Iona’s guidebook
Sightseeing
With rolling hills, open farmland and towering mountains in the west and sweeping beaches, coastal cliffs and panoramic skies in the east, Aberdeenshire has plenty of room for you to relax and breathe.
Located on the north-east coast of Scotland, Aberdeenshire is the area in and around Aberdeen city and stretches from the Banffshire coast in the north all the way around to St Cyrus National Nature Reserve in the east, featuring beautiful coastlines, pretty seaside towns, rugged cliffs and sandy bays. There are hundreds of attractions and hidden gems dotted across the region, including centuries-old distilleries, fantastic parklands and golf courses, ancient castles, sparkling rivers and more.
The Aberdeenshire coast is home to plenty of swooping seabirds and it's one of the best places in Scotland to spot dolphins - they play in the waters of Aberdeenshire harbour and all along the Banffshire coast. Huge salmon and trout are regularly caught on sparkling rivers, including the River Dee, River Don and River Deveron as well.
54 locals recommend
Aberdeen
With rolling hills, open farmland and towering mountains in the west and sweeping beaches, coastal cliffs and panoramic skies in the east, Aberdeenshire has plenty of room for you to relax and breathe.
Located on the north-east coast of Scotland, Aberdeenshire is the area in and around Aberdeen city and stretches from the Banffshire coast in the north all the way around to St Cyrus National Nature Reserve in the east, featuring beautiful coastlines, pretty seaside towns, rugged cliffs and sandy bays. There are hundreds of attractions and hidden gems dotted across the region, including centuries-old distilleries, fantastic parklands and golf courses, ancient castles, sparkling rivers and more.
The Aberdeenshire coast is home to plenty of swooping seabirds and it's one of the best places in Scotland to spot dolphins - they play in the waters of Aberdeenshire harbour and all along the Banffshire coast. Huge salmon and trout are regularly caught on sparkling rivers, including the River Dee, River Don and River Deveron as well.
Aberdeen has long prospered off of sea-based industries, from the boom of the city's fishing industry in the early 20th century to its oil industry today; this museum explores the historic developments behind the city's maritime industries.
116 locals recommend
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
ShiprowAberdeen has long prospered off of sea-based industries, from the boom of the city's fishing industry in the early 20th century to its oil industry today; this museum explores the historic developments behind the city's maritime industries.
Plenty free parking.
Play area for all ages. All well maintained. No graffiti
Great for jogging and learning to ride a bike. Walking around the greenery is fantastic there is also indoor gardens to see.
Cafe on site.
47 locals recommend
Duthie Park
Polmuir RoadPlenty free parking.
Play area for all ages. All well maintained. No graffiti
Great for jogging and learning to ride a bike. Walking around the greenery is fantastic there is also indoor gardens to see.
Cafe on site.
These beautiful sunken gardens afford great views of the city's sights.
12 locals recommend
Union Terrace Gardens
Union TerraceThese beautiful sunken gardens afford great views of the city's sights.
Wonderful gallery with lovely new spaces and pictures beautifully displayed. Well curated and plenty of time to go round.
56 locals recommend
Aberdeen Art Gallery
SchoolhillWonderful gallery with lovely new spaces and pictures beautifully displayed. Well curated and plenty of time to go round.
Union Square is the North East's favourite leisure and shopping destination. With over 80 stylish fashion stores, 30 delicious cafes and restaurants along with Aberdeen's largest 10 screen cinema - there's something to suit everyone.
122 locals recommend
Union Square
Union Square is the North East's favourite leisure and shopping destination. With over 80 stylish fashion stores, 30 delicious cafes and restaurants along with Aberdeen's largest 10 screen cinema - there's something to suit everyone.
Aberdeen's largest fashion destination based in the heart of the city centre. Bon Accord & St Nicholas are home to all your favourite brands including; Topshop, River Island, Next, New Look, Oasis, Karen Millen, Warehouse, Coast, Hobbs, Kurt Geiger, Lipsy, Jane Norman, Miss Selfridge, Wallis, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Radley and many more!
30 locals recommend
Bon Accord Aberdeen
25 George StAberdeen's largest fashion destination based in the heart of the city centre. Bon Accord & St Nicholas are home to all your favourite brands including; Topshop, River Island, Next, New Look, Oasis, Karen Millen, Warehouse, Coast, Hobbs, Kurt Geiger, Lipsy, Jane Norman, Miss Selfridge, Wallis, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Radley and many more!
The Aberdeen bypass has made Balmedie Beach a more accessible option for many. Wide golden sands and marram grass dunes make this an attractive day out. There are walks along the beach or dunes with views out to sea and across the coastal windfarm. Depending on the route you follow, you may have to take to the dunes to avoid the streams that can flow across the beach to reach the sea. There is ample free car parking, but the entrance to the car park is quite narrow with posts on either side. You can see cars have left paint on the posts, so be careful. The Sand Bothy, next to the car park, is open at peak times selling a range of snacks and drinks. Toilets available.
29 locals recommend
Balmedie Beach
The Aberdeen bypass has made Balmedie Beach a more accessible option for many. Wide golden sands and marram grass dunes make this an attractive day out. There are walks along the beach or dunes with views out to sea and across the coastal windfarm. Depending on the route you follow, you may have to take to the dunes to avoid the streams that can flow across the beach to reach the sea. There is ample free car parking, but the entrance to the car park is quite narrow with posts on either side. You can see cars have left paint on the posts, so be careful. The Sand Bothy, next to the car park, is open at peak times selling a range of snacks and drinks. Toilets available.
An all-round fantastic museum. The best regimental museum in Britain by a country mile with the Highlanders Museum coming in with a close second.
30 locals recommend
The Gordon Highlanders Museum
Viewfield RoadAn all-round fantastic museum. The best regimental museum in Britain by a country mile with the Highlanders Museum coming in with a close second.
City/town information
Castles
Majestic 14th-century castle located on a rugged cliff overlooking the coast.
40 locals recommend
Stonehaven
Castles
Majestic 14th-century castle located on a rugged cliff overlooking the coast.
Airport
Passenger statistics:
Passengers per year: 2.9 million in 2019
22 locals recommend
Aberdeen International Airport
Passenger statistics:
Passengers per year: 2.9 million in 2019
Food scene
Great central location which was nice, cozy and intimate. Excellent (!) food and service. Highly recommended!
9 locals recommend
Angus & Ale
Great central location which was nice, cozy and intimate. Excellent (!) food and service. Highly recommended!
Dine with a view...our newly refurbished restaurant is now open. Join us to experience our stunning setting, stylish interiors & quality food & drink offering.
27 locals recommend
The Silver Darling
Pocra QuayDine with a view...our newly refurbished restaurant is now open. Join us to experience our stunning setting, stylish interiors & quality food & drink offering.
I had my first visit to moonfish cafe today and it did not disappoint. The portions may be small but every mouthful was to die for! Personally I prefer that to huge plates of nothingness. I will certainly return again.
44 locals recommend
Moonfish Cafe
9 Correction WyndI had my first visit to moonfish cafe today and it did not disappoint. The portions may be small but every mouthful was to die for! Personally I prefer that to huge plates of nothingness. I will certainly return again.
I great place just off Union Street, (main shopping street) This restaurant provide a good variety, at reasonable prices. of bar lunches served by friendly and attentive staff. If your eating at night best to book.
10 locals recommend
Ma Cameron's
Little Belmont StreetI great place just off Union Street, (main shopping street) This restaurant provide a good variety, at reasonable prices. of bar lunches served by friendly and attentive staff. If your eating at night best to book.
It has a lovely and cozy interior with a good range of food and drinks.
The dedicated restaurant week menu was wonderful with each dish coming out quickly and packed full of delicious flavour. The portions were a bit large and there was maybe a bit too much salt used.
The 3 course meal was served with a flight of 3No 1/3 pints of the house beers, all for £20 per person, very reasonable.
Will definitely be coming back and not just for restaurant week!
The Hop & Anchor
33 Exchange StIt has a lovely and cozy interior with a good range of food and drinks.
The dedicated restaurant week menu was wonderful with each dish coming out quickly and packed full of delicious flavour. The portions were a bit large and there was maybe a bit too much salt used.
The 3 course meal was served with a flight of 3No 1/3 pints of the house beers, all for £20 per person, very reasonable.
Will definitely be coming back and not just for restaurant week!
This is a great little pub, handy for the bus and train stations and great for a few drinks before going to a restaurant for example. A Traditional pub with excellent service.
Aitchie's Ale House
10 Trinity StThis is a great little pub, handy for the bus and train stations and great for a few drinks before going to a restaurant for example. A Traditional pub with excellent service.
We loved this old fishing village, the little house are so cute and each one looks different, we had so much fun just walking up and down the passages exploring each one.
16 locals recommend
Footdee
We loved this old fishing village, the little house are so cute and each one looks different, we had so much fun just walking up and down the passages exploring each one.
Train Station
Aberdeen Railway Station
Guild Street