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This Underrated Scottish City Delivers Acclaimed Festivals and Year-Round Excitement
From its rich maritime heritage to standout culinary and cultural highlights, former local Rory Buccheri explains why Aberdeen is a delightful destination to explore. Thursday 29 January 2026 06:00 GMT.
Aberdonians delight visitors with thrilling events throughout both winter and summer seasons, ensuring there is always something to enjoy.
Winter Wonders: Light and Literature in Aberdeen
Imagine six-foot tall glowing tentacles winding through Aberdeen's Broad Street, enveloping the famous Robert the Bruce monument. Their vibrant limbs illuminate the dark, onyx sky above Marischal Square. This is February in North East Scotland, often described as dreich, but transformed by Spectra, Scotland's Festival of Light. These installations serve as a beacon on chilly winter nights before darkness returns, inviting you to coorie down with a good book.
When it comes to reading, Aberdeen's Granite Noir festival takes centre stage, focusing on tales of gruesome murders and unsolved disappearances set against the city's stark backdrop. This literary crime festival has become a staple in the Scottish calendar, celebrating its 10th anniversary from 17-22 February this year.
Often overlooked, Aberdeen is typically used as a brief stopover for travellers on the scenic North Coast 500 road trip or visiting Dunnottar Castle. However, those who linger discover priceless rewards. With miles of beautiful beach, maritime celebrations, summer Highland Games, and internationally-acclaimed festivals like Spectra and Granite Noir, Aberdeen provides year-round thrills.
Exploring Culture and Heritage at Your Leisure
A city with a strong seafaring heritage and industrial past, Aberdeen blends maritime charm with urban delights. Stroll through the former fishing village of Fittie, at the southern end of the beach, to see granite huts adorned with quirky features such as fishing nets, gull sculptures, sea-glass stars, and other trinkets.
Adjacent to Fittie is The Silver Darling, a favourite restaurant serving fresh seafood from a glass-walled tower. From here, you might spot dolphins, with locals recommending the best viewing times between 11am and 2pm.
Delve into the city's past at the Maritime Museum, where a majestic glass front in a ship-shaped room offers stunning harbour views. Aberdeen's connection with the North Sea remains strong today, boosted by a resurgence in cruise tourism post-pandemic and the successful Tall Ships Races in summer 2025, which attracted nearly half a million visitors.
During five years living in Aberdeen, the Maritime Museum and its sister site, Aberdeen Art Gallery, were cherished haunts. The gallery boasts one of Scotland's vastest collections and a splendid rooftop for observing the city's granite peaks and towers.
Despite its windy reputation, Aberdonians appreciate a good rooftop. Enjoy a play at His Majesty's Theatre and treat yourself to a pie with a view from the covered roof terrace, a venue for many Granite Noir events. Notable authors like Denise Mina, Ian Rankin, Stuart MacBride, and Val McDermid have previously featured at the festival.
"Winter is a great time to explore Aberdeen's contradictions," says Ben Torrie, director of programming and creative projects at Aberdeen Performing Arts. "Back to back, you have a festival of light and a festival of darkness, if you think about Granite Noir's subject matter."
These contradictions reflect the city's social fabric, historically enriched by North Sea oil extraction and now rebranding as a renewable energy capital. To counter winter blues, indulge in delectable wines and an award-winning tasting menu at Moonfish Cafe, nestled in an alley off the city centre with views of St Nicholas' Gothic spires. Expect scallops, venison, and cocktails celebrating local ingredients.
Embracing Community and Culinary Excellence
To warm up against the icy breeze, nothing beats a hot, carb-filled meal. From The Chester Hotel, a short walk leads to The Bread Guy, an award-winning bakery and social enterprise providing inclusive opportunities by supporting adults with learning disabilities through training and employment. Enjoy a lunch of soup, a delicious sourdough sandwich, and a hot drink for under a tenner.
The Bread Guy exemplifies Aberdeen's community projects, including the recent dolphin sanctuary Greyhope Bay. After lunch, spend an afternoon walking through the University of Aberdeen's breathtaking campus, home to 15th-century King's College. A visit to St Machar Bar, a hidden gem off the cobbled high street, offers a cosy pub experience with a vintage mirror wall and a well-stocked whisky bar.
Aberdeen takes pride in its foodie character, evident in local culinary ventures. At the City of Aberdeen Distillery, located in granite vaults once used by fishermen, enjoy sampling and make-your-own-gin tours from £35. The owners are generous with secrets and best tipples, making it a bargain experience.
For a comprehensive taste of Aberdeen, pick up a free trail map or join a walking tour led by locals. While the Doric dialect vocabulary might not last a lifetime, it helps navigate sites like the former university campus in Marischal College, the rainbow-clad Shiprow, and numerous murals cementing Aberdeen's reputation as Scotland's street art capital.
End your day by a cosy fire with a hearty meal at Café Bohème, a beloved French bistro just a five-minute walk from the train station. Before departing, visit Bandit Bakery for world-class vegan cinnamon buns, then enjoy the breathtaking coastal route by train south, already planning your return.
Practical Information for Your Visit
LNER operates daily direct rail services from London to Aberdeen, with one-way fares starting at £58 and a journey time of around seven hours. For accommodation, The Chester Hotel offers a taste of the fancy, residential West End, with doubles from £117. Rory's trip was supported by Visit Scotland.
