Photo by: Bruce McAdam
39 fun things to do in Aberdeen
Make the most of your visit to Aberdeen by exploring its old historic streets while admiring the heritage and history of the city. Locally-quarried granite was used to build many of Aberdeen’s most famous buildings and gives the city its nickname – “Granite City”.
If you are looking to get an exciting and new perspective on Aberdeen – check out the Nuart Art tours where you will explore all the new works of art popping up around the city such as large murals on the side of buildings or even small hard-to-find statues scattered in wee nooks and crannies. The award-winning Aberdeen Art Gallery is also a must-see, with 18 collections, each with a story to tell, with French, International and Scottish artwork spanning 700 years.
If you are wanting a fun exciting day in Aberdeen, head over to the beach where you will find a wide range of family fun activities to enjoy at Codona’s Amusement park. Go Karting, Bowling, Crazy golf, you name it!
Maybe you want to have a relaxing day? Well, in that case, Aberdeen has some wonderful parks scattered around the city to enjoy, take a stroll down to Duthie park which has the winter gardens which are one of Europe’s largest indoor gardens and Scotland’s third most visited gardens.
If you are looking for parking around the city you can park at the shopping centre Union Square where they have 3 levels of ample parking as well as the Bon accord centre located just off Union Street. If you go round the back of Union Square onto Palmerston Road you might get lucky and find some free parking spaces if it’s not too busy!
Action-packed Aberdeen: a guide to outdoor activities and action sports
One of the most popular action sports in Aberdeen is surfing. Aberdeen Beach is a great spot for surfing, with consistent waves and a growing surf culture. Local surf schools offer equipment rentals and lessons for beginners.
If you prefer land-based action sports, Aberdeen has several mountain biking trails that range in difficulty from beginner to advanced. You can also find indoor and outdoor climbing venues in the city, with local climbing clubs providing guidance on technique and safety.
Skateboarding is also a popular action sport in Aberdeen, with several skateparks throughout the city. Transition Extreme is a state-of-the-art indoor facility that offers a range of obstacles and ramps.
Finally, Aberdeen is home to several watersports such as kayaking, paddle boarding, and windsurfing. The River Dee is a popular spot for kayaking and paddleboarding, with local rental shops offering equipment and lessons for beginners.
Whether you’re looking to hit the waves, climb a mountain, or skate a half-pipe, Aberdeen has something for everyone when it comes to action sports.
From castles to coastlines: uncovering fun things to do in Aberdeen
- Visit the Aberdeen Maritime Museum: This museum showcases the rich maritime history of Aberdeen and has some amazing collections of ship models, paintings, and other maritime artefacts.
- Explore the Aberdeen Art Gallery: The art gallery has a great collection of art from the 15th century to the present day, with works by major artists like Francis Bacon, Joan Eardley, and Samuel Peploe.
- Stroll along the beach: Aberdeen is home to some beautiful beaches, such as Balmedie Beach and Footdee Beach. You can take a leisurely stroll, build sandcastles or go for a swim.
- Visit the Duthie Park: This park is one of the largest in Aberdeen and has plenty of things to see and do. It has a great range of plants, a boating pond, a winter garden, and a children’s play area.
- Explore the historic Castlegate area: This area is packed with historic buildings and monuments, such as the Mercat Cross, Provost Skene’s House, and the Tolbooth Museum.
- Take a guided tour of the city: There are many guided tours available that will take you around the city’s historic sites, including Aberdeen Castle and St Machar’s Cathedral.
- Visit the Gordon Highlanders Museum: This museum celebrates the history of the famous Gordon Highlanders regiment and has some amazing displays of uniforms, medals, and weapons.
- Go on a whisky tour: Aberdeen is home to some of Scotland’s finest whisky distilleries, such as Glenfiddich and The Macallan. Take a tour of these distilleries and learn about the whisky-making process.
- Visit the Cruickshank Botanic Garden: This beautiful garden is home to over 2,500 species of plants and is a great place to spend a sunny afternoon.
- Take a trip to Dunnottar Castle: This stunning castle is located just a short distance from Aberdeen and offers breathtaking views of the North Sea. It has been featured in many movies and TV shows and is a must-visit for history lovers.
