A Perfect Isle of Skye 2 day Itinerary for 2023
You must be searching for an amazing Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary for 2023? One that you will remember forever? Excellent, you’re in the right place. The Isle of Skye is a lot bigger than you might think and you definitely need at least 2 days to explore the rugged and unique landscape.
Ideally, you would spend longer exploring and following the good weather. However, not everyone is blessed with time and who are we to say you shouldn’t visit one of the most incredible places in the world because you only have a weekend? Some people even visit the island on a day tour, so it really depends on how much time you’re blessed with.
If you do have longer, then be sure to check out our 3 day Isle of Skye itinerary too. This guide splits your trip into 3 days to see the best sights. Whereas this guide is more of a pick and choose from the highlights to help you decide what you’d like to see. Although, it doesn’t matter how long you have, we always recommend getting up early to enjoy the sights.
When is the best time to visit the Isle of Skye?
No matter the time of the year, you will need to bring with you a raincoat, lots of layers, hiking boots and a swimsuit. We visited in August, and it was beautiful.
Luckily, we could go swimming at Coral Beach and in the Fairy Pools and we had lots of daylight hours, so we could do a lot and have full days out. However, there’s no denying how much the midges can affect your trip during the summer months.
Also, due to mass tourism, it is recommended that you avoid the Isle of Skye during peak season (July and August). Therefore , with this is mind, arguably the ideal month to visit for mild weather and no midges is October.
How to get to the Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is on Scotland’s west coast. The island is the fourth largest island in the British Isles and the only large island in the UK accessible by bridge. If you cross the bridge remember to stop off at the incredible Eilean Donan Castle on the way.
The bridge is free to cross and there is a Co-op petrol station when you arrive on the island, so you can fill up your car.
Alternatively, you can catch a ferry (30 minutes) from Mallaig. Although, if you’re travelling in peak months, then this option can get booked up quickly. If you do this from Fort William, you will be able to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct Viewpoint on your way, which is worth it – even if you are not a Harry Potter fan.
It is worth mentioning that the island is far away from both major cities in Scotland. It is roughly 5+ hours from Edinburgh and Glasgow. Therefore, if you’re heading to Scotland just to come to Skye, you should consider making stops along the way. Here is our list of the best places to see on a road trip in the West of Scotland.
How to get around the Isle of Skye in 2023
The best way to get around the Isle of Skye is definitely by car. A lot of the roads are single track roads, narrow and winding. Be sensible and allow people to pass in the passing spots and don’t use them to take pictures (even though it might be tempting).
A top tip would be to use a downloaded map to get around. Outside of Portree, it’s potluck whether or not you’ll get a signal. We recommend the app Maps.me as it includes traveller reviews on points of interest and the trails are (usually) marked. Be sure to read our post on the ‘10 Best Travel Apps’ so you can easily travel and document your trip.
If you do not have a car, then we would recommend going on a tour because although there are public buses on the Isle of Skye, if you only have 2 days you are not going to be able to see everything because it will be much slower. You can of course rent a car if you need to – it will give you the flexibility you need.
Isle of Skye 2 day Itinerary- The Top Things to See and Do
Use this list to create your own custom Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary based on your preferences. Base yourself in Portree if you are looking to stay in accommodation, as this town has all the amenities you will need. We went wild camping on the island though, which was a truly wonderful experience and it meant that we could stay near the sights we wanted to visit the next day.
One thing we will say is that unless you are a hardcore hiker, do not attempt to do both the Old Man of Storr and The Quiraing in one day. Especially if you are like us and love to take pictures.
The weather can change a lot from morning to afternoon and it can be beautiful blue skies on one side of the island and then complete midst on the other. Check the forecast and follow the sun (if you can).
Hiking:
Old Man of Storr
Yes, how original for us to put this first on our list of things to do. But it is so worth it and it is only 6.5 miles outside of Portree. There really is nothing like it. The hike is not too difficult but can be steep and muddy in places.
It usually takes around 40 minutes to get to the viewpoint and then you can get closer to the rock formations themselves in another 15 minutes. It’s good to know that you will have to pay for parking here (the machine accepts cards) and there is usually a lot of people. It needs to be on your Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary.
The Quiraing
From experience, if the weather is not clear, then we’d recommend to not do the full hike. We set off as the weather began to turn misty and in hindsight we should have just seen the famous ‘Needle’ and turned back. However, if you are there on a lovely day you can do the full 4.5-mile circuit hike, which will take around 4 hours. We are sure the views are lovely… Hopefully your experience on your Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary will be more successful!
The Fairy Glen
A magical grassy spot that some people miss out because it is a little out of the way. Don’t confuse this place with the Fairy Pools. This is definitely the easiest hike on the list because you don’t have to go far from the car park to experience its beauty. It’s worth noting, the car park can get busy in the summer months though. It is a great experience on your Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary.
Waterfalls:
Lealt Falls
There is a lookout where you can see the waterfall from the top of the cliff. If you’re only on the Isle of Skye for 2 days, then we recommend making this a quick photo stop. If you’re moving at a slower pace, then you can make your way down to the waterfall but it will take around 30 minutes to return.
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
Another short photo stop but worth it for impressive views over the 90m cliff. It’s argued to look like the pleats in a kilt, which is where it got its name from. Can you see it? We were impressed with the waterfall cascading down into the ocean, you don’t see that everyday. Luckily, you can park right next to it, so it is a quick and easy stop for your Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary.
Bride’s Veil Waterfall
You guessed it, this is another photo spot with a small layby to park next to it. It’s really easy to reach on the Trotternish road, you’ll go past it on the way from Portree to the Old Man of Storr. Perfect for you Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary – to see a lot in a short time.
Rha Waterfall near Uig
There’s no official parking here, which means if you are in a motorhome it may be best to skip it or park further away in Uig and walk up. However, if you do manage to find a parking spot, then you should.
You’ll find a path on the right hand side and follow it for about 5 minutes to reach the falls. We had it to ourselves, even in a peak month.
The Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are extremely popular and the car park was extremely busy when we visited in the afternoon. However, if it’s the summer (or if you’re feeling brave) this is a popular wild swimming spot as well as a hike.
Honestly, we really enjoyed swimming underneath the waterfalls and finding our own little slice of paradise and the backdrop of the Cuillin Mountains is a picture you won’t forget easily on your Scotland travels. Another must for a Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary.
Beaches:
Staffin Bay
Honestly, we included this beach because it’s an awesome place where you can wild camp. If you were passing through the village of Staffin, you could grab some lunch from the shop and have it on the beach. Also it’s good to know that there are toilets in the village. Remember most of the sights do not have toilets.
Coral Beach
This is our favourite beach on the Isle of Skye. However, you need to know that the parking for the beach is not very convenient (we had to wait for a spot). After you manage to park, you still have to walk a mile to reach the beach.
The walk and the hassle is soon forgotten though, the water is as clear as the beaches in Sardinia. Lots of people were relaxing and swimming. We attempted to get in the water and it turned our feet red because of how cold it was. Enter at your own peril on your Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary.
Where to stay for your Isle of Skye 2 Day Itinerary
If you’re searching for a place to stay for your Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary, you should aim to stay near or in Portree to be close to all the main attractions mentioned in this guide.
There’s definitely a range of accommodation, from hotels, to Airbnb and hostels. Therefore, no matter your budget there will be somewhere for you. Portree is such a beautiful little spot too, we loved the colourful harbour and how it bustles with keen outdoorsy types.
Alternatively, you can wild camp for your Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary. This is the ultimate budget trip or for anyone feeling adventurous. It’s easy, you pitch your tent and you leave no trace. We stayed in some magical spots, by ourselves, in peak season. It is possible. Do you dare?
Finally, we hope you enjoyed this Isle of Skye 2 day itinerary. Truly, the Isle of Skye was always high on our bucket list and we feel that everyone should go and experience this, at least once. However, if you can avoid the peak months you should. Travel responsibly and keep Scotland beautiful for future generations. It’s certain, we cannot wait to discover more.
If you have more time, we recommend visiting Dunovegan Castle and Neist Point Lighthouse too. They are spectacular.
We only recommend things that we have personally tried and love using on our travels and hikes.
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Lovely post! I would love to hike on the Isle of Skye! The old man, the fairy glen and all those waterfalls look gorgeous, even in the mist! Do you think you’ll go back to explore again in sunnier weather?
The Isle of Skye has been on my wishlist since forever, and I’m really hoping to go this year. In terms of wild camping – can you camp anywhere? You don’t have to stay in campgrounds?
The Isle of Skye looks incredible! The landscapes look so beautiful! I especially love Old Man of Storr and The Fairy Glen – how adorable is that?? I’d love to visit to go hiking and appreciate the incredible landscape. Portree looks so pretty too. I love all of the colourful buildings! Thanks for the great guide!
We also visited in August on a mini road trip and had no rain, but it was almost always cloudy. The island is beautiful to visit though whatever the weather!
Wooowwww that beach is super impressive! I haven’t been yet but I’d love to. I did a road trip in Ireland and would love to recreate that in Scotland. 🙂
Scotland is definitely on our bucket list so we keep all your tips in mind! Portree looks like such a cute place to stay I already love it!