18 Wonderful Tourist Places to Visit and Things to Do in Dundee, Scotland

June 18, 2023 Mustafa Natalwala 1762 Views

Dundee is a city in Scotland, UK. The city sits on the north bank of the Firth of Tay. Some of the best things to do in Dundee, Scotland include exploring history, medieval castles, modern art, and museums.

The city rose to prominence during the 12th century owing to industrialization. Many of the best places to visit in Dundee, Scotland stem from these fields. You can visit the mills that were once the throbbing heart of the city’s economy. The port of the city also became a prominent centre for trade. You can also explore parts of the historic port when you visit Dundee, Scotland.

The city also has a rich history steeped in scientific discovery. Two of the most incredible things to see in Dundee, Scotland include RSS Discovery and Mills Observatory. The former is a ship that went on an antarctic expedition.

The latter is the first observatory of its kind in Britain. Both of these are among the most popular Dundee tourist attractions for their significance to scientific discovery. You can also see one of the oldest ships in the world, named HMS Unicorn, among Dundee attractions.

As you explore the city, you will get to explore a variety of classical and modern art through museums, public installations, and art galleries. Art and design are a major part of Dundee sightseeing.

It was the first UNESCO City of Design in the UK. The most famous places to see in Dundee in this respect include The McManus Gallery, DCA, and V&A. These venues give you an insight into the world of various forms of art, fine arts, architecture, and design.

Finally, but most popularly, people want to explore the famous Scottish castles during Dundee travel. These castles are not only incredible works of architecture but are also associated with significant people and events.

One of the best places to visit near Dundee is the Glamis Castle, which was depicted in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. You can explore the grand stories of these grand structures as you explore the castles.

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Table of Contents

Top 18 Tourist Places to Visit in Dundee, Scotland

1. RRS Discovery

This ship was designed for Antarctic research and was launched in 1901. It was the last traditional wooden three-masted ship built in Britain. It is one of the best places to visit in Dundee, Scotland.

You can tour the ship and learn about its wonderful features of design. The exhibits also tell the story of various people and expeditions associated with the vessel. You will need an hour or so from Dundee travel to explore the ship.

2. The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum

This museum and art gallery focuses on natural history, fine arts, and decorative arts. It has 8 galleries that exhibit a collection of ancient, classical, modern, and contemporary artworks. The museum is as much for its building as it is for the collection.

The buildings housing this museum is one of the most wonderful things to see in Dundee, Scotland. It is a fine Gothic Revival structure. It looks like a blend of an English estate house and a church. You will need one hour to tour the museum and the building when you visit Dundee.

3. Verdant Works

Also known as Scotland’s Jute Museum, it looks at the textile industry of the city. The museum is housed in a former jute mill. It is one of the most important historical Dundee tourist attractions.

The textile industry was an important part of the city’s economy. This museum looks at various aspects of the industry including machinery, jute products, tools, major companies, trade practices, and so on. You will need an hour and a half to tour this museum.

4. Dundee Science Centre

This science centre has several exhibits and activities dedicated to different branches of science. The place has many fun things to do in Dundee for families. You can explore exhibits concerning chemistry, physics, robotics, medicine, biology, and more. You will need about 2 hours to explore this entire place.

5. Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA)

This art museum celebrates modern and contemporary artworks. The complex has an art gallery, a cinema house, a print centre, and a research centre. It is one of the most popular Dundee attractions for art admirers.

The art gallery has a rotating exhibition of local, national, and international artists. The cinema house is one of the most popular indoor activities to do in Dundee. It screens blockbuster movies and arthouse films. You will need about an hour to explore the art gallery.

6. Caird Hall

This concert hall was built in 1914, it was designed by James Thomson and named after the benefactor James Key Caird. The foundation stone was laid by King George, the Fifth, and Queen Mary.

It is one of the most important historical landmarks to see during Dundee sightseeing. The best way to explore this place is to enjoy a show in the hall. You can also simply tour the building and admire the architecture and interior. It takes about an hour to explore this place.

7. The Howff

This burial ground dates back to 1564 and is one of the oldest places to see in Dundee. It is the final resting place of many prominent figures of the region. You can also see artistically designed and sculptured gravestones, even several historic ones. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this place.

8. Camperdown Wildlife Centre

This zoo houses several animals including Lemurs, Horses, Brown Bear, Golden Eagle, Eagle Owl, Snowy Owl, and many more. The zoo is known for several cool things to do in Dundee for families including animal interactions.

You can become a zookeeper for a day, feed the animals, and pet them. People can easily spend an hour or so enjoying this place.

9. Broughty Castle Museum

This castle was built in 1495, but fortifications of the castle were already complete by 1454 and the central tower by 1490. It is one of the most interesting places to visit near Dundee, Scotland.

This castle has been part of many battles. As you explore the complex, you can learn about its history and the people who once lived there. It is also one of the top things to do near Dundee for the amazing view of River Tay and the opposite bank. You will need about 2 hours from Dundee travel to tour this castle.

10. HMS Unicorn

This vessel has 200 years of history and played several roles for the Royal Navy. It is one of the six oldest ships in the world. The iconic unicorn head still adorns the bow.

The ship is one of the most interesting places to go in Dundee, Scotland. The ship tells its stories and sailors that braved the oceans on its boards. You will need an hour or so to tour this vessel when you visit Dundee.

11. Dundee Museum of Transport

This museum looks at the history of transport and our fascination with vehicles. The collection includes some of the most popular things to see in Dundee, Scotland.

You will see cars from movies such as Skyfall, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Yugo, and more. The collection also includes consumer cars, sports cars, buses, trucks, police vehicles, military vehicles, and more.

The museum also has several fun indoor activities to do in Dundee, Scotland for children. You will need about an hour to explore this place.

12. Dundee Botanic Garden

Spread over 9.5 hectares, this garden sits on the banks of River Tay and houses a variety of plants and trees. The garden has native and exotic species including pine birch, ash wood, beech, oaks, dwarf scrub, aquatic fern, and many more.

It is one of the best places to visit in Dundee for some leisure and tranquility. You can easily spend an hour to explore these gardens.

I suggest you should get an Entry Ticket to Dundee Botanic Garden in advance.

13. Mills Observatory

This was the first purpose-built observatory in Britain. The computerized telescope can detect more than 30,000 objects in the sky. A tour of this observatory gives you insight into the theoretical and applicable science of astronomy.

You can take a glance at the night sky with incredible detail in this observatory. It is one of the best things to do near Dundee for people of all ages. You will need an hour and a half to tour this place.

14. V&A Dundee

The Victoria and Albert Museum was the very first design museum in Scotland. You will see exhibits concerning fashion, fine arts, architecture, and more. This is one of the most inspiring Dundee tourist attractions. You will need about 2 hours to explore this place.

15. Brought Ferry Beach

This long sandy beach faces the river Tay and is popular for several cool things to do in Dundee, Scotland. You can come here for leisurely strolls, sailing, surfing, swimming, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, and more.

People also come here for the beachside cafes, restaurants, and shops. You can easily spend a couple of hours at this beach when you visit Dundee, Scotland.

16. Dundee Ice Arena

You can visit this arena for ice skating. Even if you don’t know how to skate, you can take a quick lesson and enjoy the indoor activity in Dundee. You can also catch a game of ice hockey at the Ice arena. You can easily spend an hour or so at this place.

17. Glamis Castle

This castle is one of the most well-known places to visit near Dundee, Scotland. It is most famously the castle of King Macbeth in Shakespeare’s eponymous play.

The castle is also associated with several other events as well including the murder of Malcolm II, the birth of Princess Margaret, the burning of Janet Douglas, and the fire of 1916.

The castle’s history has made it one of the most popular places to go in Dundee, Scotland. You need about half a day’s trip from the city to tour this castle.

You should book your Tour to Glamis Castle from Dundee in advance.

18. Dundee City Square

This square is the historic heart of the city. It is surrounded by several Dundee attractions including the bronze statue of Desperate Dan. The square is a great place to just sit, relax and enjoy the historical architecture around it.

It is also one of the best places to visit during Dundee sightseeing for its cafes, shops, and restaurants. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this square.

If you are looking for more places to see in Dundee check out the section below. We have compiled a complete list of attractions and activities to explore in and around the city.

Things to do in Dundee

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Dundee

V&A Dundee
The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum
Verdant Works
Broughty Castle Museum
Dundee Contemporary Arts Museum
HMS Unicorn
Craigtoun Country Park
Dundee Museum of Transport
Mills Observatory
Claypotts Castle
Mains Castle
Barry Mill
Gallery Q Dundee
D’Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum
The Howff Cemetery
RSS Discovery
Birkhill Castle
Kinpurney Hill
Balmerino Abbey
St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
Creich Castle
North Carr Lightship
Baxter Park Pavillion
Affleck Castle
Ardestie Earth House
Tealing Earth House
Fowlis Castle
Mountquhanie Castle
Wishart’s Arch
Lawside Convent and Diocesan Centre
Carlungie Earth House
Dundee International Submarine Memorial
Larick Beacon
Balgarthno Stone Circle

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Dundee

Dundee Law
Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve
Crombie Country Park
Tentsmuir Point
Monifieth Beach
Craigowl Hill
Riverside Nature Park
Auchterhouse Hill
Lundie Craigs
Barry Burn
Carrot Hill
Long Loch
Northballo Hill

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Dundee

Camperdown Wildlife Centre
Dundee Science Centre
Carnoustie Golf Links
Dundee Bontanic Garden
Slessor Gardens
Baxter Park
Camperdown Country Park
Monikie Country Park
Magdalen Green
Dundee Waterfront Gardens
Ryze Dundee – Xtreme Air Sports
Olympia Centre
Barnhill Rock Garden
The Fun Factory
Avertical World Climbing Centre
The Wine Press
Dudhope Park
Ninewells Community Garden
Balnuith Alpacas Farm
Grosvenor Casino
Caird Park
Dawson Park
Balgay Park
Teamsport Go Karting
Lochee Park
Clatto Country Park
Ledyatt Loch Trout Fishery
71 Brewing
Stobsmuir Park
Tayfield Estate
Victoria Park

Shopping in Dundee

Overgate Shopping Centre
Dundee’s Farmer’s Market
Gallagher Retail Park
Wellgate Shopping Centre

Beaches & Islands in Dundee

Broughty Ferry Beach
Carnoustie Beach
Kinshaldy Beach
Wormit Bay Beach
Blue Seaway Monifieth

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Dundee

Sailing
Surfing
Swimming
Wind-surfing
Hiking
Kayaking
Canoeing
Jet-Skiing
Ice Skating
Rock-Climbing

Sightseeing in Dundee

Tay Rail Bridge
Firth of Tay
Desperate Dan Statue
Oor Willie Bronze Statue
Jim Clarke Statue
Lemming Statues

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Dundee

Medina Bar & Grill
Brasserie Ecosse
Giddy Goose
Rad Apples
The Bach
Yamm Buffet
Milas Turkish Kitchen
Bird & Bear
Dundee Rep
Brauch
Sol y Sombra Tapas
Don Michele
The Cannon
Birkhill Inn
Franks Wine & Pasta
Kilted Kangaroo
Mas Mexicana
Forgans Broughty Ferry
Rama Thai
The Howff Secret Supper Club
Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar
Mozza
Tony Macroni
Tahini
Ciao Sorrento
The Parlour Cafe
Gallery 48
The Caird

Where to Stay in Dundee?

Here we have listed Top Rated Hotels in Dundee. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Dundee.

Custom Tours Package in Dundee

How to Reach Dundee?

By Air

The city has its own airport. The Dundee airport received direct flights from London, Sumburgh, and Kirkwall. You can also visit Dundee through the airports of Belfast, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh.

Then you can take trains and buses to get to Dundee from these cities. From Dundee airport, you can get buses and cabs to get to the city.

By Road

You can get direct trains for Dundee travel from several places in Scotland. These include Aberdeen, Perth, Inverness, Edinburgh, Stirling, and more. You can also get connecting trains from all cities on the rail network of the UK.

You can also get buses from all around the UK to reach Dundee. On the other hand, if you want to get to Dundee by road, you should head for routes A90 or A92.

By Water

Despite being a port city, there are no direct passenger water routes to visit Dundee.

Image Reference

RRS Discovery – Neil Williamson / Flickr
McManus Galleries – Paul Robertson / Flickr
Verdant Works – nz_willowherb / Flickr
Dundee Science Centre – Karen Bryan / Flickr
Dundee Contemporary Arts – John Lord / Flickr
Caird Hall – Màrtainn MacDhòmhnaill / Flickr
The Howff – Derek Hoskins / Flickr
Camperdown Wildlife Centre – Glen Bowman / Flickr
Broughty Castle Museum – Tom Parnell / Flickr
HMS Unicorn – MariuszMatuszewski / Wikimedia Commons
Dundee Museum of Transport – Derek Hoskins / Flickr
Dundee Botanic Garden – Jaimie Wilson / Flickr
Mills Observatory – Ydam / Wikimedia Commons
V&A Dundee – Alex Liivet / Flickr
Brought Ferry Beach – vloux / Flickr
Dundee Ice Arena – Daniel / Flickr
Glamis Castle – mags1x / PixaBay
Dundee City Square – Karen Bryan / Flickr