If you’re looking for an easy day trip from Edinburgh or Glasgow, St. Andrews is the perfect place. A picturesque seaside town located on the east coast of Scotland with beautiful beaches and a historic town center, there are plenty of things to do in St. Andrews on family days out, or if you are just looking to play a round of golf.
Founded in the 13th century and named after the relics of Scotland’s patron saint, St. Andrew, it’s famously known as the birthplace and home of golf. Guests from any country can still play the world’s first and oldest golf course, The Old Course at St. Andrews (est. 1522), or the oldest “New Course” (set. 1895), both of which are public courses.
It’s also home to one of the most prestigious colleges in the U.K., the University of St. Andrews, also known as the place where Prince William met his future wife, Kate Middleton.
So, let’s dive into all of the things to do in St. Andrews, including all the best attractions you should see on a jam-packed day trip or leisurely vacation in Scotland.
TOP THINGS TO DO IN ST. ANDREWS
THE OLD COURSE AND ROYAL GOLF CLUB
Even if you’re not remotely interested in golf, one of the best things to do in St. Andrews is to check out The Old Course. Dating back to the 16th century, the oldest golf course in existence and naturally one of the most famous in the world.
The Old Course still hosts several golfing tournaments every year, including the Open Championship and the Walker Cup.
If you’re a golfer wondering if you can play on the St Andrews Links, the answer is “YES!” because it remains a public golf course that’s open to all. However, there are strict handicap rules and because of its overwhelming popularity, they run a ballot system on the website.
Even if you can’t play, you can still walk around the golfing greens and see the iconic Swilcan Bridge (on the 18th hole of the Old Course), originally built over 700 years ago for shepherds to move their flocks across the waterway known as Swilcan Burn.
Check out this history of golf tour while you are there.
OLD COURSE HOTEL, GOLF RESORT & SPA
If you’re visiting St. Andrew’s on a special occasion, why not book a table for traditional afternoon tea at the Old Course Hotel? A five-star, fine-dining experience with views over both the New Course, the Old Course, and the stunning West Sands Beach, it’s an ideal way to experience the beauty of the area.
Not interested in golf? Take time to refresh at the property’s Kohler Waters Spa & Fitness Centre.
R&A WORLD GOLF MUSEUM
Naturally, you’d expect the birthplace of golf to feature a huge museum dedicated to the sport. And this isn’t just a British Golf Museum; the R&A World Golf Museum has exhibits and memorabilia from all over the globe.
It displays clothes, equipment, trophies, and other interesting collections spanning the humble beginnings of golf in the 15th century to the present day. Visiting this museum is one of those must-see St. Andrews highlights.
Check out these St Andrews Tours for Your Trip
ST. ANDREWS CATHEDRAL
Built during medieval times in the 12th century, St. Andrews Cathedral was once the largest church in Scotland. It was this church where the relics of St. Andrew were supposedly housed in the Middle Ages.
But during the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century, unruly protestants raided the church and destroyed the interiors. Soon enough, the whole church fell and most of the rubble was used for other buildings in the town.
Luckily, St. Rule’s Tower has survived the centuries, as well as a few walls and parts of the foundations. It’s often closed for health and safety reasons, but you can still see parts of the old cathedral from afar.
WEST SANDS BEACH
One of the top things to do in St. Andrews is to check out West Sands Beach, whatever the weather. Its grassy sand dunes are a great place to go for a stroll, and the sandy beach is ideal for sunbathing during the two weeks of the year–primarily July and August–when it’s warm enough in Scotland!
But the great views of the town aren’t why this beach is one of the favorite things for visitors to do in St. Andrews. The West Sands is also featured in the opening scene of the Oscar-winning movie Chariots of Fire, when the men are running in slow motion along a beach.
Why not don a white tank top and shorts and reenact this scene during your trip?
ST. ANDREWS TOWN CENTER
St. Andrews is a fairly small town, with some 21,000 residents, so it’s absolutely possible to explore all the main attractions on foot. In fact, there are historic walking tours from St. Andrews Links Clubhouse, and you can follow a guided tour as they take you around the main attractions.
Be sure to head to Market Street, where you’ll find some of the town’s best restaurants, cafes, and ice cream shops like Luvians. There are also lots of pubs and bars like Vic St. Andrews, where you can watch live music and quirky independent bookshops like Toppings & Co. Booksellers too.
WEST PORT GATE
Located on the edge of South Street near the St. Andrews Brewing Company, West Port Gate is one of the most historic parts of the town center. The best-preserved city gate in Scotland, dating back to the 16th century, the gate is well worth checking out when you’re in that part of town.
UNIVERSITY OF ST. ANDREWS
One of the best places to visit in this seaside town has to be the University of St. Andrews. Founded in the 15th century, it’s the oldest university in Scotland. It’s also a very prestigious university as only the best students with top grades will be accepted.
Most of the university buildings are on North Street, but you’ll also find plenty of other University of St. Andrews buildings located elsewhere in town. You can head inside St. Salvator’s Chapel, which is a beautiful building, and the Quad around the Lower College Hall, year-round as long as there isn’t a private event.
Opening times/accessibility differs in term time and during the summer holidays. If you want to catch students heading to their graduation ceremonies, they take place in Younger Hall.
ST. ANDREWS BOTANIC GARDEN
There is one property owned by the University of St. Andrews that is always open to visitors: the botanical garden. This beautiful place covers over 18 acres of land with over 8,000 species of exotic and local plants.
The St. Andrews Botanic Garden also has a rock garden, ponds, a butterfly habitat, and a huge greenhouse full of succulents. It’s a popular destination for nature lovers on a sunny day, when its color is most vibrant.
EAST SANDS BEACH
West Sands hogs all the attention, but East Sands Beach is nice to visit, too. It’s near St. Andrews pier and is a much wider and longer beach than West Sands. One of its best features is the path that runs along the outside of the beach so you can stroll next to it and enjoy the beautiful surroundings without getting sand in your shoes.
ST. ANDREWS MUSEUM
If you want to visit another fascinating museum while you’re in town, the St. Andrews Museum, housed in a large Victorian manor that resembles a castle, is the best option for a more general local history collection.
Inside, you’ll find lots of historic jewelry, religious artifacts found at the old St. Andrews Cathedral, ceramics, and so much more. And the cherry on top? Entrance is free!
ST ANDREWS CASTLE
Just up the coast from East Sands Beach, St. Andrews Castle is a ruined 12th-century castle (first fortified around 1100) perched on the cliff edge overlooking the North Sea. Over the centuries, the castle has been a fortress, a prison, and a palace. Excavations have also revealed secret passageways that are remnants of Medieval warfare.
Today, the ruins of St. Andrews Castle are run by Historic Scotland. There is a small, kid-friendly exhibit in the visitors center that explains the history, offering historic context before you start exploring the real castle. You can also climb parts of the castle walls and see the beautiful scenery of the Fife coastline.
ST. ANDREWS AQUARIUM
St. Andrew’s Aquarium is a popular destination for families in the local area thanks to its abundance of fish species (over 100, including British sharks) and other wildlife. Because you won’t only find sea life at this aquarium, you can also get up close to poison dart frogs, chameleons, and lots of other reptiles.
FIFE COASTAL PATH
Scotland boats 29 designated Great Trails, which are long-distance hikes through areas of natural beauty all over the country. The Fife Coastal Path (also known as the Fife Pilgrim Way) is a beautiful coastal walk from North Queensferry through St. Andrews to a town called Newburgh.
This scenic route is around 187 km/116 miles, so you will need a spare eight to ten days to hike the entire trail. But you can easily take a short walk along the section through St. Andrews without committing to a challenging trek!
DAY TRIP TO THE EAST NEUK OF FIFE
The East Neuk of Fife (neuk is Scottish for ‘nook’) is a small section of the coastline below St. Andrews that’s famous for its idyllic fishing villages. They all feature adorable, patchwork-colored terrace houses along cobblestone streets, first-rate fish and chip shops, and tiny harbors with little sailboats.
It’s well worth renting a car and driving through these post-card perfect villages like Anstruther, Crail, Elie, Pittenweem, St. Monans, and Kingsbarns, which is also known for the Kingsbarns Golf Links.
Find more things to do in Scotland this year
ANNUAL EVENTS IN ST. ANDREWS
Although St. Andrews is a pretty little town, it’s a cultural hub in the Fife region offering numerous, year-round activities in St. Andrews. Here are some of the best annual festivals and events worth visiting if you’re in the area.
- Burns’ Night (January 25th)
- StAnza Poetry Festival (March)
- Crail Food Festival (June)
- The East Neuk Festival (July)
- Lammas Medieval Street Market (August)
- The Walker Cup (Every other September)
- Celtic Samhain Festival (October 31st)
- Bonfire Night (November 5th)
- St Andrews Day (November 30th)
- Scottish Hogmanay (December 31st)
St. Andrews Travel Planning Guide
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Flying to Scotland?
Looking for the best flights to Scotland? We love to track flights via Expedia.com. Not only do we find great rates, but we earn points to use on future travel too.
You can also keep an eye on GOING deals, which is how we got to Ireland roundtrip from LAX for under $500 each. The free version is good, but the paid subscription will save you way more than the cost of the actual subscription.
If you need a ride from Edinburgh to St Andrews, you can check out this car service.
Hotels in St. Andrews
- Fairmont St Andrews
- Hotel Indigo Dundee
- Hotel du Vin & Bistro St. Andrews
- Rusacks St Andrews
- Old Course Hotel
- Rufflets St Andrews
Find more St. Andrews hotels HERE
Tours We Recommend to book in St Andrews Scotland
- From Edinburgh: St Andrews & Fife’s Fishing Villages: the perfect day trip from Edinburgh to St Andrews.
- St Andrews: Old Course History Tour – 80s Pro Caddie Guide: great for golf enthusiasts who want to learn more about the history of golf.
- St Andrews Must-Sees Daily Walking Tour: Very economical, good, walking tour of town.
- St Andrews Ghost Tours: Every Scottish town has its ghosts, and you may get to meet one or two on this top-selling tour.
- Private Day Trip to St Andrews Dunfermline and the Fife Coast from Edinburgh: Great for small groups traveling together who want a more personalized experience.
Need a Rental Car?
We use DiscoverCars.com to get the best rates and availability on rental cars. Find your car HERE, along with all of the extras you may need (insurance, car seats, ski racks, etc.)
Travel Insurance
Do NOT forget to buy travel insurance for your trip, even if you booked through a travel agent.
Things do and will happen and it’s cheaper to buy travel insurance ahead of time instead of paying out of pocket later.
Check out Travelex for rates on a single trip or an annual plan that could be right for you if you take more than one or two trips a year.
Buy a SIM card?
We all love our smartphones, but we don’t love those international roaming charges. Even if you have a travel pass, you could max out your service, which is why we always grab an eSIM card to pop into our phones. It’s especially great for the kids, as it limits what they can do and how much data they can use, but still allows them to text friends back home.
Check out Airalo, our preferred eSIM card store for the best prices on eSIM cards and international data plans.
Don’t Forget about Your Vacation Photos!
Don’t forget to book your Flytographer session to capture awesome memories from your trip. We do it as often as we can, even though I’m a photographer. Sometimes, this mom just wants to be in a few photos with her kiddos.
How to get to St. Andrews Scotland
By Car
If you have access to a vehicle, driving to St. Andrews is a great option. From Edinburgh, take the M90 northbound to the A92, which will lead you to St. Andrews. The journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.
By Train
The nearest train station to St. Andrews is in Leuchars, which is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) away. You can take a train to Leuchars from major cities like Edinburgh or Dundee. From Leuchars, you can catch a bus or a taxi to St. Andrews.
By Bus
Several bus companies operate services to St. Andrews from various cities in Scotland. The bus journey can take longer than driving, but can be more cost effective.
By Air
If you’re flying into Scotland, you can fly into Edinburgh Airport, which is the closest major airport to St. Andrews. From there, you can rent a car, take a taxi, or use public transport to reach St. Andrews.
By Taxi or Shuttle Service
Taxis and shuttle services are available from Edinburgh Airport and other nearby cities if you don’t want to worry about driving on the left-hand side of the road.
By Bicycle
For the adventurous traveler, cycling to St. Andrews is an option. You can rent bikes locally, and hop on one of the many cycling routes Scotland offers locals and visitors.
A Brief History of St. Andrews Scotland
- Ancient settlements in the area date back to the Bronze Age (3300 to 1200 B.C.).
- St. Rule (St. Regulus) arrived in the 8th century, bringing relics of St. Andrew.
- Construction of St. Andrews Cathedral began in the 12th century, making it a significant religious center.
- The University of St. Andrews was built in 1413, establishing the town as a center of learning. It is Scotland’s oldest university.
- As the place of veneration for Scotland’s patron saint and as an ancient seat of learning, St. Andrews was the ecclesiastical capital of Scotland during the Middle Ages.
- St. Andrews is recognized as the birthplace of golf, with the Old Course dating back to the 16th century.
- Modern St. Andrews remains a vibrant town, known for its historic charm, coastal beauty, and educational institutions.
Fun fact: You won’t likely see a period after “St” anywhere in the U.K., a quirky little difference between American and British English. For our purposes, we’ve added the period.
