Discover the "Granite City" of Scotland: Aberdeen

Aberdeen offers a joyful mix of sightseeing and exploration. It is easily navigated by foot. The main attractions are adjacent to each other as well. You can take your time enjoying a relaxing stroll while window-shopping or stopping for a delicious cup of coffee and a traditional Scottish shortbread cookie.

The city center is home to such amazing museums as Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Provost Skene's House, which are all free to visit. The museums are very kid-friendly with lots of hands-on activities.

A pleasant 35-minute walk will take you to the world-famous King's College, famous for its architectural appeal and academic excellence. Take a self-guided tour around the campus and see the Cromwell Tower, Kings College Chapel with its ornate crown and Elphinstone’s Monument.

Visiting Aberdeen's scenic neighborhoods, including areas with historic sites, riverfront suburbs and quaint gardens is a must. I particularly enjoyed exploring the area of Footdee. It is a historic 19th-century fishing community near the beach with colorful cottages close to each other and charming gardens abundant with flowers. You might see friendly residents sipping coffee on their porches or having a neighborly chat while grilling a fish.

After walking around the Footdee, head to the sandy Aberdeen beach with an enclosed walkway bordering it. There you will find food vendors and mobile wood-fired saunas for those brave enough to swim in the cold North Sea. The golden beach is a fantastic place for sunbathing, kite-flying, surfing or simply socializing. Make sure you visit Little Molly's Cheesecake vendor, who offers the best hand-crafted cheesecake shots I have ever tasted. The owner was extremely friendly and offered us a blanket so we could stay warm while savoring the mouth-watering dessert on the windy promenade. This place is also great for dolphin spotting.

While in Aberdeen, I strongly recommend checking out the oldest standing bridge in Scotland - Brig O' Balgownie, built in the 13th century. It is located in the north of the city, just beyond Seaton Park, a wonderful place to enjoy lush flower beds, expansive open spaces and the picturesque River Don.

One of my favorite things to do when traveling is explore the less touristy side streets. The weaving, windy streets of Old Aberdeen have seen their fair share of politics, education and culture throughout the ages. There are incredible imposing buildings, lots of student haunts, budget eateries and artisan coffee shops. I encourage getting off the beaten path and seeing how and where the locals spend their days.

Day trips

Aberdeen is near Dunnottar Castle — a fortress that holds many rich secrets of Scotland's colorful past. Sitting atop a 160-foot rock and surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, the evocative cliff-top ruins will take your breath away. It's only 30 min by public bus from Aberdeen. To get to the fortress, you will have to climb the stairs down and back up again, but the beautiful scenery around you makes it worthwhile. For a fun fact, portions of the 1990 film Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson and Glenn Close, were shot there.

Aberdeen's food scene is known for its fresh seafood, local produce and historic pubs. I found it interesting that a lot of eateries are located inside old churches that have been transformed into restaurants and bars. I recommend the following places to eat & drink:

Breakfast

Corner Tree Cafe: No full breakfast here. But they offer pancake stacks, French toast, warm croissants with roasted pepper and mozzarella, scrambled eggs on a toasted bagel or toast with smoked salmon, cherry tomatoes and bacon.

Beach Tree Cafe: This family-owned place is located on the Beach Promenade and is one of the most popular restaurants to visit along the Aberdeen beachfront. They are known for their cooked breakfasts, although they also serve warm and toasted croissants and bagels, and pancakes.

Lunch

Shipyard Streetfood at Shiprow Village: Highly recommended. Anything from loaded fries to tacos, haggis (a savory Scottish pudding), burgers and desserts.

Books and Beans: A local book store/breakfast and lunch place. They offer everything from pancakes to porridge as well as a comprehensive all-day menu of toasted paninis, sandwiches and salads. The upstairs cafe seating areas are jam-packed with thousands of new and secondhand books. Also a great place to have a cup of coffee or tea.

Lunch/dinner

Molly's Bistro: Also located at Shiprow Village, in the heart of the merchant quarter. A favorite with both locals and visitors. The menu at Molly’s Bistro showcases the very best ingredients with a passion for promoting local food and drink. The menu celebrates the amazing seafood found off the shores of the North Sea. Try their fish and chips, beef and ale stew, beer-battered haddock and more.

Rustico: Head to this family-run restaurant for classic Southern Italian cuisine in a rough-walled space hung with pictures. Very hospitable staff and delicious food. Reservations are recommended. Located in the center of Aberdeen, on a quaint side street.

Bars and pubs

SOUL Bar: Award-winning SOUL Bar is set in the heart of the city, in an old transformed church.

Wild Boar: It is a classy and popular bar in a lively area of Aberdeen. Popular for its stunning arched ceiling and welcoming environment. Has a cozy downstairs area with soft couches and dim lighting. Kid-friendly.

Desserts

Crepes N'Kones: The right place to head for a scrumptious dessert. It is home to an endless variety of crepes and waffles served with ice cream, whipped cream, fruit and other toppings.

Dought & Co: Every doughnut lover should check out this cozy, mouthwatering doughnut shop. Their doughnuts are handmade and the selection of flavors is limitless. Pair it with a cup of coffee, find a quiet seat in the back and start your journey...