Although Scotland is not exactly synonymous with sunshine, Dundee has long held the title of the country’s sunniest city. In the Victorian era, it was made famous by its three Js – jute, jam and journalism.
Fast forward 150 years or so, and it became the birthplace of legendary comic The Beano, the popular video game Grand Theft Auto and Succession star Brian Cox.
Dundee is a vibrant blend of history, innovation and culture, but beyond the urban buzz, it’s surrounded by lush countryside, offering beautiful parks and fine coastal views (if this is something you particularly like, be sure to take a look at our pick of the best seaside destinations in the UK to visit too).
With its reputation for a friendly atmosphere and an eclectic vibe, the city is quickly becoming a must-visit destination and makes a tempting destination for a weekend getaway in a campervan.
Where to stay for a weekend in Dundee
The best motorhome sites in Scotland are going to offer you a great base for exploring the surrounding area.
If you’re thinking of heading to Dundee, you could consider Riverview Caravan Park, a large, family-friendly touring campsite overlooking beautiful Monifieth Beach. Alternatively, you could consider Tayview Caravan Park – it’s a beachfront holiday park close to the shops and transport links in Monifieth.
What to do in Dundee on Day 1
10am – Celebrating design
Why not kick off your trip with one of the city’s heavy-hitters, the V&A Dundee?
Housed in a suitably striking building, the famous UK museum overlooks the River Tay and is the first Victoria and Albert museum established outside London.
As Scotland’s first design museum and a cultural behemoth in Dundee, the unmissable site is home to a creatively curated array of exhibitions and trails celebrating art, design, architecture and more, from Scotland and beyond.
General admission is free, with entrance fees for some events and exhibitions.
12pm – Take me to the river
Time to stroll along Dundee Waterfront and take in views of the River Tay, the Rail Bridge and the surrounding landscapes.
Head into town for lunch at one of the city’s many tempting food spots, such as The Selkie, a seven-minute walk from the V&A through the Waterfront Gardens.
This family-owned restaurant serves an excellent variety of tapas, along with lunch options and a choice of cocktails.
1.30pm – Discovery time
Tucked just behind the V&A is the RRS Discovery, the three-masted vessel built in Dundee’s shipyards in 1901, which took Scott and Shackleton to the Antarctic. Learn more about the iconic ship, the historic journey and the city’s role in it at Discovery Point, the accompanying exhibition. Adult tickets £17, children aged five to 16, £9.50.
3.30pm – On yer bike!
Why not hire a bicycle and mosey down National Cycle Route 1 to Broughty Ferry, just four miles east of Dundee?
This charming coastal suburb of grand villas and fishing cottages is popular for its vibrant pubs and restaurants.
The 15th-century Broughty Castle, now a museum, showcases local history, as does Claypotts Castle, a Z-plan tower house dating from the 1500s.
6pm – Award-winning nosh
If you want to stick around for dinner in Broughty Ferry, Collinsons is a sleek but welcoming option, which has featured in the Michelin Guide several times for its down-to-earth dishes with high-end flair.
What to do on Day 2
9.30am – Breakfast time
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to foodie spots in Dundee. Try Stenecki Coffee, a modern-rustic spot tucked away on a city centre side street. They offer a varied breakfast menu, including pastries, acai bowls and cooked breakfasts.
10.30am – Respect the Law
Overlooking the whole city from its heart is Dundee Law, a 571ft hill named fifth best view in Scotland in 2024 by The Times.
Formed by ancient volcanic activity, the heritage site was inhabited by Bronze Age settlers, and today is a very popular spot for visitors and locals, crowned with a war memorial and several hidden treasures. Follow the signs for the Town to Top walk from the City Square for a one-mile stroll, which passes marked points of interest and the iconic Law Steps.
12pm – Tapas o’clock
Head back into town and you can stop off for a superb lunch at Gallery 48, a tapas restaurant-cum-exhibtion space. The refined and airy spot offers delicious Spanish small plates and a curated selection of fine wines.
1.30pm – Jute on site
The Verdant Works Museum is a fascinating industrial heritage site, exploring the city’s long history of jute production.
Housed in a restored Victorian mill, it provides immersive exhibits on the jute industry, its workers, and the global impact of Dundee’s textile trade, along with a rolling programme of visiting exhibitions and events.
Adult tickets £14, free entrance for children. Joint ticket including Discovery Point, adults £24.50, children £9.50.
3pm – The bear necessities
Just three miles from the city centre, Camperdown Country Park is the largest public park in Dundee, spanning over 400 acres. The neoclassical Camperdown House lies at its heart, surrounded by no fewer than 190 types of tree.
Also within the park is Camperdown Wildlife Centre, home to 50 species of animals, including European brown bears, gibbons, lemurs and snowy owls. Don’t miss Bear Broch Visitor Centre, showcasing the history of bears in Scotland! Adult tickets £7, children aged three to 17, £5.75.
5.30pm – Sharing’s caring
Enjoy an early dinner back in the city, where you’ll find a wealth of options. Among them is The Barrelman, a lofty and laid-back restaurant with a packed menu of sharing plates, burgers and traditional pub grub, while Tahini is an authentic Lebanese restaurant offering small plates, set menu and veggie options.
7pm – Theatrical flourish
Continue the culture into the evening, with a visit to The Rep Theatre or the Dundee Contemporary Arts centre.
The theatre has a small but hugely impressive programme of plays and live performance, while the DCA is home to an independent cinema, along with exhibitions and events.
Did you know?
Mary Shelley’s famous novel, Frankenstein, is believed to have been inspired by her time in Dundee in the early 1800s.
In an 1831 foreword to the story, she wrote “… my habitual residence was on the blank and dreary northern shores of the Tay near Dundee… It was beneath the trees of the grounds belonging to our house or on the bleak sides of the woodless mountains near, that my true compositions, the airy flights of my imagination, were born and fostered.”
The Frankenstein Steps, once attached to the Baxter family home where Shelley stayed, still stand on South Baffin Street.
After some more ideas for a weekend getaway? Then head to our Go Campervanning: Weekend Getaways section for more great ideas!
Lead image: Alamy Stock Photo
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