Callanish Standing Stones Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Calanais Standing Stones. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Stornoway: Guided Tour of the Isle of Lewis

• Stornoway: Private Tour Isle of Lewis

• 5-Day Hebrides and Highlands Tour From Edinburgh

• 3-Day Hebrides Tour From Inverness: Isles of Lewis and Harris

• Lewis Historical Tour

As of spring 2026, the Calanais Standing Stones are free to visit; note that its visitor center is currently closed. When the center reopens, expect to pay a fee (locals will not be charged). Half-day, small-group tours of the Isle of Lewis from Stornoway, including the stones, cost from around US$200 per person.

Yes, the Calanais Standing Stones are well worth visiting: They're as important as Stonehenge, and less crowded. Set above the beautiful Loch Roag and aligned in the shape of a cross, they've stood for around 5,000 years, longer than the Giza Pyramids. Visit with a guide to streamline transportation and help you see more of the Isle of Lewis—you'll also learn the stories behind the stones.

Per one customer who booked the Stornoway: Guided Tour of the Isle of Lewis, “Hugh was so welcoming and knowledgeable about the area. He drove us all over, telling us stories and interesting details of life on the island. We got to see so many beautiful areas, including the best beach ever for a packed lunch! Fav part—[Hugh] giving my mother his arm to get up the hilltop at the broch so she wouldn’t miss the view or the history. Really a great choice for our family, including grandparents and kids.”

The Callanish Standing Stones are unique because they date from around 5,000 years ago and predate the more famous Stonehenge standing stones in England. They are believed to have been an important place for ritual activity for at least 2,000 years.

Yes, visitors can walk freely among the Callanish Standing Stones and even touch them. However, as these stones are ancient and significant, visitors are requested to visit respectfully and help preserve them by keeping to designated paths and not damaging any of the stones or surroundings.

No, there is currently no entrance fee for visiting the Callanish Standing Stones. Visitors can visit the site at any time of day all year round. Parking is also free and located next to the visitor center. A small fee is usually charged to view exhibitions in the visitor center.

Photographers often visit the Callanish Standing Stones at sunrise and sunset when they are lit up by the glowing sun and are most atmospheric. If you visit during the fall and winter, you can see them under the northern lights.

Yes, guided tours of the Callanish Standing Stones are typically included on multi-day tours of the Outer Hebrides from Edinburgh or Inverness. Visiting in the company of a guide can help bring the site’s history to life and reveal some of the theories about its purpose.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting the Calanais Standing Stones. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in the Scottish Highlands:

• Isle of Skye

• Glencoe

• Fort Augustus

• Loch Ness

• Eilean Donan Castle

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in the Scottish Highlands.