12 Free attractions and things to do in Dundee

For the best views of the city, head to the summit of the Dundee Law – Law is the Old Scots for a cone-shaped hill. There are a few paths to choose from on the way to the top, all of which give great bird’s-eye-views of the city, across the River Tay, and towards Fife and beyond. One of these is the Dundee Science Centre’s new Solar System Trail which follows a route that starts in the city centre and gradually climbs through the city, finishing at the top of the Law. Each stop reflects the scaled distance between the eight planets and the sun.

Walk up the Dundee Law

Housed in a striking Gothic Revival building crowned with ornate spires, the McManus brings Dundee’s story to life through 300 million years of natural history, archaeology and art. Best of all, it’s completely free to visit. Explore its 19th-century galleries, home to paintings, decorative arts and fascinating objects ranging from a stunning artwork by pre-Raphaelite artist Gabriel Dante Rossetti and mysterious Pictish stones to a massive whale skeleton and ceramics from Ancient Egypt. You’ll also discover the industries that shaped the city, from jute to jam-making, and the publishing heritage behind much-loved comics including The Beano and The Dandy.

Discover The McManus

Feel the sea breeze hit you in the seaside suburb of Broughty Ferry, a former fishing village to the east of Dundee. Standing watch is Broughty Castle which for 500 years has shielded this coastline against invading armies, withstanding many a siege and battle. Today, it offers an engrossing insight into the area’s local history and environment. The stand-out collection is the armoury which showcases the weaponry used by soldiers throughout the ages.

Take in panoramic views from the top of the castle ramparts and see the Victorian-era canons lining the battery, still poised to fire at an unseen enemy from across the Tay. Afterwards, join the families, joggers and dog walkers that fill the esplanade that runs along the sandy beach.

Pay a visit to Broughty Castle Museum and beach

No visit to Dundee’s waterfront is complete without a visit to the V&A Dundee, Scotland’s premier design museum. The building is a sight to behold before you even pass through the entrance. Take in the striking building designed by Kengo Kuma, evoking the cliffs of Scotland’s east coast, before perusing the Scottish Design Galleries. The collections span everything from fashion and furniture to architecture and engineering, while current exhibitions offer a tantalising insight into more than a century of catwalk history, as well as the profound contribution of disabled and neurodivergent creatives to contemporary design.

From November 2026, you’re invited to delve into the glam-rock treasure trove of David Bowie’s touring archive. Get up close to iconic costumes, photography and instruments alongside special objects unveiled to the public for the first time.

Explore V&A Dundee

You’re never far from a natural escape in Dundee. Take a breather from the busy city streets and spend time in the leafy woodland and wide-open spaces at Camperdown Country Park. Meander beneath the canopies of mature trees and follow paths through the grounds of Camperdown House before making a pit-stop at Camperdown Wildlife Park.

Meet an array of exotic animals from European brown bears and a Carpathian lynx to meerkats and red-tailed lemurs. Or simply find a peaceful spot for a picnic. There’s plenty of space for wee ones to let off some steam too, with sprawling playgrounds making the park a prime spot for a welcome break from the bustle of the city centre.

Enjoy Camperdown Country Park

Step into a new world of inspiration at Dundee Contemporary Arts, known locally as DCA. While some activities aren’t free – you’ll have to pay general admission to watch a film screening or take in one of the print studio workshops – there are always top-notch art exhibitions to enjoy free of charge, although donations are always welcome. View the thought-provoking works by both emerging and established artists working across a range of mediums. Afterwards, head to the Jute Bar Café for a tasty bite to eat, and browse the gift shop for a unique selection of jewellery and crafts to take home with you.

Explore Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre

On a walk around Dundee’s city centre, you might run into some unique characters from the world of comics. Dundee is famously the birthplace of The Dandy, the longest running British children's comic, first published by DC Thomson in Dundee in 1937, and its sister comic, The Beano. On Dundee High Street, strike a pose with the world’s strongest man, Desperate Dan, and mischievous heroine Minnie the Minx, both rendered in bronze.

Don’t miss the penguin parade unfolding outside of Steeple Church and check out what they’re wearing – this small colony is regularly dressed up by Dundonians for special occasions and holidays. And keep your eyes peeled in the Murraygate where a scaly dragon is waiting patiently to be petted amid the bustle of the city’s shopping hub.

Meet Dundee's famous statues

Enjoy some stargazing this winter at Mills Observatory, the UK’s first purpose-built public observatory, where you can take in wonders of our solar system and beyond from October through to March. Tucked among the trees of Balgay Park, learn from the displays on astronomy and space before peering through powerful telescopes to experience remarkable images of the night sky. On clear evenings, you might take in details of the moon’s lunar surface, trace constellations, and depending on the conditions, spy distant planets as far off as Saturn and even Jupiter and its moons.

Pay a visit to Mills Observatory

From Gothic extravaganzas like the McManus to refined Victorian facades and cutting-edge contemporary design, if Dundee’s architecture could be summed up in one word it would be eclectic. On the Dundee Architecture Trail, you can take the time to really appreciate the beauty and surprising details of the city’s most notable buildings. It’s also a great way to trace the story of the city, from its rapid rise to industrial powerhouse in the 19th century, to the creative ambition that spearheads the present-day regeneration of its expansive waterfront. Admire the ornate masonry of the Dundee Sheriff Courthouse and former Royal Exchange alongside the daring profile of Dundee Contemporary Arts and the V&A Dundee and discover the fascinating chapters in Dundee’s storied past.

Explore the Dundee Architectural Trail: Architectural trail

Dundee is a city renowned for its creative ingenuity so it’s no surprise that local and international street artists have transformed parts of the city’s urban landscape into a giant canvas. Follow a choice of two self-guided visual treasure trails with Open/Close Dundee: one through the city centre and the other through Stobswell, a former working-class and industrial district.

Discover how splashes of colour and imagination have helped revitalise remnants of Dundee’s industrial past, with alleyways and the walls of former jute mills and factories adorned with stunning murals, alongside smaller but no less vivid artworks tucked away in forgotten corners. Tours for both trails are available. While both are free, donations are always appreciated.

See street art with Open/Close Dundee Tours

Dundee’s waterfront has been the sustaining force of the city’s industries for centuries. Today it’s a great place to slow down and breath in the fresh air as it whips off the Tay and the sea, especially after visiting cultural jewels like the V&A Dundee and Discovery Point.

The Riverside Walk is the perfect way to explore this part of town, which runs 3 miles parallel to Riverside Drive, connecting Discovery Point and Riverside Nature Park. Make your way down the sweeping promenade on foot or e-bike, pausing to look inside the University of Dundee Botanic Gardens, or stopping for a picture beside the Tay Whale Sculpture.

Relax in pockets of grassy lawn and other green spots like Slessor Garden. Feel the sand underfoot at the Urban Beach and dodge the waterspouts of the fountains at Waterfront Place, illuminated by coloured spotlights as the sun goes down. If you still have the energy, follow the route as it flows into the National Cycle Network (route 77), part of the quiet Green Circular recreational route which encircles the city.

Explore Dundee's waterfront on the Riverside Walk

Be astonished by just how much this small city has contributed to science, medicine, technology and social progress. Take a leisurely stroll along the Discovery Walk at Slessor Gardens, pausing to read the inscriptions on the plaques at your feet and learn about the extraordinary individuals whose impact has been felt not just in Dundee, but around the world. Learn all about scientific trailblazers like mathematician and biologist D’Arcy Thompson who reconfigured how we view the natural world and Scotland’s first female professor, Margaret Fairlie, who revolutionised cancer treatment. You can also discover social reformers like Mary Lily Walker who championed the rights of working-class women and children, as well as Walter Spear and Peter Le Comber, whose research laid the foundations for flat-screen technology.

Follow the Slessor Gardens Discovery Walk

This list was created by VisitScotland to showcase a range of experiences. It isn’t ranked in any specific order.