Former South Church surrounded by trees in Aberdeen, Scotland

Things to do in  Aberdeen

Leave no stone unturned

Known as the Granite City, Aberdeen is an imposing Scottish destination ruled by the sea. Since its beginnings as a quaint fishing town, Aberdeen has grown into a city of sprawling Victorian parks, top universities, high-end restaurants, and luxury shopping. It’s not all about splashing the cash, though. The Highlands are just a short drive away, and Aberdeen’s 55 golf courses are a utopia for golfers. The beach is golden, though windswept, and porpoises and dolphins regularly visit the harbor. With castles, countryside, vibrant nightlife, and some of the best seafood in Scotland, there are plenty of things to do in Aberdeen.

Learn more

Top 10 attractions in Aberdeen

#1
Duff House

Duff House

star-00
A Georgian mansion dating back to 1740, Duff House was designed by renowned Scottish architect William Adam. The country manor is known for its ornate baroque exterior and estate of landscaped gardens. It was refurbished by the National Galleries of Scotland in the 1990s and is now a destination for its collection of Renaissance and Scottish art.More
#2

Crathes Castle

star-544
Set among the wooded countryside of Aberdeenshire, the 16th-century Crathes Castle is known for its ties to Robert the Bruce. The tower house’s interior features original painted ceilings, portraits, and antique furniture, while the 593-acre (240-hectare) estate encompasses walled gardens and parkland threaded by marked trails.More
Tours & Tickets
#3

Fyvie Castle

star-512
If you love historic castles set in the scenic Scottish countryside, Fyvie Castle should be at the top of your list during your trip to Aberdeenshire. Built in the 13th century, it has been the ancestral home of five different noble families. Explore the towers of an authentic medieval castle, and learn about the collections of art and antiques displayed in each room.More
Tours & Tickets
#4

The Gordon Highlanders Museum

star-541
Located in Aberdeen’s West End, the Gordon Highlanders Museum is dedicated to what Sir Winston Churchill once described as “the finest regiment in the world.” The Gordon Highlanders were active from 1794 to 1994, and the independently run military museum is committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of the historic infantry unit.More
Tours & Tickets
#5
House of Dun

House of Dun

star-00
Set among Victorian gardens and woodlands, the 18th-century House of Dun is a Georgian house adjacent to the Montrose Basin nature reserve. It’s home to the Hutchison and Stirling collections of paintings and furniture, including works by prominent Scottish artists. It was originally built for David Erskine (Lord Dun), and was home to generations of Erskines until 1947.More
#6

St. Andrews Castle

star-5819
Just north of St. Andrews’ town center, the ruins of St. Andrews Castle sit on a windswept headland overlooking a beach. Dating from around 1200, the castle was the main residence of St. Andrews’ bishops and archbishops, and the main administrative center of the Scottish church in medieval-era Scotland.More
Tours & Tickets
#7
Pitmedden Garden

Pitmedden Garden

star-00
Designed in the Scottish Renaissance style, Pitmedden Garden is a celebration of local flora and a faithfully restored piece of Scottish history. It’s also home to a specially curated 21st-century take on a traditional stately garden and has more than 40,000 plants within its 100-acre (41-hectare) grounds during the height of summer.More
#8
Craigievar Castle

Craigievar Castle

star-00
Boasting conical-roofed turrets, towers, and battlements, this pink-hued Scottish Baronial-style tower house is one of several properties said to have inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Constructed in 1626, the property is replete with original features, precious artworks, and historical artifacts including armor and weapons.More
#9
Haddo House

Haddo House

star-00
See the history of Scotland come to life at Haddo House, the family estate of the Gordons. Built in the 1730s for William Gordon, the Earl of Aberdeen, in a Georgian style, discover an interior filled with grand portraits, unique furniture pieces, and historical stories to tell. Outside, enjoy the terraced garden and Haddo Country Park.More
#10

Drum Castle, Garden & Estate

star-516
The origins of Drum Castle, one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses, can be traced back to the 14th century. Home to the Irvine family for more than six centuries, Drum Castle, Garden & Estate—now owned by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS)—features a medieval grand hall, a Jacobean mansion house, a Victorian-era library, and an ancient oak forest.More
Tours & Tickets

Explore Aberdeen by interest

Top activities in Aberdeen

Dunnottar Castle and Royal Deeside Small-Group Tour from Aberdeen

Dunnottar Castle and Royal Deeside Small-Group Tour from Aberdeen

star-5
108
From
$68.58
Balmoral & Royal Deeside Tour

Balmoral & Royal Deeside Tour

star-5
15
From
$95.74
Loch Ness and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Aberdeen

Loch Ness and the Highlands Small-Group Day Tour from Aberdeen

star-5
122
From
$111.26
Aberdeenshire Private Half Day Castle & Historic Building Tour
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Aberdeenshire Private Half Day Castle & Historic Building Tour

star-5
14
From
$228.50
Scottish Highlands & Inverness Tour

Scottish Highlands & Inverness Tour

star-4.5
9
From
$117.44
Taste of Scotland Tour

Taste of Scotland Tour

star-5
17
From
$136.59
Speyside Whisky Trail Day Tour from Aberdeen Including Admissions

Speyside Whisky Trail Day Tour from Aberdeen Including Admissions

star-4.5
27
From
$122.05
500 Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

500 Years of Crime and Punishment: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

star-4.5
25
From
$6.99
Skip the Line: The Gordon Highlanders Museum Admission Ticket

Skip the Line: The Gordon Highlanders Museum Admission Ticket

star-5
41
From
$11.80
The Dark Side of Aberdeen: A Self-guided Audio Walk

The Dark Side of Aberdeen: A Self-guided Audio Walk

star-4
17
From
$6.99
Private Aberdeen Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation

Private Aberdeen Arrival Transfer - Airport to Hotel / Accommodation

star-3
1
From
$48.97
Aberdeen's Union Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Aberdeen's Union Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

star-4.5
9
From
$5.34
Aberdeen & Shire Castle & Distillery Private Group one Day Tour
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Aberdeen & Shire Castle & Distillery Private Group one Day Tour

star-5
12
From
$372.75
Aberdeen Historical Walking Tour
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Aberdeen Historical Walking Tour

star-5
8
From
$60.00
Aberdeenshire Castles Cows and Whisky Private Day Trip
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Aberdeenshire Castles Cows and Whisky Private Day Trip

From
$598.70
Best Scottish Whisky Distilleries Private Tasting Trip plus optional Castle Tour
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Best Scottish Whisky Distilleries Private Tasting Trip plus optional Castle Tour

star-5
2
From
$700.82
per group
Aberdeen to Edinburgh Luxury Taxi Transfer

Aberdeen to Edinburgh Luxury Taxi Transfer

From
$478.70
Aberdeen Dyce Airport (ABZ) to Aberdeen - Arrival Private Transfer

Aberdeen Dyce Airport (ABZ) to Aberdeen - Arrival Private Transfer

star-5
2
From
$57.04
Aberdeenshire and Royal Deeside Private Half-day Castle Tour
Likely to Sell OutLikely to Sell Out

Aberdeenshire and Royal Deeside Private Half-day Castle Tour

star-4
1
From
$215.74
Private Aberdeen Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport

Private Aberdeen Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport

From
$48.97
See all Aberdeen tours

All about Aberdeen

When to visit

Aberdeen is fantastic in two seasons: summer and winter. The summer is a city transformed, as the trademark granite buildings sparkle in the sunshine, and the days are long. Surf on the breaks on Aberdeen Beach, and further afield, take a stroll on the dunes and walks of Balmedie and Donmouth beaches. Visit Aberdeen in the winter and enjoy the Christmas markets along Broad Street and the twinkling lights brightening the Flemish Gothic architecture of the city.

Getting around

Aberdeen’s city center is compact enough to be easily walkable; however, the local bus service in Aberdeen is convenient and easy to use if you’d rather relax. A hop-on, hop-off ticket called a Grasshopper can be purchased from the bus driver, or you can buy group tickets so the whole family can travel together at a reduced cost. Local taxi services are quick and reliable and trains from Aberdeen travel directly to and from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness regularly.

Traveler tips

Visiting the West End of Union Street in Aberdeen offers a charming blend of historic architecture, boutique shops, and diverse dining options. Here you’ll find some of the hippest cocktail bars in the city, juxtaposed against simple, locally-beloved pubs where you can enjoy a good pint.

Attractions
10
Tours
71
Reviews
1
EN
20a701e5-f681-4633-8abc-b45ab1ab9b71
geo_hub

People Also Ask

Is Aberdeen worth a visit?

Yes, Aberdeen is worth a visit—if you enjoy great food, lively bars, traditional pubs, Gothic architecture, and bracing sea air, that is. Aberdeen is an excellent base for visits to Balmoral and the Cairngorms, and its countryside and courses attract golfers and fishing fanatics from all over the world.

...More
How many days should I spend in Aberdeen?

Aberdeen is the perfect size for a weekend break of around two or three days. Spend your first day getting to know the city and its grand historical buildings, then tackle local walks or visit the museums, parks, and churches, all rounded out with food at a top local restaurant.

...More
What famous things are from Aberdeen?

The local granite stone is perhaps Aberdeen’s most famous export—it was used to build the Houses of Parliament, the Forth Rail Bridge, and Trafalgar Square. MRI technology was also invented here, which has saved millions of lives worldwide since it was developed.

...More
Is Aberdeen a gray city?

Yes, but not in the way you think. The grayness of Aberdeen comes from local granite stone, which was used to build most of the city. The weather can be surprisingly pleasant—but watch out for the sea mists, which are white and opaque (and not gray at all.)

...More
What do you call a person from Aberdeen?

People from Aberdeen are known as “Aberdonians.” The local dialect spoken in these parts is known as “Doric.” The accent in Aberdeen is much different from other parts of Scotland, and there is poetry and literature written in Doric, which has seen an increase in popularity in recent years.

...More
What is the posh part of Aberdeen?

There are two central neighborhoods with sought-after zip codes in Aberdeen—Cults and Rubislaw, although Bielside is popular too, and Queen’s Road in the city's West End is a highly desirable address. Cults and Rubislaw have green spaces, and Queen’s Road has a city location and grand houses.

...More
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What are the top things to do in Aberdeen?
A:
Q:
What are the top activities in Aberdeen?
A:
Q:
What are the top things to do near Aberdeen?
A:
Check out things to do near Aberdeen:

More Tours in Aberdeen