9 Best Things to Do in Aberdeen

Stretching for almost 3.5 km between the mouth of the Don River and the fishing pier, Aberdeen Beach is a popular spot that hosts a cool choice of activities. The promenade along the beach gives great strolling, jogging and cycling opportunities, while the beach itself is always popular with children who can play in its golden sand. Bars and restaurants as well as the Codona’s Amusement Park can be found along the beach esplanade.

Housing one quarter of the famous William Wallace within its walls, St. Machar’s Cathedral is a stunning historical church that sits to the north of the inner city. The actual edifice was built between the 14th and 15th centuries in the form of a fortified kirk (the Scottish name for a church), but St. Machar’s Cathedral still features earlier architectural elements. You’ll really feel like you’ve stepped back in time in this impressive building of grey stones and warm-coloured woods

You can’t go to Scotland without learning a bit about how the national drink is produced. Founded in 1826, the GlenDronach distillery sits in the village of Forgue, a good hour’s drive northwest of Aberdeen, through the picturesque Scottish countryside. Take the informative tour of this historical distillery, discover the importance of the casks’ types of wood in the creation of first class whiskies, then sample a few of their best products. At the end of the visit, you can purchase a few bottles at the shop.

Dunnottar Castle is a ruined medieval fortress perched on a rocky headland overlooking the North Sea, 23 km south of Aberdeen. Originally built in the early Middle Ages, the remaining buildings date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The castle and its surroundings are simply stunning. You feel like you are in a historical movie and would not be surprised to see knights in armour riding their horses next to the fortress. Be aware that you need to climb a lot of steps to get up to the castle.

It seems strange to join the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for an exciting dolphin watching session, their van at the Torry Battery, just south of the River Dee’s mouth, offers just that. Between May and August, they offer top-notch binoculars and telescopes for you to see the bottlenose dolphins and sometimes other marine mammals such as seals or even whales swimming in the North Sea. A pair of good walking shoes and warm, waterproof clothing are all that you need to enjoy this great encounter with wildlife.

Located in the historical neighbourhood of Shiprow, right next to the harbour, the Aberdeen Maritime Museum is inside a group of vintage buildings, including a former church. You can’t miss its modern, glass-fronted entrance, framed by bygone buildings in grey granite. From shipbuilding to fishing and from the North Sea oil industry to the port history, the collections on display at this award-winning museum are captivating. The entrance is free (you can make donations, though) and you can enjoy drinks and snacks at the friendly onsite restaurant.

Scallops, prawns, herring, mussels, and more – the types of seafood caught along the 170 km coastline of Aberdeenshire seem endless. If you’re a seafood lover, the Aberdeen Harbour area is especially recommended. The Silver Darling is a long-established modern restaurant in a vintage building on Pocra Quay, in the old fishing village of Footdee, at the eastern end of the harbour. Moonfish Cafe is a small, quaint seafood brasserie on Correction Wynd. Bistro Verde is a cool seafood bistro on The Green. It’s reputed for its excellent service and unpretentious atmosphere.

Originally built in 1822, the Music Hall Aberdeen is a 1,300-seat concert hall at which you can see a great range of shows. Regularly hosting large orchestras such as the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, you also can attend comedy shows, pop/rock concerts and musical theatre shows here. Featuring lovely architectural details and excellent acoustics, the size of the venue makes it intimate enough to properly see the stage and fully enjoy the shows. A coffee shop is available inside the venue.

Aberdeen Old Town hosts a buzzing bar scene. One of the most intriguing venues in town is Slains Castle on Belmont Street. This vampire-themed bar and restaurant is installed in a former Gothic church, offering great décor and a cool atmosphere. About 400 metres away, on Union Street, you’ll find BrewDog Castlegate. This pub specialises in local craft beers. Last but not least, if you’re into quality cigars, ale, scotch and coffee, you should head to CASC on Stirling Street. Named after the goods it has on offer, CASC is a stylish and friendly place to enjoy a nightcap.