Stromness

Stromness sits on Orkney's Mainland coast, and most visitors arrive by sea—the ferry from Scrabster pulls in at the heart of town, which gives the place an immediate sense of being a working port rather than a leisure destination. The waterfront feel is reinforced by the MV Hamnavoe, a restaurant rated 4.5 from around 71 reviews, which draws on that maritime character. There is a cluster of hotels and guest houses to choose from, with the Ferry Inn (4.4 from roughly 893 reviews) and Lindisfarne Bed & Breakfast (4.9 from 88 reviews) both well regarded, alongside options at the Standing Stones Hotel and The Royal Hotel. For those with a tent, Point of Ness campsite sits at a 4.5 rating from around 249 reviews.

Food here ranges from casual to more settled dining. The Vintage Paper Cafe rates 4.7 from 59 reviews and specialises in coffee and cake. The Pier Bistro and Takeaway (4.3 from 188 reviews) and Julias—The Shed (4.2 from 380 reviews) offer more substantial meals, while the Lost Orchards Bar at Stromness Community Centre is rated 4.6 from 29 reviews. The hotels themselves include dining options, with the Royal Hotel and other establishments providing restaurant space for guests and locals alike.

Stromness works as a base for exploring Orkney. The town's position on the coast and its role as a ferry terminal make it practical for those heading onwards, but there is enough here to occupy a night or two—a functioning port town with decent places to eat and sleep, and without the gloss or the visitor-centre feel of somewhere purely built for tourism.