So you’re heading off from stunning Shetland?
Whether you’re off for a holiday, work trip, family reunion, or anything else, you’ll need to know which destinations you can fly to from Sumburgh Airport.
We’ve got you. Because this guide has all the info you need – not only about Sumburgh Airport destinations but also about great things to see and do when you get there.
However, if you’re not hanging around Shetland for long, you should definitely extend your trip to have a couple of extra days in this remote, stunning part of the world.
So what’s special about Dunrossness? Well, it’s a place you can step back in time. And you’re talking way back because the remarkably well-preserved ruins of Clickimin Broch date well back to the Iron Age.
And if you love hiking, the views here are beyond spectacular. As you stroll along steep cliff edges, you’ll gaze out at sea stacks and see outstanding wildlife like seals, puffins, and otters.
The beaches here are also divine – you can relax at areas like Sumburgh Head and spot birds from the lighthouse. The Bod of Gremista is a Neolithic chambered cairn with a burial mound, and you can explore (relatively) more recent history at the Croft House Museum in Scatness.
Lerwick (the main town) is a legendary location too. Here, you can stroll through tight nooks and crannies while drinking in the bright houses and independent shops. To find out more about local history, visit the Shetland Museum and Archives to see ancient Viking relics, while The Booth House Museum specializes in Maritime history, and the Textile Museum showcases sublime local knitwear.
You’ll also find lots of unique music and art at the Mareel center, which hosts film screenings, theatre, music, and exhibitions of all stripes. But you can also experience the local culture more informally by having a few drinks at a local pub, where you’ll often find singers, fiddlers, and guitar players.
If you like wildlife, you can take a boat trip to see puffins, dolphins, and whales in action, and Mousa Broch is another interesting site – a striking Iron Age tower set on an island.
Meanwhile, Fort Charlotte is another nice historical site, complete with 17th-century cannons and scenic vistas views. And don’t forget Scalloway, Shetland's second-biggest town, which has a charming castle and picture-postcard harbour.
If you’re peckish, the cuisine scene in Shetland is tempting too. Take the Seaview Restaurant in Sumburgh Head, for example. You’ll enjoy ocean-fresh seafood complemented by stunning seaside views. Try one of the lobster or langoustine dishes – simply delicious.
Alternatively, the Sumburgh Hotel serves a superb Shetland lamb stew and seafood platter, while Eshaness Heritage Centre Café specializes in light lunches and homemade cakes with panoramic views of the cliffs and sea.
If you need to slake your thirst, you won’t be stuck either. The Sumburgh Lighthouse Tavern is an old-fashioned pub with friendly locals, real ale, and a cosy hearth to warm your soul (and feet). And the Schooner Bar, Sandwick serves up live music in a warm and laid-back atmosphere.
Sumburgh Airport destinations list
British Airways and KLM also offer connections to other destinations via Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverness, and Glasgow.
What are the best places to fly to from Sumburgh Airport?
• Choose Aberdeen for a warm welcome in one of Britain’s coldest cities. The heart of the city is Union Street, with its plethora of shops and cafes, while Marischal College and St. Machar’s Cathedral simply ooze history. You can also try some of the good stuff at whisky distilleries like Balvenie and Glen Garioch. And it’s always lovely to walk around Aberdeen Beach or head out the otherworldly ruins of Dunnotar Castle.
• Choose Edinburgh for the Old Town, New Town, and everything in between. Scotland’s elegant capital city has a castle perched on a volcanic plug, bird’s eye cityscape views from Arthur’s Seat and history aplenty on the Royal Mile. If you’re lucky enough to visit in August, you can see all sorts of artistic presentations during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. And Edinburgh also looks beautiful during the winter months, what will all the shop window displays, winter market and huge Ferris Wheel.
• Choose Glasgow for shopping, music, football and Scotland’s friendliest locals. City centre is set on a well-ordered grid, which is filled with lively streets like Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street, filled with shops, cafes and bars. If you get the chance to see a gig at the Barrowland Ballroom, the atmosphere is always amazing, and many bands say it’s their favourite place to play. Last but not least, Glasgow is home to the world’s fiercest football rivalry, The Old Firm (Celtic Vs Rangers). If you can get a ticket to one of these ties, the atmosphere is truly unforgettable.
• Choose Inverness for hospitality and history in the gateway to the Highlands. You can trek or mountain bike in Glencoe’s gorgeous scenery and see the immensity of Loch Ness first hand (and perhaps spot the famous monster). Other historical hotspots include Inverness Castle, Culloden Battlefield (site of the last battle on British soil in 1746) and find out all about wider local history at the Highland Folk Museum. Naturally, there’s lots to recommend this area for whiskey lovers too and a trip to Glen Ord distillery is a must if you want to learn some of the age-old secrets of making the ‘water of life’.
• Choose Kirkwall in Orkney for ancient attractions and natural wonders. The standing stones of Skara Brae are a haunting reminder of the Neolithic village which once stood here, and you can also see Viking history at the Viking Earl’s Palace. You can learn more about Orkney’s Norse traditions at the Orkney Museum and climb Kirkwall Cathedral for dramatic views from the top. If you’re a nature lover, the cliffs of Yesnaby are stunning, Hoy Island has seals and puffins, and you can take a Pentland Firth boat trip to spot even more marine life.
• Choose Rotterdam (via Edinburgh) for cool creativity and amazing architecture. Architecture fans admire Markthal, the unique horseshoe-shaped market, while the innovative Cube Houses will literally have your head spinning. And Katendrecht is a former ship-repair district reincarnated as a hip neighbourhood with cool cafes and street art. Museum choices here include Boijmans Van Beuningen, with its range of masterpieces from medieval times to the modern era. Kunsthal is a great pick for modern art and Het Nieuwe Instituut explores the intersection of design, architecture, and society through engaging exhibitions. If history’s your bag, the Delfshaven harbour district is where the Pilgrims worshipped before sailing to America.
Which airlines fly out of Sumburgh Airport?
Loganair flies from Sumburgh Airport and there are also occasional charter flights from BA and KLM.
How can I hire a car at Sumburgh Airport?
It can be tricky hiring a car at any airport, but particularly one as small and remote as Sumburgh.
So at Enjoy Travel, we’ll do everything possible to make your Sumburgh Airport car hire process hassle-free.
It’s convenient to book online and take your pick from a wide range of local and international car hire partners. It’s easy to compare features, prices, and rental terms and conditions to find your ideal vehicle.
There are no hidden fees because everything’s displayed up front, and online payments are completely secure, with instant confirmation of your booking.
Pickup is smooth and easy – just present your voucher at the desk. And support staff are available 24/7 to help with any aspect of the booking. You can also ask for some tips about driving in Shetland, and they’ll gladly help.
You can easily amend or cancel your booking, and one-way rentals are available which allow you to drop off your vehicle at a different location from pickup. And you’ll also find deals and discounts with Enjoy Travel you won’t find anywhere else.
Remember to book early to avoid disappointment, read your rental terms carefully, and check local driving rules and conditions before you start your engine.
So there you are – the ultimate guide to Sumburgh Airport destinations. And (as promised), you got tips on things to see and do in favorite hot spots.
Wherever you’re heading, Bon Voyage and send us a postcard!
At the airport | Sumburgh
