Aberdeen, the Granite City, is Scotland's third city and a historic North Sea port on the east coast, built largely of silver-grey granite. More about Aberdeen →
October 2026 · from today · all times local (United Kingdom Time)
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Thousands of people in port, guests plus crew. Crowd level compared with a typical Aberdeen day.
The crowd calendar shows every ship and how busy the port is, hour by hour, plus the quietest and busiest days for the next 90 days.
Larger cruise ships berth at South Harbour in Nigg Bay, about 3.2 km south-east of the city centre and railway station, where passenger facilities are a temporary building on the quayside. Smaller ships up to 165 m tie up at the North Harbour quays in the city centre, about 0.8 km from the station. Aberdeen Airport is about 14 km from South Harbour.
29 km · 22–35 min by car
Aberdeen Airport at Dyce is north-west of the city. The drive to South Harbour is about 29 km and takes about 22 to 35 minutes; by public transport, buses 727 and 12 take about 1 hour with a change.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Typical prices, approximate. Fares change with demand, traffic and time of day.
Larger ships berth at South Harbour, about 3.2 km from the city centre, too far to walk comfortably. Smaller ships berth at the North Harbour city quays, a short walk from the centre. Local buses run south to Stonehaven for Dunnottar Castle.
2 terminals
The deep-water South Harbour at Nigg Bay takes cruise ships up to 300 m long alongside Castlegate and Balmoral Quays. Passenger facilities are a temporary building on the quayside; it is about 3.2 km from the city centre and railway station.
The historic city-centre harbour, where smaller cruise and expedition ships up to 165 m berth at Blaikies, Duthies, Clipper and Regent Quays, about 0.8 km from the railway station and a short walk from the city centre.
The granite city centre around Union Street and Shiprow, close to the harbour, has the widest choice of cafes, pubs and restaurants.
Aberdeen, the Granite City, is Scotland's third city and a historic North Sea port on the east coast, built largely of silver-grey granite. Larger cruise ships berth at the deep-water South Harbour at Nigg Bay, while smaller ships use the city-centre quays. Visitors explore the Maritime Museum and the granite streets around Union Street, stroll the cobbled lanes of Old Aberdeen and King's College, or head south along the coast to the clifftop ruins of Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven.
On historic Shiprow above the harbour, the Maritime Museum tells the story of Aberdeen and the sea over four floors, partly in the 16th-century Provost Ross's House. Highlights include ship models such as the Aberdeen-built tea clipper Thermopylae, a lighthouse lens, and a nine-metre model of the Murchison oil platform; the top floor looks out over the harbour. Admission is free.
The dramatic clifftop ruins of Dunnottar Castle stand on a rock surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, just south of Stonehaven. Tickets can be bought online or at the kiosk, and only card payments are accepted. Adult admission is GBP 13.50, concessions GBP 12.00 and children aged 5 to 15 GBP 6.25.
Old Aberdeen, once a separate burgh, keeps cobbled streets and the historic buildings of King's College, the heart of the University of Aberdeen. Its historic chapel, still used for worship, is open to the public, and there is no admission fee.