Aberdeen City Centre

Aberdeen’s city centre is packed with things to see and do. With a mix of modern shopping centres, streets lined with independent stores and a busy restaurant and bar scene, it is a great place to spend a day out.

*Union Square Shopping Centre in Aberdeen photo © Copyright Colin Smith and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence*

Shop ‘til you drop

Union Square, conveniently located a less than 10-minute walk from the NorthLink Ferries terminal, offers everything you need in one place. There are plenty shops to visit here, including well-known brands such as Apple, Zara, Jo Malone, Next, The White Company and JD Sports.

In addition to being a fantastic place to shop, Union Square also has a lot of cafes and restaurants as well as a 10-screen Cineworld cinema. For onward travel connections, the bus and train station can also be accessed through Union Square.

*The Trinity Centre on Union Street in Aberdeen photo © Copyright Colin Smith and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence*

There are two more shopping centres within a 10 minute walk of Union Square; The Trinity Centre and the Bon Accord Centre. Both offer high-street favourites such as Primark, New Look and Waterstones as well as some fantastic independent retailers where you can find handcrafted gifts and unique finds.

We also recommend heading along to Aberdeen’s West End, home to some of the city’s best and independent retailers. For womenswear, check out Bellino, Sirene and Tiger Lily Boutique (which has been named Scotland’s best fashion boutique two years in a row!). For menswear, have a look in Pure Man, Signature Menswear and Cruise where you’ll find top designer brands.

*Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen photo © Copyright VisitScotland / Kenny Lam*

Take a break in Union Terrace Gardens

Located enroute between The Trinity Centre and the Bon Accord Centre, Union Terrace Gardens is the perfect place to rest your legs after all your shopping. Recently refurbished in a £28.3 million project, the gardens have been transformed into a welcoming space for both locals and visitors to enjoy.

There is plenty of seating throughout the park to sit back and unwind, as well as featuring a café and a wine bar, providing the perfect excuse to stop for a coffee, light bite or even a glass of wine.

*Vue Cinema on Shiprow photo © Copyright Bill Harrison and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence*

Fun and Entertainment

Aberdeen’s city centre offers plenty of fun and entertainment for all ages, whether you are visiting for a day or staying a little longer.

Catch the latest blockbuster or a family favourite film at Vue Cinema on Shiprow, conveniently located just off Union Street. For something more interactive, Lane 7 – also on Shiprow – brings bowling, arcade games and pool tables altogether in a stylish setting perfect for nights out with friends.

If you are up for a challenge, head to the Breakout Games on Palmerston Road just a short walk from Union Square. There are five immersive escape rooms here where you put your teamwork and puzzle-solving skills to the test!