City · Whiterun Hold
The central trade city of Skyrim, built on a hill in the middle of the tundra beneath Dragonsreach. Home of the Companions at Jorrvaskr, the Skyforge and the Gildergreen tree, it is usually the first city visited in the main quest.
Whiterun is the capital of Whiterun Hold on the Skyrim map.
Whiterun sits almost exactly in the middle of Skyrim, on a lone hill in the open tundra of Whiterun Hold. Because it is central, most roads in the province pass close to it, and the main quest sends you here early. From Riverwood the road runs north along the river, past Honningbrew Meadery, and reaches the city gate in a few minutes on foot. Whiterun Stables and the carriage wait just outside the walls, and the Western Watchtower, where you fight your first dragon, is a short walk to the west.
For a street level view of the city with every building marked, see the Whiterun map.
The city climbs the hill in three tiers.
Whiterun is ruled by Jarl Balgruuf the Greater from Dragonsreach. His steward is Proventus Avenicci, his housecarl is the Dunmer warrior Irileth, and his court wizard is Farengar Secret-Fire, who gives you the Bleak Falls Barrow errand. If the Stormcloaks take the city during the Civil War, Vignar Gray-Mane becomes Jarl and appoints Brill as his steward.
After you help against the dragon at the watchtower, Balgruuf names you Thane of Whiterun and assigns Lydia as your personal housecarl.
Breezehome is the cheapest house in the game at 5,000 gold. Proventus Avenicci sells it once you have finished the Bleak Falls Barrow quest for the Jarl (Brill sells it if the Stormcloaks hold the city). It stands just inside the main gate, next to Warmaiden's. Furnishing it costs 500 gold for the alchemy lab, 300 each for the bedroom and kitchen, 250 each for the dining and living rooms and 200 for the loft, with a 250 gold child's bedroom added by Hearthfire.
Step by step instructions are in how to buy a house in Whiterun, and every other home is compared in Skyrim houses.
Four main quest stages run through the city: Before the Storm, Bleak Falls Barrow, Dragon Rising and The Way of the Voice. The Companions questline begins at Jorrvaskr, and plenty of small favors come from residents in the market and the Wind District.
Whiterun has an unusual number of master trainers: Vilkas (Two-handed), Farkas (Heavy Armor), Eorlund Gray-Mane (Smithing, at the Skyforge) and Danica Pure-Spring (Restoration, in the temple). Arcadia offers expert Alchemy training in her shop. Adrianne Avenicci runs the forge at Warmaiden's and Belethor buys almost anything. See Skyrim trainers for the full list.
Whiterun is in the centre of the Skyrim map, on a hill in the tundra north of Riverwood. It is the capital of Whiterun Hold and most roads in the province pass near it.
Balgruuf the Greater rules Whiterun from Dragonsreach. His steward is Proventus Avenicci and his housecarl is Irileth. If the Stormcloaks conquer the city, Vignar Gray-Mane replaces him.
Finish the Bleak Falls Barrow quest for the Jarl, then talk to Proventus Avenicci in Dragonsreach and pay 5,000 gold for Breezehome. Furnishings cost extra.
Whiterun has three districts: the Plains District with the market and shops, the Wind District with Jorrvaskr and the Temple of Kynareth, and the Cloud District with Dragonsreach at the top.
Vilkas, Farkas and Eorlund Gray-Mane are master trainers in Two-handed, Heavy Armor and Smithing, Danica Pure-Spring is a master Restoration trainer, and Arcadia teaches Alchemy at expert level.