Days Out with First Bus

RGU alumna Marisa takes us on a day out in the city centre all within walking distance from our central bus stops. 

Wondering about how to spend a day in Aberdeen City? I’ve got you covered! In this blog post I am sharing an itinerary with things to do, where to grab a coffee and lunch, shopping, and more.

The great thing about Aberdeen is that once you get into the centre, it’s a very walkable city and most things are near each other and easy to get to without a car. There are tons of different bus routes and stops throughout the city as well as flexible ticket options and different payment methods such as Tap On, Tap Off, contactless and digital tickets via the First Bus app. You can also use the app to plan your journey and see the live arrival times.

How to spend the day in the city

Start the day with a visit to the world’s second largest granite building, Marischal College. There are plenty of benches where you can sit back and admire the iconic building while watching the world go by.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi – Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

You can grab a coffee and pastry from the Mount, a beautiful coffee shop selling artisan coffee, cake and pastries from local bakers as well as some eco-friendly items such as reusable coffee mugs, tote bags, and books.

Just across from there, you will find the newly refurbished Provost Skene House where more than 100 pioneering individuals from Aberdeen, including scientists, writers, innovators, sports champions, life savers and more, are showcased in interactive displays. Entry is free and the museum is open 7 days a week.

After your visit to Provost Skene’s House, you can walk into Marischal Square where you can see the steel sculpture of a leopard by Andy Scott, the Kelpies artist. In there, there is the new Resident X with independent street food vendors and 2 cocktail bars.

One of my favourite places is Acropolis as they sell delicious Greek gyros and they have vegan and vegetarian options too.

After lunch, head next door to Mackie’s for an ice cream. There are dozens of delicious flavours to choose from and they have vegan options available too, including strawberry, salted caramel, honeycomb, and more. They also have freshly made crepes and waffles as well as milkshakes. Don’t forget to pour the chocolate or biscoff sauce (or both!) from the taps onto your ice cream. The benches outside of Marischal College are a great place to sit and people-watch while enjoying your ice cream.

Just a 5-minute walk from there, the Art Gallery is free to enter and has 18 collections spanning over 700 years. On the top floor, you can go out onto the terrace for stunning views of the city - a great photo opportunity. There is a lovely gift shop and cafe also in the building.

Right across from there, Belmont Street has a great range of local independent businesses including cafes, restaurants, bars, and gift shops. Juniper has a range of Scottish produced jewellery and other hand made products which are perfect for gifts. In the evening, Belmont Street becomes a hot spot for a great night out.

Don’t forget to walk down the little side streets such as Little Belmont Street as there are more little businesses such as one of the oldest pubs in the city, Ma Cameron’s. For the tea and coffee lovers, artisan coffee roaster Macbeans is a must-visit as they roast coffee from almost every coffee producing origin as well as tons of different loose tea.

Just around the corner, take a stroll through the beautiful Union Terrace Gardens, and cross the street to His Majesty’s Theatre, the largest theatre in the North East of Scotland. With more than 1400 seats, the historic theatre hosts musicals, opera, theatre, ballet, and more. You can see what’s on Aberdeen Performing Arts

Marisa

RGU alumna Marisa takes us on a journey to her must visit Aberdeen parks. These locations are all reachable by bus, making them accessible to all!

Living in a city doesn’t always have to mean large buildings and busy streets. One of the many things I love about living in Aberdeen, is all the beautiful parks and green areas that are easily accessible all over the city by bus.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi – Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Flexible week or day tickets are available, allowing you to visit multiple parks- and purchasing a ticket has never been so easy! From contactless, Apple Pay, Tap & Cap or online through the First Bus app, there are lots of convenient payment options to get you en route to your adventure as soon as possible.

Here are some of my favourite parks in Aberdeen:

Duthie Park

Located parallel to the River Dee, Duthie Park is just a 10-minute bus ride away from Union Street. It has a beautiful Victorian band stand, fountains, duck ponds, and playgrounds. You can also find the stunning David Welch Winter Gardens, one the largest indoor gardens in Europe and the third most visited garden in Scotland. The Park Cafe is also located there, where you can see the indoor gardens through a big glass wall- a perfect spot for those rainy days! To get there, you can take bus 17 and 18 from Union Street and get off right outside the park.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi – Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Seaton Park

Located in Old Aberdeen, at the banks of River Don, Seaton Park is one of the largest parks in Aberdeen. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and historical buildings such as St Machar’s Cathedral, Wallace Tower and the Brig o’ Balgownie, there are plenty of walking trails within the park and along the River Don. While you’re visiting the park you can also take a stroll around Old Aberdeen’s cobbled streets and admire the stunning architecture. You can take the bus 1 or 2 to “Lord Hay’s Road” and then it’s about a 3-minute walk to the park entrance.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi – Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Hazlehead Park

Hazlehead Park is one of Aberdeen’s largest and oldest parks and is easily accessible by bus. It’s a great place for a day trip with friends and family as there are many things to do including; golf courses, a pet’s corner, beautiful gardens, and a lovely café with gluten free and vegan options. You can get bus 11 from Union Street and it takes about 20 minutes to get to the bus stop “Burnieboozle Crescent,” and an additional 15 minute walk to the park from there.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi – Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Johnston Gardens

Johnston Gardens is located near Hazlehead Park and is one the most instagrammable parks in Aberdeen. It’s beautiful all year round and is a perfect place for a short stroll around the paths where you can admire the beautiful garden, ponds, waterfalls and it’s picturesque bridge as well as the ducks and swans swimming in the rivers. You can either take bus 15 to bus stop “Seafield Road” and walk about 5 minutes, or you can visit Hazlehead Park first and then walk for about 10 minutes to Johnston Gardens.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi – Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Victoria Park

Victoria Park is a small park in Rosemount, a neighborhood of Aberdeen full of local independent shops and cafes, just 5 minutes away on the bus from Union Street. It has a Victorian style fountain and a lovely walled garden with a human sized checkers board. On the weekends, locals gather with instruments and sing and play music. Everyone is welcome, and it’s a great way to meet locals and learn more about the culture.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi – Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

As mentioned earlier, there are many parks in Aberdeen easily accessible by bus and with the flexible First Bus tickets, you can visit multiple places in a day.

Marisa

Want to read more about University life in Aberdeen? Visit the RGU student blog here.

Find out more about Robert Gordon University (RGU) at www.rgu.ac.uk.

RGU alumna Marisa, shares her Aberdeen day trip to Kincorth Hill and Cove Bay in Aberdeen. These spots are easily accessed from the city centre by bus, making them the perfect places to go and visit whilst studying at RGU.

Do you enjoy forest walks or coastal walks? With this day trip you won’t have to choose as it has both!

In this blog post I will share an itinerary for the beautiful Kincorth Hill and Cove Bay, how to get there, what to do and how to get from one place to another. For this trip I used the Journey Planning feature on the app where it showed me what bus to take to the destinations, as well as what stops to get off and the times of the buses.

Kincorth Hill Local Nature Reserve

Kincorth Hill locally known as the Gramps, is a must for anyone living in Aberdeen. The views are incredible with different paths passing through grass as well as woodland. Part of the path is quite steep but most of it is flat and easy to walk on.

To get there you can take the bus 3A towards Cove Bay and get off at the bus stop “Altens Farm Road”. From there it’s about a 5 minute walk to Nigg Way, the east access point of the nature reserve.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi – Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Cove Bay

With just a quick 10 minute bus ride from Kincorth Hill, you can find yourself surrounded by completely different scenery. From dramatic cliffs to a picturesque little harbour, Cove Bay is a lovely area to explore on a nice day.

To get there, you can take the bus 3A to the bus stop “Cove Road” and from there it’s about 10 minute walk down to the harbour. Once you’ve explored the little harbour and the surroundings, you can walk along the Aberdeen Coastal Trail (North Sea Trail).

Photo taken by Marisa Vogiatzi – Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

The coastal views on the trail are incredible and it’s definitely worth the walk. You can walk part of the way and then take the bus back, or you can walk all the way back to Aberdeen, passing by Torry Battery where you can stop and watch the dolphins and enjoy the city views. I usually time it so that by the time I walk back to the battery, I can see the sunset as well.

These are just some of the many hidden gems that Aberdeen has to offer. There is definitely something here for everyone whether it’s city, forest or coastal walks. What is your favourite Aberdeen day trip?

Marisa

Want to read more about University life in Aberdeen? Visit the RGU student blog here.

Find out more about Robert Gordon University (RGU) at www.rgu.ac.uk.

RGU alumna Marisa, shares her favourite Aberdeen hidden gems that you can easily explore by bus, showing just how easy it is to get around Aberdeen.

One of my favourite things to do in Aberdeen is to explore and discover new places. There are countless instagrammable locations, from historic buildings and parks to stunning views of the harbour; there is something for everyone. As I don’t drive, getting a First Bus day ticket and taking the bus to these locations makes things a lot easier and faster, and makes it possible to go to more than one location in a day.

Here are some of my favourite spots:

Old Aberdeen

From cobbled streets to stunning buildings, there is always something to admire in Old Aberdeen, whatever the season is. I usually take the bus 1 or 2 (easy to catch from the RGU Campus or from Aberdeen City Centre) to Linksfield Road, and then walk for about 5 minutes to Powis Gates, a beautiful archway with two towers. From there I just wander around the cobbled streets, through King’s College which makes you feel like you are in Hogwarts, past the Old Town House which is now the King’s Museum and of course past all the beautiful houses. While I’m there, I always take a walk along River Don, through Seaton Park towards Brig o’ Balgownie, one the oldest bridges in the UK.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi - Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Donmouth Local Nature Reserve

Donmouth Local Nature Reserve is a great location to escape from the busy city, for a nice relaxing walk on the beach, passing by sand dunes and beautiful sea views. You can often spot seals and other wildlife. It is also a perfect spot to watch the sunrise on a clear day. You can take bus 1 or 2 to the stop “Beach Esplanade” and it’s about a 5-minute walk from there.

Photo taken by Marisa Vogiatzi – Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Fittie

If you have lived in Aberdeen for a while, you have probably been to the beach. At the end of Esplanade, near the harbour, lies the charming little village of Footdee or locally known as “Fittie”. There you can walk around and admire the cute cottages and gardens that are decorated by their residents. You can get bus 13 and get off at “Links Road” and walk along to the beach. On the way back I love to stop for a warm drink or something to eat. Some of my favourite places are the Highlanders Bus or Roots Catering food truck, both loved by locals.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi – Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Torry Battery

This is a great place for dolphin watching and breathtaking views of the city. You can go any time of the day to Torry Battery, but I would definitely recommend going for sunset. When the dolphins jump out of the water, the golden light reflects off them and it’s one of the most beautiful scenes to witness. Fun fact: Scotland has the largest bottlenose dolphins in the world! You can take bus 12 to the stop “North Balnagask Road” and from there it’s about a 10-minute walk to the battery.

Photo taken by Marisa Vogiatzi – Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Marisa

Want to read more about University life in Aberdeen? Visit the RGU student blog here.

Find out more about Robert Gordon University (RGU) at www.rgu.ac.uk.

Aberdeen City is a great place for a fun filled itinerary for the whole family. From amusement parks to snowsports to walks with beautiful sea views, there is something for everyone. In this blog post I will share some of the many fun activities to do with family and friends that Aberdeen has to offer.

A fun place in Aberdeen, with a huge variety of activities for everyone, is the beach. And the great thing about it is the accessibility by bus, which makes it a stress-free day out as well as environmentally friendly. To get there you can get bus 13 and pay with Tap On, Tap Off, contactless or digital tickets via the First Bus app, and if you are aged 21 or under, you can travel for free. Once you get off, everything is within walking distance.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi - Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Enjoy a warm drink at the Highlander Bus Cafe, a unique cafe where you can sit on the upper deck and enjoy the beach and city views as well as maybe spot some dolphins. They also have a great menu, including Scottish breakfast, burgers and hot dogs (veggie options available), and desserts such as waffles and milkshakes.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi - Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

From amusement park rides to bowling to a huge indoor arcade, Codona’s Amusement Park has it all. Whether you are going with young kids or with your friends, there are options for all ages, including go-karts, laser tag, adventure golf, soft-play, karaoke rooms, and more. There is also a bar where you can enjoy some cocktails as well as delicious food options such as Big Manny’s Pizza and mac and cheese. You can pay for everything individually or they also offer packages for adults as well as Tiny Tot’s wristbands.

Just a minute walk from there, you can find The Beach Bar, a fun venue with loads of activities such as ping pong, axe throwing, table tennis, electronic darts, and two bars - the Cocktail Bar and Sports Bar with a wide selection of drinks and bar food.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi - Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

With more than 60 interactive exhibits, the Aberdeen Science Centre is a fun visitor attraction for all ages to learn about how science shapes our world and of course meet their friendly robot RoboThespian. Check out their website for more information about their opening times and admission prices. 

Roots Catering is a 100% vegan food truck on the beach promenade, with a variety of burgers, chicken wings, loaded fries and other yummy sides as well as dessert and milkshakes. They are loved by many locals and visitors and you definitely don’t need to be vegan to enjoy their food. There’s a reason why you can always see people queuing up with excitement. Some of my favourite items are the Southern Fried Chick’aint, the Roots Signature loaded fries and the mac n cheese with bacon crumble.
 

While at the beach, you can visit Footdee, one of Aberdeen’s hidden gems. Located at the east end of the harbour, Footdee is an old fishing village with cobbled streets and uniquely decorated cottages and gardens. This quirky area is perfect for a quiet stroll while admiring the bright colours and maritime themed decorations.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi - Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Another fun activity is ice skating at Linx Ice Arena, located on the beach promenade. They offer public ice skating sessions as well as group and private lessons, parent/toddler sessions, and ice hockey. 

For a fun evening out, Shiprow has a variety of bars and Lane 7, a bowling alley combined with a bar. To get there, there are many different bus options into the centre as well as from the beach. You can use the First Bus app to plan your journey and see the live bus arrival times.

Photos taken by Marisa Vogiatzi - Instagram @marisa.vogiatzi

Marisa