:

  • English
  • Español
  • Italiano
  • Deutsch
  • Nederlands
  • Français
Navigation generated at 2026-2-8 0:52:14
    • All Places to go

      Cities

      • All Cities
      • Aberdeen
      • Dundee
      • Dunfermline
      • Edinburgh
      • Glasgow
      • Inverness
      • Perth
      • Stirling

      Popular Places

      • Ben Nevis
      • Glencoe
      • Loch Lomond
      • Loch Ness

      Towns

      • All Towns
      • Aviemore
      • Dumfries
      • Fort William
      • Kirkwall
      • Lerwick
      • Oban
      • Peebles
      • Pitlochry
      • St Andrews

      Islands

      • All Islands
      • Isle of Arran
      • Isle of Islay
      • Jura
      • Lewis & Harris
      • Mull
      • Orkney
      • Outer Hebrides
      • Shetland
      • Skye

      Regions

      • Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire
      • Argyll & The Isles
      • Ayrshire & Arran
      • Dumfries & Galloway
      • Dundee & Angus
      • Edinburgh & The Lothians
      • Fife
      • Glasgow & Clyde Valley
      • Loch Lomond, Trossachs, Stirling & Forth Valley
      • Highlands
      • Perthshire
      • Scottish Borders
    • All Things to do

      Attractions

      • All Attractions
      • 20 Top Attractions
      • Ancestry
      • Arts & Culture
      • Castles
      • Free Attractions
      • History & Heritage
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Rainy Days
      • TV & Film Locations

      Outdoor Activities

      • All Outdoor Activities
      • Cycling
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Horse Riding
      • Mountain Biking
      • Sailing
      • Ski & Snowsports
      • Walking & Hiking
      • Watersports

      Food & Drink

      • All Food & Drink
      • Beer & Breweries
      • Gin Tours & Tastings
      • Whisky & Distilleries

      Landscapes & Nature

      • All Landscapes & Nature
      • Beaches
      • Ben Nevis
      • Lochs
      • National Parks
      • Northern Lights
      • Standing Stones
      • Wildlife Watching

      Tours, Routes & Trails

      • All Tours, Routes & Trails
      • Islands & Island Hopping
      • Itineraries
      • Scotland's UNESCO Trail
      • Tours
      • Walking Trails

      Events

      • All Events
      • Edinburgh's Summer Festivals
      • Highland Games
      • Music Festivals
    • All Accommodation

      Hotels & Lodgings

      • B&Bs & Guesthouses
      • Budget Hotels
      • Hostels
      • Hotels
      • Luxury Hotels
      • Restaurants with Rooms & Inns

      Caravan & Camping

      • All Caravan & Camping
      • Campervan, Motorhome & Caravan Holidays
      • Glamping
      • Wild Camping

      Self Catering

      • All Self Catering
      • Cabins & Lodges
      • Cottages
      • Flats & Apartments
      • Hot Tubs
      • Large Groups

      Unique Places

      • All Unique Places
      • Boats, Barges & Boathouses
      • Brochs & Blackhouses
      • Castles
      • Churches

      Other Accommodation

      • Accessible Accommodation
      • Eco Accommodation
      • Exclusive Use Venues
      • Luxury Accommodation
      • Pet Friendly Accommodation
      • Romantic
      • Wedding Venues
    • All Travel & planning

      Travel to Scotland

      • From England & Wales
      • From Europe
      • From Ireland
      • From North America
      • From Other Continents

      Travel in Scotland

      • Air
      • Bus & Coach
      • Ferry
      • Train

      Driving in Scotland

      • All Driving in Scotland
      • Car Hire
      • Driving Routes
      • Electric Vehicles

      When to visit

      • All When to visit
      • Spring & Easter
      • Summer Breaks
      • Autumn Breaks
      • Winter, Christmas & New Year

      Practical Information

      • Eco-Travel
      • FAQs
      • Holiday Carbon Calculator
      • Passes & Offers
      • Passports & Visas
      • Weather

      Ideas & Advice

      • Outdoor Safety Information
      • Travel Blog
      • Travel Newsletter

      Holiday Types

      • Accessible Holidays
      • Beauty Spots
      • Budget-Friendly Holidays
      • Countryside Breaks
      • Family Holidays
      • Farm Stays
      • Off the Beaten Track Holidays
      • Solo Travel
      • Weekend Breaks
      • Wellness Retreats
  • Map of Scotland

BETA: The search and map are new features with further enhancements planned. VisitScotland is not responsible for the content of external links and accepts no liability for any reliance on these.

Your feedback will help improve the site
  1. Home
  2. Things to do
  3. Touring & Escorted Tours
  4. Scotland's UNESCO Trail
  5. Dundee: UNESCO Creative City of Design

Dundee: UNESCO Creative City of Design

The story of Dundee is defined by amazing inventions and ideas – design is a big part of everyday life in this Scottish city. Once renowned throughout the world for its textile and shipbuilding industries, Dundee has transformed into a cutting-edge centre of design. It’s now an important hub for medical research, fashion, journalism and video games. 

Open Close Dundee street art trail

Why is Dundee so special?

Did you know, Rockstar North Ltd - the video game development company behind the wildly successful Grand Theft Auto franchise - began life in Dundee in 1987 as DMA Design Ltd?

Dundee Law

Dundee has given the world some of its favourite and most life-changing products, from aspirin and orange marmalade to the ZX Spectrum and even iconic comic characters like Dennis the Menace. 

Located on the northern shore of the Firth of Tay, Dundee enjoys one of the loveliest settings in Scotland. It’s also a place where you can visit Scotland’s first design museum, V&A Dundee, and see Scottish creativity making ripples throughout the world.  

From the city’s flourishing Cultural Quarter – home of the renowned Dundee Rep Theatre – to brilliant visitor attractions like Verdant Works which preserve the city’s industrial past, Dundee’s flair for design and is everywhere. 

Dundee's design highlights

There are lots of things to see and do in Dundee, but there are some attractions that should be top of your list in this City of Design. 

V&A Dundee

Welcome to the world of design and encourages you to explore how design creativity can be provocative, ingenious or simply breathtaking.

Dundee Science Centre

An award-winning attraction with hands-on learning and showcasing the wonders of science through interactive exhibits and immersive experiences.

Verdant Works Museum

Delve into the story of Dundee’s industrial textile heritage in the atmospheric setting of a beautifully refurbished Mill building.

Dundee Rep Theatre

Dundee Rep Theatre hosts an exciting year round programme of drama, dance, music and comedy.

McManus Art Gallery & Museum

Discover eight beautiful open gallery spaces which house stunning exhibitions of art, history and the environment.

Open Close Dundee

Enjoy a series of street art trails of painted doors and walls around Dundee - created by local artists, brightening up the streets of Dundee.

Exploring the local area

Broughty Ferry Castle

Tour the area and find experiences

With a fantastic food and drink scene, independent shops, nightlife, charming locals, and distinctive districts like Broughty Ferry, you have everything you need for a memorable trip. 

  • Discovery Point and RRS Discovery
  • Dundee Transport Museum
  • Dundee Cycle Hub
  • Camperdown Wildlife Centre
  • Mills Observatory
  • Broughty Ferry

Malmaison Boutique Hotel, Dundee

Sustainable local businesses

These Green Tourism businesses are assessed on everything from energy efficiency to biodiversity and awarded bronze, silver or gold.  

  • Best Western Woodlands Hotel & Leisure Club
  • Apex City Quay Hotel
  • Malmaison Dundee
  • The Hideaway Experience

How to get around

Did you know Dundee, City of Design is one of Scotland’s four UNESCO Creative Cities, alongside Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth?

Train passing Lunan Bay, Dundee & Angus

Public transport 

Located just 90 minutes from Edinburgh by train or bus, Dundee is easy to reach. Options include traveling to Dundee Train Station directly from Edinburgh or Glasgow, taking the new Ember electric bus from Edinburgh or Perth, or the direct airport bus service, the X90 from Edinburgh Airport. Dundee also has its own airport. 

Cyclist at Dundee Waterfront

© Dundee City Council

Getting around Dundee 

Dundee is a small city and easy to walk around. Most attractions are located within a 20-minute radius of the city centre so exploring on foot is by far the best way to access what’s on offer. 

There are great local bus services operated by Xplore Dundee and Stagecoach, departing regularly from the High Street. 

It’s also simple to explore Dundee by bike. Hire a bike from CycleHub - with docks in Dundee and Angus, so you can explore the city on two wheels and take in all the sights along the way.

Dundee is a great city for travelling by electric vehicle, with a number of charging points both across the city and at charging gateways outside of the city.  

Find out more

Dundee

Discover a gem of a city in Dundee, the UK's first UNESCO City of Design.

Dundee, City of Design

Dundee - the UK’s first and only UNESCO City of Design.

Share on

Facebook
Pinterest
WhatsApp
Twitter
Email

Other things you might like

Category: Things to do

Edinburgh: UNESCO Creative City of Literature

Category: Things to do

Glasgow: UNESCO Creative City of Music

Category: Things to do

Perth: UNESCO City of Craft & Folk Art

Category: Things to do

Old & New Towns of Edinburgh

Category: Things to do

The Forth Bridge World Heritage Site

Category: Things to do

Antonine Wall: Frontiers of the Roman Empire

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter

Get in touch

  • Contact us
  • Feedback & Complaints
  • Submit an event

Our other sites

  • Business Events
  • Business Support Hub
  • Travel Trade
  • Asset library
  • Corporate
  • Scotland is Now

Find us on

Find us on

  • About us
  • Accessibility
  • Acceptable use
  • Cookies
  • Environmental policy
  • Privacy
  • Social media
  • Terms of use
Brand Scotland

© 2026 VisitScotland. All rights reserved.