A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Dundee vs. Cardiff for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Dundee or Cardiff?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Dundee or Cardiff? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Dundee

Dundee is a cultural, historic, and coastal city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food, museums, and nightlife.

Cardiff

Cardiff is a green, industrial, and up-and-coming city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, shopping, and museums.

Dundee and Cardiff: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dundee or Cardiff?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cardiff than Dundee. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Cardiff is very popular for its shopping and impressive beauty, while Dundee attracts visitors for its food. Cardiff is more touristy than Dundee and is known for having the most castles per square mile of any city in Europe. It is also well known for The Cardiff Castle. Dundee is famous for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design.

How is Dundee different from Cardiff?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cardiff and Dundee. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dundee or Cardiff?

Both Dundee and Cardiff have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Dundee is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. On the waterfront you'll find a couple of nautical museums such as RRS Discovery, and HM Frigate Unicorn. Other museums and sights include V&A Dundee, Tay Rail Bridge, Camperdown Wildlife Centre, and Glamis Castle.

Cardiff offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The most notable landmark of the city is the famous and well-preserved Cardiff Castle. Visitors also enjoy seeing the Victorian arcades, museums, and cathedrals around town.

Is the Food Better in Dundee or Cardiff? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dundee is a popular place for its restaurant scene. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Dundee. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

Cardiff may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Welsh cuisine is known for its stews and hearty vegetable dishes. The national dish is cawl, which is a stew made with lamb and vegetables. Other local favorites include Welsh rarebit, which is a type of cheese toast, and Glamorgan Sausage, which is actually made with vegetables.

Is Dundee or Cardiff Better for Nightlife?

Both Dundee and Cardiff are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Dundee. The vibrant student population heavily influences the city's nightlife. There are a number of clubs and bars where you can hang out late into the night.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cardiff. The nightlife scene is all about fun and most of the activities are driven by the large and diverse student population.

Is the Shopping Better in Dundee or Cardiff?

Cardiff is a popular place for shopping. However, Dundee is not a good city for its shopping opportunities.

Cardiff is a great destination for shopping. Shopping options include shopping malls and boutique lined streets. There is a nice mix of independent shops and major chains to choose between.

If you're looking to go shopping, Dundee has some nice offerings. There are shopping centers and a few independent shops that are worth checking out. Head to Overgate Shopping Centre for the standard brands or Dundee's Farmer's Market for some local produce.

Is Dundee or Cardiff Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Dundee or Cardiff.

Dundee is a family-friendly place to visit. Head to the Dundee Science Center or check out Discovery Point. There's also the Dundee Treasure Trail as well as climbing walls and other outdoor activities for when the weather's nice.

Cardiff is a family-friendly city. The city has a number of climbing and play areas, museums, and playgrounds that can keep the little ones entertained. There are also plenty of outdoor parks and trails to wander around.

Is Dundee or Cardiff Better for Couples?

Most people don't think of either Dundee or Cardiff as a couple's destination.

Dundee is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The coastal city has some nice outdoor spaces and interesting restaurants that couples can enjoy.

Most people don't think of Cardiff as a couple's destination. The most romantic experiences involve a night out dining at nice restaurants, enjoying a cocktail at a classy bar, and strolling through neighborhoods and soaking up the atmosphere.

Is Dundee or Cardiff Better for Students?

Dundee and Cardiff are both nice destinations for students and younger travelers.

Dundee is a good city to visit for students. Its affordability and authenticity make this a nice option for students. It's also a very safe city.

Plenty of students visit Cardiff. Most students come to study at Cardiff University, which is a leading university in Great Britain.

Is Dundee or Cardiff Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Dundee is a popular place for its public transit. However, Cardiff is a city with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Dundee, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The city has a public bus system.

Public transit is mostly limited in Cardiff. There is a bus system that you can use to get around.

Is Dundee or Cardiff a more walkable city?

Dundee and Cardiff both are nice when exploring on foot.

Dundee is somewhat walkable. There are a number of walks through the town.

Cardiff is a somewhat walkable place. There are pedestrianized areas and the waterfront is nice to walk around but there is still room for improvement when it comes to walkability.

For even more information, also check out Is Dundee Worth Visiting? and Is Cardiff Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cardiff or Dundee?

How long in Dundee or Cardiff?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Dundee and Cardiff. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cardiff than in Dundee. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Dundee, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cardiff.

Families should spend more time in Dundee than Cardiff. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Dundee, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Dundee than Cardiff. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Dundee that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dundee than Cardiff if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Dundee.

One day in Dundee or Cardiff?

In Dundee, you'll find museums and nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Cardiff. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dundee or Cardiff?

In Dundee, you'll find nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dundee has to offer.

Cardiff is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Dundee or Cardiff?

Dundee is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cardiff. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Dundee or Cardiff?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dundee. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Dundee. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the up-and-coming destination of Cardiff. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dundee and Cardiff, we can see that Dundee is more expensive. And not only is Cardiff much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cardiff would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cardiff and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Dundee would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dundee than you might in Cardiff.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dundee Expensive? and Is Cardiff Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Dundee or Cardiff?

Cardiff has a larger population, and is about 99% larger than the population of Dundee. When comparing the sizes of Dundee and Cardiff, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Dundee or Cardiff?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Dundee or Cardiff in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Dundee and Cardiff. The summer months attract visitors to Dundee because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cardiff this time of year.

In the summer, Dundee is cooler than Cardiff. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dundee in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Cardiff averages at about 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Cardiff this time of the year. Dundee usually receives less sunshine than Cardiff during summer. Dundee gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Cardiff receives 220 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dundee usually receives less rain than Cardiff. Dundee gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dundee or Cardiff in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Dundee as well as Cardiff. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Dundee this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Cardiff for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Dundee is generally cooler than Cardiff. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 10°C (49°F), and Cardiff fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Dundee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cardiff. Dundee gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cardiff receives 95 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Cardiff. Dundee usually gets less rain in October than Cardiff. Dundee gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dundee or Cardiff in the Winter?

Both Cardiff and Dundee are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dundee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Cardiff in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cardiff can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Dundee. Dundee is around the same temperature as Cardiff in the winter. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Cardiff fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Dundee usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Cardiff during winter. Dundee gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Cardiff receives 57 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dundee usually receives less rain than Cardiff. Dundee gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dundee or Cardiff in the Spring?

Both Cardiff and Dundee during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dundee in the spring for the activities around the city. Also, most visitors come to Cardiff for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Dundee is cooler than Cardiff. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dundee in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Cardiff averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the spring, Dundee often gets less sunshine than Cardiff. Dundee gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cardiff receives 183 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets less rain in April than Cardiff. Dundee gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cardiff receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cardiff and Dundee