Lerwick’s rich history can be uncovered everywhere, from the Knab to the Lerwick lanes and beyond. Sun, rain, wind or snow, there is always something to do in the town, such as having a cozy day at the cinema or paddling at the beach. This blog post suggests how to spend a day in the town, and helps you to make the most of your visit to Shetland’s capital.
Lerwick is Shetland’s capital town offering many opportunities for beautiful walks, exploring fascinating historical attractions and enjoying fun family activities.
Explore Lerwick by foot
Lerwick is a stunning town full of history and beautiful buildings, all telling a story. Some of the most interesting buildings are the Lodberries overlooking Lerwick Harbour. One of the most photographed places in the town stands on the waterfront, a house that became famous as the home to fictional detective Jimmy Perez from the Shetland crime drama TV show.
The Lodberries area is part of a lovely coastal stroll leading south from the town centre. If you keep walking along the waterfront, past Bains Beach, then Twageos Road, and keep going up that curved hill, you’ll make it to the Knab.
If you fancy an evening stroll there, you may spot the NorthLink Ferry on its way to Kirkwall and Aberdeen. This is the perfect spot to enjoy some fish and chips bought in Lerwick and enjoyed while watching the horizon. Keep an eye out for orcas, the apex predators sometimes swim very close to the shore near the Knab.
Another historic building is Lerwick Town Hall, with its stained glass windows and history dating as far back as 1883. On your way there from Commercial Street (Lerwick’s main shopping street), you can explore the Lerwick Lanes and Fort Charlotte. The lanes of Lerwick are narrow and steep thoroughfares which run up and down from the main street in the town. The spaces between these tightly packed town buildings offer hidden quirky spaces and forgotten gems from a time long ago. Look closely and you’ll spot some unusual street names.
The street itself offers a wide range of shops, including many independent stores selling items like Shetland knitwear, homemade soap and unique souvenirs. Bring a little bit of Shetland home with you or send a present to someone overseas who you think should make the journey north.
Mareel
Part of Shetland’s charm is its crazy weather. An old saying states that you may experience ‘four seasons of weather in one day’. And it’s true! So if you need something to do indoors, Mareel should be on the list of places to find shelter.
Mareel is Shetland’s modern arts and music venue and consists of a cinema, a cafe and auditoriums for live events. To see what’s coming up, check out the ‘What’s on’ page.
Museum and Archives
Situated next to Mareel is the Shetland Museum and Archives. With its world-renowned collection of items and changing exhibitions, the museum is the perfect place to learn about Shetland’s heritage. Shetland’s rich history of fishing, textiles and more is portrayed through interactive and expressive storytelling. There are often speakers and tours happening which can be found on the museum’s ‘What’s On calendar’.
No booking is required and while you’re there, you can try Hay’s Dock by the Dowry. It’s a lovely restaurant with an amazing view. There is also a little gift shop in the museum foyer, which is the perfect place to find a Shetland souvenir and discover Geopark Shetland Geoproducts.
On your way back to the street, take the waterfront route back. There is a pathway along the front of Mareel where people can sit and watch the boats coming and going to the harbour.
Flower Park and Playpark
Between King Harald Street and St Olaf Street, there is the beautifully maintained Jubilee Flower Park with a tennis court and bowls ground. In spring and summer, the flower park is full of vibrantly coloured plants and is the perfect place to sit down and relax on a warm sunny day.
If you have kids with you, there is the King George V play park right across the road which has lots of space and things for the kids to play with. Sometimes you’ll even find the ice cream van outside the play park on a sunny day … or if you visit at the end of January, you’ll discover that is where the Up Helly Aa Viking galley is burnt!
Discover Viking Heritage at the Up Helly Aa Exhibition
Speaking of Vikings, just five minutes away from the flower park and play park is the Shetland Up Helly Aa Exhibition. During the summer months, the galley shed (which is used to build the galley, the torches, and is where the jarl squad gather throughout the year) becomes an exhibit for visitors to see the outfits of the jarl squads from the past 10 years.
There’s also the opportunity to see different shields, swords and outfits from the sillier squads from over the years. If you’d like to know more about Up Helly Aa, don’t miss our Fire Festivals page.
Eat top-notch Shetland food on the street
Lerwick’s Commercial Street doesn’t only have wonderful independent retailers, but it has many excellent small cafes and restaurants. If you’re looking for a taste of traditional Shetland food, you’ll find bannocks, cullen skink, tattie soup, reestit mutton, mussels, seafood, and Shetland beef & lamb. You can also tuck into plenty of tea and fancies (cakes) in Shetland’s capital.
If it’s a fine day, there are many places which sell homemade ice cream, which can be enjoyed at the waterfront, on Bains beach or while window shopping. Outside the town centre you’ll find a few restaurants and cafes dotted around town, and you can even buy a treat from one of Lerwick’s cake fridges.
Clickimin Leisure Centre and Clickimin Broch
One of the best places to go with kids on a rainy day in Shetland is the Clickimin Leisure Centre. Clickimin includes a large swimming pool with many different pools and activities such as flooms, rapids and a baby pool. Clickimin also offers different sensory rooms which either relax or energise.
There’s also a cafe in the leisure centre, so you can fuel up before your next adventure!
Near to the leisure centre is the Clickimin Broch, a large and well-preserved stone-built round house which was built on a small island in the Clickimin Loch. Less than a mile from the town centre, this ancient fort has stood since the Iron Age, with signs of life from at least the Bronze Age. Clickimin Broch is free to enter, check out their opening times here.
Tour a working brewery
The award-winning Lerwick Brewery hosts frequent tours during the peak summer season. Their tours take you through the manufacturing process from the raw ingredients through to the tap room where you can enjoy a taste of the final product. Enjoy learning how Shetland’s only brewery manufactures their different drinks, and why not have a look at their gift shop on your way out? Advanced booking is required 24 hours prior.