How to spend: 48 hours in… Aberdeen

Stay

A city that meets the sea, so you can easily combine surfing on a beach (in summer, of course), a serious fix of culture, with art and some great entertainment, and seeing the harbour’s resident dolphins all in one stay.

Aberdeen is famous for its granite buildings which shimmer in the sunlight and the warming tones of Doric, the local dialect.

There’s a great choice of accommodation either in the city or the surrounding region.

From chic hotels to stunning country houses and cosy, rustic country places to rewind.

Eat

Situated in the heart of Aberdeen’s harbour and beach coastline The Silver Darling is the ideal place to sample the catch of the day.

The Fishmarket at Soul, on Union Street, also celebrates Scottish seafood in style.

And the world-famous Aberdeen Angus beef is not to be missed.

Drink

In midst of whisky country, discover some fabulous whisky bars for a warming dram- check out CASC, Illicit Still, The Tippling House or St Machar Bar.

Don’t miss the fantastic Secrets Malts of Aberdeenshire – Ardmore, Fettercairn, GlenDronach, Glen Garioch, Glenglassaugh, Knockdhu and Royal Lochnagar all offer great visitor experiences.

See

A must is the recently re-opened Aberdeen Art Gallery. The historic Grade-A listed buildings have been re-imagined to blend the historic with the contemporary.

It is home to one of the finest collections in the UK, including works by important Scottish artists, designers and makers such as Henry Raeburn, Joan Eardley, Samuel Peploe, Rachel McLean, Bill Gibb and James Cromar Watt, as well as internationally-acclaimed artists including Barbara Hepworth, Francis Bacon, Tracey Emin and Claude Monet.

Look out for what’s on at the Aberdeen Music Hall and the new state-of-the-art P& J Live events complex.

With Aberdeen’s exciting Winter Festival and Hogmanay Celebrations it’s the place to be this festive season.