Location: Aberdeen
Top Things to do in Aberdeen
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10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Aberdeen That You Shouldn't Miss
Experience the richness of Aberdeen’s proud history and culture — from the sound of residents’ traditional Doric accent to the sights of glittering granite buildings lining the city’s streets. Explore the cobbled roads and historic university buildings of Old Aberdeen, then take a stroll along the nearby sandy beach and watch for dolphins in the busy harbour. Afterward, find your way to the quaint fishing quarter of Footdee, and lose yourself among its tiny cottages and colourful gardens.
Restaurants in Aberdeen
1. Bennachie Hill Walks
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 227 reviews
A series of hiking trails through the scenic landscape surrounding the city.
2. Blairs Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
Please visit our website for updated visitor information. Located only 4 miles from Aberdeen, off the South Deeside Rd, Blairs Museum gives a unique insight into Scotland's Catholic history and heritage with spectacular collections spanning more than 500 years. The collection includes paintings (including the memorial portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots), church textiles from the 1400s, sacred silver, and Jacobite memorabilia (including the pocket watch of Bonnie Prince Charlie). New for 2021 – ‘Capparoni and the Papal Court’, an exhibition of hand-coloured nineteenth century engravings by Giuseppe Capparoni depicting the religious orders of Rome between 1823 and 1846.
3. Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
4. Breakout Games
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 803 reviews
Locked in a room filled with clues, puzzles and riddles your team of 2-6 players have 60 minutes on the clock and just one goal; to escape in time. Breakout Games is Aberdeen's 1st real-life escape game and is perfectly suited for a day out with family, friends or as a team building day with colleagues.
Reviewed By jw082018
Had an amazing time with family today in the new DARK ARTS room, facilitated by David and Ross at the front desk - have been to the Breakout Games a few times before and have had the pleasure of both names above being our Game Masters and they always go above and beyond. Can't recommend enough!
5. The Locked Door Escape Games
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 158 reviews
An escape game is a live experience where you and your team are locked in a themed room and have 60 minutes to figure out how to escape. The Locked Door will provide you with the opportunity to test your wits and puzzle-solving skills against the clock. An exciting and challenging adventure - the most unique and thrilling puzzle experience.
Reviewed By rebekkamclaughlin
Myself, partner and friends had a go at the new Enchanted Forest room and it was fab - thoroughly enjoyed myself and was something different to do for my birthday (our 2nd time now). We all felt safe, everything was cleaned and everything was explained simply and clearly. Holly was really friendly and we are already planning to head back for our third room - here's hoping our team make it to the top, after coming a close second.
6. Slains Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Erected in 1597, this is one of the most famous castle ruins in Scotland, and was used by Bram Stoker as the inspiration for the castle of the evil vampire in his most famous supernatural tale "Dracula."
Reviewed By spgk - Espoo, Finland
Whilst I had seen a few photos beforehand, we were impressed with what we found - and it´s free! Getting there - I followed my sat nav using the postcode AB42 0NE, which I found online. However, this took us to a small residential road of Castle Street in Cruden Bay. There was no sign of any castle so we consulted some online maps. I parked the car in Castle Street at the junction with Castle Woods. We had a lovely walk on a farm track through some fields until we met a small road leading to the castle. It´s possible to drive right up to the castle if you take the A975 and take the turning into a small track road about 1 km from Cruden Bay. We were lucky with the weather so the ruins overlooking the sea looked amazing. We liked the fact that you could explore the ruins without fences - at your own risk. We found it a better experience than many of the overpriced tourist castles. However, the ruins sit on the clifftop and there are no safety fences. For that reason I would NOT recommend it for young children or dogs. Otherwise, well worth a visit.
7. Balmedie Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 609 reviews
A stretch of sandy beach north of the city.
Reviewed By E2338BG - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
A beautiful beach with large sand dunes and amazing views of the north sea with windfarm in the distance. Ideal for a family day out or a sunset walk with a loved one.
8. Brig 'o' Balgownie
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
This historic bridge has stood since the early 14th century and once served as an important line of communication between Aberdeen and other medieval coastal towns.
9. Footdee (Fittie)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,053 reviews
Reviewed By margaretmH3052CO - Aberdeenshire, United Kingdom
This is like going back in time. You wouldn't think you were in Aberdeen. The houses are like little cottages, and just by the sea, and the people who live in them get a great view of Aberdeen beach and the sea, and wild Dolphins putting on a show. Very quaint homes with a lovely Nautical appeal to them. Very quiet too, but expensive to buy.
10. The Gordon Highlanders Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 708 reviews
UPDATE 18.03.2020 Coronavirus (Covid-19) In light of the ever-evolving Covid-19 situation, it is with a heavy heart that we have decided to close The Gordon Highlanders Museum and Duchess Jean Tea Room to the public from 4.30 today until further notice. We will review this decision on a weekly basis and post any updates on this page and to our social media channels. Thank you for your understanding in this confusing and uncertain time; we hope to welcome visitors back to the Museum soon. The Finest Regiment in the World" was how Sir Winston Churchill described The Gordon Highlanders in 1900. So why not come and see why? A wonderful day out and a fantastic welcome await you at The Gordon Highlanders Museum where we are committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of this world-famous Regiment.
Reviewed By 561ruthd - Doha, Qatar
We went on a school trip to the museum. One of the really interesting things we saw was the Silver Room and our guide told us lots of interesting information. One of our favourite bits was the Armoury; we really enjoyed seeing the guns and swords because normally we only see them in video games, not real life. The activities about WW1 were really cool - in the trench we got to spot enemy soldiers with a periscope. We learnt a lot about what life for soldiers was like in WW1 and we're not sure if we'd have managed to do it! Our guides Jim and Lewis were really helpful and very informative, they answered all our questions. Definitely a trip we'd recommend (but not for very young children, it might be a bit boring) and we'd love to go back.
