Aberdour Travel Guide

Burntisland

Aberdour featuring rocky coastline, a coastal town and a sandy beach
Aberdour featuring a sunset and general coastal views
Aberdour featuring sailing and general coastal views
Aberdour showing boating and general coastal views
Aberdour

Encounter a medieval castle and an island abbey in the surroundings of this small beach town overlooking the Firth of Forth.

The charming coastal town of Aberdour is famous for its castle and sandy stretches. Browse shops along the twisting main street and quaint alleys in the town centre.

Spend the afternoon at Aberdour Castle to enjoy its exquisite gardens and sea views. Note the various architectural styles added over the centuries since its original construction in the 1100s. Appreciate the garden’s serene ambiance. Here a 16th-century dovecote stands beside St. Fillan’s Church.

Inspect the array of boats in Aberdour Harbour. Enjoy views across the water of Inchcolm Island, Edinburgh and other villages. The island contains Inchcolm Abbey, a well-preserved 12th-century ruin. Peruse the various halls and chambers to imagine island life as it was many centuries ago. Hike around the island in search of intriguing wildlife and vegetation.

Back on the mainland, practice your swing at Aberdour Golf Club. Savour pleasant views of water and trees while you play.

Bring the kids to Deep Sea World for the United Kingdom’s largest collection of eagle rays. Come face to face with a shark called Tinkerbell. The aquarium offers diving experiences with tiger sharks. Walk through one of the country’s largest underwater tunnels to see the amphibians, conger eels and other tropical fish.

The aquarium stands at the northern entrance to the iconic Forth Bridge, which was completed in 1890. Cross the structure from North Queensferry to South Queensferry, just west of Edinburgh. Note that the bridge appears on many Scottish coins and banknotes.

Winters in Aberdour are cold, but not freezing, with occasional snow flurries. Summers are mild to warm, which is ideal for coastal walks.

The town is on the northern flank of the Firth of Forth, just across from Edinburgh. Get a train from Aberdour Railway Station to the Scottish capital in 30 minutes. You can also drive the 18-mile (29-kilometre) journey via the Forth Bridge. Nearby towns include Burntisland and Dalgety Bay.

Aberdour has a lovely main street at its heart and medieval treasures nearby.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Aberdour

Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG

Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG

4 out of 5
132 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿2,708 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
฿2,708
฿3,249 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,014 reviews)
"Great location, 15/20 mins walk into town, all flat or 10min bus ride, various options all very frequent and cheap. Staff were amazing couldn't fault them, helpful, knowledgeable and nothing was to much. The room was as you'd expect and although on the street side of the property very quiet. The ..."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Holiday Inn Edinburgh by IHG
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel

4 out of 5
23-27 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is ฿7,098 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
฿7,098
฿8,518 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,801 reviews)
"No complaints from me!"

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2025

Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
CoDE Pod  – The CoURT - Edinburgh

CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh

2 out of 5
1 a Parliament Square, Edinburgh, Scotland
The price is ฿3,752 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
฿3,752
฿4,503 total
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hostal in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
"Right in the middle of everything."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

CoDE Pod – The CoURT - Edinburgh
Apex Grassmarket Hotel

Apex Grassmarket Hotel

4 out of 5
31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿5,434 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
฿5,434
฿6,520 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,071 reviews)
"Swift check-in, but we didn’t feel any warmth from the hotel. The bar wasn't comfortable and due to limited staff was quite messy with lots of glasses needing clearing. Room was comfortable, however we had disabled room which whilst was not particularly an issue, it felt as though these should be ..."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Delta Hotels by Marriott Edinburgh

Delta Hotels by Marriott Edinburgh

4 out of 5
111 Glasgow Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿4,194 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
฿4,194
฿5,033 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8/10 Very Good! (485 reviews)
"Everything was great. I asked for housekeeping to check my room twice. Dishes were left behind, floor was not swept or vacuumed and towels were not replenished"

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2025

Delta Hotels by Marriott Edinburgh
Britannia Hotel Edinburgh

Britannia Hotel Edinburgh

3 out of 5
69 Belford Road, Edinburgh, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿2,881 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
฿2,881
฿3,457 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Edinburgh. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the clean rooms ...
6/10 (1,260 reviews)
"Busy time with lots of festivals on but the hotel managed, the common lounge area and outside area was a nice retreat from from the busy reception bar / food area."

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Britannia Hotel Edinburgh
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Aberdour Travel Guide