10 hidden gems to discover in Aberdeen this summer

North of Cruden Bay, around 40 minutes from Aberdeen city centre, you’ll find the breathtaking Bullers of Buchan. This collapsed sea cave on the coastline is home to seabirds of varying species including puffins and kittiwakes, with wildflowers painting the clifftop with colour. It’s a really lovely place for a wander, and if you continue along the coast, you’ll get to the Longhaven Wildlife Reserve, where you might be able to spot dolphins and seals.

Head an hour west of Aberdeen and you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a fairytale. The bright pink Craigievar Castle, which is said to be the inspiration for Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle, is well worth exploring, and not just for its epic architecture. Inside, you’ll find a collection of artefacts and art, including Raeburns, armour and weapons and the surrounding woodlands also have stunning trails which are great for seeing red squirrels and pine martens.

As one of the oldest operating distilleries in Scotland, Glen Garioch is a terrific place to visit if you’re wanting to get an introduction to whisky or even if you’re looking to expand your palette. Located in the historic old town of Oldmeldrum, the distillery is popular for its range of single malt scotch whiskies, which have been made on the site for over 200 years. Pop in for a tour and tasting and see first-hand how their award-winning recipes are skillfully crafted.

In Arbroath, just over an hour’s drive from Aberdeen, is historic house and arts centre Hospitalfield, which has a fascinating story and a special connection to Scottish contemporary art. It was built as a hospital in 1260 by the Tironensian Benedictine order of monks, becoming an art school by 1902 and a postgraduate residential college in the 1920s. Artists like Joan Eardley, Alasdair Gray and Robert MacBryde are known to have worked there and the venue continues to host exhibitions and residencies. Visit Hospitalfield for the art, but also take part in workshops and events, or go for a walk around the recently redesigned double Walled Garden and the only surviving Fernery on the east coast of Scotland.

Krakatoa is a unique grassroots venue that specialises in rock and is described as Aberdeen’s only authentic tiki dive bar. It’s small with lots of neon and plenty of character, and thanks to the venue’s emphasis on letting your hair down without judgement, you’re bound to have a good time whether you’re in for a gig or a quick drink, alone or with a group. Be sure to explore their extensive cocktail menu, which has all kinds of tiki-themed delights like the Totem of Doom or Hulacolada.

If you’re after a fun family day out where the little ones can run wild whatever the weather, Wynford Farm Park is the place to go. The outdoor Farm Park has pigs, goats, alpacas, meerkats and much more, while the Adventure Playground lets kids play on tractors, combine harvesters and diggers, as well as go-karts and a zip-line. There’s an indoor Animal Barn where you can help feed the animals, an Enchanted Forest with magical creatures and an indoor PlayBarn with a giant soft play area that adults can get involved in too.

Looking for a bit of peace and quiet in warm weather and sunshine? Just five miles from Aberdeen and part of Balmedie Country Park, Balmedie Beach is an excellent shout. The beach is known for its natural sand dune system that stretches to Ythan Estuary, supporting a range of plants and wildlife along the way. Stroll along miles of glorious sandy beach, go for a gentle paddle in the water or even do some exploring of the remnants of WWII defences that remain in the area.

Aberdeen’s premier independent arts cinema began life as a trades hall in 1896, showing its first film – footage of Queen Victoria at Balmoral – just two years later. Today, you can catch everything from international blockbusters to old world classics at Belmont, as the team handpicks their selection to suit diverse tastes. Buy a ticket to a random screening of a film you’ve never heard of before on any day and you’ll be sure to leave entertained.

Being on the coast and all, you’d expect Aberdeen to have a number of high-quality seafood institutions. And Moonfish Cafe, in Aberdeen’s merchant quarter, is perhaps one of the best examples. This cosy and quirky bistro has been serving an ever-changing menu of fresh local and seasonal produce since 2004, with dishes like roasted halibut, hake motoyaki and beef bavette steak just some of the choices on offer. Top tip; visit on a Sunday and choose their two, three or four-course Sunday lunch for an extra treat.

A surprising and small gem in the heart of the West End of Aberdeen, Johnston Gardens is a picturesque landscaped garden filled with streams, ponds, waterfalls and rockeries, as well as a much-photographed bridge. Take your camera along in spring and summer to get snaps of mallards and moorhens on the ponds, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere and burst of colour from plants like rhododendrons and heather.