Marischal College & Broad Street
Start with the city’s dramatic granite architecture around Marischal College, Broad Street and the nearby Castlegate.
Scotland · United Kingdom
Aberdeen Ferry &
Aberdeen Ferry &
Destination Guide
Discover the Granite City, explore Aberdeen’s coast and heritage, and plan ferry connections from mainland Scotland to Orkney and Shetland.
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Discover Aberdeen
Granite architecture, maritime character and a city beach
Aberdeen sits on Scotland’s North Sea coast, where the city centre, working harbour and long sandy beach are unusually close together. Its pale granite streets give the centre a distinctive look, with Marischal College providing one of the most recognisable examples of the city’s architecture.
The city works particularly well as a ferry gateway because you do not have to choose between a practical port stop and an interesting place to explore. Central sights, shops, restaurants, rail and bus connections are all within a compact urban area, while Old Aberdeen and the beach add very different experiences within the same city.
For travellers continuing north by sea, Aberdeen is the mainland departure point for NorthLink Ferries services towards Shetland, with selected sailings calling at Kirkwall in Orkney. It is worth checking the exact dated itinerary before arranging accommodation or onward connections.
Beyond the principal landmarks, Aberdeen is an easy city to enjoy at a slower pace. Union Street and the surrounding centre provide shopping, cafés and restaurants, while the harbour edge, Footdee and the beachfront reveal the city’s long relationship with the North Sea. The contrast between formal granite streets and open coastal scenery is one of Aberdeen’s most distinctive features.
If your ferry schedule leaves a few extra hours, Old Aberdeen, Duthie Park and the riverside areas give useful alternatives to the compact city centre. Travellers staying overnight can therefore build a short city break around the sailing rather than treating Aberdeen simply as a place to board or leave the ferry.
City highlights
What to see while you are in Aberdeen
Aberdeen rewards a little time before or after the ferry. These highlights give a useful introduction without turning a port stop into a complicated itinerary.
Old Aberdeen
Explore cobbled streets, King’s College, St Machar’s Cathedral and green spaces around the historic university quarter.
Maritime Museum & harbour
Aberdeen’s relationship with the sea is central to the city. The harbour area and maritime collections give useful context before a ferry journey.
Aberdeen Beach
Walk the promenade, take in the North Sea and enjoy a completely different side of the city only a short distance from the centre.
Footdee (Fittie)
See the characterful former fishing village at the harbour mouth, with compact lanes, cottages and easy access to the beachfront.
Duthie Park & Winter Gardens
Enjoy riverside parkland and the David Welch Winter Gardens, a useful green-space option when you have more time in the city.
Tours & experiences
Things to Do in Aberdeen
Browse tours, activities and experiences available for Aberdeen and the surrounding area.
Tours and activities displayed in this section are supplied through Viator. Availability, descriptions and prices are provided by the activity supplier and can change.
Arriving or departing by ferry
Aberdeen Ferry Terminal
NorthLink’s passenger terminal is at Jamieson’s Quay in Aberdeen North Harbour. One of the useful features of Aberdeen as a ferry gateway is its proximity to the city centre: central shops, accommodation and the main rail and bus connections are all close enough to make an overnight stop straightforward.
From Aberdeen, NorthLink operates the overnight passenger and vehicle service to Lerwick in Shetland, while selected sailings call at Kirkwall in Orkney. Cabins and sleeping accommodation are available on suitable overnight sailings, and both foot passengers and correctly booked vehicles can travel. Always confirm the exact port call and onboard accommodation shown for your date.
Vehicle passengers should allow sufficient time for city traffic, check-in and terminal marshalling. Foot passengers should follow the terminal opening and check-in instructions supplied for their specific sailing rather than relying on a generic arrival time.
North Harbour locationJamieson’s Quay passenger terminal
Directions to the portOpen Aberdeen Ferry Terminal in Google Maps
Central connectionsRail and bus links are nearby
Vehicle travelFollow NorthLink check-in and marshalling instructions
Foot passengersFollow the check-in time and terminal instructions shown for your sailing
Airport connectionThe 727 airport bus serves the ferry-terminal area
Plan your stay
Getting around Aberdeen
The compact centre makes Aberdeen relatively simple for a short ferry stop, while road and public-transport links open up the wider North-east.
Explore the centre on foot
Broad Street, Castlegate, Union Street and the harbour-side museum area can be combined into an easy central walk.
Use rail and bus connections
Aberdeen’s main rail and bus stations sit together at Union Square, useful for onward journeys without collecting a car.
Find Aberdeen rail tickets here...Drive into Aberdeenshire
A car becomes valuable when you want to turn Aberdeen into a base for castles, coastal villages, countryside and longer North-east touring.
Stay in Aberdeen
Find Aberdeen Accommodation
Make the ferry part of a city break
For an evening departure or morning arrival, a city-centre stay keeps the ferry terminal, restaurants and transport connections convenient. Beach-side accommodation is another option if you want more of the North Sea coastline.
Common planning questions
Aberdeen ferry & destination FAQs
Where is Aberdeen Ferry Terminal?
The NorthLink passenger ferry terminal is at Jamieson’s Quay in Aberdeen North Harbour, close to the city centre and the main rail and bus stations.
Where can I travel by ferry from Aberdeen?
NorthLink Ferries links Aberdeen with Lerwick in Shetland, while selected sailings call at Kirkwall in Orkney. Check the dated itinerary because not every departure makes the same calls.
Is Aberdeen Ferry Terminal close to the city centre?
Yes. The passenger terminal is within a short walk of central Aberdeen, Union Square and the city’s main rail and bus connections.
What are the best things to do in Aberdeen?
A useful first visit can include Marischal College and Broad Street, Old Aberdeen and King’s College, Aberdeen Beach, the Maritime Museum and the harbour area. The Viator section above can also surface bookable tours and activities for your dates.
Do I need a car to explore Aberdeen?
No. Many central sights can be explored on foot and the city has public transport. A car becomes more useful when you want to explore the wider Aberdeenshire coast, countryside and castles.
Can foot passengers travel from Aberdeen by ferry?
Yes. NorthLink passenger services from Aberdeen accept foot passengers. Follow the check-in instructions supplied for your selected sailing.
Can I take a car on ferries from Aberdeen?
Yes. NorthLink’s passenger ferries carry cars and other eligible vehicles. Enter the correct vehicle type and dimensions and book vehicle space in advance.
How long should I spend in Aberdeen?
One or two days gives you time for the main city sights, beach and waterfront. Allow longer if Aberdeen is also your base for exploring Aberdeenshire or if you want a comfortable buffer around an overnight ferry journey.
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