Location: Aberdeen
Top Things to do in Aberdeen
What to do and see in Aberdeen, Scotland: The Best Museums
Experience the richness of Aberdeen’s proud history and culture — from the sound of residents’ traditional Doric accent to the sights of glittering granite buildings lining the city’s streets. Explore the cobbled roads and historic university buildings of Old Aberdeen, then take a stroll along the nearby sandy beach and watch for dolphins in the busy harbour. Afterward, find your way to the quaint fishing quarter of Footdee, and lose yourself among its tiny cottages and colourful gardens.
Restaurants in Aberdeen
1. Blairs Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
Please visit our website for updated visitor information. Located only 4 miles from Aberdeen, off the South Deeside Rd, Blairs Museum gives a unique insight into Scotland's Catholic history and heritage with spectacular collections spanning more than 500 years. The collection includes paintings (including the memorial portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots), church textiles from the 1400s, sacred silver, and Jacobite memorabilia (including the pocket watch of Bonnie Prince Charlie). New for 2021 – ‘Capparoni and the Papal Court’, an exhibition of hand-coloured nineteenth century engravings by Giuseppe Capparoni depicting the religious orders of Rome between 1823 and 1846.
2. Aberdeen Science Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 27 reviews
Discover a world of exploration, excitement and wonder at Aberdeen Science Centre. Reopened after a remarkable £6million transformation, enjoy more than 60 amazing interactive exhibits, set across six innovative and awe-inspiring zones. Meet ‘RoboThespian’, our friendly and knowledgeable robot, immerse yourself in The OPITO Theatre of Energy and play your part in our sensational live experiments and demonstrations. Unleash the Power of Curiosity with a visit to Aberdeen Science Centre.
Reviewed By carolinelaurenson
We have been excitedly awaiting the opening of the newly refurbished Science Centre and finally got to go at the weekend. It is amazing to see the space, it is huge inside now and really well laid out with lots of new interactive activities and displays (plenty of social distancing space and regular cleaning). We will definitely need to go back for another visit as we didn't even see half of what was there. Gave me some really nice ideas of things to do at home as well with the kids. We also went to the café for lunch. The food was great and service very efficient and friendly. It's great to see Aberdeen have such a high quality attraction and resources to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
3. Aberdeen Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 424 reviews
Temporary Closed
Reviewed By WanderingNomad999 - Brisbane, Australia
We went to the gallery on a rainy day at the end of October. We should have booked a 2hr time slot online in advance but fortunately we were able to sign up with our details (for track and trace) on the door as it wasn’t too busy. We enjoyed the exhibits and especially the BP portrait tour on the top level. Scones with cream and jam and tea in the cafe went down a treat too.
4. Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,824 reviews
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.
Reviewed By Lummox60N - Lerwick, United Kingdom
This museum is, perhaps, an undersold heritage gem. It covers every aspect of Aberdeen's maritime heritage, exploring the city's history and development both as a city and harbour, and offers a deeper insight into the oil industry modern Aberdeen is so dependent on. Well worth a visit, and there's a cafe in there too.
5. The Gordon Highlanders Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 708 reviews
UPDATE 18.03.2020 Coronavirus (Covid-19) In light of the ever-evolving Covid-19 situation, it is with a heavy heart that we have decided to close The Gordon Highlanders Museum and Duchess Jean Tea Room to the public from 4.30 today until further notice. We will review this decision on a weekly basis and post any updates on this page and to our social media channels. Thank you for your understanding in this confusing and uncertain time; we hope to welcome visitors back to the Museum soon. The Finest Regiment in the World" was how Sir Winston Churchill described The Gordon Highlanders in 1900. So why not come and see why? A wonderful day out and a fantastic welcome await you at The Gordon Highlanders Museum where we are committed to preserving and sharing the legacy of this world-famous Regiment.
Reviewed By 561ruthd - Doha, Qatar
We went on a school trip to the museum. One of the really interesting things we saw was the Silver Room and our guide told us lots of interesting information. One of our favourite bits was the Armoury; we really enjoyed seeing the guns and swords because normally we only see them in video games, not real life. The activities about WW1 were really cool - in the trench we got to spot enemy soldiers with a periscope. We learnt a lot about what life for soldiers was like in WW1 and we're not sure if we'd have managed to do it! Our guides Jim and Lewis were really helpful and very informative, they answered all our questions. Definitely a trip we'd recommend (but not for very young children, it might be a bit boring) and we'd love to go back.
6. Pitmedden Garden & Museum of Farming Life
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 228 reviews
Brilliant design and meticulous maintenance give Pitmedden Garden its unique charm. With almost 6 miles of clipped box hedging, the parterres at the heart of the garden are a masterpiece of intricate patterns and sparkling colours. The Great Garden dates back to 1675 when it was originally laid out by Sir Alexander Seton. In the 1950s the Trust re-created the garden based on 17th-century plans of the gardens at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. An orchard planted in 2014 is packed with more than 200 fruit trees. With honeysuckle and jasmine also casting their scent in the garden, Pitmedden really is a delight for the senses. Last Admission at 4pm.
Reviewed By BrianP514 - Cupar, United Kingdom
We were delighted that the gardens had reopened. While the pattered had not been planted with annuals this year, the herbaceous borders were still looking excellent and the fruit trees on the walls, outstanding. The staff were especially welcoming and friendly. Thanks National Trust for Scotland.
7. The Tolbooth Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 344 reviews
Reviewed By countrygal301 - Ottawa, Canada
A fun and informative museum. Lots of interesting information in a free venue. A word lots of climbing up and down cramped staircases.
8. University of Aberdeen Zoology Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
The University of Aberdeen has the only large, international collection of zoological specimens in the north of Scotland. The Zoology Museum's displays have just been renovated and include a new exhibit about evolution, as well as a stuffed Bengal tiger, most species of Scottish birds, skeletons of great apes and whales, and a wide variety of other curious creatures.
Reviewed By eleanores2013 - Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Spent an enjoyable few hours here on a rainy afternoon. Children were fascinated by the exhibits- skeletons of all sorts, stuffed birds and animals- the best of which is the gorgeous tiger!! As it was raining we didn’t visit the outside gardens.
9. NEWAVE GALLERY
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
10. Lewis Grassic Gibbon Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 33 reviews
A memorial to a world-reknowned author and the region's greatest writer.
Reviewed By Irmemac01
Warmly welcomed to this lovely little centre. Very interesting museum, and the friendly curator had lots of interesting information and anecdotes, as well as helpful suggestions of other things to do and see in the local area. The cafe was great, and the home baking was wonderful. Looking forward to visiting again when we are in the area.
