Known as the ‘Granite City’ since the bulk of its historic buildings are made of this grey and pink stone, Aberdeen is a delightful and compact Scottish destination. Its seaside location boasts one of Scotland’s best harbours, and with the Dee and Don rivers bordering the city there’s a real sense of natural and urban harmony.
It may be Scotland’s third city, but Aberdeen holds its own in every way. It’s a vibrant university town with a thriving cultural arts scene and hundreds of great options for dining, wining and shopping. Old Aberdeen is the medieval part of the city and home to some of its finest historic sites. Grand churches like St Machar and austere universities like King’s College provide much of the ambiance of this old quarter while Victorian architecture makes up the rest.
Aberdeen may have a beach, but the waters are cold and the summers brief. Golfers and anglers will find a treasure trove of world-class sites in and around the city, and just a short distance outside of town lie countless other gems waiting to be explored. Scotland’s Castle Trail will lead you past some of the finest castles and mansions in the country, and fishing villages and whiskey distilleries seem to appear around every bend.
Due in part to Aberdeen’s role as Europe’s offshore oil capital, hotels tend to be heavily booked most of the year. During the peak spring and summer seasons you’ll want to make hotel bookings online well in advance. There are plenty of accommodation choices in Aberdeen, from chain hotels to charming inns. Prices aren’t too high, but there’s little choice in the budget realm.
If you don’t want to fly into Aberdeen’s airport, the train provides a relaxing and scenic way to get here from the rest of the UK. Coaches also cover every corner of the region, and if you rent a car you can enjoy the superb scenery that surrounds Aberdeen at your leisure.
Like the rest of Scotland, Aberdeen’s climate is extremely fickle and subject to quick and dramatic changes. The city’s temperatures are moderate due to its seaside location, with annual average temperatures of 8oC. Most of the precipitation falls in the autumn, winter and spring months, leaving only a brief summer window when you can expect drier conditions. October and November are the wettest months.
Winters get very chilly and damp, an uncomfortable combination, so be sure and bring lots of warm layers if you plan a winter trip. Temperatures lows average 3oC during the winter. Summers are the best time to visit Aberdeen. Between June and August temperatures hover around 16oC, creating ideal and refreshing conditions to enjoy the beach, parks and outdoor recreation. Lots of festivals happen between March and May, making this a busy travel period in the city.
