The Ultimate Aberdeen Bucket List
Aberdeen is a city one can easily fall in love with. Each nook and cranny has a soul and takes us back in time. It makes us feel like the story from ‘The Outlander’ is true and in Scotland you really can travel through the centuries.
As a second-year student, I can definitely say I got to know the city pretty well and it has become my second home now. That’s why I created this bucket list, so when you find yourself in Aberdeen you know where to start your journey.
1. Slains Castle
Located on Belmont Street, just a few minutes away from the Union Street, from the outside doesn’t look like your typical pub. With the intriguing name and the building of a church, it appears a little eery and intimidating, but believe me – it’s worth going in. The whole pub is inspired by Bram Stocker’s Dracula, it’s dark, gothic and mysterious. Makes you feel like you’re inside a horror story, but one with good drinks and budget-friendly meals.
2. Soul Bar
If you ever go to the Union Street (and believe me, you will cause this is basically where everything is) you should for sure step into Soul Bar, especially if you’ve liked what you have seen in Slains Castle. Just like the previous location, the building before being a bar served as a church. The inside is less scary, but it doesn’t make it worse in the slightest.
3. Bridge of Don
It may not sound special, but you’ll know it is when you come here, especially on a sunny day. If you look over on one of the sides you’ll see the river Don meeting the North Sea, some cliffs and beaches Over on the other side the view is equally as beautiful – nature at its finest. But my favourite thing of all is whenever I was standing on that bridge I always got the chance to see some seals lying in the sun or swimming in the river. Breathtaking.
4. Seaton Park
Every student at the University of Aberdeen has been there at least once, but since it’s the shortest route from Hillhead to campus most of us have been visitors there on a daily basis. However, since it is a little bit on the north and around half an hour from the city centre, I figure not many tourists found their way there. I think it’s one of the prettiest places and it’s worth walking around to run away from our busy lives.
5. Codona’s Amusement Park
In Aberdeen, we have our own amusement park and it definitely should be on your bucket list when you come here. It’s perfect to spend a chill day with friends and family – take a ride on rollercoasters, play golf and bowling. When you get hungry you can either go into one of the restaurants there or have a picnic. The recipe for a perfect day!
6. King’s College
The University of Aberdeen has a beautiful campus located in the heart of Old Aberdeen. If you’re not a student there, you should pay a visit and believe me when I say, you’ll be left mesmerised. Sometimes if you’re lucky you will hear some bagpipes being played live, but even without it, both during the day and the night you’ll be left speechless.
7. Maritime Museum
The last but certainly not least on my list of places you need to see in Aberdeen is the Maritime Museum, where you can learn all about the history of the city as well as the importance of the North Sea in it. Not only are the exhititions fascinating, they are also beautfully presented. A must-see!
