Holiday rentals in Shetland

Find and book unique accommodation on Airbnb

Top-rated holiday rentals in Shetland

Guests agree: these stays are highly rated for location, cleanliness and more.

Guest favourite

Cottage in Walls

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 147 reviews

Waddle Self Catering

The Waddle is a traditional Shetland croft house, refurbished to offer a homely and comfortable stay for guests. Situated in a peaceful, quiet, remote location just over a mile from the nearby village of Walls, tucked in under the hill overlooking a sea-loch, it's a perfect place to enjoy Shetlands wildlife, scenery, peace and freedom. The Waddle is situated on an active croft. We have approximately 120 sheep with lambing in the spring, silage baling in the summer and feeding in the winter.

11–18 Dec

£86 per night
Guest favourite

Flat in Lerwick

4.89 out of 5 average rating, 105 reviews

1 bedroom central apartment, Lerwick

1 bedroom apartment. Good sized double bedroom, good sized shower room and a kitchen / living / dining room. Hypoallergenic bedding. Located in central Lerwick within a listed building built in the early 1800s. Just a short walk to restaurants, bars, the local cinema & music venue Mareel is just around the corner. The bus station is just a couple minutes walk away. Smart TV. We do contactless arrival with the use of a key box. There is some essentials to get you started tea, coffee & sugar.

16–23 Feb

£92 per night
Guest favourite

Tiny home in Hamnavoe

4.84 out of 5 average rating, 103 reviews

‘Braelea’ cozy country out building with mezzanine

Seen in ‘The Guardian’ as 10 of Scotland’s best island retreats. Reclaimed ‘oot hoose’ located in Burra- a small fishing village on the west side, only 15 min drive from Lerwick. Burra is a lovely part of Shetland, & home to some of its most beautiful beaches and coastal views. The shop is a 2 minute walk away, where you can book a tour with ‘Shetland Sea Adventures’ fishing trips & tours of the outer islands. Air b&b is next to a bus stop with connecting services to Lerwick & other parts.

9–16 Dec

£92 per night

Popular amenities for Shetland holiday rentals

Other great holiday rentals in Shetland

Guest favourite

Guest suite in Lerwick

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 65 reviews

1 bedroom apartment

24–31 Oct

£113 per night
Guest favourite

Flat in Lerwick

4.94 out of 5 average rating, 32 reviews

Auld lifeboat station

29 Nov – 6 Dec

£116 per night
Guest favourite

Cottage in Sullom

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 44 reviews

Traditional cottage with modern amenities

14–21 Jan

£109 per night
Guest favourite

Shepherd’s hut in Bigton

4.92 out of 5 average rating, 60 reviews

Cozy Seaside Shepherd's Hut - St Ninians Isle

17–24 Dec

£62 per night
Guest favourite

Apartment in Whiteness

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 12 reviews

Calm, tranquil, spacious haven

23–30 Nov

£134 per night
Guest favourite

Cottage in Tresta

4.97 out of 5 average rating, 87 reviews

Old Moorens

21–28 Aug

£132 per night
Guest favourite

Home in Skellister

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 23 reviews

Beach view with outdoor sauna and hot tub

21–28 Jan

£454 per night
Guest favourite

Home in Dunrossness

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 13 reviews

Driftwood Cottage

5–12 Feb

£109 per night
Guest favourite

Cottage in Walls

4.96 out of 5 average rating, 24 reviews

Traditional Cottage-Da Aald Hoose, Walls, Shetland

9–16 Nov

£100 per night
Guest favourite

Chalet in Tresta

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 34 reviews

Hillview chalet

20–27 Oct

£104 per night
Guest favourite

Cottage in Mid Yell

4.98 out of 5 average rating, 62 reviews

Scarpoe's Kitchen, Herra, Yell, Shetland

3–10 Aug

£128 per night
Guest favourite

Home in Quarff

5.0 out of 5 average rating, 25 reviews

Well presented peaceful home in Shetland

31 Aug – 7 Sept

£141 per night

Your guide to Shetland

All About Shetland

Shetland, also known as the Shetland Islands, is a collection of about 100 islands around 200 kilometres north of the Scottish mainland. Here, rolling green hills run into white-sand beaches along the turquoise coast, home to seals, otters, and porpoises. You may even be lucky enough to spot an orca amongst the waves. The archipelago is rich with wildlife, though it is best known for being the home of Shetland ponies, which have roamed the area’s exposed moors and plains for more than 4,000 years.

Just 16 of the Shetland Islands are inhabited, though many are accessible by boat. There’s an enormous amount to see and do in and around these remote and diverse islands. In addition to the opportunity for fantastic wildlife viewing, you’ll find historical sites that hark back to the Bronze Age, as well as a thriving wool and textile industry. You can cycle the quiet roads or hike to some of the highest points on the islands. After a busy day exploring, take the time to enjoy some of Shetland’s famed produce, as well as freshly caught mussels and deliciously tender lamb.


The best time to stay in a holiday rental in Shetland

The most pleasant and popular time to visit Shetland is over the summer months. Due to its proximity to the North Pole, the days in summer are very long, and in June, there’s virtually no darkness at all, which can be a unique experience in itself. The temperature is still cold here, even in summer — it’s not exactly swimming weather — but this is a great time to explore the outdoors. You’re most likely to have days without rainfall from April until August. This is also when you have the best chance of spotting migrating orcas.

Being so far north, you might expect winters to be absolutely frigid, but due to the Gulf Stream warming the seas around the islands, the temperature rarely dips below freezing. Up Helly Aa takes place in Lerwick each January, offering an excellent reason to visit in winter — experiencing the breathtaking Viking festival and its fire displays is unforgettable.


Top things to do in Shetland

Diving and kayaking

Shetland is home to an incredible array of marine life. Take a kayak around the islands, past deserted beaches and rocky coves, and you may see seals, porpoises, otters, and lots of birdlife. Sumburgh Head is a great place to spot seals frolicking in the water or lazing on the rocks at the bottom of the cliffs. There are also plenty of opportunities to dive around Shetland — visibility is generally of a high quality, and there are several recreational dive sites, including the wrecks of SS Gwladmena, MV Samba, and MV Pionersk.

Aurora Borealis

Being closer to the north pole than any other part of the United Kingdom, Shetland is one of the best places to see the green, pink, blue, and orange tones of the Northern Lights dance through the sky. While there are no guarantees as to their appearance, the lights are usually best seen from October to March, and the lights are far brighter and more spectacular on some nights than others.

Clickimin Broch

Shetland is home to many archaeological and historical sites, and the ancient stone house of Clickimin Broch, located on Clickimin Loch, is a fantastic example. Believed to be over a thousand years old, the house is surrounded by buildings dating all the way back to the Bronze Age.

Destinations to explore

  1. Airbnb
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Scotland
  4. Shetland Islands
  5. Shetland