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Sightseeing Overview
Most visitors come to the city to see Old Aberdeen, which lies 2.4km (1.5 miles) north of the main city center. This pretty old quarter dates back to the 15th century and comes complete with cobbled streets and historic architecture. It is also home to the city's university and its lively student population.

Aberdeen also has a deserved reputation as a floral city, which is in evidence wherever you are in the city, but particularly so at the wonderful Union Terrace Gardens. For a taste of yesteryear head to Footdee (pronounced 'fittie'), a 19th-century fishing village that's situated just south of the city. And when you need to take a break from the sights, head east to the beach that's lined with excellent bars and cafes where you can relax and watch the world go by.

Tourist Information
Aberdeen Tourist Office
23 Union Street
Tel: (01224) 288 828.
Website: www.aberdeen-grampian.com
Situated close to the city center's bus and train stations. The staff are very knowledgeable and can help with planning excursions and booking accommodation. There's also public Internet access as well as a selection of tourist literature and guides (some of it free).

Key Attractions:

Union Street
Union Street is the thriving heart of the city off which are many of Aberdeen's main attractions, including the technically accomplished Union Street Bridge built in the 19th century. The Aberdeen Art Gallery is one of the city's most popular attractions and well worth a few hours' visit to study its fine art collection from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Aberdeen Art Gallery
Schoolhill
Tel: (01224) 523 700.
Website: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk

Marischal College
Literally unmissable is the grandiose Marischal College on Broad Street - the second-largest granite structure in the world. After rain, the sun shimmers off its extravagant neo gothic granite facades creating a mesmerizing effect. The Marischal Museum was founded in 1786 and houses a weird and wonderful collection of exhibits from around the world.

Marischal Museum
Broad Street
Tel: (01224) 274 301.
Website: www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/historic/museum

Old Aberdeen
The centerpiece of Old Aberdeen is the King's College (now united with the Marischal College to form the University of Aberdeen) with its imposing buildings that entomb the famous Quadrangle. The college chapel was used for daily worship for over five centuries and houses an impressive collection of 15th-century artifacts. Also in Old Aberdeen is the 15th-century St Machar's Cathedral, which overlooks picturesque Seaton Park and the River Don.

St Machar's Cathedral
The Chanonry
Tel: (01224) 485 988.
Website: www.stmachar.com

The Harbour
No visit to Aberdeen is complete without a visit to the historic harbor area. The excellent Maritime Museum is located on a site with Provost Ross's House, which is reputed to be the oldest building in the city. Multi-media displays tell the interesting history of Aberdeen's intimate connection with the ocean.

Maritime Museum
Shiprow
Tel: (01224) 337 700.
Website: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk

Footdee
Within easy walking distance of the harbor is the old fishing village of Footdee (pronounced 'fittie'). The old 19th-century fishermen's cottages all face inwards in squares with their backs to the ocean to protect themselves from the harsh storms that rage in from the sea.

Further Distractions:

Satrosphere Science Center
On Constitution Street, close to the Esplanade, is the informative Satrosphere Science Center offering a fun day out for all the family. The hands-on center provides interactive ways for visitors to learn more about science.

179 Constitution Street
Tel: (01224) 640 340.
Website: www.satrosphere.net

Codona's Amusement Park and The Boardwalk
If you're looking for something a little different to keep the kids entertained, head to Codona's Amusement Park on the Beach Boulevard. This seafront complex boasts a live music and entertainment stage, a 3D motion ride theater and an amusement park with roller-coasters, log flume, waltzers and all the other usual gut-churning rides. Also on the Beach Boulevard is The House of Fun, a family entertainment center with a children's foam factory, indoor trampolines, 10-pin bowling alleys, pool halls, bingo competitions, bar, restaurant and gift shop.

Beach Boulevard Cordona's Amusement Park
Tel: (01224) 595 910.
Website: www.codonas.com

The House of Fun
Tel: (01224) 583 388.
Website: www.nobleleisure.com

Peacock Visual Arts
Peacock is North East Scotland's leading contemporary visual arts center and organizes various local and international art exhibitions. A second smaller gallery displays and sells original prints created by local, national and international artists. Many of these are produced at Peacock's in-house printmaking facilities, which are available, for a small charge, to those of at least a basic competency. For those without a clue about printing and etching, or those wishing to further their existing skills, Peacock runs classes.

21 Castle Street
Tel: (01224) 639 539.
Website: www.peacockvisualarts.com

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