Why go

Few cities have a beach like this. Barely a mile from the granite of Union Street, a broad sweep of golden sand runs for around two miles from the harbour wall at Footdee to the mouth of the River Don. A wide esplanade follows almost the whole length, busy with walkers, runners and cyclists, and wooden groynes march down to the water to hold the sand in place. In the 1920s the council set out to turn the seafront into a resort, and the Beach Ballroom is the grandest survivor of that era.

It is not a place for sunbathing most of the year, but it is one of the best walks in the city, and the sea is full of life.

What to see

  • The esplanade walk. From Footdee in the south to the Donmouth Local Nature Reserve in the north is an easy, flat walk. Out and back takes about two hours.
  • The Beach Ballroom. A Category B listed Art Deco building on the seafront. The council says it is home to one of Scotland’s finest dance floors, which floats on steel springs to give dancers extra bounce. It is open on weekdays from 10am to 4pm, with concerts and dances in the evenings.
  • Wildlife. Keep Scotland Beautiful notes that dolphins, seals and occasionally whales can be seen near the beach. Bottlenose dolphins feed at the harbour mouth, and seals rest on the sandbanks at Donmouth.
  • Donmouth. At the northern end the beach becomes wilder, with dunes and the river estuary. The surf here draws surfers and windsurfers.
  • The leisure strip. Behind the central esplanade are cafés, restaurants, Codona’s amusement park, the Beach Leisure Centre with an indoor pool, and the Linx Ice Arena.

Plan your visit

The beach and esplanade are open at all times and free. From the Castlegate, walk east for about 20 minutes along Castle Terrace and down to the seafront, or catch a city bus to the Beach Esplanade. There are car parks along the front.

The southern end, sheltered by the harbour wall, is calmer and links to Footdee. As you head north the beach becomes more exposed. Keep Scotland Beautiful notes that the beach suffers from significant erosion, which is why the groynes are there.

The North Sea is cold all year round and currents can be strong. If you do swim, choose a calm day, never swim alone and keep clear of the groynes and the river mouths. Dog walkers should check local signs for any seasonal restrictions.

Toilets, cafés and food stalls are concentrated in the central stretch near the Beach Ballroom and the amusements. The northern half has few facilities.

In winter

A bright winter morning on the esplanade, with low sun on the sand and the sea steaming in the cold, is one of Aberdeen’s best free experiences. Easterly gales bring spectacular waves but make the front uncomfortable, so check the forecast. Daylight is short in December, so plan walks for the middle of the day.

Nearby

At the southern end, wander through the cottages of Footdee and out to the North Pier. Aberdeen Science Centre is a few minutes inland on Constitution Street, and Pittodrie, home of Aberdeen FC, sits just behind the beach.