Aberdeen has been recognised as Scotland’s most ‘fun’ city; a finding from an analysis by travel experts Braw Scottish Tours. The study praised Aberdeen particularly for its affordability in leisure activities such as cheap pints and cinema tickets.
Braw Scottish Tours, specialists in bespoke private tours across the UK, assessed 50 towns and cities nationwide, evaluating criteria including entertainment and nightlife, recreation, outdoor pursuits, lifestyle, and amenities. Aberdeen secured the top position in Scotland and ranked sixth overall in the UK, outperforming other major cities like Newcastle and Manchester, according to reports by the Scottish Daily Express.
This recognition arrives as Aberdeen experiences significant growth in its tourism sector. The Port of Aberdeen reported a record-breaking cruise season in 2025, welcoming 43,000 passengers – a 79% increase compared to 2024 figures. This surge was facilitated by a record 65 cruise calls, marking a more than 50% year-on-year rise, largely attributed to larger vessels utilising the port’s new £420 million South Harbour facility.
Further enhancing the city’s appeal, the Aberdeen Adventurer open-top tour bus launched in April 2025. The hop-on, hop-off service, a collaboration between McGill’s Xplore, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, VisitAberdeenshire, and Aberdeen Inspired, has proven popular with both visitors and residents.
A notable highlight for the city was the successful hosting of The Tall Ships Races in July 2025, which attracted nearly 500,000 visits. The event generated a substantial economic impact of £32.2 million for the local economy, surpassing initial projections of £12.3 million to £20 million. Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, commented that the economic impact was “beyond even what we had hoped for.” Following this success, Aberdeen has already initiated a bid to host the festival again.
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In its assessment, Braw Scottish Tours specifically highlighted Aberdeen’s cost-effectiveness. The city emerged as one of the most affordable for both alcoholic beverages and cinema tickets within the UK. The analysis indicated an average pint in Aberdeen costs approximately £4.00, significantly less than Glasgow’s £4.95 and Edinburgh’s £5.35.
Similarly, cinema tickets in Aberdeen were found to be around £6.50, offering considerable savings compared to Edinburgh’s £11.00 and Glasgow’s £13.00.
The tour experts noted: “It is among the cheapest cities for both pints and cinema tickets, while also ranking highly for golf courses and beverage stores. Its nightlife and gym provision is more limited, but it appeals to visitors looking for value and a slower pace.”
