Aberdeen, often referred to as "The Flower of Scotland" due to its numerous parks and gardens, lies in a picturesque spot on the North Sea between the Rivers Dee and Don. The city is Scotland's biggest fishing port and, since the end of the 1960s when oil was first discovered in the North Sea, has developed into an important center for Europe's offshore oil industry. Tourists can usually enjoy it for its sandy beaches, superb golf courses, theatrical and dance performances at His Majesty's Theater, concerts by top-class orchestras in the Music Hall, experimental drama productions in the Arts Center and Theater, as well as a variety of arts festivals during the summer months.

The city is also called the "Silver City thanks to Silver-gray granite from nearby quarries gives the city a distinctive character, because of the Mica in the stone sparkles when the sun shines. The northern area is known as Old Aberdeen and includes the University, founded in 1494, along with several interesting medieval buildings found in the vicinity of the High Street. Aberdeen boasts a host of protected buildings, the oldest of which dates from the 16th century.