Waterfront
First-timersThe V&A and the Discovery.
Dundee city guide
Things To Do In Dundee
A reinvented waterfront with the V&A's Scottish museum, Captain Scott's polar ship, the home of the Beano and the cheapest city break in Scotland.
2
Hostels in the city
9.1
Average, from 3,275 reviews
2018
V&A Dundee opens
1901
Discovery launched
UNESCO
City of Design
The city of design
Dundee was built on jute, jam and journalism: it spun the jute of the empire, made marmalade famous and still publishes the Beano. When the industries faded, the city set about reinventing itself, and its waterfront on the Tay is now anchored by V&A Dundee, the first design museum in Scotland, opened in 2018. It is the UK's only UNESCO City of Design.
The RRS Discovery, the ship that carried Captain Scott to the Antarctic, was built here and is moored on the waterfront.
Dundee is friendly, cheap and underrated. Two days is right, with St Andrews half an hour away.
Where to stay
The centre and waterfront are compact. Stay near the waterfront or the city centre.
West End
StudentsBars and cafés near the university.
Broughty Ferry
The seasideA suburb with a castle and a beach.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 2 top-rated hostels. Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Dundee
V&A Dundee, a building designed to look like a cliff face, is free to enter and hosts the Scottish Design Galleries.
The RRS Discovery, Captain Scott's ship, is moored beside it, with a museum on the expedition. The Verdant Works, a restored jute mill, tells the story of the city's industry.
Climb the Law, an extinct volcano in the middle of the city, for a view over the Tay bridges. The McManus museum and gallery is free, and statues of Desperate Dan and Oor Wullie from the city's comics stand in the centre.
Broughty Ferry, a seaside suburb with a castle and a beach, is a short bus ride east.
Free things
Free things to do in Dundee
V&A Dundee's main galleries, the McManus and the Law are free.
The waterfront, the comic statues and the beach at Broughty Ferry cost nothing.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Dundee
Dundee cake and marmalade are the city's famous foods. The pubs and cafés of the West End and Broughty Ferry are the places to eat.
A pub meal is £10 to £15.
Nightlife
Going out in Dundee
Dundee has a large student population and a lively bar scene in the West End and the city centre.
A pint is £4 to £5.50.
Getting around
Getting around Dundee
The centre is walkable. Trains reach Edinburgh in about an hour and a quarter and Aberdeen in about an hour and a quarter. Buses run to St Andrews in about thirty minutes.
Costs
What Dundee costs
Dundee is one of the cheapest cities in Scotland. Dorms start around £20. A careful day is £40 to £55.
The currency is the pound sterling, and Scottish banknotes are legal tender. Cards work almost everywhere, including contactless on buses.
Safety
Staying safe in Dundee
Dundee is safe, with ordinary city care at night.
Emergency number is 999 or 112; for mountain rescue, call 999 and ask for police, then mountain rescue.
Day trips from Dundee
St Andrews and the Fife coast.
St Andrews
Golf, a ruined cathedral and Scotland's oldest university.
Broughty Ferry
A castle and a beach.
Glamis Castle
The childhood home of the Queen Mother.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The flower and food festival is the big one.
Staff pick
24 October
Twin Atlantic
Twin Atlantic is a Scottish alternative rock band from Glasgow, active since 2007. They blend anthemic guitar-driven rock with melodic hooks and emotionally resonant…
Staff pick
6 November
Connor Burns
Connor Burns is a Scottish comedian gaining attention for his sharp wit and confident stage presence. With observational humor and dry delivery, he's quickly…
Staff pick
31 December
Bad Manners
Formed in 1976, Bad Manners is a ska and two-tone band from England, fronted by the singer Buster Bloodvessel. During their peak popularity in…
11 October
Jeff Wayne's the War of the Worlds
Based on HG Wells’ dark Victorian tale, this production remains a favourite to millions around the world, exciting audiences of all ages.
28 October
Alison Moyet
Alison Moyet is a British singer-songwriter best known for her deep, soulful voice and contributions to 80s synth-pop. Rising to fame as the lead…
1 November
Tom McRae
Jeremy Thomas McRae Blackall, better known as Tom McRae, is a singer-songwriter from England. He released his self-titled debut album in 2000. Some of…
26 November
Flo and Joan
Flo and Joan is a comedy music act from England formed in 2015. It consists of the Dempsey sisters Rosie and Nicola. After being…
5 December
Del Amitri
Formed in 1980, Del Amitri is an alternative rock band from Scotland who has released multiple Top 10 albums in the UK and is…
Hostels
Where to stay in Dundee
The top-rated places to stay in Dundee right now, live from Hostelworld.
When to go
May to September is best.
Jan
Quiet
Feb
Quiet
Mar
Spring
Apr
Spring
May
Good
Jun
Long days
Jul
Summer
Aug
Summer
Sep
Flower festival
Oct
Autumn
Nov
Dark
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. Dundee is one of the sunniest cities in Scotland.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in pounds.
The big museums are free, so the doing column stays low.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Dundee travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Dundee worth visiting?
Yes, for the V&A, the Discovery and a friendly, cheap city.
Is V&A Dundee free?
Entry to the main galleries is free.
How far is St Andrews?
About thirty minutes by bus.
How do I get to Dundee?
By train from Edinburgh, about an hour and a quarter.
What is the Discovery?
The ship that took Captain Scott to the Antarctic, built in Dundee.
How many days do you need?
Two.
When is the best time to visit?
May to September.
Say yes to hostels, meet the world
Compare Dundee hostels — live prices, real reviews and free cancellation on most bookings. Then meet the people already there in the app.
Get the App.