Visit Dundee this summer

Last updated: Friday, 8 March 2024

Dundee has enjoyed something of a revival over the past few years.

The train station has been overhauled and the waterfront has been transformed. There’s now plenty of space to enjoy a wander along the water taking in the magnificent views of the River Tay and Tay Bridge. Due to its spectacular south-facing location, Dundee is also known as Scotland’s sunniest city! It’s the perfect city to enjoy a train ride to, and spend time in on a summer’s day.

The city has even been acknowledged by high ranking titles such as Time Magazine, ranking it as one of the World’s 100th Greatest Places, and Lonely Planet ranking it as one of the top 10 places to Visit in Europe.

Dundee RSS Discovery and VA

Walking and cycling in Dundee

The city is a great place to walk and cycle accompanied by gorgeous views. The 26-mile Green Circular cycle route passes through parkland, and past lots of the city’s most iconic sights including Discovery Point, the V&A and Camperdown Wildlife Centre until you reach Broughty Ferry beach. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins playing the water here. For keen walkers, Dundee’s Heritage Trail is a great way to learn about the city and how its past shaped what you see today. You can download directions for the walk from GeoTourist, available from the App Store or Google Play.

Dundee Caird Hall

For comic book fans

You’ll no doubt know that Dundee is home to DC Thomson and some of the world’s most loved comic book characters. You’ll be able to spot lots of statues of your favourites as you take a wander around the city. See if you can find Oor Wullie, Desperate Dan and Minnie the Minx. There’s also a Bash Street, so take time to explore and visit the shop at the DC Thomson building in Albert Square.

Getting your culture fix

Thankfully with museums and exhibitions open again, there are lots of opportunities to soak up some culture, and Dundee certainly isn’t short of it! At the V&A Dundee, their latest exhibition ‘Night Fever: Designing Club Culture ’ is taking people on a journey through club culture and design from the 1960s until today. With nightclubs having been closed for so long, the silent, socially-distanced disco in the exhibition is the perfect place to let loose with a few moves. Over at The McManus:Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum there are two brilliant exhibitions taking place - A Love Letter to Dundee: Joseph McKenzie Photographs 1964-1987 (until Sunday 24th October, 2021); and, Time and Tide: The Transformation of the Tay (until Sunday 18th April, 2021).

For foodies, the Dundee Farmer’s Market is back in City Square on the 3rd Saturday of every month.

Before you travel

Before you book your trip to Dundee, it's worth taking a look at www.dundee.com to make sure that if there’s something in particular you want to do, that it’s open.

At the moment, lots of attractions and hotels have some great offers on to entice people to book so we've rounded up a few that could help you make your time in Dundee extra special. To find out more, simply click on the attraction or hotel name in the list below:

Visitor Attractions

Please always contact the venue or check online before you travel to ensure that it is open.

Verdant Works is a world class visitor attraction which tells the story of Dundee’s industrial textile heritage in the atmospheric setting of a beautifully refurbished Mill building. Hear the tales of the mill workers, see how they lived and worked in an industry which enveloped Dundee. Explore the amazing building, see (and hear) the machines at work, and step back to a time where the Mills were the heart of Dundee.

Offer

One child can visit free with a full paying adult – maximum one child free per voucher. Valid until 31 March 2022.

Subject to availability and not in conjunction with any other special offer. Please quote DIHRail1.

Come face to face with the ‘Heroes of the Ice’ at Discovery Point, an award-winning attraction and museum that tells the story of RRS Discovery. The exhibitions are a mix of state of the art audio visual and computer based multimedia, alongside displays of actual artefacts that belonged to Captain Scott and the brave crew who sailed with him to Antarctica in 1901 – your visit completed by stepping on board the historic Royal Research Ship Discovery

T: 01382 306090

www.rrsdiscovery.com

Offer

One Child can visit free with each full paying adult – maximum one child free per voucher.

Valid until 31st March 2022. Subject to availability and not in conjunction with any other special offer. Please quote DIHRail1

Located in 9.5 hectares of south facing, gently sloping land near the banks of the River Tay, The University of Dundee Botanic Garden has a wide range of plants, with fine collections of conifers and broad-leaved trees and shrubs, tropical and temperate glasshouses, water garden and herb garden.

The Garden has a popular café and gift shop with plant nursery. Regular self-guided and interactive trails are hosted throughout the garden with supporting information from the Visitor Centre.

Offer

Show your ScotRail ticket to enjoy £1 off (adult fee usually £5).

Children under 16 are free.

Contact card payment at the entrance.

Delving into iconic clubs in New York, Paris, Florence, Manchester, London, Beirut, Berlin – and towns and cities across Scotland – the exhibition uncovers the progressive and subversive history of nightclub design, and its far-reaching influence on popular culture.

Hotels

Enjoy an overnight stay and make your time in Dundee last a little longer.

  • Save and book with confidence with Holiday Inn Express Dundee.
  • No deposit required.
  • Can be fully cancelled up to 7 days prior to arrival.
  • A 1 night charge will be due if cancelled within 3 days of your stay.

To book please call 01383 314 330 and Quote ‘Advance Saver Rate’ or visit www.hiexpress.com

Big Dreams, Big Savings

Your next memory-making getaway is closer than you think. Save at Hampton by Hilton Dundee and enjoy the flexibility of early check-in, late check-out, and free early departure where available if you need to change your plans. Make your getaway dreams a reality with our Dream Away offer.

What’s included:

  • 15% off the usual rates, plus an additional 5% off for Hilton Honors members.
  • Free hot breakfast

How to book:

Click here to choose your dates, your room type and then select the ‘Dream Away’ rate.

Terms & Conditions:

  • 24 hours cancellation, no deposit required

Invercarse Hotel is one of the most established hotels in Dundee, this year marks the 75th anniversary. Located just three miles from the city centre, and set in an affluent residential area, you’ll be sure of a quiet night’s sleep and a warm welcome.

To save 15% off our best available rate, please call direct and Quote 'Scotrail'.

www.invercarsehotel.co.uk Tel. 01382 669231

Dream, Explore, Discover at Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa this winter. Just a five-minute walk from V&A Dundee and the train station, with commanding views over the River Tay and the Quayside, it’s the perfect base for all the city centre attractions.

From the warm welcome on arrival to a room tailored just the way you like it, the hotel has you covered. Your bright, contemporary room includes a large TV, spacious walk-in shower and complimentary Elemis toiletries. Enjoy afternoon tea, a long lunch or formal dinner in stylish Quayside Bar & Grill, or chill out in the relaxing surroundings of Yu Spa, complete with a swimming pool and gym.

15% off the Best Flexible Rate

PROMO CODE: SCOTRAIL

Booking link

Dinner Bed & Breakfast

  • Enjoy a three-course dinner, an overnight stay and a cooked breakfast the next morning.
  • You can cancel for free up to 24 hours prior to check-in.

Booking link

V&A Overnight Package

  • 2 tickets to Night Fever: Designing Club Culture at V&A Dundee
  • Complimentary Prosecco
  • Full Scottish breakfast
  • Late check out at noon
  • Cancel for free up to 24 hours prior to check in

Booking link

Located in the heart of the city, across the road from Dundee train station. The stunning Victorian building offers fabulous facilities and amenities, with a fabulous contemporary restaurant.

Stay longer and save more

Book 2 nights with up to 20% off, or stay 3 nights with up to 25% off. All stays include a full-cooked breakfast, and you can enjoy 25% off upgrades on check in, subject to availability.

Promo code: STAYSCOT. Find out more and book your stay here.

Sleeperz Hotel Dundee is a new 120-bed design-led hotel located directly above Dundee Railway Station, the gateway to the city.

Guests will enjoy views over the nearby V&A Museum Dundee, RRS Discovery, the River Tay and onto the new Waterfront Plaza. Only a few minutes’ walk into the city centre for shopping and other attractions including McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum.

Offer 1

20% discount on all food and beverage between 12pm and 5pm Sunday to Friday

Present your rail ticket or railcard when ordering

Terms and conditions

  • Discount applied per ticket/person.
  • Ticket must be valid on the day of dining.
  • Non applicable to alcoholic beverages.
  • Subject to table availability.
  • Valid between 12pm and 5pm Sunday to Friday.

Offer 2

15% discount on standard rate when booking a room with an option to add a full cooked breakfast for £5.00.

Terms and conditions

  • Offer only valid for rail travellers.
  • A valid train ticket or railcard must be presented upon check in – Discounted rates may be reversed if no valid ticket presented.
  • Offer valid 7 days and booked 24 hours in advance of arrival date.
  • 24 hours cancelation policy applies.
  • A valid credit card must be available at the time of booking to allow for pay on arrival.

To make a reservation call 01382 725 888 and quote “ScotRail Offer”

www.sleeperz.com/dundee/

Surrounded by mature wooded gardens Woodlands Hotel is a short walk from the historic seaside town of Broughty Ferry.

You'll be greeted with a warm and welcoming hello at this family run hotel. You’ll find a fully equipped gym, heated indoor pool, sauna, steam and jacuzzi, plus a resident holistic masseuse.
There’s a relaxing lounge bar with outside terrace, and a Scottish themed restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Popular with locals and residents, the hotel retains a warm and relaxed atmosphere, and you’ll be sure of a good night’s sleep.

To save 15% off our best available rate, please call direct and Quote 'Scotrail'.

www.woodlandsdundee.co.uk Tel.01382 480033 [email protected]