- Home
- Places to go
- Oban
Oban
Nestled on the west coast and surrounded by miles of dramatic shores and beautiful countryside, the seaside town of Oban is a great place for a holiday. Often called the 'Gateway to the Isles', many people travel to Oban as part of a west coast adventure.
Find experiences
JavaScript needs to be enabled to see this product search form. You can turn this on in your browser settings.
Things to do in Oban
Explore this cool seaside town and discover the history. Then head off for a day trip to a nearby island.
Walking in Oban
Get your bearings around Oban with these fantastic walking trails.
Oban - Gateway to The Isles
Experience island life, travelling from Oban into west coast waters.
7Days
Car
An island hopping holiday on the west coast
Discover what it means to island hop across the western islands of Scotland.
Activities in Oban
Jump into the heart of the action with Oban's range of exciting indoor and outdoor attractions.
Inspiration for Oban Breaks
Find the right accommodation to suit your needs in Oban.
Places to Stay
Oban offers a great range of accommodation, from cosy B&B's and guesthouses to welcoming hotels, hostels and central self-catering apartments.
Unique Experiences
Get to know Oban at these hidden gem experiences.
Book a sailing trip with Provident Sailing
All aboard this beautiful ship for a sailing holiday in Oban.
See marine wildlife up close with Basking Shark Scotland
See some of Scotland's best maritime life up close.
Enjoy a scenic flight with Hebridean Air Services
Take to the skies and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the Hebrides.
Map of Oban
Explore Oban
Loading
Javascript is needed to show this map.
Javascript is needed to show this map.
How to Travel to and around Oban
Getting to
Train
The train is the easiest and most scenic way to reach Oban. Trains run daily directly from Glasgow Queen Street Station.
Bus and coach
Citylink provides service between Glasgow and Oban.
Driving
Driving from Glasgow or Edinburgh takes between 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours. If coming from Glasgow, there are two route options - follow the A82 via the west side of Loch Lomond, or take the A83 over the Rest and be Thankful and via Inveraray.
Getting around
Bus and coach
Oban is pretty easy to travel around, and is a very walkable town too. West Coast Motors operate bus service routes around Oban and to the surrounding villages north and south of the town.
Train
Trains to Glasgow also stop at a number of villages along the railway line, including Connel, Taynuilt, Loch Awe and Dalmally.
Ferry
When it comes to transport on the water to the surrounding islands, ferries are operated by CalMac or you can even charter small passenger boats.
Find more information on ferry timetables on CalMac's website
Walking
For both walking and cycling, try the Love Oban Active Travel App, which is a digital guide to a series of walking and cycling trails in and around Oban.
The guide features eight self-guided trails, interactive tours and an Eye Spy game. The type of trails featured range from relatively flat routes along the waterfront through to more challenging routes that cross moorland and high ground.
Taxi
Local companies offer car rentals, and you can also take advantage of taxi services.
Flying
Oban Airport lies 5 miles out of the town and serves the islands of Coll, Tiree, Islay and Colonsay.
What's on in Oban
Events
From delicious food & drink shared with new friends, to toe-tapping, dancing and singing along to great local music - you'll find a great variety of events around Oban.
Places to eat in Oban
Find ideas on where to try Scottish food & drink in Oban.
Food & Drink
There's a great selection of places to eat in Oban.
A tip from your local expert
After exploring McCaig’s Tower and its panoramic views over Oban, Isle of Kerrera and Mull, why not indulge with a visit to Oban Chocolate Company? You can see delicious chocolates being made and also enjoy a hot drink!
Szymon
VisitScotland
Visit Oban Chocolate CompanyOther things you might like
Argyll & The Isles
Isle of Arran
Scotland's islands
The Highlands
Join our Newsletter Clan
Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.