Email this guide
Print the full guide
What to see in Aberdeen
Aberdeen Attractions
Aberdeen is a place that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. One of the world's largest international youth festival takes place here in the summer, with literature, jazz and traditional folk festivals taking place in the spring. For history lovers, Aberdeen has an abundance of museums and tours of its historic buildings. Aberdeen also acts as a perfect hub from which to explore the majesty of the Grampian Highlands, enjoy an extended tipple on the Malt Whisky trail, or ramble around ancient Scottish castles and historic battlefields nearby.
Aberdeen has a few worthy attractions to draw tourists in. The Maritime Museum and Aberdeen Art Gallery are worth a visit to get a taste of the local culture and history, while picturesque Brig o' Balgownie, the lovely Duthie Park, and a number of other pleasant green spaces in the city are at their best in the summer months, May to August. The vibrant waterfront district also merits exploration, as well as some of the lovely sandy beaches close by. A little further afield is the malt whisky trail of the Grampian Highlands, and Balmoral Castle, one of the most magnificent castles in the British Isles.
Aberdeen Art Gallery
The Aberdeen Art Gallery was first opened in 1885, and more than a hundred years later, continues to be one of the city's most popular attractions. The gallery has a large permanent and changing collection,…
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Situated on historic Shiprow, with spectacular views of the busy harbour, the Aberdeen Maritime Museum proudly exhibits the city's strong maritime history and its close connection to the sea. It is…
Balmoral Castle
No trip to Scotland is complete without a visit to one of its magnificent castles, and Balmoral Castle - set on the banks of the River Dee - is one of the best known and most prestigious. The castle,…
Brig o' Balgownie
Built from granite and sandstone, the single-arched Brig o' Balgownie, stretching over the River Don, dates back to the 13th century and was completed in 1320 during the Scottish War of Independence.…
Duthie Park
Created by Lady Elizabeth Duthie in 1881 to commemorate her uncle and brother, Duthie Park is beautifully situated on the banks of the River Dee and draws hundreds of visitors to its colourful floral…
Getting Outdoors
There are plenty of hiking, running and cycling trails dotted in and around Aberdeen, and outdoor fanatics will have no shortage of things to do during their time in the city.…
Golf
With courses stretched out over rambling beaches, or hidden within castle-dotted forests, Aberdeen is likely to tempt even the most unenthusiastic of golfers to a round. Some of the world's greatest…
Malt Whisky Trail
The Grampian Highlands area is famous for its delicious malt whisky, and the best way to explore this long-standing tradition is by following a whisky route to eight different distilleries, including…
Become our Aberdeen Travel Expert
We are looking for contributors for our Aberdeen travel guide. If you are a local, a regular traveller to Aberdeen or a travel professional with time to contribute and answer occasional forum questions, please contact us.
