Step 2 · Choose your base
The beach and esplanade
Two miles of sand within walking distance of the centre — and what a stay near the seafront is like.
Is there really a beach in the city?
Yes — and it is one of Aberdeen's surprises. A broad sandy beach runs for around two miles from Footdee at the harbour mouth north to the estuary of the River Don. Along most of its length a promenade, the esplanade, gives an easy, flat walk with wide views over the North Sea, while wooden groynes divide the sand into bays. Behind the seafront are leisure facilities, a historic ballroom building, and the grassy Broad Hill rising above Pittodrie Stadium.
What to do there
- Walk the esplanade: from Footdee to the Donmouth and back is an easy outing of around two hours.
- Watch for wildlife: seals often haul out on the sandbanks at the Donmouth, a local nature reserve; bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen at the harbour mouth.
- Climb the Broad Hill: a short climb for a view over the beach, the stadium and the city.
- Swim with care: the North Sea is cold all year and currents can be strong. Only swim where it is safe and supervised, and never alone.
Who suits a beach-area stay?
Staying near the seafront suits families, runners and walkers, and anyone who likes to start the day with sea air. It is also convenient for Pittodrie on match days and for Old Aberdeen. The trade-off is distance: Union Street is a twenty- to thirty-minute walk away, so you may find yourself using buses or taxis in the evenings.
Weather on the seafront
The beach is fully exposed to the wind off the sea and is often several degrees cooler than inland areas. In spring and early summer, haar — a cold sea fog — can blanket the beach while the rest of the city is in sunshine. Pack a windproof layer even on bright days, and check the forecast for wind as well as rain.
Linking the beach with the rest of the city
The beach links naturally with Footdee and the harbour to the south and with Old Aberdeen to the north-west. A pleasant half-day loop runs from the Castlegate to Footdee, north along the esplanade, up the Broad Hill and back into town along King Street. See the Footdee page and the Old Aberdeen page for the neighbouring areas.