Where to Stay in Inverness in 2024 – 4 Best Areas (w/Hotels)

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A historic castle with towering turrets and brick walls is situated on a grassy hill with trees and shrubs, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Wondering where to stay in Inverness, the famous capital of the Scottish Highlands? Then jump on this guide and learn how to plan a fabulous trip there!

I briefly visited Inverness, while in Scotland and came back with some tips that I included in this post, along with the top areas in the city and the best hotels in each of those places, which I ordered from most to least expensive.

In short, the City Centre is the best area to stay in Inverness, Scotland, as that’s where you’ll find the main attractions and hotels. But you’ll find 3 more areas below plus a bonus with unique hotels in the area!

Since Inverness is the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, I recommend booking your hotels in advance, and securing your favorite spot!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Looking for a super short summary of the post? Then check out this list, it has the hotels in Inverness City Centre:

Inverness may not be such a big city but still, it’s easy to confuse all the areas. So here’s a map of all the neighborhoods where to stay in Inverness:

1. City Centre – where to stay for the first time

A row of historic buildings and a cathedral stand along a riverbank with lush green trees, with a backdrop of hilly landscape under an overcast sky.

Welcome to one of my favorite Scottish towns! Inverness is a historic place and the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.

If you’re coming here on your first visit then I’d definitely recommend staying in the City Centre, especially if you’re taking the train from Edinburgh or Glasgow, since the train station is also set in this area.

PRO TIP: If you’re not renting a car you can definitely use the train or buses to get around Inverness although you can definitely walk to and from all the areas that I mentioned in this post.

The City Centre is packed with historical attractions and you also have the beautiful River Ness that runs through the town and is connected to the famous Loch Ness! There are many tours that leave from Inverness to Loch Ness and other famous sites in this part of Scotland so definitely look into it!

While I was in Scotland I took a boat tour on Loch Ness and it was so much fun! I got to hear stories about the famous underwater monster that lurks beneath!

You can explore the City Centre for hours and admire the old houses with unique architecture, and visit attractions like Inverness Castle, The Victorian Market (map) and the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (map).

If you’re an Outlander fan, you’ll probably look for some movie locations, but all the scenes from Inverness that were in the movie, were shot in Falkland, a town near Edinburgh.

Remember, since Inverness is known as the cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands, it can get pretty busy around here as many tourists set their base here to explore the Highlands. That’s why I recommend booking your hotels in advance, especially in Central Inverness.

Luxury hotel

Heathmount Hotel

Start your morning with a yummy breakfast at this cozy hotel that has a central location, just a 10 min walk away from Inverness Castle. Their rooms are super cozy and some even have four-poster beds and boast mountain views.

Other accommodation options in City Centre

Budget

Inverness Student Hotel

An affordable hostel that offers shared rooms with city views, a shared bathroom and breakfast

Airbnb

River View Apartment

A spacious place set on the banks of River Ness, that has a lot of space, a kitchen and free Wi-Fi

The City Centre is the most popular area where to stay in Inverness, which means that most likely all the hotels here will sell out super fast (and especially the good ones). That’s why I decided to offer 3 more options to help you out in case the ones above are already sold out:

Collage of 3 pics of luxury hotels in Inverness: a row of brick buildings, a restaurant with modern decor, and a cozy bedroom with red walls, a plaid bedspread, and rustic furniture.

Luxury: River Ness Hotel – This super modern hotel is close to Inverness Castle and has a great restaurant. The accommodation also comes with spacious rooms, a bar and a fitness center.
Mid Range: Ardross Glencairn – This Victorian guest house is perfect for your holiday! It’s equipped with all the facilities you need including free Wi-Fi and rooms with coffee making facilities.
Budget: Haste Ye Back – Enjoy the Scottish hospitality while staying at this great hotel near River Ness that has rooms with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom.

Things to do in City Centre

Enjoy the River Ness views from Inverness Castle
Visit the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
Join a boat trip on Loch Ness from Inverness
Admire the architecture of the Inverness Cathedral
Shop for souvenirs in Leakey’s Bookstore (map)
Take a day trip to Urquhart Castle
Go for a walk on the scenic John o’Groats Trail (map)

2. Dalneigh – best place to stay in Inverness with family

View of Inverness, Scotland, featuring a riverside scene with historic buildings including clock and church towers, seen under a cloudy sky with a pedestrian bridge over the River Ness in the foreground.

Set between Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal, this residential area is perfect for anyone who’s traveling with their families!

Dalneigh is a quiet area where you can really experience that Scottish small town life! At the same time, you’d be just a 20 min walk away from the City Center where you will find the bus and train stations.

The area’s name actually comes from the Gaelic word ‘Dail an Eich’, which means Field of the horse.

Since most of the attractions are located in the City Centre, you won’t find much to do around here other than exploring the streets and admiring the waterfront views.

PRO TIP: No matter when you’re coming to Scotland, I’d recommend packing waterproof clothes, like jackets and pants. And also bring some hiking shoes or sneakers, if you’re planning to explore the highlands.

But since there are more guest houses in Dalneigh, you can definitely find a cheaper stay with more space, which is perfect if you’re bringing the whole crew.

Luxury hotel

Art House Apartments

These stunning apartments have a lot of space, perfect for you and your family and such great style! Each apartment comes with a kitchenette, a flat-screen Tv, great for some movie nights and a dining table!

Other accommodation options in Dalneigh

Mid-Range

Strome Lodge

Feel right at home in this lovely guest house that has private rooms with free Wi-Fi and free parking

Budget

Alban and Abbey House

The perfect budget hotel for a family holiday! The house has spacious rooms with a Tv and free Wi-Fi

Airbnb

Modern Flat

A modern and well-equipped apartment near the City Centre that has 2 rooms, a flat-screen Tv and a kitchen

Things to do in Dalneigh

Enjoy the views of the Caledonian Canal
Head to the City Centre to visit Inverness Castle
Take the kids to a movie at Vue Cinema Inverness (map) in Raigmore
Go on a fun walk to the spooky Tomnahurich Cemetery Hill (map)

3. Merkinch – where to stay in Inverness for nature lovers

A standing stone slab with colorful artwork and text stands on a grassy area overlooking a calm bay and distant hills under a clear sky.

If you’re coming to Inverness you’re probably thinking of touring the Scottish Highlands which are basically heaven for all nature and outdoors lovers! I had the chance to explore them a bit while in Scotland and fell in love with the atmosphere and landscapes!

But if you want to enjoy that fresh air and amazing views while you’re staying in Inverness as well, then check out this area.

Merkinch is one of the oldest areas in town and it’s located a 20 min walk from the City Centre, bordered by the Caledonian Canal to its west and River Ness to its east.

While here you can visit and explore the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve (map), enjoy the stunning views at the Carnarc Point (map) and have fun while jumping up and down at the Infinity Trampoline Park (map).

Luxury hotel

Tangle Tower

This lovely holiday home offers the most amazing views of the Moray Firth, and it has lots of space! Perfect for a family or group of friends, the accommodation has a kitchen, a patio with garden views and some fun board games for the rainy days when you can’t be bothered to leave the house.

Other accommodation options in Merkinch

Mid-Range

Ness City Cottage

A great place that has cozy rooms with a flat-screen Tv, stone-made walls and a free Wi-Fi

Budget

Silver Key Apartment

This super spacious apartment is great for a family and it has a kitchen and 2 rooms

Airbnb

Stylish Villa

Perfect villa for 4 guests that has contemporary touches, a small kitchen, free Wi-Fi and a balcony

Things to do in Merkinch

Explore the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve
Snap some pics at Carnarc Point
Enjoy a cup of tea at Jammy Piece (map)
Take the kids to the Infinity Trampoline Park Inverness

4. Ballifeary – best place to stay for relaxation

A row of historic buildings, including two hotels, lines a riverside in a town with hills in the background.

If you want to relax during this holiday in Inverness and stay away from the tourist crowds, then Ballifeary may be the right place for you!

Ballifeary is a relatively small area set just only a 15 min walk away from the City Centre. Meaning you don’t even need to waste money on the bus as it’s a super short walk there.

This is a residential area, which means that it’s also pretty tranquil! However, you’ll also find some cool places to visit like the Inverness Botanic Gardens (map) which are super lush and beautiful and the Kings Golf Club (map) where you can play some golf all day long!

Now let’s check out the awesome hotels in Inverness, Ballifeary!

Luxury hotel

Ness Walk

I’m loving the super large windows in the rooms of this hotel which have an elegant decor and a desk! Set in a green area, the accommodation also offers a fabulous restaurant where you can enjoy breakfast and tea, and a bar which undoubtedly serves some delicious Scottish whisky!