Aberdeen is one of the top city getaway locations in Scotland, thanks to its extensive sandy beaches, stunning granite architecture, and age-old history. You might not know where to begin with so much to see and do. For your benefit, we have put together a list of the top things to do in Aberdeen.
1. Take a walk through Old Aberdeen.
Discovering that Aberdeen was split into two separate areas in 1891 may pique your interest in this intriguing location. In actuality, the two cities (or Burghs, in Scots) remained next to one another until a lawfully binding act of parliament merged them.
If you’ve been to Aberdeen’s city center, you’ve already seen the first city. New Aberdeen, the neighborhood around Castlegate, operated separately. Old Aberdeen, the second city, is situated to the north of New Aberdeen.
Old Aberdeen is now a fascinating area to explore on foot thanks to its cobbled alleyways and stone walls, many of which were constructed by hand centuries earlier. Experience historic sites including St. Machar’s Cathedral and the Old Town House, as well as Seaton Park and Cruickshank Botanic Gardens’ relaxing settings.
2. Visit St. Machar’s Cathedral to learn about a local legend
We strongly advise entering St. Machar’s Cathedral for a closer look at this significant house of worship while you are touring Old Aberdeen. The cathedral is rich in local tradition and lore and is named for St. Machar, who is said to have traveled with St. Columba into Scotland in the sixth century AD to promote the word of Christianity.
It’s challenging to distinguish fact from fiction, but it’s probable that St. Machar, who is claimed to have visited this area in 580 AD, founded the church itself. The historic Scottish independence fighter William Wallace, whose body was divided up and dispersed over Britain following his execution, is supposed to have had some of his remains interred beneath the walls of the ancient church, which has been repeatedly rebuilt over the years.
You’ll adore the layers of history and tradition inside as you go inside. However, it’s interesting to note that St. Machar’s Cathedral is no longer a cathedral. Because the catholic cathedrals were disbanded following the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century, it is referred to as a “High Kirk” in formal terminology.
3. Visit Provost Skene’s House, the oldest townhouse in Aberdeen
One of the most popular things to do in Aberdeen is to visit Provost Skene’s House. This amazing structure is the oldest townhouse in Aberdeen, having been constructed in 1545. Sir George Skene, the Provost of Aberdeen who resided here in the 17th century, gave the home its name, and inside, you may learn about life for residents of Aberdonian in earlier eras.
The mansion has consistently resisted plans to demolish it, and in 2019 it underwent a significant renovation that solidified its presence on Aberdeen’s skyline—hopefully for many more centuries to come.
A stunning new exhibition room dedicated to sharing the tales of illustrious Aberdonians from the past and present was built as part of the renovation. You can find out more about former residents of Provost Skene’s House—most of whom were, of course, wealthy, affluent Aberdonians—as well as local heroes like Lord Boyd Ord, a Nobel Prize winner, and football legend Denis Law, the only Scottish player to ever win the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, which is given to the world’s best player.
4. Visit the Aberdeen Art Gallery to admire the city’s creative aspect.
The Aberdeen Art Gallery is among the greatest things to do in Aberdeen. This esteemed establishment is home to a “Recognized Collection of National Significance,” which includes a sizable collection of artwork the city has been accumulating ever since the gallery first opened its doors in 1885.
There are hundreds of works of art at the Aberdeen Art Gallery, which has 18 different shows. The artwork includes pieces by artists like Barbara Hepworth and Henry Raeburn and covers almost seven centuries of art history. The exhibits are broken down into distinct themes and times of historical significance, covering topics like the “Art of Empowerment,” “French Impressions,” and the “First World War Remembered.”
The Aberdeen Art Gallery is housed inside one of the city’s most beautiful granite structures, which anyone who appreciates architecture would also regard as a work of art in and of itself. The structure was constructed in the 19th century, and numerous conversions and extensions have extended its original granite exterior. The most recent was a four-year renovation that took place between 2015 and 2019 and modernized Aberdeen Art Gallery.
5. The Gordon Highlanders Museum provides military history information for Aberdeen.
The Gordon Highlanders Museum should be on your list of historical attractions in Aberdeen. Many of Britain’s toughest troops have come from Aberdeenshire, with its craggy mountains and windswept coastline, but few have garnered as much fame as the Gordon Highlanders.
The Gordon Highlanders are an enduring representation of Aberdeen because they were founded in 1794 by the Duke of Gordon from recruits from Aberdeenshire. With a more than 200-year history, this notorious army unit has served in countries all over the world, including Afghanistan and India. Even though the current regiment combines the Gordon Highlanders with a number of other former regiments from northern Scotland, their legacy lives on to this day.
The Gordon Highlanders Museum, which chronicles the history of Aberdeen’s native regiment, its triumphs, and losses through the stories of people who served and fought, is a great place to learn more.
6. The Tolbooth Museum’s exhibit on the evolution of crime and punishment will astound you.
The Tolbooth Museum is among Aberdeen’s more sinister attractions, but if you’re interested in crime and punishment, you absolutely must go. The former jail, or prison, in Aberdeen, is where the Tolbooth Museum is located.
With a history that dates back to the 1600s, the structure is one of Aberdeen’s oldest and another great example of the city’s architecture. But the stunning appearance belies a turbulent past. Explore the museum to discover more about the several unlucky inmates that were housed there over the years.
You may hear the poignant first-person accounts of prisoners at the Tolbooth Museum, which is housed within the reconstructed jail cells of the gaol, including those who were tried and frequently hanged for witchcraft in the 17th century.
The Jacobites, a group of insurgents who attempted to topple the monarchy in 1715 and again in 1745, is also discussed before you are horrified by the torture and death tools on exhibit in the former prison cells.
7. Examine Aberdeen Maritime Museum and Aberdeen Harbour.
Due to Aberdeen’s maritime location, the North Sea and the city are closely intertwined. The city of Aberdeen has been connected to global trade routes for centuries by the Aberdeen Harbour, the biggest seaport in Scotland.
Although the harbor was built in 1136 AD, it is still in use today and is quite contemporary. You never know what ships you’ll see docking at the wharves, and the harbor area is a bustling, historically rich site that provides a view of both old and new Aberdeen.
Visit the Aberdeen Maritime Museum as well if you want to learn more about the city’s long nautical heritage. It is situated on Shiprow, the oldest section of the harbor, and features four levels of in-depth and fascinating exhibitions.
8. Enjoy Aberdeen Beach’s magnificent sands.
Aberdeen is a coastline city, and Aberdeen Beach’s beautiful beaches are among the best natural attractions there. In the United Kingdom, coastal cities are not uncommon, but it is unusual to see a long, sandy beach so near to a large urban region.
Starting from Aberdeen Harbour, Aberdeen Beach softly slopes northward into the River Don. The Esplanade, a lengthy avenue that parallels the seaside and is frequented by tourists, runners, walkers, and cyclists, is lined with businesses and recreation areas.
The beach is beautiful in the summer, but keep in mind that the North Sea is nearby. It will always feel cold if you’re not used to the chilly air. The residents still dive in, though, and on December 26, there is even an annual Boxing Day Swim.
9. Views from the Girdle Ness Peninsula are beautiful.
The natural entrance to Aberdeen Harbour, the mouth of the River Dee, is seen from the Girdle Ness Peninsula. Admiring the views from the eastern end of this famous spot is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Aberdeen!
Due to its advantageous location, the peninsula has served as the harbor’s first and last marker for ships for a very long time. It is not difficult to comprehend how many ships were lost on the rocks here, even so near to home, when one looks out at the choppy North Sea coastline.
Robert Stevenson created and constructed the 37-meter-tall Girdle Ness Lighthouse in 1833 to increase safety. You’ll adore how the lighthouse keeper’s houses may be rented out by tourists now that the lighthouse is completely automated!
10. Check out the Aberdeen Coastal Trail.
A beautiful road excursion that travels across 165 miles of breathtaking coastal beauty is the Aberdeen Coastal Trail. Although you’ll need at least four days to fully see all of the stops along the route, this is one of Aberdeen’s must-do activities.
South of Aberdeen, in St. Cyrus, is where the Aberdeen Coastal Trail begins. As you go north to Stonehaven and then on to Aberdeen, take in the beaches and coastal landscape.
After leaving the city, you’ll travel further north along the coast, making stops at Cruden Bay and Slain’s Castle (which is thought to have been the model for Dracula’s castle) before continuing onto the Banffshire Coast and making stops at Crimond, Fraserburgh, and Macduff. The journey comes to a conclusion in Portsoy, a coastal town famous for its salmon, ice cream, and annual boat festival.
