Best Areas to Stay in Inverness, Scotland

Inverness City Centre, as expected is Inverness’s main administrative, business and shopping district.

This bustling area located on both banks of the River Ness is home to the city’s main historic and cultural attractions.

Perhaps the most famous historic sight in Inverness is Inverness Castle. This stately house set atop a hill dates back to the 19th century and offers a panoramic viewpoint from one of its towers.

Nearby, the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery is home to a small collection focusing mainly on natural and local history and temporary art exhibitions.

The Victorian Market is a historic arcade with quaint shops, cafés and food stalls.

Greig Street Bridge, a 19th-century footbridge crossing River Ness connects both sides of the City Centre. The Old Town’s east side is also home to the city’s two main historic churches, St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and St Andrew’s Cathedral.

Inverness railway station, the city’s main transit hub, is located on Academy Street and provides frequent connections to other Scottish cities like Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Wick and Kyle, plus daily services to London (via Newcastle and York).

Additionally, the majority of Inverness urban and rural bus services run to or through the city centre, making this district the best-connected area in Inverness.

We have chosen the City Centre as the best area to stay in Inverness thanks to its perfect mix of attractions, shopping and nightlife options, and transport connections.

Loch Ness is the largest Scottish loch by volume and the second by surface area, after Loch Lomond.

This freshwater lake is located some 14 kilometres southwest of Inverness City Centre and extends 37 kilometres along the Great Glen, which runs from Fort William in the south to Inverness in the north. Its water visibility is exceptionally low due to a high peat content in the surrounding soil.

Set within an area of breathtaking natural beauty and historic importance, perhaps Loch Ness is best known for the alleged sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, known affectionately as “Nessie.”

The legend of the Loch Ness Monster attracts millions of tourists each year to Scotland.

Drumnadrochit, located on the banks of Loch Ness is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the area. This small village, home to around 800 people, is home to the main Loch Ness Monster-related attractions in Scotland, such as Nessieland, a family-friendly theme park dedicated to all things Nessie, and the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition, a small museum focusing on the history of the loch and its legendary monster.

Drumnadrochit is also one of the most popular departing points for Loch Ness boat cruises and excursions. You can book a cheap Loch Ness cruise here.

Other attractions in Drumnadrochit include the nearby ruins of Urquhart Castle. Situated beside Loch Ness, this 13th-century fortification played a role in the Wars of Scottish Independence and was destroyed during the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

Drumnadrochit is connected to central Inverness via bus (lines 17, 119, 917 and 919). The journey takes about 30 minutes.

Ballifeary is a district located 1 kilometre south of Inverness City Centre.

Set on the west bank of River Ness, this lovely, mostly residential district is home to The Royal Northern Infirmary and Infirmary Bridge.

Eden Court Inverness, the city’s main performing arts venue offers frequent theatre and dance shows, plus two cinemas.

Ballifeary Road, one of the area’s main thoroughfares is characterised by its large houses and a wide variety of Guest Houses and B&Bs. Meanwhile, the leafy Ness Walk runs along the river and offers lovely views.

On its southern edge, Balliferay hosts some of the best urban parks and green areas in Inverness, such as Bught Park, the Inverness Botanic Gardens and Canal Park.

Not far, you’ll find Ness Islands, a group of scenic shady river islands linked by bridges. The islands include walking paths, wildlife and a mini train ride.

Ballifeary is well-connected to the city centre by bus. Alternatively, depending on where you stay in Ballifeary, you can easily walk anywhere.

Dalneigh is an area situated directly west of Inverness City Centre.

Located between the Old Town and the Caledonian Canal, this quaint neighbourhood was originally a farm, turned into a residential area after WWII to provide housing for the growing population of the city. Nowadays, Dalneigh is one of the most populated districts in Inverness.

While very centrally located, Dalneigh provides a quiet alternative to the city centre. Most of the accommodation in the area is located on or around Fairfield Road.

On its western edge, the Caledonian Canal offers lovely views and boat cruises.

Frequent buses run through Dalneigh’s main thoroughfares, connecting the district to the city centre in under ten minutes.

Raigmore is an area located in East Inverness, about 2.5 kilometres east of the city centre.

This district is mostly known for being home to Raigmore Hospital, the largest health facility in Inverness, as well as for being very close to the University of the Highlands and Islands.

East Inverness is by and large a modern area, with wide avenues, residential developments and business centres.

This area is also home to some of the city’s most popular shopping centres, like Inshes Retail Park and Inverness Shopping Centre.

East Inverness is also close to the city’s airport, located 10 kilometres away.