What to do in Ballater

Activities, attractions and tours

Panorama of Glen Shee in Perthshire, Scotland
Panorama of Glen Shee in Perthshire, Scotland
Panorama of Glen Shee in Perthshire, Scotland
Center Ballater
Beautiful countryside near the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. (June 2017) #Trovember

Ballater Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Ballater has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Ballater, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Ballater with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Ballater

Ballater is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Ballater, and make it a breeze to explore Ballater and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Ballater to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Ballater, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Ballater.

Ballater attractions

Ballater has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Ballater to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Ballater.

Looking for things to do in Ballater can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Ballater or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Ballater attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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What to do in Ballater

Popular places to visit

Prince Albert Cairn, near Balmoral Castle, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

Balmoral Castle

Find out about the history of Crathie with a stop at Balmoral Castle. Savour the area's bars and restaurants.

Balmoral Castle
Fab view over the hills

Glenshee Ski Centre

Hit the slopes in Ballater with a visit to Glenshee Ski Centre. While in this family-friendly area, you can savour the restaurants and bars.

Glenshee Ski Centre
Braemar ends or begins the castles on this road. there are many along the road, but this one is one of the ones that guarded the north from the south during the 1600s.

Braemar Castle

Braemar Castle is just one of the places to see in Ballater, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? While in this family-friendly area, you can savour the restaurants and bars.

Braemar Castle
Scotland

Butcharts Access Poma

Hit the slopes in Ballater with a visit to Butcharts Access Poma. While in this family-friendly area, you can savour the restaurants and bars.

Butcharts Access Poma
Scotland

Meall Odhar

Hit the slopes in Ballater with a visit to Meall Odhar. Savour the area's restaurants and bars.

Meall Odhar

Mar Lodge Estate

You can take time to visit Mar Lodge Estate during your travels to Ballater. While in this family-friendly area, you can savour the restaurants and bars.

Mar Lodge Estate

Lochnagar

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Lochnagar during your travels in Ballater. While you're here, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Lochnagar

Glenfiddich

You can learn about the history of Braemar with a trip to Glenfiddich. While in this family-friendly area, you can savour the restaurants and bars.

Glenfiddich

Ballater Golf Club

Enjoy a round of golf in Ballater at Ballater Golf Club. While in this quaint area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Ballater Golf Club

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Ballater

Tummel River meandering between hills near Pitlochry in Perthshire, Scotland on a sunny autumn day

Pitlochry

Loch an Eilein featuring a river or creek, mountains and island images

Aviemore

Pod life for the weekend! The Ecocamp Glenshee is a fantastic place for a short getaway. The pods are warm and cosy and sleep up to 5. Each pod has a firepit outside for cooking on. #weekendgetaway

Blairgowrie

Clunie water

Braemar

Tomnaverie prehistoric recumbent stone circle. Near Aboyne, Scotland. Complex site. Outer ring with recumbent and flankers, inner ring and settings

Aboyne

Highland Wildlife Park which includes cuddly or friendly animals

Kingussie

Looking down from Kirriemuir hill

Kirriemuir

The beach and cliffs at Lunan Bay, Scotland, UK

Brechin

Frequently asked questions

Is Ballater worth visiting?
Whether you're planning to discover the local charm and cultural highlights or sample unique foods and explore in nature, there are many things to do in Ballater.
How do I spend a day in Ballater?
Kick your day off with a visit to Balmoral Castle and Mount Keen. Then, explore other parts of Ballater for a quick bite and some retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Ballater?
You can't leave without checking out Balmoral Castle, ranked the top tourist attraction in Ballater.
Is three days enough to stay in Ballater?
You can easily visit top attractions like Mount Keen, Ballater Golf Club and Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve with a three-day getaway in Ballater. On average, most travellers plan two days here. There's plenty to see and do nearby too, so linger longer and head to Aberlour.
What are some activities to do in Ballater with kids?
If you are after attractions and activities for all ages, here are some excellent ideas for what to do in Ballater with kids.

What to do in Ballater for adults?
Adults of all ages will find lots of things to do in Ballater. Whether you're into traditional cuisine, outdoor pursuits or just love discovering new destinations, there's something here for everyone.
Are there free things to do in Ballater?
In Ballater, Mount Keen is a top spot for anyone planning to enjoy the city without taking their wallet out. Also, check out the parks and other neighbourhoods, and ask for ideas from a local tour guide. It's a great way to explore the best free things to do in Ballater.

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