Portree is the capital and main town of Skye, perched on the northeastern coast of the island. The harbour, framed by a row of brightly painted houses against a backdrop of green hills, is the most photographed view on Skye — and it earns it, especially in the soft light of a Highland evening.
The town is small but has everything you need as a base: supermarkets, banks, restaurants, pubs, and a good range of places to eat. It is the logical starting point for exploring northern Skye — the dramatic Trotternish peninsula with the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing, Dunvegan Castle to the west, and the Fairy Pools near Carbost to the south. Most visitors to the north of the island pass through Portree at least once.
The harbour area has a handful of seafood restaurants that are genuinely good. The square at the top of the hill is the centre of town, with the bus stop, tourist information, and most shops. On a clear day, the views across the Sound of Raasay from the harbour are hard to beat.