A Weekend in Aberdeen: Discover History, Art and Even Dolphins

Picture your weekend in Aberdeen – coastal castles, dolphins playing just offshore, and cafés and contemporary art waiting in the historic city centre. With so much going on in this charming university town, Aberdeen is undoubtedly worth visiting for a weekend trip. Discover more with this itinerary idea for your two-day visit.

Union Street is the city's most well-known boulevard and a grand base from which to start your weekend in Aberdeen. Known as "the Granite Mile" due to its many granite buildings, the thoroughfare was first planned in 1794 and grew to be one of the most impressive streets in the UK. Look out for Union Bridge, which was built in 1805 and is still the world's largest single-span granite bridge.

Aberdeen has plenty more history to explore, so why not choose the locations that most interest you as you plan the rest of your morning? Aberdeen Maritime Museum off Union Street is a great place to start if you'd like to learn about everything from local shipbuilding to offshore energy. Don't miss the Aberdeen Fishing Memorial by sculptor David William-Ellis, which stands outside the museum and pays tribute to the importance of fisherfolk in the area.
 

Just 5 minutes' walk away on Marischal Square, Provost Skene’s House, dating from 1545, also houses a museum with exhibits on people from the region who made important contributions in all kinds of fields.
 

Aberdeen Maritime Museum

• Shiprow, Aberdeen, AB11 5BY
• Open 10am–5pm Monday–Saturday; 11am–4pm Sunday
• Admission is free

An alternative way to spend your morning is to head up to Old Aberdeen, 3 kilometres north of the centre. This is also the university area, which gives the place a vibrancy amid the quaint cobbled streets and rustic Old Aberdeen architecture. Be sure to check out the Powis Gates outside King's College, which look like turrets from a fairytale castle. Cruickshank Botanic Garden and Seaton Park provide greenery.

After lunch and coffee comes another essential – an exploration of Aberdeen's cultural side. The Nuart Aberdeen street art festival is held annually in June and inspires designs that remain all over the city. Particular hotspots include the murals along Union Row and the painted doors of East Green, Windmill Brae and Langstane Place.
 

Try to make time for a visit to Aberdeen Art Gallery, where local and international contemporary artists share space with historical masters like Monet and Renoir. From the art museum, it's a very short walk back to Union Street and hotels in Aberdeen city centre that can be found on either side of this main thoroughfare – ideal if you want to freshen up before heading out for the evening.
 

Aberdeen Art Gallery

• Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1FQ
• Open 10am–5pm Monday–Saturday; 11am–4pm Sunday
• Admission is free

The area around the western end of Union Street is home to some of the best restaurants in Aberdeen, with plenty of international options. The TownHouse on South Silver Street is notable for its use of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients in fusion dishes with a touch of Asian flair.
 

Ready to discover local nightlife during your weekend in Aberdeen? Belmont Street is the hub to head to, and The Tippling House stands out for mixing up some of the most enticing craft cocktails Aberdeen has to offer. This cellar bar also offers colourful small plates, as well as pre-theatre menus if you plan to catch a performance at His Majesty's Theatre just 5 minutes' walk away.
 

The TownHouse

• S Silver St, Aberdeen AB10 1PR
• Open 5pm–11 pm Monday-Tuesday; noon–11 pm Wednesday-Thursday; noon–midnight Friday; noon-1am Saturday

Many of the best outdoor activities in Aberdeen are found along the ruggedly handsome coastline. Public golf courses, historical landmarks and beaches all share the coast. There's even a sandy city beach just over a kilometre from the centre. On this unspoiled stretch of sand, you're as likely to see seabirds as deckchairs. Right next to Aberdeen Beach, Queen's Links leisure park offers shopping, restaurants, an amusement park and a cinema, and it's a popular location for things to do with kids during a weekend in Aberdeen.

Take a 15-minute stroll south along the coast from Queen's Links, and you'll come to Footdee. This delightful fishing village, known as Fittie by locals, is filled with one-storey cottages dating from the 19th century. The planned village was designed by the architect John Smith, who also worked on Balmoral Castle – the royal family's Highlands home.

It's possible to spot dolphins off the coast near Footdee, especially in spring and summer. The main viewing point near Aberdeen is at the Torry Battery along Greyhope Bay, a 15-minute drive or one-hour walk away. Greyhope Bay Centre has a little café that's a haven for dolphin-watching through the large windows with a steaming cup of tea or coffee in hand.

An hour by bus or 25 minutes by car from Aberdeen, medieval Dunnottar Castle is one of the most captivating among the many castles in the area. The cliff-top ruins create a dramatic sight against the backdrop of the open sea. To make the most of the location, bring good footwear and make your way along the coastal path from the nearby town of Stonehaven to the castle's rocky outcrop. The path can be muddy or uneven in places but offers magical views.
 

Stonehaven is also home to a hidden gem near Aberdeen – the Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum. The 1500s stone building, a former courthouse and prison, now hosts exhibits on local history. The fact that the museum is only open from 12:30pm to 3:30pm on Saturdays and Sundays adds to its elusive appeal.
 

Dunnottar Castle

• Stonehaven, AB39 2TL
• Open daily. Times vary seasonally but roughly 10am–4pm
• Admission starts at £11.50

Stepping into the warmth of a snug bistro after a bracing coastal walk is always heartwarming, and you'll find just such a bistro at Mercure Aberdeen Caledonian Hotel. The restaurant also offers afternoon tea if you're not quite ready for dinner.
 

If you have fallen in love with Footdee, The Silver Darling restaurant is another excellent option for an evening meal, with fresh local seafood complemented by views of the harbour.
 

Inspired to spend more time exploring Scotland? Check out our guide on the top things to do if you've got a couple of days in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. In the meantime, enjoy your weekend in Aberdeen!