Hotels in Orkney Islands, United Kingdom

Orkney Islands, an archipelago off Scotland's northern coast, has a cool maritime climate: summers average 55°F (13°C) with nearly 24-hour daylight perfect for exploring Neolithic sites like 5000-year-old Skara Brae, while winters stay around 40°F (4°C) and are ideal for storm-watching the towering sea cliffs at Yesnaby. The region is famous for Scapa Flow, where you can scuba dive on sunken WWI German warships-best visibility from June to August. Spring and fall offer fewer crowds and lower prices for hiking the rugged coastlines or visiting the Ring of Brodgar, a massive stone circle older than Stonehenge.