City Breaks in Aberdeen

To the north of the city centre is Old Aberdeen, the most historic part of the city and home to numerous buildings of note. This includes the Tolbooth Museum of crime and punishment, which is located in Aberdeen's oldest building, a 17h-century jail. This is also where you will find St Machar's Cathedral, which stands on a site which has been a place of worship since Celtic times.

Also located in Old Aberdeen but worthy of its own mention is this historic university boasting many significant features, including its 17th-century tower and stone dome, as well as works of art that include wood carvings of the Stuart monarchs. It's also home to a Zoological Museum and the Cruikshank Botanical Gardens.

Aberdeen's maritime history includes fishing, merchant shipping, ship-building, and the offshore gas industry. Visitors can learn about all these industries at this glass-fronted museum which enjoys views over the harbour itself.

One of Aberdeen's many green spaces, Duthie Park is a traditional Victorian park complete with a bandstand, fountain, and ponds. Be sure to include a visit to the adjacent David Welch Indoor Winter Gardens.

Aberdeen's main beach is just a short walk from the city centre and boasts a huge range of activities, entertainment, shops, and restaurants. Swimming is possible in the summer months, and in the winter it's the perfect place for a bracing stroll.