A Day in Dundee, Scotland - a UNESCO City of Design!
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Dundee is Scotland’s warmest and sunniest city! So if you need a day of warmth, sunshine, and sand between your toes, a day in Dundee is for you. I can confirm this because on our day in Dundee, we had bright, sunny skies and 60 degree weather even in April!
Dundee is still a hidden gem in Scotland, so get there before everyone finds out about it! It is a UNESCO City of Design, which means its arts and culture scene is one of the best. You can find many science and history museums, theaters, and art centers as well as cool bars if you’re on an adults-only trip. And if you love castles and photography like me, there are quite a few unique spots.
What you need to know about going to Dundee for one day
Vibrant street in Dundee City Center
General:
Dundee is in Scotland, which is in the United Kingdom (no longer in the EU). There is a beach there if you want to sunbathe, but I don’t recommend trying to swim! You can easily get around Dundee via public transport, but also expect to walk a lot.
Language:
Everyone speaks English here, and they are all so friendly!
Money:
The currency in the United Kingdom is the Pound Stirling (GBP).
Safety:
I felt very safe here and there weren’t many tourists around in April! Which makes spending a day in Dundee even better because you can enjoy all the city has to offer at your own pace.
How to get to Dundee from Edinburgh for one day
There is a direct train from Edinburgh to Dundee, which makes spending a day in Dundee a breeze. The train takes about an hour and 15 minutes. Board a train at Edinburgh Waverly, and your stop is Dundee. Pretty easy! Then you will do the same on your way back. Trains leave every 30 minutes from each station.
While you are in Dundee, Google Maps will be your friend because it gives you live information about public transport. Make sure you download the offline version or have an International SIM Card!
I recommend adding some time in St. Andrews to your day in Dundee, so check out this post to learn about how to incorporate it into your day!
How to spend a day in Dundee
This day in Dundee was made for history, castle, and photography lovers! Make sure to have plenty of charged camera batteries :)
Discovery Point
RRS Discovery at Discovery Point in Dundee, Scotland
At Discovery Point, discover what life on the RRS Discovery was like as they sailed around Antarctica. This highly interactive and immersive experience is the perfect starting point for a day in Dundee. Discovery Point is undergoing a transformation, and I am excited to tell you they recently opened the Discovery Dome where you can get 360 views of Dundee. It was under construction when we were there, and I am jealous that you will get to experience it now!
HMS Unicorn
Once you’ve finished touring the RRS Discovery, head over to the HMS Unicorn, one of the oldest wooden warships in Scotland! On one deck there are 46 giant guns used during its time in action. They were really cool, and I also enjoyed learning about life in the Royal Navy.
Claypotts Castle
Claypotts Castle in Dundee, Scotland
Just an FYI, you have to make an appointment to tour Claypotts Castle. I learned this as we got there! It is beautiful from the outside, so it is still worth a visit on your day in Dundee if you don’t make an appointment. It is actually in the middle of a neighborhood too. Can you imagine growing up with a castle in your backyard?
Broughty Ferry Castle + Beach
Broughty Castle in Broughty Ferry near Dundee, Scotland
Broughty Ferry is a little outside of Dundee, but you can take a bus and be there in 20 minutes. I loved this little town’s charm! And the Broughty Ferry Castle was really cool too. It sits right on the beach and you can imagine all the battles that took place right there. The castle is free to enter and hosts the Orchar Collection of Scottish Victorian artwork.
We saw many people sunbathing on the beach too. It was such a lovely day in April, I would have joined them if I brought my swimsuit!
Other things to do on a day in Dundee
Dundee Botanical Gardens
Camperdown Wildlife Center
Mills Observatory (if you stay late/overnight)
Things to do in St. Andrews, Scotland
If you want to add St. Andrews to your day in Dundee, I have a full itinerary for St. Andrews here. It is on the way to Dundee anyways! You can pack in additional historical sites and castles, which IMO is what Scotland is all about.
Beach in Dundee, Scotland
Final Thoughts on a Day in Dundee, Scotland
Dundee is definitely an up-and-coming destination that I highly recommend visiting. This unique and cultural city will be the perfect addition to your Scotland trip. Spending a day in Dundee will also perk you up with some much-needed sunshine and salty fresh air!
Here are my other Scotland posts so you can start planning your trip ASAP!