Currency
British Pound Sterling (GBP)
Language
English
Time Zone
GMT (UTC+0)
Best Time to Visit
May–Sep
Typical Duration
14-21 nights
Price Range
From $854 pp
Port Type
Port of Call
Tender Port
Yes
Gateway to the remote Shetland Islands, offering rugged landscapes, Viking heritage, and access to some of Scotland's most pristine natural scenery.
Cruises that visit Lerwick, Shetland Islands
- cruises to Lerwick, Shetland Islands
- Lerwick, Shetland Islands sailings
- Lerwick, Shetland Islands cruises
- 7-night Holland America Line cruise
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 7-night MSC Cruises cruise
- 7-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 7-night Holland America Line cruise
- 8-night Explora Journeys cruise
- 8-night Explora Journeys cruise
- 8-night Seabourn cruise
- 9-night Swan Hellenic cruise
- 9-night Atlas Ocean Voyages cruise
- 9-night PONANT EXPLORATIONS cruise
- 9-night The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise
- 10-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 10-night Swan Hellenic cruise
- 10-night HX Expeditions cruise
- 10-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 10-night HX Expeditions cruise
- 10-night Seabourn cruise
- 10-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 11-night Viking Ocean Cruises cruise
- 11-night Silversea cruise
- 11-night MSC Cruises cruise
- 11-night Silversea cruise
- 11-night Silversea cruise
- 11-night Oceania Cruises cruise
- 12-night Silversea cruise
Build Your Day in Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.
Ships typically depart around 5:00 PM
Usually about 9 hours ashore
Getting around:
Shetland Museum & Archives
Tracing the history of the islands
Closed · Opens 12 PM Sun
Fjarå Café Bar
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
The Dowry
Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery
Peerie Shop Café
Really tasty selection of vegan baking/breakfast choices.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Tue
Douglas Arms
Live music, great range of drinks and a cosy atmosphere while still trendy.
Gurkha Kitchen
Food was stunning both in preparation and taste at a very reasonable price.
Golden Coach
Dine-in·Takeout
The Lerwick Hotel
Relaxed lodging with bay views & dining
No 88 Kitchen and Bar
Best restaurant of Lerwick, kind service, fresh fresh fish dishes.
Fort Cafe & Take Away
Lovely staff, excellent food, and not expensive
Closed · Opens 4 PM Sun
The Lounge Bar
Great night of live music, friendly staff and lovely atmosphere!!
Saffron
Lovely food, very reasonably priced with great service
The New Harbour Café
However it is spotless, the food is freshly cooked and big portions.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Sun
Broch of Clickimin
Circular stone tower from the Iron Age
Closed · Opens 10 AM Sun
Fort Charlotte
It's a great place with good information boards, grand views, and free!
Closed · Opens 10 AM Sun
Mareel - Music, Cinema and Education Venue
Onsite services
C’est la Vie
Dine-in
Magno Cafe
Nice atmosphere very good service good food for fair price
The Olive Tree
Tasty, healthy food, friendly staff, nice atmosphere.
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
The Great Wall
Great tasty food, large choice of cuisines, friendly staff
The Lodberrie
It has a small beach where you can sunbathe and swim if you're brave enough.
Thule Bar
Brilliant pub with great drinks, beer and a pool table with character.
Scalloway Castle
Ruins of a 16th-century earl's castle
Temporarily closed
The Knab
Great spot for an easy hike as it is well built, beautiful breeze and views.
The Skipidock Café
Very helpful staff, excellent food good choices on the menu board.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
Pete's Cafe
Lovely relaxing atmosphere, delicious food and drinks.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Tue
Téamoré
The chef cooks fresh and will accommodate specific requests.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Tue
The Waterfront Bar and Grill
Piping hot food, excellent flavours, generous portion sizes, great value.
VisitScotland Lerwick iCentre
Onsite services
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
Island Larder Ltd
Always friendly, always welcoming, and always a fantastic coffee.
Closed · Opens 8:45 AM Mon
Phu Siam
Nice atmosphere and food, the comfort food we were looking for.
Da Haaf Restaurant
Really lovely food, friendly, efficient service and an amazing view.
Closed · Opens 12 PM Mon
The Kiln Bar
Had a couple of beers 🍻, friendly barmaid, great views of the bay👍
Coffee Culture Lerwick
Lush decor, friendly staff, good coffee, thank you.
Closed · Opens 8 AM Mon
Speldiburn Café
Great cafe - great food - friendly, helpful staff.
Closed · Opens 11 AM Tue
Raba Indian Restaurant
Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery
Lerwick Distillery
Onsite services
Closed · Opens 10 AM Mon
Lerwick Brewery
Great tasting beer and really friendly staff.
Closed · Opens 11 AM Mon
Blyde Welcome
Always a very warm and welcoming service and great Coconut Matcha Latte!
Closed · Opens 9 AM Mon
Sands of Sound
Good for walking and swimming.
Trench Bar And Nightclub
Delicious mojito and lovely decor and atmosphere here.
The Noost Bar
Exceptional service, lovely, friendly people and delicious drinks.
The Bay Brasserie
Dine-in·No delivery
Open now
TJ's Shetland
Excellent food great setting best Honey Chilli chicken I have ever had.
Himalayan lounge Lerwick
The best food and service.
Bains beach
Must visit during low tide to collect sea glass!
Food Culture Lerwick
A lovely café with friendly, attentive service and a great atmosphere.
Closed · Opens 10 AM Sun
Market Cross
Was there for Up Helly Aa,if you get the chance to visit go for it.
Lerwick Coastal Walk
The Lerwick Coastal Walk offers a peaceful escape from the town’s bustle.
Shetland with Laurie
Islesburgh Café
Coffee servings are huge but coffee is nice.
Stouts Pier
Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.
About Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Lerwick, the charming capital of Scotland's Shetland Islands, has become an increasingly popular port of call for Northern European cruises. With 15 major cruise lines calling here—including Viking Ocean Cruises, Holland America Line, Silversea, and expedition specialists like PONANT and HX Expeditions—you'll find an impressive variety of itineraries departing from or passing through this remote northern port. With nearly 250 upcoming cruises and peak seasons running from May through September, Lerwick offers excellent opportunities to explore the North Atlantic and beyond, with many voyages heading to iconic destinations like Bergen, the Orkney Islands, Dover, and Belfast.
Stepping ashore in Lerwick, you'll discover a vibrant harbor town steeped in Viking heritage and maritime tradition. The colorful waterfront is instantly charming, while the town's museums and cultural attractions reveal fascinating stories of Shetland's unique Norse and Scottish influences. Whether you're seeking cultural immersion, outdoor exploration, or simply a taste of authentic island life, Lerwick provides a memorable and accessible cruise experience in one of Europe's most distinctive regions.
Stepping ashore in Lerwick, you'll discover a vibrant harbor town steeped in Viking heritage and maritime tradition. The colorful waterfront is instantly charming, while the town's museums and cultural attractions reveal fascinating stories of Shetland's unique Norse and Scottish influences. Whether you're seeking cultural immersion, outdoor exploration, or simply a taste of authentic island life, Lerwick provides a memorable and accessible cruise experience in one of Europe's most distinctive regions.
Cruise Lines at Lerwick, Shetland Islands
- Viking Ocean Cruises (112 cruises)
- Holland America Line (73 cruises)
- Seabourn (45 cruises)
- Oceania Cruises (25 cruises)
- MSC Cruises (14 cruises)
- Celebrity Cruises (9 cruises)
- Explora Journeys (8 cruises)
- HX Expeditions (7 cruises)
- PONANT EXPLORATIONS (7 cruises)
- Silversea (6 cruises)
- Swan Hellenic (2 cruises)
- Atlas Ocean Voyages (1 cruise)
- The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (1 cruise)
Cruises Departing From Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Cruises Visiting Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Ship Schedule at Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Lerwick, Shetland Islands Location
Other Cruise Ports in Scotland
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lerwick known for?
Lerwick is the administrative center of Shetland and a historic harbor town known for its lodberries along the harbor.
How can I visit Lerwick?
Lerwick is accessible by air and sea, and is a common stop for cruise ships visiting Shetland.
What can I see in Lerwick?
Lodberries along the harbor, twisting lanes, and coastal views, plus nearby cultural sites.
When is the best time to visit Lerwick?
Summer brings milder weather, longer days, and peak cruise ship visits.