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The third-largest city in Scotland, Aberdeen is a gorgeous seaport city filled with beautiful granite buildings. Home to the University of Aberdeen and King’s College, Aberdeen is a university town and is bustling with students and great nightlife. Some of the attractions that draw in crowds include the ancient castles and Scottish cathedrals. Whisky distilleries are also a popular place to visit in Aberdeen, so be sure to check one of these out. Aberdeen, or the “Silver City” is like nothing you have ever seen and will amaze you with its streets of granite and beautiful ancient architecture, so book your discounted student flight today!

Aberdeen Pictures

Things to do in Aberdeen

Also known as the “Flower of Scotland”, Aberdeen is acknowledged for its beautiful parks, gardens, and floral displays. The Winter Garden in Aberdeen is Europe’s largest indoor garden- something that’s worth a trip. To truly take in the history of the city, be sure to visit some of the 14th and 15th century structures: St. Machar’s Cathedral, Mercat Cross of 1686, and the Brig o’ Balgownie. Also, surrounding castles such as the Dunnotar or Slains are amazing to see. Head down to Old Aberdeen, where you can find tons of students and the ancient University of Aberdeen, dating back to 1500. Located on the ocean, Aberdeen has many long and pleasant beaches which are wonderful for watersports in the warm seasons.

Nightlife in Aberdeen

Because Aberdeen has such a large student population, the nightlife is truly amazing and affordable, with many bars and clubs offering student discounts and low prices. Belmont Street is a great place to start your night out at the various bars and three nightclubs: the Priory, Exodus, and Revolutions. Slains Castle is also a popular place at night, featuring a wide range of delicious cocktails. If you are looking for an exciting dance party, check out Moshulu, an underground club, or Liquid, a great place to show off your moves. The Prince of Wales, or the “PoW” in St. Nicholas Square has one of the longest bars in Aberdeen, with eight real ale pumps- filled with locals and students daily.

Dining in Aberdeen

Everything you could ever desire to dine on can be found in Aberdeen, from many well-known and prominent restaurants to smaller, more hole-in-the-wall places. Many of these restaurants are located in the somewhat Bohemian Quarter of the city around Belmont Street, with a variety of places to go. If you would like a delicious lunch and great atmosphere, try out Beautiful Mountain- with great soup and sandwiches. La Lombarda on King Street has wonderful Italian food, while KURY has great Indian cuisine, and The Royal Thai is the oldest Thai restaurant in the city.

Shopping in Aberdeen

Main Street in Aberdeen and Union Street are where you can find many places to explore and shops to browse in. Although there are a number of malls and chains, be sure to venture out and look for some of the smaller, less known boutiques, because you can find anything from Bohemian dresswear to Indian furniture. The four main shopping areas are the Bon-Accord Centre, St. Nicholas Centre, The Academy, and Trinity Centre. Some of the main department stores where you can find just about anything include John Lewis, Debenhams, and Marks and Spencer. Shop your heart out!

Aberdeen travel tips

• Even though English is the predominant language, Doric is the local dialect, which is even different from other parts of Scotland, so read up a bit on this.
• The second meal of the day is known as dinner or “daenner”, while the third meal of the day is recognized as supper.
• When in Aberdeen, go and watch a football (soccer) game with the Aberdeen Football Club or “The Dons.”