Known as the Granite City due to its granite stone buildings built during the 18th and 19th centuries, Aberdeen is one city in Scotland that deserves more attention. Sitting along the country’s northeast coast, Aberdeen offers visitors the chance to be immersed in centuries of maritime history and grand architecture. It boasts a harbour history that dates back to the 12th century, and over time it grew into a thriving fishing, trading, and shipbuilding centre. The arrival of the North Sea oil industry helped shape Aberdeen into the city we see today. If you’re wondering what to do in Aberdeen, there’s no shortage of historic sites and hidden gems to discover.
While Edinburgh and Glasgow get a lot of attention when it comes to city breaks in Scotland, Aberdeen should be considered, too. From historic streets to striking granite landmarks and coastal scenery, there’s no shortage of things to do in Aberdeen. The city isn’t centred around tourism, so part of the fun is exploring it on foot and seeing where you end up. Many people stop in Aberdeen before heading inland to explore the landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. But even if you’re only planning to explore the northeast coastline, Aberdeen should definitely make it onto your itinerary.
What to do in Aberdeen
Learn about Aberdeen’s history
While researching what to do in Aberdeen, make sure you read up on its history. The city developed from both a traditional community near the harbour and the academic and religious centre of Old Aberdeen. Although they eventually merged, Old Aberdeen was still independent until 1891. The historic buildings and medieval street layout make Aberdeen very interesting to explore on foot, especially if you’re keen to see places away from the busy streets. Be on the lookout for landmarks such as Provost Skene’s House and the Mercat Cross, which offer a little more insight into the city’s past.
I’d recommend taking a guided walking tour of Aberdeen if you can. It’s the best way to learn more about Aberdeen’s history and see the key landmarks in a short amount of time.
Mercat Cross
One of the most distinctive monuments in Aberdeen is the Mercat Cross. This sandstone structure was created in the 17th century and stood as an important marker for gatherings. Although it has a decorative appearance, its original location was where public punishments and royal proclamations took place, so it played an important role throughout history. It’s worth noting that the Mercat Cross was moved to its current position in 1827, but it still retains its original appearance.
Around the base of the monument, you can see carved portraits of the Stewart monarchs, and further up the column is a unicorn. There are also some interesting stories tied to the Mercat Cross, and if you take a guided tour of Aberdeen, you’ll most likely get to hear some of them.
Take a photo of the Gordon Highlanders monument
Before leaving Castlegate, make sure you stop to admire the Gordon Highlanders monument, which was unveiled in 2011 by Prince Charles. It was designed to commemorate Scotland’s famous infantry regiment, with two bronze soldiers in contrasting uniforms representing the different time periods of the regiment’s history. Their past is closely tied to the northeast of Scotland, so it’s very fitting that the monument is located in Aberdeen.
If you want to learn more about the regiment, you can add the Gordon Highlanders Museum to your list of what to do in Aberdeen, though it’s located in the west of the city.
Go on an Aberdeen walking tour
One of the best things to do in Aberdeen is to go on a walking tour. There are a number of companies that provide walking tours, with the majority lasting approximately 90 minutes. Some tours in Aberdeen are free, whereas others have a small fee, depending on the company.
A local guide is better positioned to explain the city’s growth and point out details you might have walked right past. Most city centre tours include the Kirk of St Nicholas, the impressive Marischal College, and Shiprow, so there’s a lot packed in. Make sure you check the route of the tour beforehand, especially if you want to explore certain areas. Joining a guided tour when you first arrive in Aberdeen will help you understand where places are located and which spots you’d like to see more of.
The Mannie Well
The Mannie Well is often missed by visitors as it’s easy to walk past without noticing. This is another landmark located in Castlegate, not far from the Mercat Cross. It’s a former public wellhead that dates back to 1710, and it was built at a time when the city was looking to improve the drinking water supply in Aberdeen. Its nickname comes from the small figure on top, and you can still see small faces on the structure where water would have spouted from.
Although the well isn’t providing drinking water anymore, its link to the practical needs of the city’s residents in the past makes it worth stopping at. A guided tour will probably include a stop here, so you can cross it off your list of what to do in Aberdeen without much planning.
Visit the museums in Aberdeen
Did you know there are several museums in Aberdeen to enjoy? If you want to learn more about the city’s history, the Aberdeen Maritime Museum is the perfect starting point. It’s located on Shiprow and covers Aberdeen’s relationship with the sea through shipbuilding, fishing, offshore energy, and trade. The historic Provost Ross’s House and older architecture are incorporated into the modern exhibition space, and admission is free. For one of the best views in Aberdeen, head to the upper floor to see the harbour from a different perspective.
As mentioned earlier, the Gordon Highlanders Museum is worth visiting, too. The collections here cover the history of the regiment and allow visitors to read through real experiences. There’s a lovely garden space to enjoy once you’ve visited the museum, which is particularly nice on a sunny day.
Check out the small businesses along Shiprow
If you’re not sure what to do in Aberdeen after learning about its history, why not take a stroll down Shiprow? This is one of the oldest streets in Aberdeen, and it once supported a mixture of traders, making it a key part of commercial life in the city. Today, Shiprow has a completely different energy surrounding it thanks to its collection of independent businesses. Shiprow is located very close to the harbour as well as the Maritime Museum, so you should find it easy to add to your itinerary.
The big appeal here is food and drinks, so it’s a great place to come if you’re feeling hungry. Rather than treating Shiprow as a single attraction, take some time to stop by the different venues and see what takes your interest. We came here for dinner one evening and had some incredible smash burgers.
Spend some time at the Aberdeen Art Gallery
Aberdeen Art Gallery is a key cultural highlight that first opened in 1885. A big redevelopment that finished in 2019 saw the historic building restored while creating additional exhibition space. The Sculpture Court is particularly impressive, so it’s worth spending some time here to appreciate the architecture before going into the galleries.
The gallery’s collection spans approximately 700 years and includes sculpture, fashion, and paintings, so it has quite a broad appeal. What’s nice about visiting the Aberdeen Art Gallery is that each gallery has a theme, making it easier to focus on your interests without passing by every display. This is another great free thing to do in Aberdeen, and it’s worth adding to your list of what to do in Aberdeen in the winter or when the rainy weather hits.
Kirk of St Nicholas
Close to the art gallery sits the Kirk of St Nicholas. This is one of the most important historic religious sites in Aberdeen, and is often referred to as the “mother church”. Its development can be traced back to the medieval period, but the building you see today reflects architecture from other time periods, too. A major fire in 1874 damaged the eastern section and the old steeple, which led to even more reconstruction.
Even if you’re just passing through, it’s worth taking a few minutes to walk around the surrounding kirkyard as well. The location of the Kirk of St Nicholas makes it very easy to combine with other attractions, such as Union Street and Belmont Street, and you’ll most likely find it relatively quiet throughout the day.
Locate Aberdeen’s football legend
Visiting the statue of Denis Law in Marischal Square is a must for any football fan. The sculpture was unveiled in 2021 and depicts the Scottish football legend with his right arm raised in celebration. Although his career took him beyond Aberdeen, this was his hometown, so it’s only fitting that a statue pays tribute to his local roots. Even if football isn’t a big interest to you, the statue provides another unique look into Aberdeen’s history and its more modern icons. You can learn more about Denis Law’s story inside Provost Skene’s House, next to the statue.
Admire the architecture
Looking beyond Union Street, there’s a lot of architecture to admire in Aberdeen. The city’s granite architecture is what makes it stand out against other Scottish cities. The perfect place to start is Marischal College, with intricate stonework, towers, and pinnacles that stand out against other nearby buildings. This is the largest granite landmark in Aberdeen, and it’s easier to see the full scale of it by standing on the opposite side of Broad Street.
The Town House is another iconic structure not to be missed, and it’s one of the most distinctive buildings along the streetscape. Nearby, you can find the Tolbooth, which has survived beside newer civic buildings. For something a little different, head to Old Aberdeen where you can admire the medieval town’s layout and breathtaking historic buildings.
Find some unique street art in Aberdeen
Aside from its historic charm, there are plenty of opportunities to admire street art in Aberdeen. A lot of the art is connected to an international street art festival that took place in 2017, which resulted in a wide variety of large murals. While I wouldn’t necessarily plan a whole day to find the street art, you’ll no doubt come across several installations while exploring the city on foot. There’s also a map online that outlines where each piece is located if you want to do a self-guided walking tour. This will also give you the flexibility to add this activity to your list of what to do in Aberdeen.
Walk beside the Port of Aberdeen
Before ending your trip to Aberdeen, don’t forget to walk beside the Port of Aberdeen, which is particularly nice during sunset. The history of the port dates back to 1136, and over time the harbour supported shipbuilding, textiles, fishing, and trade. It later became closely associated with North Sea oil and gas. From Shiprow, you’re just a short distance from the harbour, and you should be able to see some port activity from a distance. Since the port is still operational, much of it isn’t accessible to the public, so your best option is to use the pavements and designated viewing areas.
You may even spot a dolphin in it if you’re lucky, though sightings aren’t guaranteed and will depend on the time of year you visit.
Places to eat in Aberdeen
ABERDAM Dutch Fries
For a quick bite to eat while exploring Shiprow or nearby areas, head to ABERDAM Dutch Fries. The menu is heavily centred around Dutch-style fries and freshly made smash burgers, so it’s somewhere you’d come for convenience. We found the quality to be very good, and their smash burgers still rank highly on our list. If you’re feeling very hungry, you can upgrade the triple-cooked, skin-on fries to include toppings such as Korean hot honey chicken. There are a few other side dishes available on the menu, so it may be worth ordering a selection of items to share so you don’t miss out.
BrewDog
The first BrewDog bar was opened in Aberdeen in 2009, and their Castlegate bar makes it easy to fit into your schedule. The big appeal at BrewDog is the craft beer, but they also have a popular food menu that’s worth giving a chance. The food here focuses on comfort food such as burgers, bar snacks, and wings, and you can also find vegetarian dishes. People enjoy trying a selection of beers here and pairing them with their food. You don’t need to be a beer enthusiast to enjoy the experience, either. Their bar menu changes regularly, so check what’s available online before booking.
BAM BAM street food @ W XYZ
Located inside Aloft Aberdeen TECA is BAM BAM street food @ W XYZ. Although this restaurant in Aberdeen is located a fair distance from the city centre, it’s an excellent choice if you’re staying in the hotel or nearby. This modern hotel bar has a menu that centres on international street food, so there are some fantastic options available. Highlights include pizza, bao buns, macaroni cheese, and a vegan pretzel burger. I’d recommend ordering a few dishes to share so you can try a good mixture. And since this is a comfort food menu, it may be worth pairing with a nice drink while you relax.
Normally, I don’t recommend hotel restaurants, but BAM BAM street food @ W XYZ was much better than anticipated.
Quarter House Restaurant
Another nice place to eat in Aberdeen if you’re in the TECA area is Quarter House Restaurant, located in Hilton Aberdeen TECA. The restaurant offers a more formal dining experience, with a seasonal menu that uses regional flavours and Scottish produce. If you want to try local dishes during your trip to Aberdeen, this is a great place to do it. You’ll find dishes such as haggis bon bons, North Sea haddock, and Balmoral chicken on the menu, mixed with modern twists on classic dishes. Save some room for dessert, too, if you’re planning to make a full evening out of it.
Day trips from Aberdeen
St Andrews
One of the best day trips from Aberdeen is St Andrews. The Home of Golf is a rewarding coastal town to visit, with a fantastic combination of historic streets, shops, coastal views, and hidden gems. The University of St Andrews dates back to 1413, and many of the town’s most popular buildings are directly linked to it. During the medieval period, St Andrews was an important religious destination, as well as a centre of learning, and much of that is still reflected in the town today.
It’s very easy to spend a full day in St Andrews, with attractions such as the castle, the cathedral, the Old Course, West Sands Beach, and Market Street just some spots to add to your list of things to do in St Andrews. There are also plenty of quaint cafes and restaurants in St Andrews to enjoy. The compact centre makes it very easy to get between the main attractions without a car, and since the drive from Aberdeen is almost 2 hours long, I’d dedicate a full day here.
Balmoral Castle
The scenery of Royal Deeside shouldn’t be missed during a trip to Aberdeen, and Balmoral Castle offers the perfect day trip option. The estate was first used by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1848, before Albert purchased it in 1852. The residence ended up being too small for their needs, so a castle was built on the site four years later. This helped establish Balmoral as a royal retreat for the next generations.
We visited Balmoral Castle in the wintertime, when access is mostly limited to the outdoors. If you want to take a tour inside the castle, check their online schedule to see when it’s open. In general, a paid visit includes the ballroom and grounds, and guided tours may add other parts of the castle’s interior to the mix. If you’re short on time, you could even plan a half-day trip to Balmoral Castle, especially if you only want to walk around the grounds.
Dundee
Dundee is another underrated city in Scotland, but it might be the perfect option for a day trip from Aberdeen. There are direct trains linking the two cities within an hour and a half, or you can easily drive down. Dundee is an industrial city that’s developed into a destination for museums and creative industries. The history of Dundee is closely linked with jute manufacturing, and its combination of industrial heritage and modern creativity helped it become the UK’s first UNESCO city of design.
I’d recommend starting your day off along the waterfront, where you can find the V&A Dundee and Discovery Point. V&A Dundee is the first museum in Scotland dedicated to design, and Discovery Point tells the story of the ship built in Dundee that was used in 1901 for Captain Scott’s Antarctic expedition. Next, take some time to walk around the city centre where you’ll see a nice mixture of historic buildings and streets. If you have the time, add Verdant Works to your itinerary, too.
Dunnottar Castle
Any castle enthusiast will want to add Dunnottar Castle to their list. It’s one of the easiest day trips from Aberdeen, perched on a cliff close to the coastal town of Stonehaven. The castle has a lot of history behind it, and it played a key role in protecting the Honours of Scotland in the 1650s. It was here that these royal treasures were tucked away while Oliver Cromwell’s forces made their way through Scotland. You can go inside Dunnottar Castle if you have time, but for me, it’s more impressive to view it from the top of the cliff.
You can combine a trip to Dunnottar Castle with Stonehaven, which is a lovely part of the coastal scenery. If you’re only planning to see the castle, plan a half-day trip as it doesn’t take too long to see. It’s one of the best castles in Scotland to visit, so I’d highly recommend squeezing it into your itinerary!
Where to stay in Aberdeen
Aloft Aberdeen TECA
Aloft Aberdeen TECA is a great hotel in Aberdeen that’s conveniently located near the airport and conference area. Their contemporary rooms feature rainfall showers, comfortable beds, and plenty of space to work. The communal areas include a bar, games space, and a 24-hour gym. We dined here one evening, at BAM BAM street food @ W XYZ, and really enjoyed the selection of international dishes on offer. Their breakfast is also worth getting, especially if you’re heading out early or catching a flight.
Hilton Aberdeen TECA
Also in the same area is Hilton Aberdeen TECA. This hotel in Aberdeen is slightly fancier, but it’s still a practical base to explore the city from, even though it’s a short drive away from the centre. The hotel features an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, and spa, so you can enjoy some downtime here once you return from exploring Aberdeen and the surrounding area. We found our room to be very spacious, with a large bed and a beautiful modern bathroom. There’s an on-site restaurant, Quarter House Restaurant, that features Scottish cuisine with a modern twist, and as far as hotel restaurants go, this one exceeded our expectations.
Is Aberdeen worth visiting?
People wondering what to do in Aberdeen are often left surprised by how much they can add to their itinerary. Aberdeen is definitely worth visiting if you’re interested in seeing Scottish cities beyond Edinburgh and Glasgow. You can easily fill a day exploring the city centre, wandering through Old Aberdeen, and enjoying the coast without feeling rushed. If you’re staying longer than one day in Aberdeen, take some time to research day trip options, because there are a lot of great ones to choose from. There’s a lot more to Aberdeen than its oil industry reputation; you just need to give it more than a passing glance.
If you have any questions about what to do in Aberdeen, places to eat in Aberdeen, or where to stay close to the city centre, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can get in touch via email or through the contact form on my website. Don’t forget to follow along with my travels on Instagram and TikTok, too, where you’ll find more helpful travel tips and ideas about where to visit next.
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