Travel to Aberdeen

Travel to Aberdeen

Built on the banks of the rivers Dee and Don around an operating harbour, Aberdeen is the third largest city in Scotland. Much of its impressive architecture can be traced back to the Victorian era and was hewn from granite, earning it the name of Granite City. Nowadays Aberdeen is busy all year round attracting many local and international tourists.

Transportation to Aberdeen

Aberdeen is served by an airport providing regular connections to many UK and European destinations, including Amsterdam, Dublin, Esbjerg, Paris and Stavanger. Aberdeen Airport has one terminal with good passenger facilities and regular bus services to the city centre. Ferries operate to Aberdeen from the Orkney and Shetland Islands and train services link the city to other Scottish cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh. Scottish Citylink Coaches and National Express run bus services around Scotland and the rest of the UK. For those travelling by car, the M90 motorway from Edinburgh in the south leads into the A90 dual carriageway which runs north to south past Aberdeen. The A956 branches off the A90 and takes travellers into the city centre.

What to see

Old Aberdeen, just north of the main city centre, is a good place to start your sightseeing tour. The area is full of the imposing granite buildings that are typical of the city. Particularly noteworthy is the 15th century St Machars Cathedral and 16th century Kings College. Aberdeen also has a reputation as a floral city, and this can be seen all around the town, but especially so at the magnificent Union Terrace Gardens situated in the heart of the city. For a taste of yesteryear head to Footdee, a 19th century fishing village thats located just south of the city. Those who want to take a break from the sightseeing can head east to the city beach thats lined with first-rate bars and cafs where you can unwind and watch the world go by.

Daytrips

The Aberdeen and Grampian Highlands are home to spectacular countryside thats dotted with more than 350 castles. One of the best known is Balmoral Castle, the summer residence of the royal family, located 50 miles west of Aberdeen. It is an operational estate with Highland livestock and red deer. Pony trekking tours are a great way to get around and see the nearby countryside. Other castles in the area include Ballindalloch Castle, Drum Castle and Slains Castle (only ruins), which is thought to have provided the inspiration for Bram Stokers Dracula.

Activities and leisure

With its nearby beaches and undulating countryside, Aberdeen offers great conditions for outdoor enthusiasts. There are several golf courses featuring striking scenery, and cycling is easy and popular around the city and on several outlying forest trails. Of course, the weather does not always permit outdoor activities.

Safety issues

Visitors should remain watchful to avoid falling victim to petty theft. During evenings its best to avoid dark backstreets, especially for women or single travellers. Around 23:00 at weekends most pubs close their doors and the city centre can become unsafe because of drunken youths spilling out onto the streets. We highly recommend you take out adequate travel insurance for you or your family.