Things to do in Aberdeen
Stroll through the cobbled streets of Old Aberdeen to 6th-century St Machar's Cathedral. Along the Esplanade there's fun on Aberdeen Beach and hands-on science at Satrosphere. Discover regimental history at the Gordon Highlander Museum in the West End, and the city's seafaring past at the Maritime Museum in the city centre. Nature lovers shouldn't miss the glorious floral colours of the Winter Gardens on the South Side. Most attractions are open from 10am-5pm daily.
Museums and Galleries
Expand all1. Aberdeen Maritime Museum - Seafaring history
Show more
The Aberdeen Maritime Museum explores the vital role played by the North Sea in the development of the city's shipbuilding, fishing and oil industries. Located in the city centre on the historic Shiprow, the museum enjoys great views of the harbour.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 12pm-3pm
Address
Shiprow, Aberdeen, AB11 5BY
Telephone
+44 (0) 1224 337 700
Transport
First Bus Services 1, 2, 11 to Union Street at Broad Street
Website
2. Provost Skene's House - An architectural history
Show more
This attraction is named for a rich merchant who was Lord Provost of Aberdeen from 1676 to 1685. It's a museum, off Broad Street, with period rooms and artifacts of domestic life. Provost Skene's kitchen has been converted into a café.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free admission
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm
Address
Guestrow, Aberdeen AB10 1AS, Grampian
Telephone
+44 (0)1224 641 086
3. Aberdeen Art Gallery - Classical and contemporary art
Show more
Neoclassical Aberdeen Art Gallery was designed by local architect Alexander Marshall MacKenzie and opened in 1885. Today its impressive art collection ranges from the Impressionists and Scottish Colourists to contemporary crafts and local silverware. It also hosts a programme of special exhibitions.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 2pm-5pm
Address
Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1FQ
Telephone
+44 (0) 1224 523700
4. Peacock Visual Arts Gallery - Contemporary art exhibitions
Show more
Peacock Visual Arts Gallery in the city centre is Aberdeen's leading contemporary arts organisation, hosting temporary exhibitions by national and international artists. Join one of the talks, debates and workshops, which offer the public the chance to interact with the artists.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 9.30am-5.30pm
Address
21, Castle Street, Aberdeen, AB11 5BQ
Telephone
+44 (0) 1224 639 539
5. Gordon Highlanders Museum - Scottish regiment exhibition
Show more
The Gordon Highlanders Museum in the West End offers an informative and evocative journey through the dramatic 200-year history of the regiment. Exhibitions include personal testimonies, interactive maps, original film footage, uniforms, medals and weapons.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
£4
Opening Hours
Apr-Oct Tue-Sat 10am-4.30pm, Sun 12.30pm-4.30pm; Nov, Feb & Mar Tue-Sat 10am-4pm
Address
St Lukes, Viewfield Road, Aberdeen, AB15 7XH
Telephone
+44 (0) 1224 311200
Attractions
Expand all6. Haddo House - Historic house
Show more
Built in 1732 by William Adam for the Gordon family, Haddo House in Tarves combines Georgian architecture with Victorian interiors. Highlights include its collection of paintings, stables and terraced gardens. An avenue of lime trees leads to Haddo Country Park.E-mail this item
Cost
Haddo House £8.50
Opening Hours
Haddo House Jul-Aug 11.30am-4.30pm; Sep-Oct Fri-Mon 11am-4.30pm
Address
Mains of Haddo, Tarves AB41 7EQ, Grampian
Telephone
+44 (0) 1651 851664
Transport
Stagecoach service 290/291 to Tarves
Website
7. Satrosphere - Interactive science centre
Show more
Satrosphere on the Beach Links offers a fascinating insight into all things scientific. Founded in 1989, visitors can delve into a world of exploration and discovery through a range of hands-on exhibits, experiments, workshops and shows.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
£5.75; children & concessions £4.50
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-5pm
Address
The Tramsheds, 179 Constitution Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5TU
Telephone
+44 (0) 1224 640340
8. Stonehaven - Fishing village
Show more
Stonehaven is close to Aberdeen but a world away from bustling city life. This quiet fishing village is popular with tourists, thanks to its picturesque harbour, pebbled beaches and the UK's only Olympic-sized, Art Deco, heated, open-air swimming pool.E-mail this item
Cost
Free; Pool £4.60
Opening Hours
24 hours daily; Pool: Jun-Sep: Mon-Fri 1pm-7.30pm; Sat & Sun 10am-6pm
Address
Stonehaven, Grampian, AB39
9. Aberdeen Beach - Seaside entertainment
Show more
Aberdeen's clean, sandy beach stretches two miles with an Esplanade alongside that makes for a refreshing walk. There are also various entertainment options along the seafront, including a funfair, multiplex cinema, leisure centre with fun pool and ice rink.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
24 hours daily
Address
Beach Esplanade, AB24 5NS
Transport
First Bus service 14 to Beach Esplanade
10. St Machar's Cathedral - Sixth-century church
Show more Located in the heart of cobbled Old Aberdeen, St Machar's Cathedral dates back to 580AD, when Machar, accompanying St Columba of Iona, founded a church there. Now the Church of Scotland's Cathedral in Aberdeen, it has a resplendent history. Listen out for the bells, located in the south tower.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Apr-Oct daily 9am-5pm; Nov-Mar daily 10am-4pm; Sunday services 11am & 6pm
Address
The Chanonry, Old Aberdeen, AB24 1RQ
Telephone
+44 (0) 1224 485 988
11. Winter Gardens - Floral gem
Show more
One of Scotland's top free attractions, the Winter Gardens on the South Side in Duthie Park is worth visiting at any time of the year. Highlights include the Japanese Gardens, the Antipodean plants in the Flora Hall and the largest cacti collection in Britain.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 9.30am-6.30pm (until 4.30pm Nov-Mar)
Address
Duthie Park, Polmuir Road, Aberdeen, AB11 7TH
Telephone
+ 44 (0) 1224 523201
Transport
Bus Service 17 to Polmuir Road
Website
12. Balmoral Castle - Royal residence
Show more
Stately granite Balmoral Castle on Royal Deeside has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since 1856. The grounds, gardens and exhibitions are open to the public from March until August (when Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh arrive).Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
£7; concessions £6; children £3
Opening Hours
Apr-Jul daily 10am-5pm
Address
Ballater (by Crathie), Grampian, AB35 5TB
Telephone
+44 (0) 13397 42534
Special things to do
Expand all13. Dunnottar Castle - Cliff-top fortress ruins
Show more
The ruins of Dunnottar Castle, a dramatic cliff-top fortress, near Stonehaven date back to the fourth century. Look out for the War Memorial on nearby Black Hill, which affords 360-degree views of the castle and bay.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
£5; children £1
Opening Hours
Good Fri-Jun & end Sep-Oct Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 2pm-5pm; end June-Sep daily 9am-6pm; Nov-Good Fri: Fri-Mon 10.30am-sunset
Address
Just off the A92 (south of Stonehaven), Stonehaven AB32 7AW, Grampian
Telephone
+44 (0) 1330 860223
14. Cairngorms National Park - Mountain landscape
Show more
Cairngorms National Park is Scotland's largest, covering 3800 square kilometres of the Highlands and Grampian regions. With mountains and glens, rivers and lochs, forest and moorland, it is a popular destination for hillwalking, climbing, skiing, mountain-biking and fishing.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
24 hours daily
Address
(Cairngorms National Park Authority), 14, The Square, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3HG
Telephone
+44 (0) 1479 873535
15. Malt Whisky Trail - Distillery tours
Show more
The Malt Whisky Trail is dotted around the glens of scenic Speyside with seven working distilleries making up the route, including Glenfiddich and Strathisla, home to Chivas Regal. Each tour reveals the complex art of malt whisky blending and offers samples of the finished product.E-mail this item
Cost
Free-£5
Opening Hours
Various
Address
Speyside
