If you’ve been around Tamriel long enough, you should know that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is one of the most iconic games in modern times. If you are coming back for your tenth playthrough or have a mind to explore its snow-covered peaks, Skyrim still is the most celebrated open-world RPG of all time. Over a decade later, thanks to constant re-releases (and mods), the game is more alive than ever.
While Skyrim gives you the freedom to ignore the main quest and spend your days stealing cheese wheels or adopting dogs, there are some quests that every Dragonborn needs to experience at least once. More than the casual side activities, these are exciting stories that dig deep into the Elder Scrolls mythos, reward curiosity, and push your character into massive territory. So here, we have listed six best quests (and questlines) you should try at least once in Skyrim before you make your way towards The Elder Scrolls 6.
1. Dragonborn DLC Main Quest
The Dragonborn DLC is special because it was the first DLC extension launched for Skyrim. If you haven’t made your way to Solstheim yet, you have missed the most story-rich expansion in the franchise. The Dragonborn questline throws you face-first into the legacy of Miraak, the very first Dragonborn, who’s trying to return from Apocrypha. He is not happy to share the title of “Dragonborn,” and he has made a pact with the Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora to change that.
Solstheim, meanwhile, is a callback to Morrowind’s Bloodmoon expansion combining Dunmer and Nordic cultures with a bizarre, alien style. Ash storms from Red Mountain, netches floating lazily in the sky, and reavers patrolling every coastline—it’s Skyrim but offbeat in all the right ways.
2. Beyond Death
The Dawnguard DLC is already one of the best vampire stories in gaming. But Beyond Death is where things get real. There are a lot of quests in Skyrim but only a few can match Beyond Death. This quest happens in the Soul Cairn, a desolate plane of Oblivion where souls trapped in black soul gems are left to wander forever. You’ll need to choose between becoming a vampire or partially soul-trapping yourself to enter. Either way, you have to take on a big metaphysical risk.
There, you’ll encounter lost souls, undead enemies, creepy soul fissures, and Durnehviir, a cursed dragon who teaches you the powerful Soul Tear shout. This area has side content too, including an undead horse (i.e., Arvak!), hidden journals, and an obscure tale.
3. Forgotten Names
Tucked away beneath the College of Winterhold is a secret relic linked to a quest called Forgotten Names. There’s barely any hand-holding here. You’ll need to explore, tinker, and experiment with strange rings and a gauntlet that doesn’t tell you what it wants. The quest is short but rewards very good, especially for mages and alchemists. More importantly, it captures that “what the heck is this and why is it glowing?” element that makes Skyrim so special.
4. Lost To The Ages
Lost To The Ages is the fan-favorite side quest from the Dawnguard DLC, and for good reason. It is triggered by reading a copy of The Aetherium Wars, and sends you across Skyrim in search of ancient Dwemer ruins, mysterious Aetherium shards, and the legendary Aetherium Forge. Katria guides you through the mission, a ghostly adventurer whose tragic fate you slowly uncover.
At the end, you obtain one of the great items in the game: The Aetherial Crown, which lets you benefit from two Standing Stone powers at once. The quest is filled with puzzles, traps, and a final crafting decision that can change your playstyle.
5. Stones of Barenziah
No lies here—this one is serious a grind. But if you like treasure hunting and completing what others won’t, the Stones of Barenziah quest is a badge of honor.
You’ll need to collect 24 Unusual Gems, which are the fragments of a royal crown once owned by Queen Barenziah, a figure from Daggerfall and Morrowind lore. Once restored, the Crown of Barenziah gives you a major boost to all gemstone finds, making Thieves Guild runs highly profitable. But more than that, this quest forces you to explore nearly every nook and cranny of Skyrim including dungeons, castles, caves, and even the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary.
6. The Wolf Queen Awakened
One of the most narrative-rich quests in the base game, The Wolf Queen Awakened is essentially a spiritual sequel to the events of Daggerfall and Morrowind that continue the story of Potema Septim, the infamous necromancer queen.
You’re summoned to investigate dark rituals beneath Solitude, where Potema is trying to return to life (again). The quest is eerie, with a creepy dungeon, undead armies, and a deadly final showdown. If you like to get more out of the story, this one’s a treasure trove. Potema was once a political big power in the Third Era, and her rise and fall are deeply intertwined with the Septim bloodline.
