A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Edinburgh vs. Aberdeen for Attractions, Old Town, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Edinburgh or Aberdeen?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Aberdeen can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and gothic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for shopping, museums, and theater.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen is a cultural, architectural, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Aberdeen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Aberdeen?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh than Aberdeen. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Aberdeen attracts visitors for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Aberdeen and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. Aberdeen is famous for its longstanding maritime history and its many cultural sights and activities.

How is Edinburgh different from Aberdeen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Edinburgh or Aberdeen?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its sights and museums. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Edinburgh that are not to be missed. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

Many visitors head to Aberdeen specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's long running history means that there are plenty of sights and museums worth exploring. Highlights include St. Machar's Cathedral, the University and King's College of Aberdeen, Brig o'Balgownie, and the Tolbooth Museum.

Is Edinburgh or Aberdeen Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for theatre. However, Aberdeen is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Aberdeen is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Edinburgh or Aberdeen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aberdeen is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Aberdeen has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Everything from brunch bistros to fine dining are available in this city. You can enjoy local specialties or international options at any of the unique restaurants around town.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Aberdeen Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Edinburgh offers plenty to do in the evening. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Aberdeen. The nightlife scene is diverse with whisky dens, local pubs, and even trendy nightclubs to choose from.

Is Edinburgh or Aberdeen Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for live music. However, Aberdeen is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh is a world class music destination. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Aberdeen is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Aberdeen Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Edinburgh offers plenty to see. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Aberdeen. This city's old town is a hidden gem in Scotland. The cobblestone streets and long history make for a fascinating place to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Aberdeen?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Edinburgh is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Aberdeen. A mix of modern shopping centers, antique vendors, and local boutiques make for an interesting shopping scene. For some of the city's best shopping head to Union Square Shopping Centre, the Trinity Centre, or Bon Accord Aberdeen.

Is Edinburgh or Aberdeen Better for Families?

Both Edinburgh and Aberdeen are excellent to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Edinburgh is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Aberdeen is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Explore the city's history or wander through one of the many museums. Some of the best museums for kids include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Little Treasures Toy Museum, the Aberdeen Science Center, and the Gordon Highlanders Museum. Adrenaline seekers will enjoy rock climbing and ropes courses at Transition Extreme or ziplining at Go Ape Crathes Castle. Also nearby is horseback riding and Codona’s Amusement Park.

Is Edinburgh or Aberdeen Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for romance. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Edinburgh is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Aberdeen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many of the standard activities for couples such as interesting restaurants, theaters, and fun concerts.

Is Edinburgh or Aberdeen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for backpackers. However, Aberdeen is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Edinburgh is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Aberdeen is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Edinburgh or Aberdeen Better for Students?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for students. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Plenty of students visit Aberdeen. The city is a nice affordable option for students who want to study at the University of Aberdeen.

Is Edinburgh or Aberdeen Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Aberdeen, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are public buses through town and it's possible to pick up a Grasshopper ticket that lets you ride on most of the bus companies.

Is Edinburgh or Aberdeen a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Aberdeen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Edinburgh on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Aberdeen is a very walkable city. It's easy to walk to most of the city's attractions.

For even more information, also check out Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Aberdeen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aberdeen or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Aberdeen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Aberdeen. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 2-3 days is enough time in Aberdeen.

Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Aberdeen. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Edinburgh, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Edinburgh than Aberdeen. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Edinburgh that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Aberdeen if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Aberdeen?

The beautiful city of Edinburgh offers theater and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Aberdeen. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Aberdeen?

Edinburgh is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Edinburgh, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the authentic destination of Aberdeen. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Aberdeen?

Edinburgh is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Edinburgh, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the architectural city of Aberdeen. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Aberdeen?

Edinburgh is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Aberdeen is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom, The Best 2-Week Tours in United Kingdom, The Best Bicycle Tours in United Kingdom, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Edinburgh and Aberdeen, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Aberdeen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Aberdeen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Aberdeen and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh than you might in Aberdeen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Aberdeen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Aberdeen?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Aberdeen. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Aberdeen, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Edinburgh or Aberdeen?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Aberdeen in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Aberdeen. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Aberdeen in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Edinburgh is generally around the same temperature as Aberdeen. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 14°C (58°F), and Aberdeen fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the summer, Edinburgh often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Aberdeen. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aberdeen receives 157 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Aberdeen. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Aberdeen in the Autumn?

Both Aberdeen and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Aberdeen for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Edinburgh is around the same temperature as Aberdeen in the autumn. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Aberdeen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Aberdeen during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Aberdeen receives 93 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Aberdeen. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Aberdeen in the Winter?

Both Aberdeen and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Aberdeen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Aberdeen can be very cold. Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Edinburgh is around the same temperature as Aberdeen. Typically, the winter temperatures in Edinburgh in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Aberdeen averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Aberdeen. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aberdeen receives 52 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Aberdeen. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Aberdeen in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Aberdeen. The spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Aberdeen this time of year.

In April, Edinburgh is generally around the same temperature as Aberdeen. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 7°C (45°F), and Aberdeen fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Aberdeen during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Aberdeen receives 144 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Aberdeen. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Aberdeen receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Aberdeen and Edinburgh