7 Things to Do in Loch Ness | Loch Ness Attractions

Loch Ness isn’t just a big lake or the supposed lair of some big monster. It’s one of the most visited spots in Scotland for its scope (length, depth, and beauty), and for the several other worthwhile places of interest in the area. Loch Ness is also part of the larger Great Glen, a fault line that runs from the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea.

If you’re looking for the best things to do around Loch Ness, you’re in the right place. I’ve compiled a list of recommendations based on my own experiences in this simply gorgeous part of the world. Be it a Loch Ness boat tour, a hike up Ben Nevis, or some local tales of a time longer ago than you thought you could imagine, be assured that you won’t get bored as long as you follow these picks. (You might get a little tired, though.)

The 7 best things to do near Loch Ness

• Visit Urquhart Castle
• Hike the Glen Affric Circular trail
• Take a Loch Ness Boat Tour
• Hike up Ben Nevis
• Visit the Commando Memorial
• See the Falls of Foyers 
• Visit The Loch Ness Center

Let me give you tips on the 7 top things to do in Loch Ness based on my personal experience
 

Tip: It makes practical sense to hit Loch Ness and Glencoe in one trip, so be sure to check out my best things to do in and around Glencoe, as well.

 

 

Loch Ness map: things to see near Loch Ness

Map of the Loch Ness area, pinpointing the best things to do

 

Planning a trip to Loch Ness: FAQs

First, check out the answers to some of the most common questions about traveling to Loch Ness... 

 

Is Loch Ness worth visiting?

Yes, Loch Ness is worth visiting, first and foremost for its stunning natural beauty, as well as its legends. The Loch Ness region offers dramatic landscapes courtesy of mountains such as Ben Nevis, as well as quintessentially moody Scottish ruins like Urquhart Castle. Beyond this, you’ll find fantastic hiking trails like the Glen Affric Circular. All in all, the unique mix of myth, history and scenic landscapes of the Loch Ness area makes it a solid place to visit in the Scottish Highlands.

Yes, Loch Ness is worth visiting, especially for its stunning natural beauty and legendary status. The region offers dramatic landscapes with mountains like Ben Nevis and as well as quintessentially moody Scottish ruins like Urquhart Castle. Plus, there are some great hiking trails, like the Glen Affric Circular, which will definitely scratch your outdoor adventure itch.

That said, if you're pressed for time on your Scotland trip, Loch Ness might be one of the places to cut first. While it’s a beautiful spot, there are many other parts of Scotland with even more to offer in terms of history, culture, and scenery. You won’t be missing out too much if you swap Loch Ness for more unique gems like Glencoe, the Isle of Skye, or the jaw-dropping beauty of Assynt.

 

 

When is the best time to visit Loch Ness?

Summer is the best time to visit Loch Ness, so between June and August inclusive. This is when the days are long and when you’re most likely to catch some sunshine. The Loch Ness area is also known to be pleasant in May, and perhaps less crowded, although warm weather can’t be guaranteed.

Visiting Loch Ness is best in the summer

 

Where’s the best place to stay around Loch Ness?

We stayed at the Craigdarroch Hotel in Foyers, in the middle of the east side of the famous loch. It didn’t disappoint; this is why I’d recommend this place if you're looking for hotels at Loch Ness:

• It’s a four-star hotel, and yet it has all the homely appeal of a traditional countryside inn.
• Many of the rooms look onto the loch, the hills and the trees. As does the dining room.
• All the meals that the restaurant serves are excellent, not just breakfast.
• It offers free parking and you don’t need to reserve a spot.
• The bar sells local beer and cider.

 

How long should you spend at Loch Ness?

It takes around 2.5 hours to drive around the whole loch. However, if you want to stop at Urquhart Castle, at The Loch Ness Centre, or to take a Loch Ness boat tour, you should set aside a day at least to explore the loch and the River Ness flowing into Inverness.

Spend at least a day on Loch Ness to see all the sights

 

Can you swim in Loch Ness?

While it’s possible and legal to swim in Loch Ness, it’s not advised, due to:

• the low temperature of the water (averaging 5°C [41°F] all year round), and
• the immense depth of the lake (reaching over 200 m [656 ft] in some parts).

If you’re not particularly fit or if your body isn’t used to cold-water swimming, this temperature-depth combination can be dangerous. And that’s even before you remember there’s a monster lurking below you...!

 

 

So, let’s get into it—the 7 best things to do on Loch Ness and around Loch Ness...

 

1. Visit Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle
 

• Price: GBP 14.50 (USD 19.38)
• Opening hours: Daily 9:30 am–8 pm (April–August), 9:30 am–6 pm (September), 9:30 am–5 pm (October), 9:30 am–4.30 pm (November–March)

Right on the shore and not far from the Loch Ness Centre, you’ll find Urquhart (“ark-hut”) Castle, one of the most iconic ruins around Loch Ness.

Looking at it from the south, it’s a ruin you might recognize if you’ve spent any amount of time Googling “castle at Loch Ness” (I was never going to remember how to spell “Urquhart”, let’s be real). And yet, here you are, just another of many taking the exact same photo—because the place looks even cooler in real life.

The best part? Parking is free. The not-so-best part? Entry is GBP 14.50 (USD 19.38), or 15.95 (USD 21.33) if you wish to donate to the castle’s maintenance efforts. Don’t be stingy. Your donation keeps Scotland's ruins… well, ruined, but looked-after.

It took us 2 hours to walk around the entire Urquhart Castle complex
 

At its peak, this castle was huge, and even now, it’s surprisingly extensive—we were wandering around for around two hours. A significant part of Scottish history, the castle stood strong through the centuries, weathering political struggles—including those for Scottish independence—and even being blown up by its own defenders during the Jacobite rising.

But today, the fortress is a rather large pile of rocks, considering it was intentionally blown up by its own defenders during the Jacobite rising of 1745. That’s a level of commitment that I’ll never be able to relate to!

The museum is also worth a wander, covering everything from Highland warfare to daily life. After all, nothing says "fun day out" like medieval misery. Seriously, though, I thought there’d be much less to see than this. Turns out, when you pick a stunning backdrop like Loch Ness, even a pile of rubble can exceed your expectations. 

Pro tip: Go early in the day, unless you want to be penned in by a herd of snail-pacing history buffs.

 

2. Hike the Glen Affric Circular trail

Map of the Glen Affric Circular trail (see the route in more detail on Alltrails)
 

Ah, Glen Affric, said to be “the most beautiful glen in Scotland”. A bold claim, but I was ready to see if the hype matched reality. Spoiler: it's pretty nice. We parked the car and kicked this loop trail off at Dog Falls. Don’t get too excited, it’s more like Dog Slightly Larger Stream, but still charming enough for a photo or two.

The trail is a good four-hour loop if you manage not to miss any key details—like, say, a closed bridge at the end. We didn’t, naturally, so backtracking the entire way was extra fun. Take it from me: check for closures before setting out.

The stunning scenery of Loch Affric is postcard-worthy
 

Now, Loch Affric. This is where things get properly stunning—think postcard views of the water, framed by the dramatic Sisters of Kintail in the background. The mountains around here are between 800 and 900 m (2624–2952 ft) high, but I swear they feel taller—yet another reason why the Scottish Highlands feel so surreal and dramatic. I wouldn’t be all that surprised if everything in Scotland were an illusion—I find it a positively unreal destination. I expect there’ll be hikes around this area that are even more epic and otherworldly, but hey, I don’t believe in regrets! Besides, on this trail, we came across a hotel with views so good it was like we’d stumbled into Patagonia—or Hogwarts.

All in all, the Glen Affric Circular trail offers some spectacular scenery with, at least in our case, a side of Scottish unpredictability.

 

3. Take a Loch Ness Boat Tour

Cruise Loch Ness is a well-reviewed company, so we went with them... and now can also review them positively!
 

• Price: GBP 20 (USD 26.70)
• Opening hours: Daily 9:00 am–4 pm

I found cruising on Loch Ness to be a mix of breathtaking views, deep-water trivia, and a healthy dose of chilly Highland air. We went with Cruise Loch Ness (I wonder how long it took them to come up with that name), one of the two companies operating the tours. The others seemed to have limited off-season sailings, so if you’re visiting when the weather’s not so predictable (which as we know, in Scotland, is actually most of the time), Cruise Loch Ness is your safest bet.

Tip: Park on the opposite side of the Caledonian Canal—it’s convenient and not too crowded. Another tip: If you’re visiting in high season, be sure to book your boat trip ahead of time. Even in the shoulder season, our boat was packed!

For GBP 20 (USD 26.70), you get a 50-minute cruise through the more mountainous southern end of Loch Ness, with views of where the loch narrows into the River Ness at the northern tip. And let me tell you—those mountains really elevate the experience. Quite literally.

The boat itself has got a cozy indoor deck, but we were feeling brave, all wrapped up in our windproof hooded jackets, so we headed to the upper deck. It was frickin’ freezing. We lucked out with some clear skies, but no matter the sunshine, the wind coming off the loch is like a slap of icy water to the face (and other parts). Still, the gorgeous views were moderately distracting.

Loch Ness cruise
 

Right after leaving the dock, you’re floating on 170 m (558 ft) of the famously deep Loch Ness waters, which unnerved me a bit. This I learned from the onboard 3D sonar, which lets you geek out over Loch Ness’s physical stats. The water temperature was another one—a balmy 7.7°C (45.9°F) on the day we sailed.

Fun fact: With an average depth of 186 m (610 ft), this loch holds more water than all the rivers and lakes in the UK combined—plenty of room for its famous resident to hide! Light barely penetrates more than a few meters, making it as dark as the sea is at 1 km (0.62 mi) deep. No wonder it’s so murky—it does indeed make the perfect home for a monster.

Water-way to spend an afternoon! (I’ll let myself out.)

 

4. Hike up Ben Nevis

Map of the Ben Nevis Mountain Track (see the route in more detail on Alltrails)
 

Hike length: 15 km (3 miles), out and back
Elevation gain: 1,340 m (4,400 ft)
Difficulty level: Hard
Hiking time: 7–9 hours
Trailhead: Google Maps link to trailhead

Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain at 1,345 m (4,413 ft), is around an hour’s drive away from Loch Ness. And because it’s the UK’s highest mountain, lots of people want to try and climb it. My girlfriend and I were two such people, although we didn’t make it all the way to the summit.

Sure, it’s a tall mountain by British standards; it doesn’t hold a candle to your Everests and your Aconcaguas. But it’s still steep, rocky, tiring—not exactly something you can do on a whim. Your biggest obstacle will be the (very likely) bad weather, which makes the climb significantly harder than it should be.

The most popular route is the Mountain Track, starting from the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre. It’s also often called “the tourist path", which I think is quite a patronizing way to describe a 17-km (10.5-mi) round trip on a sharp incline. But the other way up, for the mad hikers, is called Carn Mor Dearg Arête, and to be honest, the thought of having to pronounce it was enough to put me right off.

Ben Nevis is about an hour's drive away from Loch Ness
 

The first section gave us a false sense of security, with a wide, well-maintained path that gently winds upwards. But after an hour or so, we hit the infamous zigzags, a series of steep switchbacks. We zigged and zagged for around 45 minutes after that before we turned back—it was the right call as we weren’t so prepared in the first place. (Just to be clear, we never intended to get to the top. Honestly—I’m no quitter!)

I’m told, though, that by the time you reach the summit plateau, the terrain is rocky and lunar-like, and you’re often walking through a cloud, which is always a surreal experience. And if the skies are clear, then you’re lucky enough to be able to catch possibly the best view in this weird and wonderful country. It’s a win-win.

Take note: The zigzags that burned your thighs on the way up aren’t any friendlier coming down. But don’t worry, you’ll have also gained eternal bragging rights as a climber of “The Ben” (which as I say, is entirely why most people want to do it in the first place)!

 

 

5. Visit the Commando Memorial

Commando Memorial
 

On our way back to Loch Ness from Ben Nevis, we stopped by the Commando Memorial near the village of Spean Bridge. Warfare klaxon: this towering bronze monument is dedicated to the men of the British Commandos who trained in this very spot during World War II. (Yes, this was my pick, and my girlfriend was kind enough to humor me.)

Standing with their backs to Ben Nevis, three soldiers gaze into the distance, symbolizing the courage and discipline of the Commando forces. We were also treated to a brilliant backdrop of that very mountain we’d just attempted to climb. The atmosphere was solemn yet peaceful, and even though quite a few other people were there, it’s a monument that commands quiet respect. I found it both awe-inspiring and deeply moving.

The view from Commando Memorial
 

A bonus poignant feature is the Garden of Remembrance nearby, where visitors leave personal tributes—wreaths, photographs, and handwritten notes—in memory of fallen soldiers. It’s a sobering reminder of the ongoing sacrifices made by the armed forces.

 

6. See the Falls of Foyers

The Falls of Foyers
 

The Falls of Foyers is a place of interest combines Highland nature, a bit of walking, and a dash of Loch Ness mystery. Think of this stop as a kind of bonus round way to experience Loch Ness. It's only 25 minutes’ drive from Fort Augustus at the southern end of the loch, so it's a perfect pit stop if you’re driving around looking for Nessie. We just parked along the road and nobody complained, so I assume it’s allowed...?

The trail to the waterfalls splits into two routes: one to the upper falls, just a short walk at 300 m (0.2 mi) away; and one to the lower falls, 500 m (0.31 mi) further. The views from the upper falls were cool—we were 100 m (328 ft) above Loch Ness at this point. The lower falls? I won’t write home about it. It’s more of a polite cascade—I just gave it an appreciative nod.

All in all, the falls themselves aren’t going to win the Waterfall of the Year award, but the walk up to them is pleasant. The landscape even gave me Yosemite vibes—towering trees, cliff-like drops, the works. Scotland just can’t resist trying to one-up California!

And if you’re in the mood for yet more walking, there are a few kilometers of trails around the falls with some decent uphill sections. Pro tip: Bring snacks and water because there's no café around here.

 

7. Visit The Loch Ness Centre to learn about the Loch Ness Monster

And we'll finish with the Loch Ness Museum
 

• Price: GBP 18.95 (USD 25.40)
• Opening hours: Daily 10:00 am–5 pm
• Website: https://lochness.com/

Finally (although you might well choose to do this first), head to The Loch Ness Center to learn all about the famous loch, from its geology to the legends and mysteries surrounding it. It's located on the western bank of the lake, a little higher than the halfway point, in Drumnadrochit, not far from Inverness, the Highland capital.

While you're there, don't miss the chance to visit Scotland's smallest craft distillery, the Great Glen Distillery, located right on site. You can sample locally-made gin and even learn about the distillation process, with water sourced directly from Loch Ness itself.

Parking is free and a ticket to the center costs GBP 18.95 (USD 25.40). There’s also a café onsite, as well as a gift shop selling lots of Nessie stuff, which makes perfect souvenirs if you happen to be friends with a bunch of five-year-olds. Credit where it’s due, all the staff are so friendly that even I almost bought a big stuffed Nessie.

I was curious to see how the myth of the monster might be debunked, so we took the interactive video tour. To be honest, it's quite short for the price, and if you don’t speak English, you’re out of luck because there are no foreign-language subtitle options. (Then again, if you don’t speak English, why would you be reading my blog...?)

Fun fact: The original legend dates back to the 6^th century, but it was from this very building that the rumor of a sighting spread rapidly to the general public in 1933.

The lighting wasn't exactly photo-friendly, but the exhibit about Loch Ness is (short and) sweet
 

I found it funny to see all the photos that the locals have taken over the years and all the evidence of the money they’ve obviously poured into the whole story. I bet it was a collective mission to boost tourism in the area. Not that they needed to, I mean, there are lots of other great things to do around Loch Ness (otherwise I wouldn’t have bothered writing this article)!

Tip: If you want to have a serious conversation about the possibility of Nessie being real, you can even book in for a chat with a self-proclaimed “Nessie Hunter”. He’s been on the constant lookout for the Loch Ness Monster for over 30 years, right from his research van on the shore of the lake. He also sells photos of Loch Ness and little clay Nessies, and is probably single.

So, there you have it...

If you don't get to see the Loch Ness Monster, don't worry, there are plenty of more interesting things to see in Loch Ness
 

Even if you don’t spot the Loch Ness Monster, there are still lots of other cool things to see in the Loch Ness area. In my opinion, the Loch Ness boat cruise might even be the one to skip if you’re short on time—I just found the other sights slightly more interesting. But overall, this is simply a wonderful part of the world that you shouldn’t miss if you’re traveling to Scotland!

Tip: And if you’re exploring other lochs in Scotland, Loch Lomond offers a peaceful contrast to the mysterious Loch Ness. It’s also a top spot for couples seeking a romantic getaway—read more about it in my guide to the best places in Scotland for couples.

 

 

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