St. Andrews is located on the eastern coast of Scotland. The seaside town is my number one choice for day trips from Edinburgh. If you have more time though, I encourage you to spend a couple of days there so you can properly explore this charming town. In my guide to St. Andrews, Scotland, I tell you the top things to see, my favorite places to eat, and where to go shopping for books (because no matter what others will tell you, you can never have too many books!).
Getting there: By car, St. Andrews is approximately 2 hours from Glasgow and 1 hour from Edinburgh. I like traveling by train when in Scotland, because it is so convenient. If you choose to do the same, take the train to Leuchars Station, which is located just outside of the town of St. Andrews. From there, it is only a 10 minute bus or taxi ride to the city center.
Top Things To See In St. Andrews
West Port
Built in 1587, the West Port is the most well preserved city gate in Scotland. Rather than serving as a defense mechanism, the gate was mainly built to impress visitors, which it’s been successfully doing for over 400 years.
The Old Course
Scotland is the home of golf, and when you go to St. Andrews, you can visit where the sport got its start in the early 15th century. Despite being the oldest and most renowned golf course in the world, The Old Course remains open for the public’s enjoyment. Read HERE about how you can book a round and walk in the footsteps of golf legends. Alternatively, you can just walk by and take some pictures like I did 🙂
British Golf Museum
To learn more about the history of the game, visit the British Golf Museum (located next to the Old Course). The museum has over 17,000 items in its collection ranging from the 17th century to present day. Whether you’re a big golf fan or not, it’s fascinating to explore the museum’s massive collection of over 500 years of the sport’s history.
St. Andrews Castle
You can find St. Andrews Castle perched on the aptly named Castle Sands beach. Home to Scotland’s leading bishop, the castle played an important role in the years leading up to the Scottish Reformation of 1560. Most famously, Cardinal David Beaton had Protestant preacher George Wishart hanged on a gibbet and burned in front of the castle, because he did not agree with his religious teachings. In an act of vengeance, a leading group of Protestants stabbed Beaton to death before hanging him from the castle window.
A testament to the grim acts that took place at the castle, the famed bottleneck dungeon where prisoners were kept is still in tact and can be visited today. It was quite eerie seeing the dungeon up close, knowing that many had entered it fully knowing they would never emerge again.
St. Andrews Aquarium
The St. Andrews Aquarium may look small on the outside, but you’ll be amazed at how spacious it seems once inside. From Leaf Cutter Ants to West African Dwarf Crocodiles, the aquarium has something for every age. It’s the perfect place to escape Scotland’s sometimes unpredictable weather or to let your kids see some wildlife up close. Ask about the feeding times when you arrive – a must see!
University of St. Andrews
Founded in 1413, the University of St. Andrews is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the UK. Notable alumni include Kate Middleton, Prince William, and John Knox. Take a stroll through the university’s pretty lawns, where you will find plaques explaining the various buildings and notable alumni. Please remember that this is an active university, and be respectful of the professors and students on campus.
Martyr’s Monument
On the obelisk monument near the Old Course, you will find the names of 4 men whose lives were violently taken because of their religious beliefs. Patrick Hamilton, Henry Forrest, George Wishart, and Walter Mill all suffered death by fire for their dedication to the Protestant Faith. The memorial is in a grassy area with sea views. There are benches nearby offering a place to reflect and rest.
St. Andrews Cathedral
I saved my favorite for last. I was blown away by the enormity and splendor of St. Andrews Cathedral. Despite being in ruins, it is magnificent to behold. Imagine what it was like when fully intact! The cathedral’s remnants reach high into air with the open sky serving as a beautiful backdrop. The ruins are surrounded by a cemetery with gravestones that are inscribed with intriguing epitaphs and icons. Around the grounds, you will find little plaques describing which part of the cathedral you are exploring, along with depictions of what it once looked like. For panoramic views of St. Andrews, climb St. Rule’s tower.
Where to Eat
Breakfast
The Cottage Kitchen is the place to go for a hearty breakfast made fresh with locally sourced ingredients. If you need to satisfy your caffeine fix, they have a wide variety of teas, and they serve an assortment of yummy cakes and coffee all day long.
Lunch
Voted the best fish and chip shop in all of Scotland for 2016 and 2018, Cromar’s should be at the top of your list of places to eat when you’re in St. Andrews. Thankfully I got there right when they opened, because by the time we left, there was a queue out the door. The line moves pretty quickly though considering everything is made to order. It’s one of the best meals I’ve had in Scotland. Yes to all the salt and vinegar!
Dinner
Situated in the oldest golf club producing factory in the world, Forgan’s serves up some absolutely delicious food. In addition to offering scrummy meals, the unique atmosphere hosts live music and other fun events for all ages. I recommend attending one of their legendary ceilidhs so you can learn to dance the traditional Scottish way. You can see their event calendar HERE.
Bookshops
No trip is complete without a bookstore visit, and being a university town, St. Andrews has plenty to choose from. Here are my 3 favorite ones there:
Topping & Company Booksellers of St. Andrews – Lovely independent bookshop with a varied selection and incredibly friendly staff. Regularly hosts authors for Q&A sessions and book signings.
Bouquiniste – Don’t be fooled by the modest storefront, this family owned bookstore is a treasure trove of rare and secondhand books.
Waterstones – I was in a hurry the last time I was here, but thankfully the layout of the store and the bookcase displays makes it easy to browse quickly. I left with 2 books by Scottish authors.
When I visited St. Andrews for the first time, I was reading The Distant Echo by Val McDermid. Much of this thrilling crime novel takes place at the main sights of St. Andrews. Scottish literature is known for having a distinct sense of place, and after visiting St. Andrews, I saw that McDermid’s descriptions of the town’s physical appearance and layout were spot on.
Bottom line – Go to St. Andrews!
Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. That means at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission from your purchase which will go toward bringing you more travel tips, tricks, and tidbits!
If you’ve been to St. Andrews, tell me your favorite parts of the town in the comments below!
This helped me plan my day! We’re headed there tomorrow. Thank you!
Hope you had a wonderful time in St. Andrews! It’s such a beautiful town!
As usual, you have piqued my interest. The cathedral sounds and looks fabulous. St. Andrews is now on my Scottish bucket list!! Thanks for all of the great info. Can’t wait for your next travel adventure!!!
Nice contents! Have been thinking to go there but still need to do more preparation though 😁