Area Guide

Thanks to its famous sparkling granite buildings, the Aberdeen skyline is certainly one of the most recognisable in Scotland. Combining history and heritage with a great range of shops, award-winning cuisine and a vibrant nightlife, Aberdeen is cosmopolitan, lively and well worth discovering for yourself.

Surrounding the city is the kind of scenery Aberdeenshire’s renowned for; rugged coastlines, tranquil lochs, inspiring glens and the unique mountain landscape of the Cairngorms National Park.

Aberdeenshire’s home to a string of trails which will help you explore the districts rich diversity and really make the most of your visit. Choose from the Castle Trail, Coastal Trail,  and the Victorian Heritage Trail. Pick the one which appeals to you most and grab your camera, or why ‘mix and match’ from all four.

If you love to escape from it all and wander through picturesque villages and historic towns, then Aberdeenshire is the place for you. Even back in the buzzing city, you’re never far from a quick escape to Mother Nature. With a wealth of history and culture on it's doorstep, Aberdeen has long been a magnet to visitors due to the stunning scenery of Britain’s largest National Park and vast choice of culture and action-packed activities on offer.

Find out why the wild valley of Royal Deeside has been a favourite holiday destination of the Royals for over 150 years, or discover for yourself what secrets are waiting for you in Banchory, or the many other towns and villages throughout the Shire. 

Spend your Perfect Day in Aberdeen City and Shire. For inspiration download one of our regional Perfect Day itineraries:

A Perfect Day in the CITY (pdf)- Explore Aberdeen's galleries, shops and restaurants

A Perfect Day by the SEA (pdf) - Spend your Perfect Day on the Aberdeenshire coast