This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Aberdeen.
Aberdeen, Scotland, is located in the central east corner of Scotland and is the third-biggest city of the state after Edinburgh and Glasgow. The city has been most important as a stronghold of the oil industry, thanks to the oil found in the North Sea in the past decades and is a place that has a rather industrial look to it with its massive harbour and grey granite streets that might be less appealing to visitors.
However, in case you do decide to include Aberdeen in your trip itinerary, there are a few things to keep you entertained during your stay here. One of these would be a visit to the King's College, with a special attention to its chapel. It is a truly remarkable piece of architecture and if you are lucky, you can even witness a wedding of some alumni here.
If you have the time, you might want to have a stroll along the Aberdeen Beach, which is a remarkably long promenade along the sea, with some adjoining beach fish-and-chips shops and a few entertainment facilities, like an adventure ride park or bumper cars arena.
If the weather is not great, which will often be the case in this side of the country, you might have to look for some indoor programmes. The Gordon Highlanders Museum and Aberdeen Art Gallery are both nice options for a few hours, and the Toolbooth Museum, a small collection of historical artifacts from the city, will help you get an insight into what life was like here centuries ago, and best of all, it's free!
However, the highlight of the area you will find outside of Aberdeen. If you are driving up from the south, make sure to leave a few hours aside to visit Dunnotar Castle. The ruins, located outside of the city of Stonehaven, are standing against some dramatic scenery, at the spot where the rocky cliffs of the land meet the raging waters. To make the experience even more unique, normally, you find a Scottish bagpiper playing some traditional tunes on the small hill at the entrance of the castle. It's an experience not to be missed! As Aberdeen is not your typical holiday destination, it is not surprising that the options for hostels in Aberdeen, Scotland, are limited in the entire city. However, the good news is that you can almost take it for granted that you will find a place there even if you book really last minute!
Written by local enthusiast for Aberdeen hostels
JudyM