Discover 35 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Aberdeen (United Kingdom). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Union Street, Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, and Girdle Ness Lighthouse. Also, be sure to include Duthie Park in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Aberdeen (Scotland).
Table of Contents
Union Street
Street in Aberdeen, Scotland. Union Street is a major street and shopping thoroughfare in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is named after the Acts of Union 1800 with Ireland.
The street is approximately one mile long and a feat of engineering skill involving the partial levelling of St. Catherine's Hill and the building of arches to carry the street over Putachieside.
The Denburn Valley was crossed by Union Street by Union Bridge. The Union Bridge holds the record of the 'Worlds largest single span granite bridge' at 130 feet across.[1]
Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre
Arena in the Bridge of Don, Scotland. The Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre was a large exhibition and conference complex, in the suburb of Bridge of Don, in Aberdeen, Scotland. The complex is home to a Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotel, conference facilities and multi-purpose arena.
The arena hosted local sporting events, including the Aberdeen Cup tennis event. In 2003, the AECC underwent a major refurbishment, with the conference facilities being completely re-built. As part of the redevelopment, a large viewing tower was constructed and is one of the tallest structures in Aberdeen.
The BHGE Arena (formerly the AECC Arena (1985–2002), Press & Journal Arena (2002–2012), and the GE Oil and Gas Arena (2012–17)) is an indoor arena which can hold around 4,000 to 8,500 people, depending on the event and size of the performance. The sponsorship lasted until 2019 when the arena was closed and replaced with a new arena at TECA.[2]
Address: Bridge of Don, AB23 8BL Aberdeen
Girdle Ness Lighthouse
Lighthouse in Aberdeen, Scotland. Girdle Ness Lighthouse is situated near Torry Battery on the Girdle Ness peninsula just south of the entrance to Aberdeen's harbour, in Scotland. It is an active light, managed by the Northern Lighthouse Board.[3]
Duthie Park
Park in Aberdeen, Scotland. Duthie Park, situated in Aberdeen, Scotland, by the banks of the River Dee, comprises 44 acres of land given to the council in 1881 by Lady Elizabeth Duthie of Ruthrieston, in memory of her uncle and of her brother. She purchased the land for £30,000 from the estate of Arthurseat.
The former Deeside Railway ran along the northern edge of the park. The park is now the starting point for the Deeside Way, a long-distance path which uses the trackbed of the railway.[4]
Address: Great Southern Road, Aberdeen (Torry - Ferryhill)
St Machar's Cathedral
Cathedral in Aberdeen, Scotland. St Machar's Cathedral usually called Old Machar, is a Church of Scotland church in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is located to the north of the city centre, in the former burgh of Old Aberdeen. Technically, St Machar's is no longer a cathedral but rather a high kirk, as it has not been the seat of a bishop since 1690.[5]
Address: The Chanonry, Aberdeen (Tillydrone - Seaton - Old Aberdeen)
Tolbooth Museum
Museum in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Tolbooth in Aberdeen, Scotland is a 17th-century former jail which is now operated as a museum. The Aberdeen City Council took over the former jail and opened it to the public in 1995.
The museum contains exhibits of prison cells and various police and law and order related items.[6]
Address: Castle St, AB11 5BQ Aberdeen (George Street - Harbour)
Pittodrie Stadium
Stadium in Aberdeen, Scotland. Pittodrie Stadium, commonly referred to as Pittodrie, is an all-seater stadium in Aberdeen, Scotland. Used primarily for football, it has been the home ground of the Scottish Professional Football League club Aberdeen F.C. since they were formed in 1903. Prior to then, the ground hosted the original Aberdeen F.C. from 1899 until the merger that created the present club.
With a seating capacity of 20,866; Pittodrie is the fourth largest stadium in the SPFL and the largest stadium in Scotland outside the Central Belt. Pittodrie has been the location of a number of firsts in the field of stadium design, including the invention of the dugout, and in 1978 became one of the first all-seater stadia in the United Kingdom.
As of November 2017, Pittodrie has hosted fifteen matches involving the Scotland national team. The ground has also staged rugby union, with four Scotland international fixtures being held there including a match against the Barbarians. In club football, Inverness Caledonian Thistle temporarily shared Pittodrie during part of the 2004–05 season.[7]
Address: Pittodrie St., AB24 5QH Aberdeen (Tillydrone - Seaton - Old Aberdeen)
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Museum in Aberdeen, Scotland. Aberdeen Maritime Museum is a maritime museum in Aberdeen, Scotland.
The museum is situated on the historic Shiprow in the heart of the city, near the harbour. It makes use of a range of buildings including the former Trinity Congregational Church, which was converted to be used as an extension of the museum, and Provost Ross' House, one of the oldest domestic buildings in the city.
The museum tells the story of the city's long relationship with the North Sea.[8]
Address: 52-56 Shiprow, AB11 5BY Aberdeen (George Street - Harbour)
Beach Ballroom
Building in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Beach Ballroom is an art deco building on the beach boulevard of Aberdeen, Scotland. It is home to one of Scotland's finest dance floors - famous for its bounce - which floats on fixed steel springs. It was built in 1926, and is a Category B listed building.
It regularly plays host to music and dance events, conferences, weddings and British Masters Boxing bouts.
Famous acts to appear at the Beach Ballroom include The Beatles, The Small Faces, Pink Floyd, The Who, Cream, Joe Loss, Ken Mackintosh and more recently The Ordinary Boys. It is made from granite.
The Beach Ballroom is owned and operated by Aberdeen City Council. The Beach Ballroom is also the site of a webcam that faces South, along the beach towards Footdee. The Ballroom is connected to the more modern Beach Leisure Centre via an indoor walkway.
The main dance hall is octagonal and originally had a domed ceiling, though this has since been covered over with a suspended ceiling. The smaller Star Ballroom extension was opened in June 1963.
The Ballroom underwent a refurbishment from 2008 to April 2010.[9]
Address: Beach Promenade, Aberdeen (George Street - Harbour)
Kirk of St Nicholas
Church in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Kirk of St Nicholas is a historic church located in the city centre of Aberdeen, Scotland. Up until the dissolution of the congregation on 31 December 2020, it was known as the "Kirk of St Nicholas Uniting". It is also known as "The Mither Kirk" of the city. As of 1 January 2021, the building falls under the care and maintenance of the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland.
The church has a dark oak interior.[10]
Address: The New Vestry Back Wynd, AB10 1JZ Aberdeen (George Street - Harbour)
Gilcomston Church
Church in Aberdeen, Scotland. Gilcomston Church is an independent evangelical congregation, which meets in the church buildings on Union Street, Aberdeen. The congregation was formerly part of the Church of Scotland and known as Gilcomston South Church.[11]
Address: Union Street, Aberdeen (Midstocket - Rosemount)
Provost Skene's House
Sir George Skene of Fintray was a Scottish merchant in the Baltic trade who served as Provost of the city of Aberdeen from 1676 to 1685. He was knighted in 1681.
He was a burgh commissioner for Aberdeen in the Parliament of Scotland from 1681 to 1682 and 1685 to 1686.
On his death in December 1708 he was buried in the family plot at the Kirk of St Nicholas. The flat stone lies close to the west boundary wall around midway on its length.
Today he is most famous and widely known, not for his time as Provost, but for his house, which is a tourist attraction in Aberdeen.[12]
Address: Flourmill Ln, AB10 1AS Aberdeen (George Street - Harbour)
Belmont Filmhouse
Movie theater in Aberdeen, Scotland. Belmont Filmhouse is an arts cinema on Belmont Street, Aberdeen, Scotland which shows a mixture of films that generally would not be shown in a chain cinema and mainstream films. The cinema is the property of Aberdeen City Council, and it is run by the Centre for the Moving Image.[13]
Address: 49 Belmont St, AB10 1JS Aberdeen (George Street - Harbour)
Seaton Park
Park in Aberdeen, Scotland. Seaton Park is a public park in the Old Aberdeen area of Aberdeen, Scotland. One of the city's biggest parks, it was bought by the city for use as a public park in 1947 from Major Hay.
The River Don passes through the edge of the park, and there are paths running along both sides of the river. There are well-maintained flower beds on the lawns that run down the centre of one of the park's main pathways, with flowers that are tended daily and planted annually. There is also a secluded set of walled gardens next to a small private housing mews called Seaton Stables. The park is low-lying and has a tendency to flood. In 2016, part of the park was turned into a wetland area to help manage the flooding while creating new wildlife habitats.
The park is often used as a path for students of the University of Aberdeen to move between the university campus and the Hillhead Halls of Residence, which lie atop a hill overlooking the park on the side opposite from St. Machar's Cathedral. The path from the residence halls to the campus leads along the flowerbeds on the main walkway and past the Cathedral via the Chanonry Road. The University authorities advise students to be cautious during dark hours due to the lack of street lighting.[14]
Address: Don St, AB25 3RF Aberdeen (Tillydrone - Seaton - Old Aberdeen)
Stewart Park
Stewart Park is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. It is a 5-acre site owned by Aberdeen City Council. The land was originally bought by the council in 1891, when Woodside was incorporated into Aberdeen, using £500 bequeathed by Mrs. Jane Taylor the widow of Mr. John Taylor, a merchant in the city "for a playground for the children of Woodside". The park was named after a former Lord Provost of the city, Sir David Stewart.
The park contains monumental whale jaw bones arches presented to the park in 1903 by the Captain of the Arctic whaler Benbow.
There is an intricate fountain designed as a replica of an Italian lavabo which was sculptured by Arthur Taylor of Jute Street, Aberdeen and erected in 1903 and was dedicated to Mrs. Jane Taylor whose bequest had funded the purchase of the land for the park.
There are nearby all weather tennis courts and bordered-off cricket and football pitches. The park is popular with local dog walkers and there is a playground for children.
Directly opposite the park are the "Woodies", an old granite quarry that is now a wooded area of land that is kept relatively wild.[15]
Statue of William Wallace
Tourist attraction in Aberdeen, Scotland. The William Wallace Statue was erected 1888 in Aberdeen, Scotland, and depicts Sir William Wallace. Sculpted by William Grant Stevenson, the statue is positioned opposite His Majesty's Theatre and across from Union Terrace Gardens. "It was paid for with funds left for the purpose by John Steill of 38 Grange Road in Edinburgh, the son of James Steill sometime of Easter Baldowrie in Angus." It is a category B listed building.
The statue bears this inscription: I tell you a truth, liberty is the best of all things, my son, never live under any slavish bond.[16]
Address: Bemersyde House, Aberdeen (Midstocket - Rosemount)
Grosvenor Casino Aberdeen
Nightlife, Gambling, Casino
Address: 5 Exchequer Row, AB11 5BW Aberdeen (George Street - Harbour)
Union Terrace Gardens
Park in Aberdeen, Scotland. Union Terrace Gardens is a public park and gardens situated on Union Terrace in Aberdeen, Scotland.[17]
Aberdeen Beach
Aberdeen Beach and Queens Links is located in Aberdeen, Scotland. The beach itself is famous for its golden sand and its long curved length between Aberdeen Harbour and the River Don's mouth.
The beach suffers from significant erosion of the sand so there are distinctive groyne or walls, to help keep the sand in place. The beach is popular with walkers, surfers and windsurfers.
Recently in an expensive million pound operation, sand was taken by ship from further down the coast to the south of Aberdeen and sprayed on the beach to replace some of the lost sand. Rocks were then placed in a v-shape formation to try to prevent erosion, much like the groyne.
The actual park area is called Queens Links and takes the form of a large grassy area parallel to the beach. It is popular with many people and often kite-boarders can be seen taking advantage of the strong sea winds. There is a public golf course, the Kings Links.[18]
Address: Beach Esplanade, Sea Beach, AB24 5NS Aberdeenshire
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Art gallery in Aberdeen, Scotland. Aberdeen Art Gallery is the main visual arts exhibition space in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland. It was founded in 1884, in a building designed by Alexander Marshall Mackenzie, with a sculpture court added in 1905. In 1900 it received the art collection of Alexander Macdonald, a local granite merchant. The gallery is noted for its fine collection of modern Scottish and international art, including works by Ken Currie, Gilbert & George, Ivor Abrahams, Bridget Riley and Bruce McLean.[19]
Address: Art Gallery Schoolhill, AB10 1FQ Aberdeen (George Street - Harbour)
His Majesty's Theatre
Theatre in Aberdeen, Scotland. His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen is the largest theatre in north-east Scotland, seating more than 1,400. The theatre is sited on Rosemount Viaduct, opposite the city's Union Terrace Gardens. It was designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1906.[20]
Address: Aberdeen, Rosemount Viaduct
Brig O' Balgownie
Arch bridge in Aberdeen, United Kingdom. The Brig o' Balgownie is a 13th-century bridge spanning the River Don in Old Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.
Construction of the bridge was begun in the late 13th century by Richard Cementarius, although its completion was not until 1320 at the time of the Scottish War of Independence. After falling into disrepair in the mid 16th century it was extensively renovated in 1605.
Throughout its history the bridge has been considered an important asset. For five centuries possession of the bridge was the only way to move large armies quickly along the eastern coast of Aberdeenshire. It also provided a trade route to the wealthy areas of the north-east of Scotland.
The bridge is constructed of granite and sandstone. Its single gothic arch has span of over 12 metres (39 ft) and at low tide the apex of the arch lies over 17 metres (56 ft) above the water-line.
The bridge ceased to be a major route in 1830 when the new Bridge of Don was built 500 yards (460 m) downstream.[21]
Cruickshank Botanic Garden
Botanical garden in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Cruickshank Botanic Gardens in Aberdeen, Scotland, were built on land presented to the University of Aberdeen in 1898 by Miss Anne Cruickshank to commemorate her brother Dr. Alexander Cruickshank. The 11 acre garden is located in a low-lying and fairly sheltered area of Aberdeen, less than 1-mile from the North Sea.
The Cruickshank Botanic Garden is partly owned and financed by the university and partly by the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens Trust. The Friends of the Cruickshank Botanic Garden actively promote and support the garden. Each summer vacation the Friends provide a bursary to allow an undergraduate student interested in botany to gain work experience in the gardens.
Although open to the public, the gardens are extensively used for both teaching and research purposes. The Natural History Centre regularly guides school parties round the Garden, and the School of Biological Sciences of the University of Aberdeen holds a reception for graduands and their guests here each July.[22]
Address: St. Machar Drive, AB24 3UU Aberdeen (Tillydrone - Seaton - Old Aberdeen)
Springbank Cemetery
Springbank Cemetery is located on Countesswells Road, Aberdeen. It opened in 1884.
The cemetery is operated by the local authority, Aberdeen City Council, is one of seventeen cemeteries in Aberdeen. It is located on Countesswells Road with entrances on both Countesswells Road and Springfield Road where the cemetery lodge is situated.
According to Historic Environment Scotland, at the south-west corner of the cemetery there formerly stood Springbank Cottage.[23]
Wellington Suspension Bridge
Suspension bridge in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Wellington Suspension Bridge is a suspension bridge crossing the River Dee from Ferryhill to Craiglug in Aberdeen, north east Scotland. Designed by Captain Samuel Brown and the Aberdeen City Architect John Smith, it was opened to pedestrians in November 1830 and to traffic in May 1831. The chain bridge was closed in 1984 to vehicles and then pedestrians in 2002, but was restored in 2006/07 and pedestrian use was re-instated in 2008.[24]
Address: Wellington Road, Aberdeen (Torry - Ferryhill)
St Andrew's Cathedral
Cathedral in Aberdeen, Scotland. St Andrew's Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, is a cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen. It is the see of the Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney who is the Ordinary of the Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney.[25]
Address: 28 King Street, AB24 5AX Aberdeen (George Street - Harbour)
Hazlehead Park
Park in Aberdeen, Scotland. Hazlehead Park is a public park in the Hazlehead area of Aberdeen, Scotland. 180 hectares in size, it was opened to the public in 1920, having formerly been the estate of Hazlehead House, home of William Rose, shipbuilder. It is heavily wooded and contains many walking tracks.
There are football pitches, two golf courses, a pitch and putt course and a horse-riding school. The park has a significant collection of sculpture by a range of artists, including the memorial to those who died in the Piper Alpha disaster. It also has heritage items which have been rescued from various places within the city, and it features Scotland's oldest maze, first planted in 1935.
In September 2007, Hazlehead Park was host to the Northsound Radio concert, Free 2007. It took place on Sunday 2 September 2007, and claims to be the biggest free outdoor event in Scotland.
The park is home to a Parkrun.[26]
Johnston Gardens
Park in Aberdeen, Scotland. Johnston Gardens is a small public garden in Aberdeen, Scotland. The garden has won the Britain in Bloom competition many times.
The gardens are full with flowers and shrubbery which sole purpose is for aesthetics. This is a very popular place for wedding photographs to be taken.[27]
Address: Viewfield Road, AB15 7XE Aberdeen (Hazlehead - Ashley - Queens Cross)
The Gordon Highlanders Museum
Museum in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Gordon Highlanders Museum is based in Aberdeen, Scotland and celebrates the story of the Gordon Highlanders regiment, which originated as the 92nd Regiment of Foot in 1794, became the Gordon Highlanders in 1881 and was then amalgamated into a new larger unit of the British Army in 1994. It is a 5-star Scottish Tourist Board attraction, as of 2019, the only one in Aberdeen.[28]
Address: Viewfield Road, AB15 7XH Aberdeen (Hazlehead - Ashley - Queens Cross)
ACT Aberdeen
Theatre in Aberdeen, Scotland. Aberdeen Arts Centre is a theatre on King Street in Aberdeen, Scotland with a 350-seater auditorium. It is a Category A listed building.
Formerly ACT Aberdeen, Aberdeen Arts Centre has charitable status and is a community-focused arts venue, which aims to provide facilities and opportunities for individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to engage in the performing arts.
The theatre is on two levels, with an upper and a lower gallery for audiences. There is a small orchestra pit and behind the stage there are dressing and rehearsal rooms for the shows and other projects such as local drama groups.
In addition the theatre has a large participatory arts programme. The centre is home to Castlegate Theatre Company (formally established by Annie Inglis), an award-winning youth group for teenagers which focuses on devised theatre. Saturday Drama classes, led by Sheena Blackhall, Julie Hutton and Barry Donaldson, run every Saturday for 3 to 11s. In addition Aberdeen Arts Centre puts on a summer festival known in Aberdeen as 'The Arts Carnival' which is currently in its 29th year
The building also houses an exhibition area which hosts local and visiting art shows. 2007 has seen the start of an artist in residence programme at the arts centre. The first artist was Will Teather.
The centre was the subject of controversy in 1998 when Aberdeen City Council withdrew core funding from the venue. A team of local people, led by Annie Inglis M.B.E, joined forces to take over the lease of the building and established Castlegate Arts Ltd, a volunteer led charity which now runs the centre.[29]
Address: Aberdeen, 33 King Street, ABERDEEN AB24 5AA
Aberdeen Science Centre
Museum in Aberdeen, Scotland. Aberdeen Science Centre is a science museum in Aberdeen, Scotland. It displays exhibits and performs fun, educational and interactive shows and workshops which are aimed to be inclusive for all audiences. It attracts primary school groups around the year and its exhibits are "hands on" so that everything can be played with and examined. The centre is a registered charity under Scottish law. It is funded by the public and donations from local corporate sponsors. The attraction also contains a café.
It is located on Constitution Street. The building within which the attraction is located was once a depot for Aberdeen's tram network. It used to based on Justice Mill Lane. The centre was temporarily located at 107 George Street from 2018-2020 as it underwent a multi million pound renovation at its Constitution Street location. It was completed in Summer 2020[30]
Address: 179 Constitution St., AB24 5TU Aberdeen (George Street - Harbour)
Aberdeen Town House
Aberdeen Town House is a municipal facility in Castle Street, Aberdeen, Scotland. The town house, which is the headquarters of Aberdeen City Council, is a Category A listed building.[31]
P&J Live
P&J Live is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the suburb of Bucksburn, in Aberdeen in Scotland. Opened in August 2019, it offers a capacity for all types of shows and events from 5,000 to 15,000. Replacing the former Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, the 10,000-seat arena is used for concerts and other events. It is the largest indoor arena in Scotland, and the fifth largest arena in the United Kingdom.[32]
Address: East Burn Road, Stoneywood, AB21 9FX, Aberdeen (Dyce - Bucksburn - Danestone)
Victoria Park
Park in Aberdeen, Scotland. Victoria Park is a small park in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland.
The park has an area of five hectares and was opened to the public in 1871. It is named after Queen Victoria. In the center of the park is a fountain made of fourteen different types of granite that was presented to the citizens of the city by the Granite Polishers and Master Builders of Aberdeen. A greenhouse and conservatory used to present in the south-east corner of the park, but were demolished in early 2014 as a result of repeated vandalism.[33]
Music Hall
Music hall in Aberdeen, Scotland. The Music Hall is a concert hall in Aberdeen, Scotland, formerly the city's Assembly Rooms, located on Union Street in the city centre.[34]
Address: Aberdeen, Union Street