There's Never Been A Better Time to Visit Dundee, Scotland's new Capital of Cool

Dundee has been named the must-visit Scottish destination by countless travel writers, publications and websites. International travel bibles such as Lonely Planet, National Geographic and Conde Nast Traveller have all visited our dynamic and compact city and are now urging visitors to discover Dundee for themselves.

Dundee is being picked out as the place to visit for 2019 for good reason. Not only is it a UNESCO City of Design but it’s home to Scotland’s first design museum, V&A Dundee and the only V&A museum in the UK outside of London. Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the extraordinary futuristic building is situated on the city’s waterfront and has already become one of Scotland’s most instagrammable visitor attractions since opening in 2018.

Visitors will also want to brush up on stories of Dundee’s fascinating industrial past by paying a visit to any of our award-winning museums, The McManus Museum, Discovery Point and Verdant Works. Whilst Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) complete with art galleries, print studio and cinemas provide an opportunity to experience creativity in all its forms.

And it’s not just Dundee’s art and design culture that’s drawing such positive attention. Our thriving food and drink scene offers visitors easy access to contemporary restaurants, cool coffee houses, locally run cafes, craft beer bars and good food shops. It’s a little known fact that 70% of Scotland's produce is grown within 30 miles of Dundee city, ensuring our chefs have access to the finest, freshest ingredients all year round.

If you’re the type to come to life at night then Dundee has plenty to entertain you with ‘secret’ speakeasy bars, traditional Scottish pubs, night clubs, theatre, live music and comedy.

Whilst morning folk can enjoy some breathtaking walks around the seaside town of Broughty Ferry and the waterfront (described as the most ludicrously ideal setting for a city) or opt for panoramic views of the River Tay and beyond by taking a hike up to the Law - our extinct volcanic plug which towers above the city.

Dundee has so much to offer visitors and is at the heart of a very beautiful region known as Tay Country. We very much look forward to welcoming you to Dundee.

Getting to Dundee is easy with direct flights between London and Dundee or fly into Edinburgh and Glasgow airports and we’re a 60-90 minute drive from there. Dundee is also on East Coast trainline network and the overnight Caledonian Sleeper line.

Check out some further ideas for things to do here.

Visit Scotland
48 Hours in Dundee Guide