Things to do in Dundee
Scotland’s welcoming creative city
Once derided for its postindustrial gloom, Dundee has become one of Scotland’s most exciting cities. Leaning into its cultural heritage, thriving arts scene, and youthful student population, Scotland’s fourth-largest city is now a creative hub and a UNESCO City of Design. Set on the northern shore of the Firth of Tay, Dundee has plenty to keep a visitor occupied, including the V&A Dundee, Scotland’s first design museum and the only Victoria and Albert museum outside of London, and the Antarctica-faring RSS Discovery. Best of all, it’s home to some of the friendliest people in the UK.
Top 4 attractions in Dundee
Hill of Tarvit Mansion & Garden
Kellie Castle & Garden
St. Andrews Castle
Discovery Point
Explore Dundee by interest
Top activities in Dundee
All about Dundee
When to visit
The Scottish climate is always unpredictable, but Dundee is typically at its best in summer. During June, July, and August, Dundee lives up to its reputation as the sunniest place in Scotland. You’ll also find the cultural calendar in full swing during summer, with pop and rock concerts often taking over Slessor Gardens in the city center.
Getting around
Don’t worry if you don’t have your own wheels: getting around Dundee is a breeze. All of the major attractions are within a short walking distance in the compact city center. If you need to venture further afield within the city, Dundee’s network of reliable buses will get you there. For trips out of town, head for the centrally located railway or bus station.
Traveler tips
Dundee is a great city for getting on your bike. You can rent a bicycle from the Cycle Hub on the waterfront, next to the V&A Dundee, and pedal the flat track that connects Dundee and Broughty Ferry. Much of the 4.5-mile (7.2-kilometer) route runs alongside the River Tay, and when you reach Broughty Ferry’s charming town center, you can refuel at one of its many cafes, pubs, and restaurants or relax on the golden beach.
People Also Ask
Yes, Dundee is definitely worth a visit. Major tourist-friendly revitalization has taken place in the city over recent years, and projects such as the V&A Dundee have brought the city’s strong creative scene to the forefront and made great use of its attractive setting on the northern bank of the River Tay.
...MoreDundee used to be famous for the three j’s: jam, jute, and journalism. Once the city’s three most-important industries, they have since waned—but nowadays, Dundee is known as the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design and as the home of Scotland’s national design museum, the V&A Dundee.
...MorePeople visit Dundee to see some of Scotland’s most important tourist attractions. Dundee’s two nautical museums, the RRS Discovery, Captain Scott’s Antarctic expedition ship, and the 19th-century warship, HM Frigate Unicorn, are big draws, as is the V&A Dundee. Dundee is also a gateway to the scenic Angus Glens and Cairngorms mountains.
...MoreDundee—sometimes cheekily referred to as “Sundee”—has long been known as Scotland’s sunniest city, but a recent study found that it is also the driest city in the UK, with less recorded rainfall than any other part of the country. Few people know that Mary Shelley spent time in Dundee and that her experience in the city influenced her writing of Frankenstein.
...MoreEnglish is spoken in Dundee, as it is everywhere in Scotland. Visitors will notice Gaelic (one of Scotland’s three official languages) on road signs and in the train station, museums, and other public buildings, but English always accompanies it. Scots (Scotland’s third official language) is also widely spoken.
...MoreOne day should be enough time to see all of Dundee’s attractions, which are all relatively compact and close to one another. If you want to explore more of the surrounding area, such as the beaches of the northeast coast or the surrounding hills and mountains, you could add another day or two.
...MoreDundee information
Number of Attractions | 4 |
|---|---|
Number of Tours | 19 |
Number of Reviews | 1 |
Currency | GBP |
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