Dundee vacation packages

How to reach Dundee

• Transfer time: Dundee Airport is just 3 km west of the city center; you could feasibly walk, but otherwise, a taxi will get you to the center within 10 minutes.

• Price: There are no buses into the center, so expect to pay around $13 for a taxi.

Best time to visit Dundee

Your ideal time to visit Dundee depends on your planned activities, as some are seasonal, and the weather can also influence your decision.

• April to June: Spring brings mild temperatures, ranging from 50°F to 63°F, making it a great time to explore the city’s parks and nearby coastline. Rainfall is moderate, with typically 6-8 hours of sunshine each day.

• July to August: The city comes alive with festivals and outdoor events, with temperatures comfortably between 59°F and 68°F. Rainfall is lightest in these months, and there’s plenty of sunshine for outdoor dining along the waterfront.

• September to November: Cooler but still pleasant with temperatures from 48°F to 61°F. Rainfall can be heavy, but with 4-6 hours of sunshine daily, there are still plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. Autumn is a great time to visit Dundee’s museums; be sure to check out what's happening at the V&A.

• December to March: Winter can be chilly, with temperatures around 36°F to 43°F, but the Christmas markets and cozy pubs make up for it. It may snow, so pack plenty of layers and an umbrella as it's likely to rain frequently.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: English. The locals have a distinctive Scottish accent but are friendly and willing to help if you're having trouble understanding.

• Local habits and customs: Residents of Dundee are proud of their city's history and maintain a relaxed but polite demeanor. Respect for others, especially in queues and public spaces, is important. Learning a bit of local slang can be a fun way to engage with the locals.

• Currency: The currency in Dundee is the British Pound (£). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are readily available.

• Getting around: Local buses depart from High Street or nearby Union St. The Xplore Dundee Shop at 80–82 Commercial St sells Daysaver tickets, offering unlimited bus travel for a day ($5.80), and provides information on local bus routes.

• Time zone: Dundee operates on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and observes British Summer Time (BST) during daylight saving months.

Best things to do in Dundee

Dundee boasts a revitalized cultural scene and a stunning waterfront centered around Discovery, Captain Scott's famed Antarctic ship, along with a new V&A outpost. This vibrant transformation has helped Dundee shed its old industrial image.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Tay Bridges: Spanning a mile and a half, these bridges offer breathtaking views of the city along the northern bank of the Firth, with sights of seals in the water.

• Dundee Law: This extinct volcanic plug, standing at 171 meters, is Dundee’s highest point. Once a 7th-century hillfort, it now offers stunning panoramic views over the city and the River Tay.

The best districts

• Waterfront: This once-industrial area is now a lively hotspot, encapsulated by the remarkable V&A Dundee.

• City Center: Compact and easy to explore, the city center is teeming with shops, restaurants, and cafes, especially along Murraygate and High Street, known for their variety of independent shops.

Museums

• V&A Dundee: Designed like a futuristic ocean liner, this is Scotland's first museum of its kind and the only other V&A outside London. Its main attraction is the Scottish Design Galleries, featuring a brilliant reconstruction of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Ingram Street Tearooms.

• McManus Art Gallery and Museum: Featuring ground-floor rooms that explore museum culture, nature, and modern Dundee, with an upstairs Victoria gallery showcasing works by masters like Rossetti and Henry Raeburn.

Historical monuments

• RRS Discovery: This iconic three-mast vessel, built in Dundee in 1901 for Captain Scott’s polar expeditions, symbolizes Dundee’s rebirth.

• St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral: A Gothic Revival masterpiece by George Gilbert Scott, famed for its vivid stained glass and richly gilded high altar.

• HMS Unicorn: Built in 1824, this wooden frigate is the oldest British warship still afloat. Although its interior is sparse, the cannons and splendid figureheads are captivating.

Parks and gardens

• Camperdown Park: Dundee’s largest public space, offering woodland walks and a wildlife center.

• Baxter Park: A beautifully landscaped smaller park, renowned for its Victorian pavilion and vibrant flower beds.

Day trips in the area

• St Andrews: Known as the home of golf, this charming seaside town also boasts Scotland’s oldest university.

• Cairngorms: These mountains are a haven for wildlife like capercaillie and golden eagles and draw hikers, climbers, and skiers.

• Perth: This genteel city, lined with Georgian terraces and civic buildings, offers a rich art scene.

Activities for families in Dundee

Dundee offers an abundance of activities for kids and adults, fueled by the city’s tech expertise and excellent museums.

• Beaches: The seaside locale of Broughty Ferry is a relaxing spot with great restaurants and pubs, popular with kids for its beach and castle grounds.

• Interactive museums: The city’s tech reputation is evident in museums like the Dundee Science Centre with hands-on exhibits, and Verdant Works, which vividly recounts Dundee’s industrial past.

• Planetarium: From October to March, the Mills Observatory planetarium offers fortnightly shows and special viewing times for eclipses and other celestial events.

Free things to do in Dundee

Enjoy Dundee vacations without breaking the bank with plenty of free attractions and activities.

• Free events: Dundee’s cultural calendar is filled with free events, including music festivals and community fairs. Don't miss the Dundee Summer Streets Festival with live music, food stalls, and family fun.

• Street art: Discover Dundee’s creative side through street art projects like Open/Close Dundee, which energize alleys and forgotten city corners with local art-an excellent way to enjoy free art at your own pace.

Nature and outdoor activities

Dundee is surrounded by a landscape ideal for outdoor activities for all fitness levels and ambitions, despite the weather.

• Hiking and hillwalking: For challenging hikes, explore the nearby Angus Glens, featuring some of northeast Scotland's most rugged and majestic landscapes; Glen Clova and Glen Doll are particularly stunning.

• Paddleboarding: The River Tay is perfect for water-based activities, especially paddleboarding. Paddle Antics offers guided multi-rider paddleboard trips for those interested.

• Cycling: Visit the Dundee Cycle Hub to explore the city on two wheels. You can rent bikes, get repairs, and enjoy specialty coffee at their café.

Local dishes in Dundee

A hearty cooked breakfast, high-quality meats, and the freshest fish in the British Isles: traditional Scottish food satisfies even the biggest appetites, often enjoyed with a sip of whiskey.

Some typical dishes

• Cullen Skink: A rich soup made from smoked haddock, potatoes, and cream.

• Arbroath Smokies: A specialty from the nearby town of Arbroath, these intensely hot-smoked haddocks are served simply with butter and bread.

• Haggis: A flavorful sausage made with spiced liver, offal, oatmeal, and onion, cooked inside a sheep’s stomach. It's traditionally served with ‘bashed neeps’ (mashed turnips) and ‘chappit tatties’ (mashed potatoes).

Meat dishes

• Scottish Beef: Scottish-reared beef is often delicious, especially the Aberdeen Angus breed, known for flavor, though Highland cattle are also praised for their depth of taste.

• Venison Stew: The meat of the red deer is low in cholesterol and very tasty; it’s served roasted or in casseroles and is often cooked with juniper and red wine.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Fish Supper: You can't go wrong with a classic fish supper: crispy battered haddock or cod served with chunky fries-what could be better?

• Scallops: Best enjoyed seared and served with black pudding, a combination that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors.

Sweets and desserts

Dundee’s famous Dundee Cake is a rich fruit loaf topped with whole almonds-enjoyed best with a cup of tea, it's an absolute delight. Homemade shortbread, scones, and tablet (a hard, crystalline type of fudge) are also popular sweet treats.

Local drinks

• Whiskey: No trip to Scotland would be complete without trying a dram of whiskey. Dundee’s proximity to the whiskey regions of Speyside and the Highlands provides a great selection of local varieties to taste.

• Brewed Ales: For beer lovers, Dundee’s craft breweries produce a range of ales that highlight local ingredients. Try a pint from 71 Brewing, a popular local brewery known for its creative and bold flavors.