather changes fast and it rains quite a bit year round.
• Start hikes early. Most trails don’t get too crowded but the parking fills up fast almost everywhere. A lot of parking lots are small and being shared by too many big campervans so make it easy on yourself and get going first thing.
• Download offline maps. Cell service can be in and out on the roads and the trails. You can navigate the roads pretty well from the road signs. View points and villages are well marked.
• Carry enough water and snacks. There are long stretches of driving where you won't pass any stores or cafes. 
• Stick to marked trails and respect private land. Tourism on Skye has a big environmental impact so it's important to leave no trace.
• Watch the sunset times. It gets dark early outside of the peak summer months. If you're from further south you might be surprised how short the late summer days can get.

This colourful harbour town is the go to home base. It’s got that postcard-perfect waterfront, cozy cafes, and good food options. Make time for a stroll along the water and grab a meal at a local pub. There’s paid parking and a few coveted overnight spaces for campervans.

The most iconic hike on Skye. The jagged rock pinnacle from an ancient landslide looks like something out of a fantasy film. The 4.5km roundtrip hike takes 2 to 3 hours with solid elevation gain, but the views are totally worth it. The landscape is especially stunning at sunrise or sunset. It gets foggy and rainy often, so check the forecast and bring layers. Paid parking, bathrooms, and a campervan service station are available.

Otherworldly cliffs, deep green hills, and a fortress-like rock outcrop that looks like a medieval castle or stronghold from a distance. The viewpoint is right off the car park, or you can do the full 6.8km loop hike. This is one of the best places to feel the epic scale of Skye. No bathrooms, and it can get sketchy when wet so watch your step.

Crystal-clear blue pools at the base of the Cuillin Mountains. Super popular for a reason. A 4.2km walk takes you past a string of natural pools and small waterfalls. You can swim but it’ll be a chilly one! Paid parking, public bathrooms, and a quieter gravel lot a bit farther away.

A compact, mystical landscape of grassy cone-shaped hills, stone circles, and classic Skye whimsy. You don’t need to hike far. Quick stop, fun times. Paid parking fills up fast in summer.

A 90-meter waterfall that tumbles off dramatic cliffs into the sea. Super easy stop with a viewing platform right by the car park. Can be packed mid-day, so come by early or late.

Underrated coastal gem. A moderate 3.5km out-and-back hike that leads you to cliffs, sea stacks, and even some dino footprints. Often muddy. Often empty. Always stunning.

Dinosaur footprints from the Jurassic period right on the beach. Only visible at low tide, so plan ahead. Easy to find and ideal if you’re into ancient stuff. You can wild camp here if you’ve got a van.

Lighthouse on a dramatic coastline. The setting of your next romance novel. One of the best sunset spots on the island. You can walk the cliff paths or head all the way down to the lighthouse. Wild and windy. Single-track road access. Drive with care. Free parking and wild camping allowed.

Scotland’s oldest continuously inhabited castle and the ancestral seat of Clan MacLeod for over 800 years. Perched on the shores of Loch Dunvegan it feels straight out of a Highland legend, with formal gardens, ancient artifacts, and dramatic loch views all around.

Inside, you’ll find clan heirlooms like the Fairy Flag, believed to bring victory in battle, and rooms preserved with rich period details. Outside, the walled garden and woodland trails are peaceful to explore, and boat trips to see seal colonies on the loch run regularly in season.

It’s about a 10-minute drive from Dunvegan village or 40 minutes from Portree. There’s a car park on-site, and entry tickets include access to the castle interior and gardens.

Turquoise water. White crushed coral shore. If the sun’s out, it’ll feel almost tropical. A 45-minute roundtrip walk from the car park. No facilities but well worth the detour.

Skye is rarely dry. Expect rain anytime, but your best bet is April to June and September. July to August is peak tourist season, so it's busier and campgrounds fill up fast. May, June, and September are the sweet spot for fewer crowds and decent weather.

Four days is the sweet spot to hit all the highlights without rushing. Add a buffer day if you want flexibility for weather or spontaneous stops. If you’re road-tripping in a van, book campsites in advance or show up early to wild spots in peak months.

Skye’s beauty is matched by its winding, narrow roads. Many are single-track with passing places, so be ready to pull over to let others pass. Drive slowly. Not just for the sake of traffic, but because sheep and highland cows often wander across the road. In peak summer, give yourself extra time between stops since traffic can build up behind slower vehicles. If you’re not used to single-track roads here are a few driving etiquette tips.

1. Don't drive recklessly on single track roads. There are lots of blind corners and hills so don’t be flying around blind bends without being ready to stop quickly.
2. Let others by. Also don’t drive too slow. If you’re nervous and need to take your time or if you’re in a big slow vehicle that’s fine. But once you notice people on your bumper, pull into the next passing place and let them through. Frustrated drivers cause accidents, and if you get too big of a trail forming it can cause a messy traffic jam.
3. Big Car Privilege. This is a loose rule, but whoever can maneuver more easily should do the hard work in a stand off. There are places in the road where you might come head to head with another car and one of you will need to reverse back to where there is enough space to share the road. So if you see a massive truck or an old campervan it's going to be a lot easier to get out of their way rather than make them.
4. Passing Places. These are designated areas (sometimes paved sometimes not) where vehicles can pull to the side and get past each other. Only use passing places that are on your side of the road. Pulling to the right of the road is like swerving into the oncoming traffic lane. The only time you would move into a passing place on the right side of the road is if there was an abnormally large vehicle you needed to let pass that wouldn't fit in there themselves. Do NOT park here. They do sort of look like layby parking, but you will cause everyone a big headache if you leave your vehicle taking one up.
5. Drinking & Driving. Absolutely none. There is zero tolerance in Scotland and you need to be alert of these roads so it is for the best. Most pubs do a good selection of non alcoholic beers or you can always go for a squash/cordial (a diluted fruit syrup drink).

Skye books up fast, especially in July and August, so if you want a bed indoors, reserve well ahead. Portree is the main hub for hotels and guesthouses, but smaller villages like Broadford or Uig offer quieter stays with fewer accommodation options.

For vanlifers, Skye is a dream, but respect the “leave no trace” rule. There are designated wild camping spots, but many car parks now have “no overnight parking” signs. Check the Park4Night app for updated info. 

Campsites like Sligachan and Glenbrittle have great views and facilities, and booking early in high season is wise.

If you're just looking for a place to crash between seeing the sights, check out these hostels:

• Broadford Backpackers Hostel: A no-frills hostel in Broadford. About 40 minutes south of Portree near the Skye Bridge.
• The Cowshed: Great hostel that looks doing on Uig Bay towards the northern end of Skye.

If the accommodation is all part of the adventure for you, consider these more unique options:

• Allt Yelkie Pod Coig: Tucked into the landscape near Earlish, these modern pods give you floor-to-ceiling views of the rugged Skye landscape.
• Skeabost View Pods: Just outside Portree in the countryside of Peiness, Skeabost, these cozy pods offer a fun glamping experience while still being a short drive to all the shops and restaurants.
• Coral Cabins: Stunning cabins near Dunvegan with garden and sea views. Bit more remote but an incredible spot to spend the day.

These are a bit pricier but they are also iconic Isle of Skye stays right in the heart of Portree

• The Blue House: Insta-famous and perched right on the harbour, this bright blue cottage is as central as it gets. You’re paying for the location and the novelty, but it’s a one-of-a-kind stay.
• The Pink House: Right next door to the Blue House, this pastel gem has the same harbourfront views and puts you right in the postcard shot of Portree. Quirky, charming, and always in demand.
• The Royal Hotel: A more traditional option with a long history, plus some of the best views in town looking out over Portree Bay. It’s not boutique, but it’s a classic.

The weather on Skye can shift from sunny to sideways rain in minutes. Layers are key: waterproof jacket, warm mid-layer, and comfortable hiking shoes or boots. Bring a refillable water bottle (the tap water is delicious), snacks for longer drives between towns, and a camera with plenty of storage.