Best hotels in Aberdeen
Meldrum House
Oldmeldrum, AB51 0AE
Escape to the Scottish countryside at Meldrum House, tucked within 350 acres of blissful woodland. With a plethora of elegant rooms, each uniquely designed with traditional antiquities, this country house also features a lavish spa, an 18-hole golf course and grand clubhouse.
Skene House Rosemount
96 Rosemount Viaduct, AB25 1NX
In the heart of the city, Skene House is a family-run block of fully serviced apartments, featuring single, double and even three-bed suites to suit every traveller. It’s close to the nightlife of the city, while still providing easy access to the nearby countryside. It’s also pet-friendly, making it perfect for those travelling with four-legged pals.
Aloft Aberdeen TECA
Gough Burn Cres, AB21 9FY
This stylish hotel is just around the corner from the airport. Each room features a classy mahogany desk, flat-screen TV and fully fitted bathroom, with open-plan living spaces to tuck away in. Test your pool skills on one of the hotel’s tables and build up a sweat in the gym and fitness centre.
Best restaurants in Aberdeen
Adelphi Kitchen
28 Adelphi, AB11 5BL
Sample fresh seafood plucked from the waters of the east Scottish coast or feast on perfectly smoked meats at the Adelphi. This restaurant features an open pit barbecue, achieving that wonderfully woodsy flavour for every dry-aged hunk of beef.
Musa
33 Exchange Street, AB11 6PH
Enjoy live music and admire local art at this popular restaurant-meets-gallery. Nestled in the Merchant’s Quarter of the harbour area, Musa adds a modern touch to traditional Scottish dishes. Sample the Cullen skink smoked fish soup with oatcakes, before digging into a fresh cut of venison.
Silver Darling
Pocra Quay, AB11 5DQ
Experience fine dining at this established restaurant, which opened its grand doors in 1986. Named after the local term for the herring, diners can expect a seafood-heavy menu. Enjoy pan-fried scallops with serrano ham for starters and follow up with the popular poached monkfish for you main, all beneath a large glass ceiling in the restaurant conservatory.
What to do in Aberdeen
Aberdeen Harbour
Shiprow, AB11 5BY
The harbour is the epitome of Aberdeen’s maritime culture and heritage. Discover the city’s history as a major fishing port at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum and try catch a glimpse of bottlenose and white dolphins making a leap on the horizon. The port is also known to have minke whales frequent the area and they can often be seen coming up for air.
Brig O’Balgownie
Bridge of Don, AB23 8JQ
This legendary medieval crossing connects the banks of the River Don in Old Aberdeen. Dating back to the 13th century (and a strong contender for being the oldest bridge in Scotland), the bridge stretches over an allegedly mystical pool named Black Neuk, which were eulogized by Lord Byron himself in Don Juan.
Forvie National Nature Reserve
Forvie, AB41 8RU
Just a 30-minute drive north from Aberdeen, Forvie National Nature Reserve features splendid stretches of beach, perfect for a brisk stroll, and some of Britain’s largest sand dunes. One of Scotland’s more dramatic coastal areas, the mouth of estuary is a year-round hub of seals and regular base for bird life.