The Best Isle of Lewid and Isle of Harris Guide: Discover the wild charm of the Isle of Lewis and Isle of Harris—Scotland’s Outer Hebrides treasure. Picture sweeping white-sand beaches, dramatic cliffs, and epic mountain views. Dive into Gaelic culture, ancient legends, and peaceful coastal villages. Wander through historic blackhouses, explore mystical standing stones, or hike windswept trails. Enjoy fresh island cuisine and thrilling outdoor adventures. Whether you crave solitude, scenic beauty, or cultural depth, this island delivers. Lewis and Harris promise an unforgettable, soul-stirring escape. Start planning your Outer Hebrides beach getaway today. They are listed as one of the Top 20 Beach Destinaitons (visit here), or visit us on Pinterest.
Why Visit the Isle of Lewis & the Isle of Harris?
Craving an unforgettable escape? The Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris deliver jaw-dropping beaches, wild landscapes, and soul-stirring history. Sink your toes into powdery white sands, hike dramatic coastlines, and explore mystical standing stones. Dive into Gaelic culture, savor fresh seafood, and soak up rugged island beauty. Whether you’re chasing peace, adventure, or stunning scenery—this is your dream destination.
Weather in the Isle of Lewis & the Isle of Harris
During the beach season (June to August), the Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris enjoy mild, pleasant weather. Daytime temperatures typically range from 55–65°F (13–18°C), with long daylight hours and occasional sunshine. While it’s not tropical, the fresh sea air, peaceful beaches, and dramatic coastal scenery make it ideal for outdoor exploration and beach walks. Light layers and a waterproof jacket are essential, as conditions can shift quickly—even in summer.
Best Time to Visit the Isle of Lewis & the Isle of Harris
The best time to visit the Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris is from late May to early September. During these magical summer months, you’ll enjoy mild temperatures, long sun-filled days, and the most inviting beach conditions of the year. Expect daytime highs between 55°F and 65°F, perfect for exploring dramatic coastlines and pristine white-sand beaches. The weather is generally drier, the skies clearer, and the sea calmer—ideal for swimming, wildlife spotting, or simply soaking in the rugged beauty of the Outer Hebrides.
The Amazing Beaches of the Isle of Lewis & the Isle of Harris
- Luskentyre Beach (Harris): Activities: Sunbathing, swimming, photography, kite flying, and beach walks. Accessibility: Easily accessible by car with parking nearby. Well-maintained paths make it suitable for most visitors.
- Scarista Beach (Harris): Activities: Long coastal walks, birdwatching, and picnics. Accessibility: Car access with parking; some uneven terrain on the beach, so sturdy shoes recommended.
- Uig Bay (Lewis): Activities: Beachcombing, dune exploring, and family-friendly beach play. Accessibility: Parking available; beach is expansive but involves walking over sand dunes.
- Seilebost Beach (Harris): Activities: Quiet relaxation, swimming, and nature photography. Accessibility: Small car park nearby; beach has rocky sections, so best for visitors comfortable with uneven surfaces.
- Berserkers Beach (Lewis): Activities: Solitude seekers, hiking along rugged coastline, and wildlife spotting.n Accessibility: Remote location; requires a hike or drive on rough roads; not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
- Hushinish Beach (Harris): Activities: Rock pooling, sunset watching, and peaceful walks. Accessibility: Limited parking; beach access involves a short walk over uneven ground.
Best Beach Resorts & Hotels in the Isle of Lewis & the Isle of Harris
- Hotel Hebrides (Tarbert, Isle of Harris): is a standout choice because of its stylish, cozy rooms and prime location in Tarbert, right by the harbor. With easy access to stunning beaches like Luskentyre, it’s perfect for travelers wanting comfort, great food, and island charm all in one place.
- The Caladh Inn (Stornoway, Isle of Lewis): Situated close to the harbor, this hotel offers modern rooms with stunning views. It’s an excellent base for exploring Lewis beaches and local attractions, combining convenience with cozy, welcoming service.
- Royal Hotel (Stornoway, Isle of Lewis): Stornoway’s most historic hotel, the Royal nestles in the heart of Stornoway, beside the marina, where you can relax, enjoy the hotel’s cozy character and enjoy dining in their Boatshed Restaurant.
- Polochar Inn (Isle of Harris): in West Kilbride offers direct beachfront access to North Boisdale Beache, a lush garden, and a spacious terrace. Guests can relax by the sea and enjoy stunning sea views.
- The Sandy Pod (Stornoway, Isle of Harris): Situated on the scenic edge of Stornoway, offering breathtaking sea views. It’s a short drive to Stornoway town center and nearby beaches. If you’re looking for a peaceful escape with convenient access to Stornoway and its surroundings, The Sandy Pod appears to be a great option.
Best Restaurantas & Bars on the Isle of Lewis & the Isle of Harris
- An Lanntair (Stornoway, Isle of Lewis): This vibrant arts center also houses a well-loved café and restaurant offering fresh, locally sourced seafood and Scottish dishes. The creative menu and cozy atmosphere make it a favorite for visitors wanting authentic island flavors with a cultural twist.
- The Crown Inn (Stornoway, Isle of Lewis): A well-regarded destination for a delicious meal in a charming setting, particularly for those seeking high-quality British gastropub fare and excellent service.
- The Red Herring Seafood Restaurant (Tarbert, Isle of Harris): Traditional fish & chips, innovative seafood creations, including dishes like Seafood Linguine and Pan Seared Halibut. They also offer options for vegetarians, vegans, and meat lovers.
- The Harris Hotel Restaurant (Tarbert, Isle of Harris): Elegant yet welcoming, this restaurant offers a menu packed with local specialties, including shellfish and lamb. The panoramic views and attentive service enhance the dining experience.
- The Lochcarron Bar (Tarbert, Isle of Harris): Known for its friendly atmosphere, this bar offers a great selection of whiskies, local ales, and simple, tasty pub food. It’s a cozy place to relax after a day exploring the islands.
Surprising Travel Facts About the Isle of Lewis & the Isle of Harris
The Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris are full of fascinating surprises beyond their stunning beaches. Did you know that Lewis is home to the largest collection of prehistoric standing stones in Scotland, with the Callanish Stones predating Stonehenge? Harris is famous not just for its landscapes but also for producing some of the world’s finest Harris Tweed, handwoven by local artisans. The islands boast some of Europe’s cleanest and clearest waters, making them a hidden paradise for beach lovers and nature seekers alike. Despite their remote location, the islands offer lively cultural festivals celebrating Gaelic music, dance, and storytelling. And while you might expect chilly weather, summer days bring long, luminous evenings perfect for exploring. These unexpected gems make Lewis and Harris an extraordinary destination for adventurous travelers craving both beauty and culture.
Frequently Asked Travel Questions About the Isle of Lewis & the Isle of Harris
Q: When is the best time to visit for beach activities?
A: Late May to early September offers the mildest weather and best conditions for beaches.
Q: How do I get to the islands?
A: You can reach Lewis and Harris by ferry or flights to Stornoway Airport, with connections from mainland Scotland.
Q: Are the beaches family-friendly?
A: Yes! Many beaches have gentle slopes and safe waters, perfect for children and families.
Q: What should I pack for the weather?
A: Pack layers, waterproofs, and sturdy shoes as weather can be changeable—even in summer.
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Hello,
This was a great read.
I’m Scottish myself-based in Glasgow-and like many Scots often forget how beautiful out country really is. Your photographs are stunning.
Is it best to come by ferry with your own car? Or would a cruise be a better option?
Hopefully as the summer goes on and the current restrictions lift it will be easier to visit.
September in Scotland can be lovely-the weather usually improves when the schools go back!
Best wishes,
Cameron
You can take the ferry or go by car. Which every you prefer. A cruise is not going to give you a lot of time to explore and enjoy, but that is just my personal opinion. And your your country is beautiful! Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
Scotland is, and has been, on my bucket list for a long time now. I intend to check this one off in the next two years so coming across your review of Lewis and Harris should prove useful when the time comes. In the short-term, it sure did enhance my excitement to make this trip.
Great Jason 🙂 I do believe you will enjoy Lewis & Harris. Thanks for stopping and taking the time to leave me comments.
What an awesome site as we all prepare and look forward to being on the road again. This site is beautiful with lots of great information. The beach looks so calming and inviting. I know every person seeing this site would begin to reminisce on what use to be and what we all hope will soon be again after COVID-19. The site is user friendly and easy to navigate. It is neat and well organized. I have bookmarked it for future use. Thanks for such a detailed article and site.
Thank you so much Patricia. We will all want to begin traveling I think after this darn Covid-19 is over. It is really bad where I live, so I am looking forward to the end of all this pandemic. Thanks for visiting my Lewis & Harris Outer Hebrides post and taking the time to leave me comments.
Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! I always wanted to travel around the world and you just added one more place to my checklist the beaches are so beautiful and are so lonely, walking along the coastlines all alone would be a heavenly experience. I love how you have mentioned hotels, restaurants, and so on. It was very very helpful.
I agree, it is beautiful! Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
I have bookmarked your website and this article about the outer Hebrides. I have traveled some in Scotland, but have yet to see the Hebrides. My wife would also love to go there. Scotland is a very beautiful country, with an engaging history, which I love very much. Maybe it is because I am Norwegian and feel like Scotland is like a second home to me. July to August, sometime in that period of time during the year, would be my pick. Then we will have the chance to experience the wildlife of the Hebrides to the fullest.
Your overview of the beaches, the tours, and activities a tourist can enjoy is excellent and gives you several opportunities to make the best out of the visit to the islands. Further, the list of restaurants and hotels completes the review of the outer Hebrides as a tourist destination.
I will re-visit your site and the article for any updates before booking and arranging our trip to the Hebrides when we have firm plans for such a vacation.
I am glad you enjoyed Roy. Please let me know if you need any additional information. Thanks for visiting beach travel destinations.
Thank you for your post. It is useful for me. My wife and I planned to visit Scotland this year. Due to coronavirus, we postponed our travel to next year. Now we have some new scenery in our schedule.
Beach is one our travel plan. Your article gives us the perfect description for our beach travel. Lewis and Harris have the white beaches, which are our dream ones. Furthermore, landscapes, a Gaelic culture and fascinating history make it our top choice for our vacation destination.
I bookmarked your webpage and start planning our Lewis and Harris Outer Hebrides vacations now.
Great Anthony! Please let me know if you need any additional information. Thanks for stopping by beach travel destinations.
Although I’ve never been there, Lewis & Harris Outer Hebrides looks like an amazing place to visit! The video has so much beautiful footage! Wow! It made me want to hop on a plane and visit this beautiful country soon. I was surprised to see how spacious the room looks at Langass Lodge. Their restaurant dishes look delicious and like they are prepared by great chefs. Thank you for such a great min-trip to this lovely land until I can actually travel there! I’m bookmarking your site so I can further check out all that you offer. 🙂
I am glad you enjoyed your digital visit to Lewis & Harris Outer Hebrides 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Colleen and taking the time to leave me comments.
I wanted to go on a break with my family and I just couldn’t choose where, and since I’m tight on budget I was thinking of canceling the trip after all. but thank god I found your website. I compared all the places and the living expenses and I’m happy to tell you I’m going for a vacation with my family. and for a very affordable cost.
y’all trust me this website is god.
Thanks Kan 🙂 I am glad you have enjoyed. Come back when you are ready to plan.
Wow, if I get to go on vacation this year I will get my ideas right here. I think Aruba sounded wonderful. I really like your details on the vacation spots, the restaurants and the coverage of each and ever vacation idea. Makes it hard to pick where to go which means it is very informative. I loved it. A lot of beautiful scenery and good prices. Like I said it was a great site to find a great vacation. Also, I liked that COVID 19 safety was mentioned for travelers that is very important. It gives people a feeling that yea lets do plan a vacation this year. I know that vacations have gone down because of the Pandemic. Your site will get people interested and changing there about traveling. Thanks for the great vacation ideas.
KathleenJ
You are welcome Kathleen. I appreciate your comments and for stopping by my site. Thank you
The isle of Lewis and Harris Outer Hebrides is absolutely breathtaking! I never knew gorgeous beaches like this existed in Scotland. I’m so glad I came across your site to read what this incredible destination has to offer. I loved to see that the best time to travel is between April and October because that is when my family usually travels (October happens to be one of our favorite months to do so). You have provided wonderful information of everything we need to enjoy our stay from restaurants, entertainment, hotels, and places to visit. I have bookmarked your site for future reference. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome Lindsey. I am glad you enjoyed 🙂
Thank you for introducing me to the Lewis Harris Outer Hebrides. I had never given a thought to visiting Scotland until now. Those beautiful white beaches and cliffs are breathtaking. I enjoy hiking, swimming, and water skiing and enjoying it in such grand scenery would be a vacation I would never forget. With the problems throughout the world due to Covid19, how do I make sure the areas I would want to visit are going to be open for business?
I would also like some information on any fishing packages for a small group of 5-10 people.
Thank you again for this wonderful experience, and I look forward to visiting Scotland in the near future.
Hi Chas. I would totally recommend Hebrides Fish n Trips for a fishing package. They have excellent ratings on TripAdvisor as well. I believe it would be a wonderful experience. Please let me know if you need any further information.
OMG! This is purely awesome. I have only seen this in images and videos and I couldn’t get over the imagination of actually being on such a pure haven of tranquil serenity. I like this lewis Harris outer Hebrides and surely, it is indeed more like a magical home of serenity and houses a lot of nature’s beauties.
well! I would like to have an holiday immediately after the covid19 lockdown and when activities return to normal on this place. Thanks
Me too Sherry! I would love to head to Lewis & Harris Outer Hebrides when this pandemic is over. Pure paradise awaits!