Aberdeen may be known as the “Granite City” for its locally sourced granite and striking grey-stone buildings, but the port city on the northeast coast of Scotland has a lot to offer in terms of history, arts, culture, beaches, and stunning coastlines. Read on to discover our recommendations for 8 of the must-visit attractions in Aberdeenshire.
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Aberdeen Art Gallery has recently been refurbished but is still brimming with some of the finest art collections that the UK has to offer. The gallery houses art, paintings, designs, and more from some of the world’s most acclaimed artists Francis Bacon and Claude Monet.
Dolphin Spotting
You can hop on a cruise out to sea from Aberdeen Harbour and have the chance to catch a glimpse of dolphins up close! There are a wide range of species of dolphins and whales which inhabit the seas surrounding Aberdeenshire including the bottlenose dolphin, white-beaked dolphin, risso dolphin and the minke whale. You can also head to the Torry Battery and view Aberdeen’s marine wildlife feeding in the harbour.
Aberdeen Beach
After hopefully spotting some dolphins, you can head to the gorgeous Aberdeen Beach. The beach is only a short walk from the city centre and sits on a bustling esplanade of shops, cafes and even an art-deco ballroom. Aberdeen Beach is famous for its golden sands, so grab an ice cream and take a walk or even a jog while listening to the calming sound of the North Sea!
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Keeping with the sea theme, Aberdeen’s Maritime Museum explores the city’s oceanic history with an enviable collection of unique maritime paintings and artefacts and learn more about shipbuilding, sailing and fishing in Aberdeenshire. This attraction is also perfect for families with lots of hands-on exhibitions, computerised visuals and touch-screen technology that help visitors experience the drama of the waters surrounding Aberdeenshire.
Old Aberdeen
This one is for the history and architecture enthusiasts! Take a trip back in time to the old burgh of Aberdeen and stroll on the cobbled streets, gazing at the stunning architecture of the centuries-old buildings. There is plenty to experience in Old Aberdeen with some historic sites including the 15th century King’s College Chapel with its beautiful stained-glass windows and archways, it is a must-visit for any history buffs coming to Aberdeen!
Golf in Aberdeen
It wouldn’t be a BOSH blog without some recommendations for our golfers, would it? Aberdeen is host to championship courses such as Royal Aberdeen and Trump International as well as stunning links courses where you can tee off with the awe-inspiring Aberdeen coastline as your view. Aberdeen has links courses dating back to 1589 with Royal Aberdeen being the 6th oldest golf course in the world.
Duthie Park
Duthie Park offers the perfect family day out with family play areas, boating ponds, sports fields, local wildlife and one of the largest indoor gardens in Europe – the David Welch Winter Gardens which hosts a stunning range of exotic plants.
The Gallows Hill
A true hidden gem for history buffs, the Gallows Hill has a gruesome past being an execution site for criminals in Aberdeenshire. Executions were a popular form of entertainment up until the last man was hanged on Gallows Hill in 1776. The hill’s violent past was uncovered in the early 1800s when soldiers from the King Street Militia Barracks uncovered many human remains buried on the hill meaning the prisoners executed there were not given a proper burial as a result of their crimes.
We hope our list of attractions has made you want to pay a visit to the beautiful city of Aberdeen. We have many customisable packages which can incorporate a visit to Aberdeen. For golfing packages, click here: https://www.best-of-scotland.com/scotland-holidays/golf-in-aberdeen-and-the-highlands/ and for everything else, click here: https://www.best-of-scotland.com/destinations/scotland/north-scotland-tours/
