The ultimate one day itinerary in Aberdeen: top options for exploring the Granite City

We weren't sure what to expect from Aberdeen: an industrial port town on Scotland's northeast coast, famous for North Sea oil - even its nickname, the Granite City, paints a rather grey picture. However, we were very pleasantly surprised by the outstanding museums and galleries, historic architecture and beautiful parks, not to mention a great food scene. Whether you're breaking a journey up Scotland's east coast or using Aberdeen as a jumping off point to visit the Shetlands, you can easily fill a rewarding day or two before catching your ferry.

Here are our suggestions for what to do with one day in Aberdeen:

Morning:

Start your exploration with a walk around the streets surrounding Union Terrace Gardens to see grand historic buildings like His Majesty's Theatre (with a statue of William Wallace out front), St Nicholas' Kirk and the stunning Marischal College, more like a cathedral than a university building. The park itself is a lovely sunken garden to wander through with terraced flower beds of grasses and agapanthus, a big lawn and a children's play area. Because it's several flights of stairs down from road level, the park is also a very safe enclosed space to let little ones run free and stretch their legs. Don't forget to take a photo with the big Aberdeen letters sign.

Brunch at Suma's: step inside this adorable cafe on Guild Street, with a flower wall of roses and pastel pink and blue seating, to fuel up for a day of exploring. The only thing prettier than the interior is the drinks menu - the coffee art is taken to another level! Suma's famous "Instagram coffee" is even decorated with a tree made of dried rose petals.

Museum time:

Aberdeen has several fantastic museums, but with only one day in the city you'll need to choose the one that piques your interest most:

1. Aberdeen Maritime Museum (near Suma's): this award-winning museum is located on the historic Shiprow, right by Aberdeen's busy harbour. Here, you can take a deep dive into the city's long and dramatic relationship with the sea, covering everything from its earliest days of trading, fishing, and shipbuilding to its pivotal role in the North Sea oil and gas industry.

THe museum is housed in a number of historic buildings, including the 16th-century Provost Ross's House and the former Trinity Congregational Church, linked by a striking modern glass and steel structure. There is even a 9-meter-high scale model of the Murchison oil platform stretching up through the heart of the museum!

Free entry! Open Monday - Sunday.

Once it reopens, after your visit, you could also pop into the nearby Tollbooth Museum: this small museum and former 17th-century prison (complete with cells) offers a chilling insight into crime and punishment. At time of writing it's still closed for refurbishment, but it's worth checking before you visit to see if it has reopened again. In any case, the dramatic Mercat Cross outside is an interesting landmark to walk past. Hexagonal in shape with grand arches and pillars, it bears the medallions of 10 Stuart monarchs and a column with a white marble Scottish unicorn on top. The cross was traditionally where new monarchs were announced, and on the 20th of September 1715, the Old Pretender (James Francis Edward Stuart, son of James II (VII of Scotland) and would be King James III/VIII) was declared king by the Jacobites.

2. Aberdeen Art Gallery (Right beside Union Terrace Gardens): following a massive £34.6 million transformation that earned the prestigious Art Fund Museum of the Year Award in 2020, Aberdeen's Art Gallery contains 19 different rooms arranged thematically rather than chronologically.

Art lovers can explore a collection spanning over 700 years of art, showcasing works by Scottish, British, and international artists, designers, and makers. You'll find everything from 18th-century portraits by artists like Henry Raeburn and William Hogarth, to Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces (including works by Monet, Millais, Degas and Renoir), and powerful 20th-century and contemporary art.

The gallery is particularly noted for its strong collection of modern Scottish and international art. Look out for works by significant Scottish Colourists, Joan Eardley, Francis Bacon, Tracey Emin and Barbara Hepworth.

Free entry! Open Monday - Sunday.

If your caffeine levels are flagging, the gallery has a nice cafe with an outdoor terrace overlooking Union Terrace Gardens, but if you an hang on we have a different sweet treat in mind which we'll write about shortly...

3. Provost Skene’s House (near Marischal College): Dating back to 1545, Aberdeen's oldest surviving townhouse has witnessed nearly 500 years of history. Named after Sir George Skene, a wealthy merchant and Provost of Aberdeen from 1676 to 1685, the museum focuses on the stories, achievements, and discoveries of over 100 remarkable local heroes. These include innovators, scientists, life-savers, writers, sporting champions and stars of stage and screen, all with a connection to Aberdeen and the North East.

Names you might recognise include Annie Lennox, Emeli Sandé, Denis Law, Sir Alex Ferguson, Lord Byron, Rose Leslie, and Dame Evelyn Glennie.

One particular highlight is the Painted Gallery. This beautifully decorated room, dating back to 1626, features a remarkably preserved painted ceiling and murals depicting scenes from the life of Christ. What makes it particularly intriguing is that it was hidden behind wooden boards for over 300 years and only rediscovered in the 1950s!

Free entry! Open April - October, closed Tuesday/Wednesday

4. Gordon Highlanders Museum: Much further out but well worth a visit if you're particularly interested in military history, the Gordon Highlanders Museum is a 10 minute taxi ride out of the centre. This award-winning museum takes visitors through a compelling and comprehensive journey through the 200-year history of one of Scotland's most celebrated regiments (dubbed “the Finest Regiment in the World!” by Winston Churchill ), from their formation in Napoleonic times through the Victorian and Edwardian eras, both World Wars and into the 20th century until the amalgamation of Scottish regiments in 2005.

Highlights include the impressive armoury and medals room, a full-size replica of a World War I trench in the museum's grounds and the Officers' Mess.

Entry costs: £15.50 adults/£7 children Closed Sunday/Monday

Time for a sweet treat at Mackie’s 19.2 ice cream parlour: Named for the 19.2 miles distance from this location to the famous Aberdeenshire dairy farm, this traditional ice cream parlour tucked away in the courtyard at Marischal Square has over 30 flavours of ice cream for you to choose from - to find it, look out for the enormous steel leopard sculpture.

From cones and tubes to milkshakes, sundaes, crepes and waffles, your sweet tooth will be spoiled for choice!

Afternoon:

Choose your own adventure time! We have a few suggestions for the 2nd half of the day:

1. Head south to explore beautiful Duthie Park. Aberdeen's magnificent Victorian park is home to one of Europe's largest collections of indoor plants: the Winter Gardens. Wander through diverse glasshouses full of cacti, tropical flora, and exotic blooms and outside, explore expansive green lawns, a boating pond, and a large children's play area.

Or 2. Head north to Old Aberdeen. Travel back in time to the city's ancient heart. This charming, historic quarter feels very distinct from the busy modern city, with cobbled streets and centuries-old buildings. Start your exploration at King's College, part of the University of Aberdeen, instantly recognizable by its iconic Crown Tower. Wander through its historic quad and soak in the academic atmosphere. Don't miss the tranquil University of Aberdeen Botanical Gardens nearby, offering a peaceful green escape.

From Old Aberdeen, enjoy a walk up to Seaton Park past the magnificent St Machar’s Cathedral, a stunning example of fortified medieval architecture with unique heraldic ceilings. Continue all the way through the park to the beautiful Brig o' Balgownie (mentioned by Lord Byron in Don Juan), one of Scotland's oldest bridges, keeping an eye out for deer and swans.

Or 3. Aberdeen beach and Footdee (Fittie) – for a dose of sea air, head to Aberdeen's beach, located about half an hour's walk out of the centre. While Aberdeen beach might not be the most pristine you'll ever encounter (it can get a bit wild with seaweed and jellyfish, depending on the day!), it offers a wonderfully long stretch of sand and a lively promenade. There are lots of options for (fast) food and ice creams – two fun options on the Esplanade are the Highlander Cafe Bus (a stationary double decker red bus serving burgers - you can sit up on the upper deck!) or the Fit Fine Fish and Chip Tram.

15 minutes walk south along the front from the Highlander Cafe Bus is Footdee (known as Fittie by locals), a charming, historic fishing village at the very mouth of Aberdeen Harbour, where the River Dee meets the North Sea. Built in 1809 by Aberdeen architect John Smith (who also worked on Balmoral Castle), the houses face inwards in two distinct squares, with their backs to the sea's fierce coastal winds and storms. Footdea's most famous features are the colourful quirky "tarry sheds", built from driftwood and found materials to store fishing gear.

Keep an eye out for Bottlenose dolphins - if you're lucky, you'll see them feeding and playing around the harbour entrance, especially in summer months.

Evening:

Dinner and drinks:

If you've managed to resist the lure of the chip vans at the beach, or you chose a different option for the afternoon, why not book a table at one of Aberdeen's exceptional restaurants?

• The Silver Darling in Fittie is beloved by locals and visitors alike for its spectacular harbour views and outstanding seafood menu.

• Moonfish Cafe, back inland in the historic Merchant Quarter, Moonfish Cafe offers "honest food made with local and seasonal produce" along with views of the 12th-century Kirk of St Nicholas. They are also known for their extensive gin list! Moonfish Cafe holds an AA Rosette and was included in the Michelin Guides from 2018-2023.

• Cafe Boheme on Windmill Brae in the city centre is an intimate candle lit French restaurant serving brasserie classics and incredible seafood. It's one of two Aberdeen restaurants currently listed in the Michelin Guide. The other is...

• Amuse, the first restaurant from renowned Scottish chef Kevin Dalgleish. Located in the spacious basement of a granite townhouse on Queen's Terrace, Amuse celebrates Scottish produce through the lens of sophisticated French cooking techniques. Amuse gained a spot in the Michelin Guide just six months after opening and has also garnered two AA Rosettes.

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Not yet ready to call it a night? Here are some great options for a post dinner sundowner:

• Moonfish Cafe (Yes, again!): Even if you didn't have dinner there, Moonfish Cafe is renowned for its extensive gin list and well-crafted cocktails.

• The Tippling House: Located on Belmont Street (a great area for nightlife), The Tippling House is a very popular cocktail bar known for its creative drinks and knowledgeable team of mixologists. It can get busy, so be prepared for a lively atmosphere.

• The Grill: If you're looking for a proper old-school Scottish pub with character, The Grill is legendary. It's famous for its incredible selection of whiskies (often boasting over 600 varieties!) and its authentic, no-frills atmosphere: this is a traditional standing pub with minimal seating, a long bar counter and mahogany panelling.

• St Machar Bar: If you fancy an evening jaunt up into old Aberdeen, this is another great traditional boozer. Long and narrow with a few tables and bench seats, St Machar also has an extensive whisky list and a good selection of guest ales.

• Brewdog: If you're a craft beer aficionado, you might want to visit this well known establishment in the city where it all began. Though sadly the flagship Brewdog bar on on Gallowgate closed down this summer, there are two remaining establishments on Castlegate and Union Square.

Beyond the City: Exploring Aberdeenshire

If you have more time to explore the region, Aberdeenshire offers a treasure trove of incredible experiences. Here are some fantastic day trips to consider:

• Newburgh Beach: Famous for its colony of seals and beautiful sand dunes.

• Cullen: A picturesque coastal town known for its dramatic viaduct, beautiful beach and of course, Cullen Skink (a traditional smoked haddock soup).

• Bullers of Buchan: Witness dramatic sea stacks and blowholes and spot puffins nesting on the cliffs during breeding season.

• Balmoral Castle: The Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family. Explore the grounds, gardens, and exhibitions (check opening times as they vary).

• Dunnottar Castle: Perched dramatically on a clifftop, this ruined medieval fortress has breathtaking views and a captivating history. An absolute must-see!

• Slains Castle: The hauntingly beautiful ruined castle that reputedly inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula.

  
  

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