Aberdeen : book your hotel

On the northeast coast of Scotland lies a beautiful port city, a perfect destination for a long weekend, a week or even longer – Aberdeen, of course! Aberdeen is on the edge of the North Sea, where the rivers Dee and Don run into the ocean. It's often called 'The Granite City' thanks to its architecture. Enjoy Scotch whiskey from the source, explore unique museums and galleries and head out to the clifftop ruins of medieval castles and fortresses.

The quickest and most convenient way to get to Aberdeen depends on where you're coming from. If it's not too far, driving is a great option which means you can be flexible with your plans when you arrive. Aberdeenshire is home to breathtaking remote castles and 165 miles of rugged Scottish coastline; all this and more is easiest to get to if you have your own car. Aberdeen railway station is an excellent option for getting to the city from various parts of the UK, with direct services linking with Edinburgh and Glasgow, where you can connect to the South.

The Granite City boasts many exciting attractions and events to keep everyone happy. Whether you're looking for fun family days out or a relaxing experience for you and your partner, Aberdeen has something for every traveller.

Whether it's raining or shining on your time in Aberdeen, head to Duthie Park for a walk or rest. The 44-acre green space sits by the banks of the River Dee, well-loved by locals and visitors since it opened its gates in 1883. Duthie Park was gifted to Aberdeen by Elizabeth Crombie Duthie for the well-being of the city's people – it certainly does the job! Beautifully restored Victorian features like the bandstand, fountains and bathing ponds add to the park's aesthetic appeal. At the same time, the astroturf area is perfect for ball games. Two play areas for different ages are perfect for keeping kids happy. The David Welch Winter Gardens, a vast botanical gardens in Duthie Park, boast Scotland's most visited public plant collections. The Winter Gardens are a tropical paradise year-round. They include the balmy temperate house, aptly-named Corridor of Perfumes and a Japanese garden. Not to mention the arid house, where you can see one of Britain's most extensive collections of cacti and succulents.

Fancy visiting a museum or two in Aberdeen? Start with the Aberdeen Maritime Museum on the city's famous central street, Shiprow, close to the bustling harbour. Explore the story of Aberdeen's relationship with the sea, learning about the port city's development from the days of fishing and trading to shipbuilding and the discovery of oil and gas in the North Sea. You can also learn about Aberdeen's modern-day role as a leader in the worldwide energy transition. Aberdeen's maritime history is told through a diverse collection of objects spread across four floors, including a modern building connected to the 16th-century Provost Ross's House. See models of ships from the 17th-century to the present day, whalers weapons, medieval imported goods, a lighthouse lens and a historic steamer ship deck. You can enjoy a spectacular view across Aberdeen Harbour from the museum's top floor!

Old Aberdeen is a part of the city that's hung onto its history for all to see, including quaint cobbled roads, a 14th-century cathedral and King's College.

St. Machar's Cathedral, also sometimes called Old Machar, is a historic church north of Aberdeen's city centre. It's set on a high bank overlooking the River Don. It's the oldest building in active use in Aberdeen, a must-see for keen historians or architecture enthusiasts. Explore the ancient site, a fortified kirk that was the site of Christian worship for over 1,500 years. You can see the famous heraldic ceiling and stained glass, one of Scotland's beautiful treasures.

The University and King's College of Aberdeen, or King's College for short, is a once-independent university that's stood in Old Aberdeen since being founded in 1495. Today, the building is a significant part of the modern University of Aberdeen. The building is loved for its architecture and history, a symbol of the pursuit of knowledge in the city. The rear of King's College is used as a sports pavilion today. At the same time, the building is the symbolic centre of the University of Aberdeen. Theology, Art History and Religious Studies are all taught inside.

The Cruickshank Botanic Garden is an 11-acre garden in Old Aberdeen. It was designed to promote an appreciation of beauty and nature and the importance of plants' role in the natural world. Stroll around perfectly-maintained shrubs, rock and water gardens, a rose garden and an arboretum when visiting Cruickshank Botanic Garden. There are over 2,500 plants to see!

Whether it's a traditional haggis and tatties, a plate of the freshest shellfish from the North Sea or a dram of Scotch whisky, there's no shortage of food and drink in Aberdeen.