Argyll and Bute district, Scotland, United Kingdom

Places to visit near Oban

Oban is a town in Argyll and Bute district, Scotland, United Kingdom, home to about 8,540 people. Within 50 km by road there are 89 places to visit — 28 hill stations & viewpoints, 24 forts & heritage, 5 lakes, dams & reservoirs and 7 churches. The must-see places are Oban Distillery (1 km), St Columba's Cathedral (1 km) and Dunollie Castle (2 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Oban on the map

Oban, Scotland
Oban, Argyll and Bute district, Scotland, United Kingdom. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Oban at a glance

Location
Argyll and Bute district, Scotland, United Kingdom
Population
about 8,540
Coordinates
56.4153° N, 5.4718° W
Places within 50 km
89 (89 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches

Top places to visit near Oban

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Oban: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Oban, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Oban

125 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Oban. The closest is Dùn da Ghaoithe (24 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Forts & heritage near Oban

61 forts & heritage within 100 km of Oban. The closest is Dunollie Castle (2 km). Best time: october to february.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Oban

34 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Oban. The closest is Ballachuan Loch (22 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Churches near Oban

22 churches within 100 km of Oban. The closest is St Columba's Cathedral (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Beaches & coast near Oban

16 beaches & coast within 100 km of Oban. The closest is Lismore (12 km). Best time: october to march.

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Rivers, islands & mangroves near Oban

13 rivers, islands & mangroves within 100 km of Oban. The closest is Torsa (25 km). Best time: september to february.

  • Torsa · river spot · Argyll and Bute · ~25 km · Must-see
  • Fladda Lighthouse · river spot · Argyll and Bute · ~28 km · Must-see
  • Belnahua · river spot · Argyll and Bute · ~28 km · Must-see
  • Shuna · river spot · Argyll and Bute · ~30 km · Must-see
  • Lunga · river spot · Scotland · ~33 km · Must-see
  • Eileach An Naoimh · river spot · Argyll and Bute · ~37 km · Must-see

All rivers, islands & mangroves in Scotland →

A one-day trip from Oban

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 29 km on the road.

  1. Start in Oban
  2. 1 km Oban Distillery · museum, Argyll and Bute
  3. 8 km Gylen Castle · heritage site, Argyll and Bute
  4. 8 km St Columba's Cathedral · church, Argyll and Bute
  5. 1 km Dunollie Castle · heritage site, Argyll and Bute
  6. 5 km Dunstaffnage Castle · heritage site, Argyll and Bute
  7. 6 km Back to Oban

Plan a longer trip from Oban — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Oban

No traveller has reported from around Oban yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Oban

    All places near Oban by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Oban by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints28125Dùn da Ghaoithe (24 km)
    Forts & heritage2461Dunollie Castle (2 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs534Ballachuan Loch (22 km)
    Churches722St Columba's Cathedral (1 km)
    Beaches & coast816Lismore (12 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves713Torsa (25 km)
    Waterfalls37Falls of Avich (24 km)
    Museums46Oban Distillery (1 km)
    Treks04Loch Lomond and Cowal Way (60 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens13Glen Nant National Nature Reserve (19 km)
    Parks13Argyll Adventure (41 km)
    Temples11Temple Wood Stone Circles Park (41 km)
    Caves01Fingal's Cave (67 km)
    Other attractions01Ardnamurchan Point Lighthouse (72 km)

    Oban: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Oban?

    Oban Distillery (museum, about 1 km), St Columba's Cathedral (church, about 1 km), Dunollie Castle (heritage site, about 2 km), Dunstaffnage Castle (heritage site, about 6 km), Gylen Castle (heritage site, about 8 km), Lismore (beach, about 12 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Oban?

    89 places on Spotwander: 28 hill stations & viewpoints, 24 forts & heritage, 5 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 7 churches, 8 beaches & coast.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Oban?

    Dùn da Ghaoithe, about 24 km by road; Binnein Brander (25 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest fort to Oban?

    Dunollie Castle, about 2 km by road; Dunstaffnage Castle (6 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Oban?

    Ballachuan Loch, about 22 km by road; Loch Baile Mhic Cailein (30 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Oban?

    Start in Oban, visit Oban Distillery, then Gylen Castle, then St Columba's Cathedral, then Dunollie Castle, then Dunstaffnage Castle, and drive back — about 29 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Oban?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; October to February for forts & heritage; year-round for churches.

    Towns near Oban

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Oban’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Oban on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.