The fourth largest city in Scotland, the once industrial Dundee has now transformed into a cultural, artistic and scientific center and is full of things to see and do for a short break or a great family day out. HAPPYCAR is here to help you find the best car hire Dundee has to offer so you can take full advantage of this prosperous city, with direct car hires at the Dundee Airport. We check the prices of international and local providers so that you don’t have to check each website, and provide you with the best deals to make your money go further on a car hire that fits your specific rental needs.
General Information
At over 800 years old, Dundee used to be built on the three J’s – jute, jam and journalism – but has now broken off the old industrial chains to become a modern, cosmopolitan city with a prominent university. Dundee’s academic achievements are extensive, forming a strong creative arts hub and a powerful medical and biological sciences cluster in the process. With such a long tradition of scientific education and as the sunniest city in Scotland, Dundee is also the nation’s biggest promoter of solar energy. With one of the finest locations in Scotland, from beautiful beaches to historic attractions and legendary ships, there’s plenty of discovery to be had.
To Do
The city center is a veritable paradise for shoppers, with the Murraygate, Wellgate and the glass-fronted Overgate shopping centers housing major department stores and retailers to suit all interests. The city's burgeoning cultural quarter is home to highly regarded Dundee Rep Theater and Dundee Contemporary Arts Center, while elsewhere visitors can enjoy an impressive range of galleries and museums covering a wealth of subjects. There’s also a host of major events going on throughout the year, including the annual summer festival of street entertainment and the city's Guitar and Mountain Film Festivals. Dundee's Food & Flower Festival, held in late August and September, is now the largest in Scotland.
Attractions
Some of Dundee’s attractions are of national importance. Even before its Victorian heyday, Dundee was an important center and the city proudly remembers its long sea-faring and industrial heritage with the textile heritage centre at Verdant Works, Europe's top industrial museum in 1999. Just across the city center, on the bank of the River Tay, Captain Scott's famous Antarctic expedition ship RRS 'Discovery' is berthed at the award-winning Discovery Point Visitor Center. Another excellent spot to visit is the Dundee Law, where after a 174 meter climb you can enjoy some fantastic panoramic views of the city, along with quaint fishing villages and prominent heritage walks next to the rugged coastline.
Eating
Dundee’s cafe culture has begun to flourish, with plenty of places to have a bite to eat and drink. Aside from this, there is a large variety of international cuisine, such as Mediterranean food, on offer in the city center. In terms of local fare, seafood features heavily and Arbroath Smokies are a particular favorite among locals and there is a great selection of waterfront eateries from which to savor the regional cuisine.
Excursions
A car hire in Dundee is very important if you wish to visit the Glens and the Highlands and also allows you to travel on your own schedule and take in as much of the rugged beauty of the surrounding county as you like. St. Andrews is a short drive away with a Dundee car rental, home to the oldest university in Scotland and nestled proudly out against the sea. The city is excellently located as a base to other Scottish cities and a Dundee car hire can get you to Aberdeen in just over an hour, with a beautiful coastal trip, or to Edinbugh in the same amount of time in the other direction.