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

Should you visit Dundee or Reykjavik?

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

Should I visit Dundee or Reykjavik? 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 coastal, cultural, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and museums.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik is a clean, green, and safe city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and shopping.

Dundee and Reykjavik: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dundee or Reykjavik?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dundee than Reykjavik, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dundee is more popular for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Reykjavik is known for its hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Reykjavik is more touristy than Dundee and is popular for its proximity to natural beauty and many thermal pools, as well as its active nightlife scene and many festivals. Dundee is popular for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design. It is also home to Discovery Point and RRS Discovery.

How is Dundee different from Reykjavik?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Dundee is a nice place to visit for its museums and history. However, Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Reykjavik does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Dundee is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Reykjavik is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Dundee. There are a few local dishes that the city is known for. These include Dundee Cake, Dundee marmalade, and Angus beef.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Reykjavik. Traditional Icelandic food may not have the best reputation, but restaurants these days are pretty good with a variety of dishes to choose from. Popular foods in the area include fish, lamb, and Icelandic skyr (a type of yogurt).

Is Dundee or Reykjavik Better for Nightlife?

Both Dundee and Reykjavik are good 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 Reykjavik. The city offers the best nightlife in Iceland and you'll be surprised at the number of clubs, bars, and craft breweries that you can choose from. Almost all of the popular nightlife spots are around Laugavegur, a major shopping street in town.

Is Dundee or Reykjavik Better for Hiking?

Reykjavik is an amazing city to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Dundee is not a hiking destination.

People visit Reykjavik specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The city offers easy access to some of the world's most spectacular scenery. There are many hikes that you can easily reach from town. They pass through diverse landscapes that include waterfalls, mountains, glaciers, and beaches.

Dundee is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Dundee or Reykjavik?

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

Reykjavik is a great destination for shopping. The city's main shopping street is Laugavegur, which is where you'll find the most activity around town as well as a bustling atmosphere.

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 Reykjavik Better for Families?

Reykjavik is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Reykjavik is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its many outdoor activities and hands on museums, the city is great for kids. The cafes and restaurants are family-friendly and their are plenty of entertainment options for the whole family.

Dundee is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Dundee or Reykjavik Better for Couples?

Reykjavik is a well-known place for romance. However, Dundee is not a good city for its romantic activities.

Reykjavik is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are museums, outdoor activities, and even the northern lights that make this city very romantic. The cafes are laid-back and the atmosphere is friendly.

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 Reykjavik Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Reykjavik. There are a number of hostels around town, but they can be pretty expensive. Transportation can also be pretty challenging for backpackers.

Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Dundee or Reykjavik Better for Students?

Dundee and Reykjavik are both good 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 Reykjavik. Students will enjoy a unique experience in this city. There are good academic programs as well as beautiful outdoor settings that you can explore.

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

Both Dundee and Reykjavik offer good public transit options.

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

Reykjavik has some public transit options. There is a fairly comprehensive bus system around town.

Is Dundee or Reykjavik a more walkable city?

Reykjavik is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Reykjavik is very walkable. The city is small and compact, so it's easy to explore 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 Reykjavik Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reykjavik or Dundee?

How long in Dundee or Reykjavik?

In either Dundee or Reykjavik, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Reykjavik than Dundee because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Dundee, and 1-5 days is enough time in Reykjavik.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik.

One day in Dundee or Reykjavik?

You'll find food and museums around the city of Dundee. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dundee has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reykjavik. Hikers are also drawn to this area. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Dundee or Reykjavik?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Dundee. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Reykjavik is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. 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 Reykjavik?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Dundee. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reykjavik. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Dundee or Reykjavik?

Dundee is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and shopping when visiting the clean destination of Reykjavik. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Budget Tours to Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Dundee or Reykjavik?

Dundee has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Dundee and Reykjavik, 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 Reykjavik?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Dundee or Reykjavik in the Summer?

Both Reykjavik and Dundee during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Dundee for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Reykjavik in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Dundee is a little warmer than Reykjavik in the summer. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 14°C (58°F) in July, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the summer, Dundee often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Reykjavik. Dundee gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 171 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Reykjavik. Dundee gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dundee or Reykjavik in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dundee and Reykjavik. Many visitors come to Dundee in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, most visitors come to Reykjavik for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Reykjavik can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Dundee is much warmer than Reykjavik. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Dundee in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Reykjavik averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Dundee usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during autumn. Dundee gets 100 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 83 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Dundee usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Dundee gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Dundee or Reykjavik in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Dundee as well as Reykjavik. Most visitors come to Dundee for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Reykjavik can be very cold. Dundee can be very cold during winter. In January, Dundee is generally much warmer than Reykjavik. Daily temperatures in Dundee average around 3°C (38°F), and Reykjavik fluctuates around -0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Dundee often gets more sunshine than Reykjavik. Dundee gets 58 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reykjavik receives 27 hours of full sun.

Dundee usually gets less rain in January than Reykjavik. Dundee gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dundee or Reykjavik in the Spring?

Both Reykjavik and Dundee are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Dundee because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year.

It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the spring. Dundee is much warmer than Reykjavik in the spring. The daily temperature in Dundee averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Reykjavik fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Dundee usually receives more sunshine than Reykjavik during spring. Dundee gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Reykjavik receives 140 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Dundee usually receives less rain than Reykjavik. Dundee gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Reykjavik receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reykjavik and Dundee