Union Street
Union Street is the thriving heart of the city off which are many of Aberdeen's main attractions, including the technically accomplished Union Street Bridge built in the 19th century. The Aberdeen Art Gallery is one of the city's most popular attractions and well worth a few hours' visit to study its fine art collection from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Aberdeen Art Gallery
Schoolhill
Tel: (01224) 523 700.
Website: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk

Marischal College
Literally unmissable is the grandiose Marischal College on Broad Street - the second-largest granite structure in the world. After rain, the sun shimmers off its extravagant neo gothic granite facades creating a mesmerising effect. The Marischal Museum was founded in 1786 and houses a weird and wonderful collection of exhibits from around the world.

Marischal Museum
Broad Street
Tel: (01224) 274 301.
Website: www.abdn.ac.uk/diss/historic/museum

Old Aberdeen
The centrepiece of Old Aberdeen is the King's College (now united with the Marischal College to form the University of Aberdeen) with its imposing buildings that entomb the famous Quadrangle. The college chapel was used for daily worship for over five centuries and houses an impressive collection of 15th-century artefacts. Also in Old Aberdeen is the 15th-century St Machar's Cathedral, which overlooks picturesque Seaton Park and the River Don.

St Machar's Cathedral
The Chanonry
Tel: (01224) 485 988.
Website: www.stmachar.com

The Harbour
No visit to Aberdeen is complete without a visit to the historic harbour area. The excellent Maritime Museum is located on a site with Provost Ross's House, which is reputed to be the oldest building in the city. Multi-media displays tell the interesting history of Aberdeen's intimate connection with the ocean.

Maritime Museum
Shiprow
Tel: (01224) 337 700.
Website: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk

Footdee
Within easy walking distance of the harbour is the old fishing village of Footdee (pronounced 'fittie'). The old 19th-century fishermen's cottages all face inwards in squares with their backs to the ocean to protect themselves from the harsh storms that rage in from the sea.