A Travel Price Comparison for United Kingdom Edinburgh vs. Dundee for Attractions, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Edinburgh or Dundee?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Dundee can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a character-filled, vibrant, and gothic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for shopping, museums, and theater.

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. Visitors also love the food, museums, and nightlife.

Edinburgh and Dundee: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Dundee?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Edinburgh than Dundee. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Edinburgh is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Dundee attracts visitors for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Dundee and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also well known for The Edinburgh Castle. Dundee is famous for its maritime and manufacturing history as well as its focus on design.

How is Edinburgh different from Dundee?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Dundee is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Edinburgh that are not to be missed. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Dundee Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for theatre. However, Dundee is not a theatre destination.

While in town, many visitors enjoy seeing a show in Edinburgh. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Dundee is not a theatre destination.

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

Dundee is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Dundee Better for Nightlife?

Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh offers plenty to do in the evening. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

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 Edinburgh or Dundee Better for Music?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for live music. However, Dundee is not a live music destination.

Edinburgh is a world class music destination. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Dundee is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Dundee Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for its historic old town. However, Dundee does not have a historic old town.

Edinburgh offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Dundee does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Dundee?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for shopping. However, Dundee is not a good city for its shopping opportunities.

Edinburgh is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

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 Edinburgh or Dundee Better for Families?

Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

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 Edinburgh or Dundee Better for Couples?

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

Edinburgh is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

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 Edinburgh or Dundee Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. However, Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Edinburgh is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Dundee is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Edinburgh or Dundee Better for Students?

Edinburgh 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.

Edinburgh is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

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

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

Visitors will find nice public transit in both Edinburgh and Dundee.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if 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.

Is Edinburgh or Dundee a more walkable city?

Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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

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

Should I spend more time in Dundee or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Dundee?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Edinburgh or Dundee to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Edinburgh than Dundee because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-2 days is enough time in Dundee.

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

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

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

One day in Edinburgh or Dundee?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Edinburgh. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Dundee?

Edinburgh 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the coastal 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.

Five days in Edinburgh or Dundee?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural 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.

A week in Edinburgh or Dundee?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the vibrant destination of Edinburgh. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best 2-Week Tours from London.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Dundee?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Dundee. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Dundee, 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 Edinburgh or Dundee?

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 Edinburgh or Dundee in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Dundee. Many travelers come to Edinburgh for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Dundee in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Edinburgh is generally around the same temperature as Dundee. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 14°C (58°F), and Dundee fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Dundee. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dundee receives 184 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Dundee. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Dundee receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Dundee in the Autumn?

Both Dundee and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, most visitors come to Dundee for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Edinburgh is around the same temperature as Dundee in the autumn. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Dundee fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Dundee during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Dundee receives 100 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Edinburgh usually receives more rain than Dundee. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dundee receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Dundee in the Winter?

Both Dundee and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Dundee because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Dundee can be very cold. Edinburgh can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Edinburgh is around the same temperature as Dundee. Typically, the winter temperatures in Edinburgh in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Dundee averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Dundee. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dundee receives 58 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Dundee. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dundee receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Dundee in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Dundee. The spring months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Dundee this time of year.

In April, Edinburgh is generally around the same temperature as Dundee. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 7°C (45°F), and Dundee fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Dundee during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Dundee receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dundee. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dundee receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Dundee and Edinburgh