The birthplace of golf, home to Scotland’s oldest university and centuries of history to discover: St Andrews is a great place to add to your Scotland itinerary. In this travel guide lists you’ll find awesome things to do in St Andrews and ideas for scenic trips in the nearby East Neuk of Fife.
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St Andrews is one the most famous towns on the east coast of Scotland. But if you think St Andrews is only interesting for golfers and students, think again! History buffs, foodies and nature lovers will also enjoy a few days in this gem of a town in Fife…
St Andrews has a lot to offer and is a place I love revisiting over and over again – there is always something new to discover.
In this useful travel guide for St Andrews, we’ll cover:
- Awesome things to do in St Andrews,
- Day trip ideas in the wider region, East Neuk of Fife,
- Travel information: How to get to St Andrews & local transport,
- Where to stay in St Andrews,
- And my favourite restaurants and bars in St Andrews.
In short: everything you’ll need to plan a trip to St Andrews!
Things to do in St Andrews
There is no shortage of things to do in St Andrews. Most of the attractions below are within easy walking distance of each other, or just a short drive away – making St Andrews the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
St Andrews Cathedral
The ruins of St Andrews Cathedral are almost more impressive because so much is left to your imagination. The ruins of what was once one of Scotland’s largest medieval cathedrals lie at the edge of the town centre, overlooking the sea.
The cathedral was first built in the 12th century when St Andrews was the religious centre of the Roman Catholic Church of Scotland. After Catholic practice was outlawed in the 16th century (i.e. after the Reformation of the Scottish church in 1560), the cathedral fell into ruins.
Walking among the remaining arches, walls and towers, it is hard to imagine how it was even possible to build such a massive structure over 800 years ago.
St Rule’s Tower
One of the highlights on the grounds of St Andrews Cathedral is St Rule’s Tower, which dates back to the 11th century. Despite its age, it is in much better condition than the Cathedral.
If you can face the steep & narrow steps, you can climb the stairs to the top for spectacular views of St Andrews.
Note, that the tower isn’t always open and accessible.
St Andrews Castle
The ruins of St Andrews Castle are slightly tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre and the waterfront near the Cathedral.
Before heading into the ruins, castle visitors learn about the historic context of the time the castle was built. This includes stories of various sieges, religious conspiracies and political crises that went on in St Andrews.
The castle itself has several preserved structures to explore, and you can clearly make out the different layers that have been added for its protection over time.
The most impressive parts of the castle site are certainly the mine and countermine. These are two connected tunnel systems that were carved into the rock underlying the castle from two different directions during a siege – one to get out and one to get in.
You might also like: A one-week itinerary for the northeast of Scotland (incl. St Andrews)
St Andrews Golfing Experience
St Andrews is the birthplace of golf. The British Golf Museum is a good place to start learning about the history of the sport and the significance of golf in Scotland.
To play a round of golf yourself, there are 10 golf courses in St Andrews to choose from. You can even play the historic Old Course. Green fees on the Old Course can be quite expensive (especially in high season) – it’s much cheaper to play one of the smaller courses.
For golf lessons and courses, check out the St Andrews Links Golf Academy.
St Andrews Links offers daily tours on the Old Course from mid-March to late October, including a photo stop at the iconic Swilcan Bridge.
St Andrews Botanical Garden
Located in the heart of St Andrews, the Botanic Garden is a treasure trove of plants from around the world. There are glasshouses with desert plants and orchids, a tropical butterfly house and sprawling grounds with outdoor plants.
There is a lovely cafe and a plant nursery where you can pick up plants or seeds for your home garden (note import/export rules).
St Andrews Beaches: East Sands and West Sands
St Andrews is surrounded by sprawling sandy beaches.
East Sands at the foot of the Cathedral is just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre. It is a popular beach among locals and visitors, home to the sailing club and a great location for water activities.
West Sands expands further west from the Old Course along a series of other golf courses.
Both beaches are great for a picnic in the sun, people and puppy watching and a refreshing dip in the sea.
You might also like: 18 Fun Outdoor Activities to try in Scotland
Sweat & Dip at a Beach Sauna
There are two outdoor saunas in St Andrews, located at East and West Sands respectively.
St Andrews Seaside Sauna is located on the far end of on East Sands beach. Sauna goers can make use of the facilities at the East Sands Leisure Centre. The sea is just a short walk away, down some steps to the beach.
On the other side of town, near the start of West Sands beach, lies the St Andrews branch of Wild Scottish Saunas.
Both saunas offer social sessions where you can book just a seat, or you can hire the whole sauna for a private session.
Book a Walking Tour
It is fairly easy to visit St Andrews independently and tour the highlights within a day. But booking a tour with a local tour guide always adds context, history and hidden gems to your experience.
St Andrews Walking Tours include visits to attractions such as the Cathedral, the Castle and the Old Course, but also the University of St Andrews campus and other local favourites.
Foodies will love to hear that there is also a food tour in St Andrews! Eat Walk St Andrews offers a monthly tour around local restaurants, bars and shops to taste the larder of Fife.
It gives visitors the chance to meet local producers and speak to people who are passionate about the food they prepare from local ingredients. Between stops, the tour guide also explains some of the local history and takes in the highlights of St Andrews.
You might also like: 20 Beautiful Towns to Visit in Scotland
St Andrews is surrounded by beautiful scenery and lies in a prime location to explore beyond the city limits. It would be a shame to limit yourself to things to do in St Andrews – make some time to discover further afield!
Visit the Eden Estuary Nature Reserve
The Eden Estuary forms where the River Eden flows into the sea. It stretches from Guardbridge, 4 miles west of St Andrews, to the beach of West Sands.
There is a small visitor centre in Guardbridge, which is a perfect place for bird spotting. You can also access the nature reserve from West Sands beach, where there is plenty of parking and interpretation boards.
The University of St Andrews runs an exciting project here at the Eden Estuary. Green Shores is a salt marsh restoration project to protect and expand Scotland’s valuable coastal salt marshes. Volunteers meet every Wednesday at the project’s poly tunnel and work year-round to take care of new plants to be added to the landscape.
Find out more about volunteering opportunities in the Eden Estuary.
Listen to my podcast episode about salt marsh restoration in St Andrews.
Follow the Fife Coastal Path
The Fife Coastal Path is a long-distance trail that follows the entire coastline of Fife from Kincardine to Newburgh. It runs right through St Andrews.
From East Sands, you can follow the Fife Coastal Path all the way to Kingsbarns (8.5 miles / 13.5 km, walking time: 3-4 hours).
The path closely hugs the coastline and climbs up and down the sides of the cliffs. Highlights along the way are the volcanic rock formations Buddo Rock and the Rock and Spindle, which are particularly impressive at low tide.
The St Andrews Bay Golf Course lies about halfway and the Fairmont’s St Andrews Bay Clubhouse at the golf course makes for a perfect lunch break location.
From Kingsbarns, you can catch the bus back to St Andrews (Stagecoach bus 95).
This leisurely hike is one of my favourite things to do in St Andrews.
Listen to ‘Step by Step’ – a travel story about hiking from Elie to Anstruther!
Visit a Distillery
There are two distilleries near St Andrews producing all kinds of spirits and drinks.
Eden Mill produces gin, whisky and craft beers which are widely available throughout Scotland. The distillery and brewery are located just 5 miles west of St Andrews – a 10-minute drive or easy bus ride (services 94 and 99).
Kingsbarns Distillery lies 7 miles east of St Andrews and offers three different kinds of distillery tours. There is a gin distillery on-site – Darnley’s Distillery – which is open for tours as well.
You might also like: How to taste Scottish Whisky the RIGHT Way
Road Trip to the East Neuk Fishing Villages
St Andrews is very close to the picturesque fishing villages of the East Neuk of Fife.
On just 10 miles of coastline, you can enjoy a series of quaint villages with colourful waterfronts and bustling harbours.
They are connected by the Fife Coastal Path – the walk from Elie to Anstruther is actually one of my favourite things to do in Fife – but you can also visit all of them by car.
From Crail to Elie, each of the villages has something slightly different to offer.
Crail: Possibly the most photographed village on the East Neuk of Fife with cobbled streets and a charming historic harbour.
Anstruther & Cellardyke: A bustling village with world-famous fish & chip shops (try the Anstruther Fish Bar) and boat trips to the Isle of May to see puffins.
Pittenweem: A lovely village with a narrow footpath on the waterfront and a sweet shop that sells Jannetta’s ice cream.
St Monans: Home of the beautiful St Monans Windmill and a quirky welly-flower garden by the harbour.
Elie: A busy village surrounded by sandy beaches – a highlight is the Lady Janet Anstruther’s Tower by Ruby Bay.
St Andrews Travel Guide
How to get to St Andrews
From Edinburgh
By car: The drive from Edinburgh to St Andrews takes just under 1.5 hours – distance: about 55 miles.
By public transport: Take the train from Edinburgh to Leuchars and a bus from there to St Andrews (Stagecoach). Buses leave frequently. The whole journey takes around 1.5 hours. There is also a direct bus from Edinburgh to St Andrews, but the journey takes a little longer.
From Glasgow
By car: The drive from Glasgow to St Andrews takes just about 2 hours – distance: 75 miles.
By public transport: Stagecoach bus X24 takes you from Glasgow to St Andrews in about 3 hours. You could also take a bus (Megabus) or train to Dundee (Scotrail) and then a Stagecoach bus to St Andrews from there. This is slightly faster despite the detour.
Where to Stay in St Andrews
There are countless hotels and B&Bs in St Andrews, catering to a variety of budgets.
For upscale golf hotels, consider the Old Course Hotel in the centre of St Andrews with access to multiple golf courses, or the Fairmont, which is slightly south of the town, but directly at the beautiful St Andrews Bay Golf Course.
We usually stay at the St Andrews Holiday Park, a caravan park above East Sands beach, because our family has a place there. Caravans are available for a minimum of 3 nights. They usually have 2-3 bedrooms and are a great solution if you travel in a group or want self-catering facilities.
During the summer, you can also book budget-friendly accommodation at St Andrews University student halls.
If you can’t find accommodation, St Andrews also makes for a great day trip from Edinburgh. It is not necessarily required to stay overnight, but of course, it’s well-worth spending a few days in the area.
Food & Drink in St Andrews
Here are some of my favourite restaurants and pubs in St Andrews.
Restaurants
Tanon is a brilliant Thai restaurant right in the centre of town (56-58 Market St). The pad thai is to die for and there are several vegan options on the menu.
Zizzi is an Italian franchise restaurant (87 South St) with lots of nice options – pizza, pasta and also other dishes. Vegan options are clearly marked.
St Andrew’s Brewing Company (119 North Street or 177 South Street) serves burgers, Scottish classics and comfort food and has a few vegan options on the menu – as well as tasty craft beers.
Cafe Gorgeous (7 Bell St) is a beautiful vintage tearoom with light snacks, cakes and hot drinks. I’m not sure how regularly they have vegan options.
Forgan’s (110 Market St) is a lovely place to eat and also has a handful of vegan options on the menu. They serve contemporary Scottish cuisine and source their produce as locally as possible.
The Cheesy Toast Shack is a local favourite right on East Sands beach. They offer a wide range of cheese toasties and breakfast items, but when I was there last, they also had a vegan toastie on the menu. The queue can get quite long on a sunny weekend – don’t arrive starving or be prepared to return another day.
Dune is a trendy seafood eatery with great lunch menu deals (80 North St). I got a lobster roll for takeaway and it was divine.
Their sister restaurant Haar (1 Golf Pl) has been included in the Michelin Guide. I can’t wait to treat myself to their (admittedly pricey) taster menu one day! The menu focuses primarily on local seafood.
Sweet Treats
If you are a sweet tooth like me – guilty as charged – you will be delighted to hear that St Andrews has some treats for you!
Fisher & Donaldson (13 Church St) is an iconic bakery. Their fudge doughnuts are out of this world (but sadly not vegan).
Jannetta’s Gelateria (31 South St) is a famous family-run ice-cream shop. They make all their ice cream in-house and always have a few non-dairy options too.
Bars & Pubs
St Andrews might be small, but it is still a student town! It comes as no surprise that there are countless pubs and bars to choose from on your night out…
The Keys Bar (87 Market St) has an incredible selection of whiskies to choose from and knowledgeable staff who can help you choose the perfect dram. The pub is not a secret among tourists, but still continues to be popular among locals. It’s the ideal mix!
The Criterion (99 South Street) is a family-owned pub with traditional decor and a welcoming vibe. They also serve food and have a covered & heated patio.
Whey Pat Tavern (1 Bridge St) is one of several Belhaven-owned pubs in St Andrews, but on our most recent pub crawl, we found it had the cheapest & best-tasting pint. Expect to find a very local atmosphere.
I hope this list of things to do in St Andrews has convinced you to plan a trip to this beautiful town on the Scottish east coast and spend a few days exploring the area.
Have you ever been to St Andrews?
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St. Andrews is such an underrated destination! I fell in love with the place during my first visit. It’s not overwhelming either- there’s heaps you can do here but you can do it at a leisurely pace. Great read 🙂
I love St Andrews. It’s still my favourite place in Scotland. I did my Masters there and I enjoyed exploring every little crook of it. Interesting to hear you stayed in a caravan park, I never knew of anyone who stayed there!
I had my first date with my boyfriend at the Dolls House, it’s such a nice place! My favourite for lunch are Mitchells (for a nice sit down lunch and tea) and Gorgeous (for a delicious panini on the go). My favourite place for dinner is definitey Forgans – they have amazing veggie burgers! And I love to have a good pitcher of Pimms at the West Port. My favourite pub was the Criterion. And I’m so surprised to hear you went in the Keys Bar. When I was a student there it was definitely known as the old men pub of the town, not really a student or tourist place.
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Great post! I study at university in St Andrews and it honestly is one of the most special corners of the country if not the whole planet! (I am totally not biased) Beautiful photos, makes me a little homesick for the town since I am now at home for the Summer. Next time you are in St. Andrews I would definitely recommend eating at Mitchells or Westport for a delicious and authentic evening meal. Both attract a mixture of locals and tourists as well as students. I would also definitely recommend St. Andrews Brewing Co. if you are looking for some evening drinks. With the warmest atmosphere it sells a variety of locally produced thistly cross ciders – definitely try and nab a table upstairs where they have a more ‘Beerhalle’ style seating and atmosphere. Sorry for the rambly comment I just love finding bloggers who enthuse about St. Andrews as much as I do! X
Love your input – thank you so much for your comment! I hope to go back for a week next year, cause my boyfriend’s family’s caravan isn’t going anywhere – I’ll try all your recommendations then!! 🙂