Lerwick is a small harbor town. Your ship either berths (Holmsgarth or Mair's Pier, with a free shuttle into town) or anchors and tenders. The best sights outside town, like Jarlshof and Sumburgh Head, need a tour, taxi or the No. 6 bus.
Where Lerwick lies
LerwickDoverSouthamptonBelfastCherbourgCobhDublinEdinburghFalmouthGreenockGuernseyHolyheadHonfleurInvergordonKirkwallLe HavreLiverpoolNewcastlePortlandPortreeStornowayWaterfordWhere your ship docks
Ships berth at Holmsgarth or Mair's Pier (Victoria Pier is also used). Others anchor and send tenders to the cruise pontoon. A free shuttle bus runs from Holmsgarth and Mair's Pier to Harrison Square in the town center.
Shuttle. Free shuttle bus from Holmsgarth and Mair's Pier to Harrison Square; last one leaves town 45 minutes before departure.
Getting to the sights
| The way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Free shuttle bus to Lerwick center from Holmsgarth or Mair's Pier | not confirmed | Free |
| Tender to the cruise pontoon, then walk to Lerwick center from tender | not confirmed | Free |
| Bus service 6, tour or taxi to Jarlshof / Sumburgh | not confirmed | not confirmed |
Free shuttle bus to Lerwick center from Holmsgarth or Mair's Pier
- Board the shuttle at the pier.
- Get off at Harrison Square in the center.
Shuttle is only for travel to and from ships. Last shuttle leaves town 45 minutes before your ship departs.
Tender to the cruise pontoon, then walk to Lerwick center from tender
- Tender to the cruise pontoon.
Exact landing point and walk time not stated by the port.
Bus service 6, tour or taxi to Jarlshof / Sumburgh
- Take service 6 (Sumburgh, South Mainland) toward Sumburgh Airport.
- For Jarlshof, get off at Sumburgh Hotel.
Fare not listed on the official page. Pay by cash, card (not Amex), Apple Pay or Google Pay. Up to 4,000 passengers may be ashore at once, book tours ahead.
What to see
Shetland Museum and Archives
Island history and boats.
- How
- Walk.
- Time
- 1.5 hours
- Tickets
- Free (unverified)
Commercial Street
Old main street.
- How
- Walk.
- Time
- 45 minutes
- Tickets
- Free
Jarlshof
Site from Stone Age to Viking times.
- How
- Bus 6 (get off at Sumburgh Hotel), tour or taxi.
- Time
- Half day
- Tickets
- Unverified
Sumburgh Head
Lighthouse and puffins (summer).
- How
- Tour, taxi or bus 6 toward Sumburgh.
- Time
- Half day
- Tickets
- Unverified
Your day, hour by hour
Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.
- Shuttle or tender ashore.
- Commercial Street and Fort Charlotte.
- Shetland Museum.
- Back at the shuttle or tender 60 minutes early (the last shuttle leaves 45 minutes before departure).
What goes wrong, and how to avoid it
Beware
- Wind can stop tenders.
- Cold and wet.
Fees, money and access
Accessibility
Tenders can be hard for wheelchair users.
Money
British pound (GBP). Tap-to-pay cards work on buses, trains and in most shops. Little cash needed.
More of the The British Isles
Sources & what we could not confirm · 4 sources · checked 2026-11
- Lerwick Port Authority: cruise ship operations
- Lerwick Port Authority: for cruise passengers
- Shetland.org: cruise visitors (shuttle)
- Shetland.org: travelling by bus
- Walk times
- Bus 6 fare and trip time
- Museum entry (listed free, unconfirmed)
- Jarlshof and Sumburgh Head prices