Shetland named one of the top 10 destinations in Europe this year by a leading travel guide

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

This year, Shetland has been named one of the top 10 destinations in Europe by a leading travel guide.

The archipelago made it to the sixth place in Lonely Planet’s Best in Europe 2019 list which highlights must-see places.

The guide has praised Shetland’s “awesome coastal trails, wicked wildlife watching, and fabled fish and chip shops”, and suggests visitors “spot otters and orcas from craggy headlands, then ease into the evening at one of Lerwick’s local pubs” or experience the Viking-inspired Up Helly Aa festival which “bursts into fiery life each January”.

Slovakia’s High Tatras grabs the top spot in the list, followed by Madrid in Spain, the Arctic Coast Way in Iceland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bari in Italy.

Shetland consists of more than 100 islands, of which only 15 are inhabited. It is also a UNESCO Global Geopark and is said to be more geologically diverse than any similar sized area in Europe.

VisitScotland chief executive Malcolm Roughead said: “Shetland’s appearance as the only UK destination in Lonely Planet’s prestigious Best in Europe 2019 is testament to the islands’ strong pull for visitors.”

Lyon in France is in seventh place in the list, followed by Liechtenstein, Vevey in Switzerland and Istria in Croatia.

Steven Coutts, the leader of Shetland Islands Council said, “Shetland has long been known as a welcoming destination for travellers, and it’s great to have made Lonely Planet – and Europe’s – top 10 this year. Those of us who live here know how fantastic the islands are, with stunning scenery and incredible wildlife on our doorstep.”

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