Where To Stay On The Isle Of Skye: best Areas And Accommodation Guide
Wild landscapes, winding single-track roads, cosy cottages with loch views, and a hint of faerie magic — the spectacular Isle of Skye is an absolute delight. But deciding where to stay on the Isle of Skye can make or break your trip.
Having spent 3 days exploring Skye with our three children, we found that the right base can drastically reduce driving time, leaving longer to explore this dreamy Scottish Island.
Choosing the right location to base yourself is essential, particularly for first-time visitors to the Isle of Skye. Distances can be deceptive and weather changes quickly. After a long day of driving, our kids needed a bit of space to decompress, so finding the perfect accommodation was important.
In this post, I’ll share the best places to stay on the Isle of Skye for first-time visitors, along with options for larger family groups and a range of hotels, cottages, campsites and unique stays to suit different budgets.
Top Tip: Accommodation on the Isle of Skye books up quickly, particularly in summer. Book as early as possible, ideally 3-6 months in advance.
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Where Is the Best Place to Stay on the Isle of Skye?
The short answer? If you’re visiting Skye for the first time, Portree is our top pick for families.
Portree’s central location is just 10 – 15 minutes from the start of the Trotternish Peninsula drive and roughly 30 minutes from Dunvegan. It’s also around an hour from both the Skye Bridge and the Armadale ferry, making it a convenient choice for travel days and Skye road trips.
We came to Portree for the location, but fell in love with the iconic colourful houses lining the harbour, the friendly welcome, and the views of distant mountains above the shimmering waters of Loch Portree.
Where to Stay on the Isle of Skye for Families
Choosing the best place to stay on the Isle of Skye can make a huge difference to your trip, especially when travelling with children. Distances are longer than they look, roads can be slow, and having the right base means less time driving and more time exploring.
Whilst we recommend Portree for a first visit, there’s an area of Skye to suit every type of traveller.
Whether you’re craving a wild and remote escape, looking for convenience, or searching for a peaceful retreat, there’s a corner of Skye that will work perfectly for your family.
Quick Comparison – Where Should You Stay on the Isle of Skye?
Here’s a simple breakdown of the main areas, including who they’re best for, along with the pros and cons of each.
Portree — Best place to stay on the Isle of Skye for first-time visitors
Best for: First-time visitors
Pros: Largest town, central location, great choice of restaurants and accommodation
Cons: Busier and more expensive
Portree is the most convenient and well-connected base on Skye, making it ideal for families who want easy access to the island’s main sights without too much driving.
Trotternish Peninsula / Staffin — Best for nature lovers and photographers
Best for: Nature lovers & photographers
Pros: Close to the Quiraing and Old Man of Storr
Cons: Limited dining options, more remote
This is Skye at its most dramatic. Staying here allows you to experience these iconic landscapes early in the morning or late in the evening, when crowds are thinner.
Dunvegan — Best for quiet stays and west coast exploring
Best for: Quiet stays
Pros: Close to Coral Beach, Dunvegan Castle and seal trips
Cons: Limited dining options
A slower-paced base on Skye’s west coast, perfect if you’re looking for space, scenery and a more relaxed feel.
Broadford — Best budget-friendly base on the Isle of Skye
Best for: Budget and convenience
Pros: Good access on and off the island, useful amenities
Cons: Less scenic than other areas
Broadford is a practical choice, particularly for larger families or shorter stays, with supermarkets and easier logistics.
Sleat Peninsula — Best for peaceful escapes
Best for: Peaceful escapes
Pros: Quiet, scenic, close to ferry
Cons: Longer drive to northern Skye
Often overlooked, Sleat offers a greener, more tranquil side of Skye—ideal if you want to avoid the busiest areas.
No matter where you choose, each area of Skye offers something completely different. The key is deciding what matters most for your trip—convenience, scenery, or a little peace and quiet at the end of a long day exploring.
Map of Portree Accommodation Areas and Attractions
Stay in Portree – Best Base for Families on the Isle of Skye
For our trip, we stayed just outside Portree at Caravan Skye, which I’d recommend if you’re travelling to Skye with kids or planning to self-cater for much of your stay. Our children loved having plenty of space to play after a full day of exploring.
However, if you’re planning to dine out in Portree’s excellent restaurants, then you should consider staying in Portree itself.
In Portree, you’ll find supermarkets, casual restaurants, and a wide range of accommodation that caters well to families, including larger apartments and houses.
It’s also perfectly placed for exploring the Old Man of Storr, Quiraing, and Fairy Glen without excessive driving.
Stay in the Trotternish Peninsula – Best for Dramatic Landscapes and Hiking
The Trotternish Peninsula is Skye’s star attraction, home to some of the most incredible scenery in the British Isles, including the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr.
The peninsula gets busy in summer; however, if you’re able to secure accommodation here, you can take advantage of quieter early mornings and evenings.
If you love hiking, astoundingly beautiful landscapes, and wild, raw scenery, then staying on the Trotternish Peninsula is a fantastic choice.
There are very few facilities here, so make sure you stop in Portree for supplies before heading to your accommodation.
Try a cottage near Staffin for open-plan living, space for up to 6 guests and stunning views. Alternatively, this cottage near Uig is lovely and has easy access to the Fairy Glen.
Stay in Broadford – Best Budget-Friendly Base on the Isle of Skye
Broadford is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most practical places to stay, especially if you’re arriving via the Skye Bridge.
Broadford has good access to supermarkets and is a shorter drive on and off the island.
It’s not quite as picturesque as Portree, but it’s a solid base, particularly for larger families.
Budget: Broadford Backpackers Hostel offer family rooms with shared bathroom and good basic facilities.
Mid-range: Glendagreet offers a variety of family rooms with private bathrooms and sea views.
Larger families: Try Carnmhor Cottage which sleeps up to 6 and has its very own sea shore!
Stay in Dunvegan – Best Quiet Area on the Isle of Skye
If you’re after dramatic scenery and fewer crowds, Dunvegan is a great choice.
Be prepared for longer drives and fewer dining options, but the reward is a real sense of peace and quiet, particularly in the mornings and evenings.
Despite its diminutive size, there’s plenty here for families: Dunvegan Castle; seal colony boat trips and the astonishing Claigan Coral Beach. It’s also within reach of Neist Point Lighthouse, one of Skye’s most iconic sunset spots.
Mid-range: Skye Getaways offers several self-catering options, including a 2-bedroom apartment which sleeps 4.
Larger families (3+ children): Dunvegan Castle Keepers Cottage is a very highly rated three-bedroom cottage just a few minutes from the Castle. There are also two other cottages available.
Budget Option: Dunvegan Camping Pods offer well-equipped camping pods with mini-kitchens, private bathrooms and bedding included.
Stay on the Sleat Peninsula – Best Peaceful Area on the Isle of Skye
The Sleat peninsula is greener and more relaxed than much of the rest of the island. If you want a slower-paced stay, especially with younger children, then consider this area.
If you do want to visit Skye’s headline sights, the drive is a little longer, but the calm atmosphere can make the extra distance worthwhile.
The Armadale-Mallaig ferry departs from here, making it a convenient first night stop on Skye, even if you don’t plan on staying longer.
Try Armadale Castle Cabins for a range of self-catering wooden cabins, many of which have sea views.
Alternatively, Coorie View is a stunning 3-bedroom cottage sleeping up to 6.
Tips for Booking Family Accommodation on Skye
Book early—especially for summer and school holidays. Skye is a small island with limited accommodation. Pair this with being Scotland’s second most visited destination (after Edinburgh) and it’s easy to see why booking early is essential.
Check driving distances—places may look close on the map but take longer than expected, especially with summer crowds
Final Thoughts: Best Place to Stay on the Isle of Skye
you want the easiest, most balanced trip, we’d recommend staying in Portree. Our second choice for visiting Skye with kids would be Dunvegan.
If accommodation in Portree is unavailable, Broadford is a good and practical alternative.
For our next visit, we’re planning a wilder trip and will head to the Sleat Peninsula.
For larger families especially, I’d strongly recommend self-catering accommodation for more space, flexibility, and often better value than booking multiple hotel rooms.
