Aberdeen's stark Victorian granite architecture has created one of Scotland's most distinct cities. You can wander down the elegant tree-lined cobbled streets in the Old Town passing the 500-year-old cathedral, or check out the humbler Footdee, a quaint fishing village linked to Aberdeen by the harbour.
Follow the Dee and Don rivers out the sea and you'll find long stretches of windswept beach and opportunities for sailing, paddleboarding and surfing during the sunny summers. After a day at sea, the waterfront restaurants offer the opportunity to dine on freshly caught seafood and the cosy pubs make for fine surroundings to indulge in a dram of whisky.
Mer fakta om Aberdeen
Scottish port city Aberdeen has long been an outward-looking place. An Aberdeen city break can take in the medieval heart of Old Aberdeen and high-spirited nightlife in the University quarter. Make an Aberdeen hotel your jumping-off point for exploring the region’s pristine beaches, mountains and ancient castles.
Five things to love about Aberdeen
The beautiful setting and family entertainment at Storybook Glen theme park
Hitting a perfect tee shot at the sixth oldest golf club in the world
Winning big at the decadent Soul Casino
Relaxing with a new book and a coffee at Books and Beans
Walking on Aberdeen Beach as the sun comes up over the North Sea
Living history
The stern beauty of its characteristic grey granite buildings makes getting lost a pleasure in medieval Old Aberdeen. The Maritime Museum tells the story of Aberdeen’s long connection with the wild North Sea. Provost Skene’s House is a superbly preserved 16th-century townhouse with restored period rooms. For an insight into the history of Scottish exploration, Glover House is a fascinating venue. It is the former home of the Aberdonian merchant and so-called Scottish samurai Thomas Blake Glover, hailed as one of the fathers of modern Japan. Outside town, nearby castles like Finlatter, Haddo and Fyvie stand imposingly on coastal outcrops.
Fine local dishes
The region around Aberdeen is the birthplace of many of Scotland’s signature dishes. Arbroath smokies (small smoked haddock) have been granted EU protection – they can’t be made anywhere else. The small fishing village of Cullen on the Moray coast is home to Cullen skink (a soup of haddock, potato and onion) and the area abounds with delicious seafood. Aberdeen lies on the rivers Don and Dee where you can catch your own trout and salmon.
The great outdoors
Follow the River Dee upstream from Aberdeen and you are soon in Royal Deeside, the lush river valley that is home to Balmoral, the British Royal Family’s summer retreat. Further on is the wild and windswept Cairngorms National Park where you can enjoy the full gamut of Scottish outdoor activities including climbing six of Britain’s seven highest mountains. Aberdeen Beach attracts the brave to enjoy water-based activities. Aberdonians are proud of the city’s 45 parks. Keen gardeners are fond of Johnston Gardens with its streams and waterfalls. Wooded Hazlehead Park is the place to go for games and picnics.
