City Guide: Aberdeen

Published on Friday 29 February 2008 13:28

The Granite City is a lot less foreboding than its name suggests, with a wealth of green spaces and nightlife

FAMOUS

for its offshore industry, beautiful beaches and granite buildings, Aberdeen has much more to offer visitors. Full of history and home to two universities, it is crammed with stunning architecture and acres of beautiful parks and gardens. Being the third largest city in Scotland, it has a thriving entertainment sector, with more than its fair share of nightlife and leisure facilities.

BEFORE YOU GO

Bone up on the Granite City's footballing legends, from Denis Law to Alex Ferguson and Alex McLeish. Or dig out your warmest wetsuit for some of the best surfing in Scotland, at nearby Balmedie Bay. And practise your Doric by dipping into the novels of local man Lewis Grassic Gibbon.

WHEN TO GO

Like any city, Aberdeen is a year-round destination, and there is a wide range of terrific events, so log on to the tourism website www.agtb.org for information on the likes of the Triptych music festival, the Word writers' festival, taking place in May, and the Aberdeen International Youth Festival in July and August.

At Hogmanay, the city attracts a host of well-known musicians for its spectacular street party.

PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES

By car, the A90 northbound takes around an hour-and-a-half from central Fife. Dyce airport is also located just outside the city, with bus and taxi services to the centre, and trains to the city are numerous, reasonably priced and regular. If booked in advance, a National Express ticket can be as cheap as 8 single from Edinburgh (www. nationalexpresseastcoast.com).

GETTING AROUND

One of the great things about Aberdeen is its size. A compact city centre means most shops and facilities are either on, or within a short walk of, Union Street. However, should the need arise, taxis are cheap and plentiful and the bus service is excellent throughout the city. A day ticket allowing access to all the FirstGroup buses can be purchased from as little as 2.70.

TOURIST TRAIL

No visit to the city would be complete without a walk round Old Aberdeen, with its well-preserved medieval cobbled streets and ancient buildings, including King's College, at the centre of Aberdeen University. And nearby, Marischal College claims to be the second largest granite building in the world, after the Escorial palace in Madrid. Or take a stroll around the old fishing cottages at Footdee or 'Fittie'.

Aberdeen has won several awards for its green spaces in the Britain In Bloom competitions – the Union Terrace gardens, in particular, just off Union Street, are beautiful at the height of summer. Offshore investment has been crucial to the development of Aberdeen and the Maritime Museum provides an interesting and in-depth look at this.

GO NATIVE

Head to one of the many cafs on Union Street for a traditional north-east breakfast of a buttery (a flat, savoury roll) and a cup of tea followed by a walk along the beach esplanade to catch some refreshing North Sea air. Alternatively, if the timing's right, why not catch an Aberdeen FC home game? When the lights go down, head to the locals' favourite, The Stage Door restaurant on North Silver Street, for some excellent, locally sourced food.

WHAT TO BUY

There is the usual mix of high-street shops along Union Street and distributed among the four shopping centres (all easily accessible from Union Street). For a more unique retail experience, Belmont Street and The Green, both just off Union Street, have some more interesting options.

NIGHTLIFE

Aberdeen has a very lively nightlife catering to most tastes. For cocktails and class, Paramount or Tonik are conveniently placed right next to each other on Bon Accord Street. If you fancy a bit more culture, catch a show at the Music Hall on Union Street or His Majesty's Theatre at Rosemount Viaduct. Belmont Street has numerous pubs, including Ma Cameron's, Siberia and Revolution, all serving a pretty decent pint.

For kids, Beach Boulevard provides bowling, fun rides, crazy golf, ice skating and swimming along a 200-yard stretch, with a good range of restaurants and a cinema.

WHERE TO STAY

After a day out and about, put your feet up at Skene House at Holburn, just off Union Street (www.skene-house.co.uk). Combining a central location with comfort, this four-star VisitScotland hotel will provide peace and quiet aplenty. For those on a budget, the Travelodge has rooms from as little as 29 per person, when booked in advance – an exceptional deal for a city-centre location (www.travelodge.co.uk).

WHERE TO EAT

After experiencing the revitalising North Sea air, head down Union Street to The Square. Serving tasteful Scottish cuisine in refined surroundings with His Majesty's Theatre and the Music Hall just around the corner, this restaurant not only serves great food but allows easy access to all the other elements in the city centre.

For a more informal north-east dinner, the Ashvale restaurant on the Great Western Road, an Aberdeen institution, serves up prize-winning fish and chips, having previously been named UK Chip Shop of the Year.

If you're feeling particularly adventurous or are just incredibly hungry, try 'The Whale' – a 1lb piece of cod. It's a true monster of a dish, and if you manage to finish it you get your next pound of fish for free.