Aberdeen

Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Known as the Granite City because of the locally quarried stone, Aberdeen, the capital of northeastern Scotland, is one of the most distinctive cities in Great Britain. Surrounded by magnificent scenery, it mixes rich history, beautiful granite architecture and traditional industries with a flurry of leisure and entertainment amenities. It has a vibrant arts scene, a cosmopolitan atmosphere and one of the most buoyant economies in the country. Scotland’s third largest city truly has something to offer to everyone.

Population:

229,000

Currency:

British pounds, £1 = 100 pence

Emergency Numbers:

999 and 112

Opening Hours:

Most shops are open seven days a week, normally from 09.00 to 17.30.
On Thursdays major shops and shopping centres are open until 20.00, while on Sundays shops are open from 12.00 to 17.00.

Newspapers:

Aberdeen Citizen
General Trust

The City

Built at the mouth of two of Scotland’s major rivers, the Dee and the Don, with the spectacular Grampian Mountains to the west, and miles of unspoiled and beautiful coastline to the east, Aberdeen is a perfect destination for nature lovers. But travellers who would rather stay in urban surroundings will also have plenty to see – despite its northerly location, Aberdeen features splendid architectural delights, a highly cosmopolitan feel, exciting nightlife and a wide variety of cultural sights and events bound to please all.

Early Aberdeen consisted of two settlements: one in what is today known as Old Aberdeen, and another on St Katherine’s Hill near the harbour. Modern Aberdeen began to take shape in the late 18th century on St Katherine’s Hill in a development that featured some spectacular engineering projects. Engineering is still a theme in today’s Aberdeen, following the discovery of oil in the North Sea in 1969, which has earned Aberdeen its modern nicknames, the “Oil Capital of Europe” or the “Houston of the North.” The oil has been highly significant for the development of this thriving city, as it has boosted the local economy, resulting in low unemployment rates and a reputation for being one of the most desirable places in Britain to live and work.

Do & See

Visitors to Aberdeen love to wander through the streets admiring the unique granite edifices and taking in the historical sights like King's College, St. Machar's Cathedral, Marischal College and the Kirk of St. Nicholas Uniting. But there is also plenty in the way of attractions, museums, parks and gardens, and of course, there are numerous fairy tale castles and historic distilleries within easy reach of the city which should not be missed.

Dining

Given its location by the sea, Aberdeen truly is a dream destination for travellers with a culinary interest and a taste for seafood, with fresh fish, crab and lobster in abundance. However, being a multi-cultural city, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes, with offers ranging from traditional Scottish dishes to Italian, French, Greek, Turkish and Chinese, as well as some highly praised Hungarian restaurants.

Cafes

Aberdeen may be better known for its pubs than its cafes, but the city is host to a wide range of quaint and often unique tea and coffee houses. From beach-front locations to charming courtyards, you can find everything from chocolate coffee houses to special vegan bakeries and bookstore cafes, all perfect places to take a break from sightseeing.