8 Places to Visit In and Around Aberdeen
Aberdeen, also known as the ‘Granite City’ for its many granite buildings, is a port city in northeast Scotland and Scotland’s third-largest city. In this blog post, from south to north, we’re going to tell you about some places that you should visit in and around Aberdeen!
This post accompanies our YouTube video featuring Aberdeen!
1. Dunnottar Castle
Assuming that you are travelling to Aberdeen from Edinburgh or Glasgow, on the way north to Aberdeen, it is worth stopping to see Dunnottar Castle, a ruined medieval castle situated on top of a 160-foot rock by the North Sea. The castle has played an important part in Scotland’s history due to its strategic location and is well-known for having been the place that kept the Scottish crown jewels safe during the war between Scotland, England, and Ireland in the 1600s.
You can view the ruined castle on its perch from afar from a variety of vantage points (take your pick!) or you can make your way to see it up close after buying a ticket.
Address: Stonehaven AB39 2TL
Hours: 09.00 - 18.00 (01 April to 30 September); 10.00 - 17.00 (01 to 30 October); 10.00 - 15.00 (31 October to 29 January); 10.00 - 16.00 (30 January to 26 February); 10.00 - 17.00 (27 February to 31 March); last entry one hour before closing time
Price: £9.50 per adult (16-64), £8.50 per concession (65+), £4.50 per child (5-15), £23.50 per family (2 adults + 2 children)
2. Stonehaven Harbour
Close by to Dunnottar Castle is the town of Stonehaven, and Stonehaven Harbour is the largest recreational harbour in Aberdeenshire (which is a council area outside of Aberdeen that makes up the bulk of northeast Scotland). The harbour was rebuilt several times since it was first built in 1607 due to it being continually destroyed by fierce storms.
You can take a walk along the harbour and, if you’d like, even walk to Dunnottar Castle from the harbour (or vice versa), which takes about 30 minutes.
Address: Stonehaven AB39 2JU
3. Union Street
Union Street is the main shopping street in Aberdeen, although in recent years, it has seen a decrease in the number of occupied shops. At approximately one mile long (similar to Edinburgh’s Royal Mile), the street is an engineering feat as it sits elevated to other parts of the city and was built to connect the steep medieval streets of Aberdeen with the surrounding streets and countryside.
If you’re interested in shopping, a few other places to shop in Aberdeen include Union Square (Guild Street, Aberdeen AB11 5RG), Bon Accord Aberdeen (25 George Street, Aberdeen AB25 1HZ), and Beach Boulevard Retail Park (Links Road, Aberdeen AB11 5EJ).
Address: Aberdeen AB11 5BJ
4. Marischal College
One example of a stunning building in Aberdeen is Marischal College, the second-largest granite building in the world, the largest being Palacio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial in Spain. The current building was constructed in the 1800s and renovated in 2011, but Marischal College was actually founded in 1593 and became Aberdeen’s second university, after King’s College (more on that below). The two colleges eventually merged to become the University of Aberdeen in 1860.
Now, Marischal College is home to Aberdeen City Council as well as Police Scotland’s Aberdeen public counter, although the University of Aberdeen still uses the building to hold its museum collections.
Be sure to check out the statue of Robert the Bruce (King of Scots in the 1300s) on a horse that’s situated in front of the building!
Address: Broad Street, Aberdeen AB10 1AB
5. Footdee
Pronounced like ‘fittie’ by the locals, Footdee is a small former fishing village in the southeast of Aberdeen’s city centre. Footdee was originally established as a planned housing development to re-house the local fishing community. If you didn’t know that the village is there, you just might miss it, so it is quite the hidden gem!
As you walk around, you’ll notice its regimented squares. Be sure to take a nosy around the whole area because some houses are incredibly funky and have some very ‘out there’ decorations!
Address: Aberdeen AB11
6. Aberdeen Beach
Isn’t it nice to have a beach so close to a city centre? Just north of Footdee is Aberdeen Beach, where you can take a leisurely stroll among the waves. Because the beach is prone to sand erosion, groynes (hydraulic structures built perpendicularly to the water to disrupt water flow and maintain the sand) have been built. There are several facilities at Aberdeen Beach, including the Beach Leisure Centre, Linx Ice Arena, and a Cineworld cinema.
Address: Sea Beach, Aberdeen AB24 5NR
7. Old Aberdeen
To the north of Aberdeen’s city centre is Old Aberdeen, where you can walk through time and admire the historic buildings situated along the cobbled streets. Originally independent from the town of Aberdeen, the two merged in 1891 and it has retained its quaintness and beautiful architecture. You can find below some places to visit in Old Aberdeen.
King’s College
Founded in 1495, King’s College was originally an independent university but is now the historic heart of the University of Aberdeen and its Old Aberdeen campus. The oldest building is the 15th century King’s College Chapel, with its imperial crown placed at the top of the Crown Tower (and which looks similar to Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral!).
If you walk behind the building, you’ll come to the King’s College quadrangle, which also houses a conference centre.
Address: King’s Quad, High Street, Aberdeen AB24 3SW
Powis Gate
Built in the early 19th century, the Powis Gate served as a grand entrance to Powis House, and is now also part of the University of Aberdeen. You can recognise it by its cylindrical towers topped with caps and its parapets (protective walls).
Address: 51 College Bounds, Aberdeen AB24 3UG
St Machar’s Cathedral
The oldest building still in use in Aberdeen, St Machar’s Cathedral is a 15th-century cathedral with big twin spires and beautiful stained glass, surrounded by a graveyard. Technically, St Machar’s Cathedral is now a high kirk and not a cathedral since 1690 was the last time it was the seat of a bishop.
Address: The Chanonry, Aberdeen AB24 1RQ
Hours: 10.00 - 16.00 (Monday - Saturday), 14.00 - 17.00 (Sunday)
Price: Free
Brig O’ Balgownie
Brig O’ Balgownie is a 13th-century bridge that was originally constructed to allow people to cross the River Don. It fell into disrepair and was renovated in the 16th century. It has played an important role in Scotland’s history as it was the only way to move armies along the coast and was a trade route to wealthy areas in northeast Scotland.
Address: Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB23 8JQ
8. Newburgh Seal Beach
Last but not least, about 20 minutes north of Aberdeen is Newburgh Seal Beach, a beach famous for its colony of 400 seals! As you make your way to the beach, you may at first feel a bit disappointed because you won’t see any seals, but keep walking further and you’ll see them across the river! If any seals happen to be on your side of the beach, do ensure you keep a distance from them and just watch from afar.
Address: Aberdeen AB41 6BY
Of course, there is a lot more to see in and around Aberdeen, but we hope this gave you some ideas! Where would you like to visit the most? Let us know in the comments below!
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