A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dundee vs. Lille for Food, Nightlife, Attractions, and Families

Should you visit Dundee or Lille?

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

Should I visit Dundee or Lille? 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.

Lille

Lille is a historic, under-rated, and fascinating city. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Dundee and Lille: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dundee or Lille?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lille than Dundee. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Lille is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Dundee attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Lille is more touristy than Dundee and is known for its beautiful architecture, excellent shopping, and world class food scene. It is also well known for Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle). Dundee is famous for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design.

Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle)

How is Dundee different from Lille?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Lille 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 Lille?

Dundee is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its museums and history.

Dundee offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

While most people don't head to Lille specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The city offers an amazing atmosphere, with many of the most beautiful buildings near Place du Général de Gaulle (the main square). Top rated attractions in town include Palais des Beaux-Arts, Musée du Louvre-Lens, and Eglise Saint-Maurice.

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

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Lille is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The city has a cuisine all its own. There are many local dishes that are recommended with some of the most popular being les moules (mussels), the Welsh (a beer and cheddar cheese dish), and la carbonade flamande (beef stew). Most dishes are served with a hearty side of fries. The mussels are a favorite and are served with various toppings including local cheese. You can expect your very own pot of mussels with each order. Many of the restaurants around the main square (General de Gaulle Square) offer these local specialties. Outside the old town you'll also find plenty of international restaurants including Asian street food.

Dundee has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

Is Dundee or Lille Better for Nightlife?

Lille is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Lille offers plenty to do in the evening. With its young population and countless places to hang out, there's rarely a dull night around town. The most popular nightlife areas are Rue Masséna and Rue Solférino. The city also offers plenty of theaters and shows that you can enjoy.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Is Dundee or Lille Better for its Old Town?

Lille is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Dundee does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Lille. The old town (Le Vieux Lille) is charming to explore. Many of the buildings are from the 16th or 17th centuries and feature very ornate architecture. The area is filled with shops and restaurants and it stays active throughout the day. This is an area where locals and tourists alike live and play.

Dundee does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dundee or Lille?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for shopping. However, Dundee is not a good city for its shopping opportunities.

Lille is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is filled with shopping opportunities. Almost any store you could want is in or around the old town and the two main shopping centers in town are McArthur Glen and A l'Usine. Also by the train station is a shopping mall.

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 Lille Better for Families?

Dundee is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Lille is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Lille is not always a place people visit with their families. There are a handful of kid-focused activities like a small zoo, a small amusement park, several museums and even a puppet theater. Many of the restaurants also have kid's menus that are reasonably priced.

Is Dundee or Lille Better for Couples?

Lille is a popular place for romance. However, Dundee is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Lille is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy shopping, dining out, and exploring beautiful cities will enjoy a visit. There are many great restaurants worth experiencing, as well as beautiful architecture and fun shops.

Most people don't think of Dundee as a couple's destination. The coastal city has some nice outdoor spaces and interesting restaurants that couples can enjoy.

Is Dundee or Lille Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lille is a popular place for backpackers. However, Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Lille. This small city flies under the radar for most backpackers, but there are a handful of hostels and a great experience for those who venture here. It feels more off the beaten path than some French cities, but you'll find great food and a nice atmosphere.

Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Dundee or Lille Better for Students?

Lille is a well-known place for students. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Lille is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city is home to a number of students, both local and international. It has a lower cost of living than many places in France as well as a youthful vibe with fun activities and plenty of shopping.

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

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

Lille is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Lille can move around easily with public transportation. There is a metro as well as trams and buses throughout the city.

Dundee has some public transit options. The city has a public bus system.

Is Dundee or Lille a more walkable city?

Lille is an amazing city to visit for its walkability. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Lille on foot. The old town in particular is compact and best explored on foot, but even outside of the old town, many areas are easily explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Lille or Dundee?

How long in Dundee or Lille?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lille than Dundee 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 Lille.

One day in Dundee or Lille?

In Dundee, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this coastal destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Lille. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dundee or Lille?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dundee. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Lille 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 Lille?

Dundee is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Dundee. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lille. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Lille?

You'll find nightlife and food around the cultural destination of Dundee. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the fascinating destination of Lille. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Paris, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dundee and Lille, we can see that Dundee is more expensive. And not only is Lille much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lille would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lille 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 Lille.

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

Which is Bigger, Dundee or Lille?

Lille has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Dundee. When comparing the sizes of Dundee and Lille, 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 Lille?

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 Lille in the Summer?

Both Lille and Dundee are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Dundee for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Lille in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Lille. Dundee usually receives less sunshine than Lille during summer. Dundee gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 202 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Dundee usually receives less rain than Lille. Dundee gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lille receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Dundee or Lille in the Autumn?

Both Lille and Dundee during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Dundee in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lille for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Dundee is generally cooler than Lille. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 10°C (49°F), and Lille fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Dundee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Dundee gets 100 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 105 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets less rain in October than Lille. Dundee gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Lille receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dundee or Lille in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dundee and Lille. Most visitors come to Dundee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Lille because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Lille can be very cold. Dundee can be very cold during winter. Dundee is around the same temperature as Lille in the winter. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Lille fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Dundee usually receives more sunshine than Lille during winter. Dundee gets 58 hours of sunny skies, while Lille receives 47 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Dundee usually receives more rain than Lille. Dundee gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Dundee or Lille in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dundee as well as Lille. The spring months attract visitors to Dundee because of the activities around the city. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Lille this time of year.

In the spring, Dundee is cooler than Lille. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dundee in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Lille averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In the spring, Dundee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Lille. Dundee gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lille receives 158 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets less rain in April than Lille. Dundee gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Lille receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lille and Dundee