St. Andrews

Travel Guide
St. Andrew\'s Cathedral featuring a coastal town, a sunset and a sandy beach
A youthful student atmosphere pervades this seaside university town. Visit medieval relics that decorate the area.

The coastal town of St. Andrews has some of Scotland’s most historic and fascinating attractions and traditions. Revisit the Middle Ages when you tour its castle, towers and one of the world’s oldest universities.

Enter the town through the surviving gates of West Port and Sea Yett. The former has towers and a central archway with intricate details. For a sense of the local history, visit St. Andrews Castle. Hear intriguing tales about the opposing Catholics and Protestants and delve into the dark underground tunnels built for war. See the Bottle Dungeon that held notorious prisoners, many of whom incurred the death penalty.

Stroll through the St. Andrews Cathedral ruins, at the tallest church ever built in Scotland. Capture photos of St. Rule’s Tower, with a height of 108 feet (33 meters). Climb the structure for views of the sea and countryside.

Entwined with medieval relics is the enthusiasm of youth. Parts of the University of St. Andrews are scattered around town. Watch students in red gowns that denote their year of studies and learn about centuries-old scholarly traditions. Visit St. Salvator’s Quadrangle to appreciate the majestic buildings and chapel in the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world.

Bring the family to St. Andrews Aquarium to see British sharks, poison dart frogs and piranhas. Watch the kids fawn over baby seals and meerkats. The aquarium offers scenic views of St. Andrews Bay, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and West Sands, where the beginning of Chariots of Fire was filmed.

Enjoy walking through the quaint town center in warm summers. Winters are cold but not freezing and snow is fairly rare.

Located in Fife on the country’s eastern coast, St. Andrews is easy to access from Scotland’s largest cities. Fly to Edinburgh Airport and drive 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast to reach the town. Dundee is a 30-minute drive north and Glasgow is 70 miles (110 kilometers) southwest.

St. Andrews mixes the youthful exuberance of student life with the historical charm of medieval ruins.

Rusacks St Andrews
Rusacks St Andrews
5 out of 5
Pilmour Links, St. Andrews, Scotland
The price is CA $440 per night from Apr. 3 to Apr. 4
CA $440
CA $528 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this golf hotel in St. Andrews. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (276 reviews)
"Fab hotel in a great location"

Reviewed on Mar. 18, 2024

Rusacks St Andrews
Rufflets St Andrews
Rufflets St Andrews
4 out of 5
Strathkinness Low Road, Fife, St. Andrews, Scotland
The price is CA $248 per night from Apr. 22 to Apr. 23
CA $248
CA $298 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 22 - Apr 23
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in St. Andrews. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (224 reviews)
"Beautiful gardens and easy to park at!"

Reviewed on Mar. 27, 2024

Rufflets St Andrews
Old Course Hotel
Old Course Hotel
5 out of 5
Old Station Road, St. Andrews, Scotland
The price is CA $562 per night from Apr. 3 to Apr. 4
CA $562
CA $675 total
includes taxes & fees
Apr 3 - Apr 4
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in St. Andrews. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 indoor pools. Popular attractions Old Course at St Andrews and St. Andrews ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (871 reviews)
"Top hotel, great view from room and breakfast was amazing. Bed was comfy and slept very well. Staff helpful and pleasant. Great location for walking to main town in a few minutes."

Reviewed on Mar. 16, 2024

Old Course Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
No.1 St Andrews
No.1 St Andrews
4 out of 5
Inchcape house-Saint Marys Place, St. Andrews, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star apartment in St. Andrews. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and a Smart TV. Popular attractions St Andrews Wine Company and Hamish McHamish Statue ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (129 reviews)
"Absolutely love! Will come again!"

Reviewed on Mar. 20, 2024

No.1 St Andrews
No.1 Apartments St Andrews- South Street
No.1 Apartments St Andrews- South Street
4 out of 5
South St, St. Andrews, Scotland
Stay at this 4-star apartment in St. Andrews. Enjoy free WiFi, an LCD TV, and cable/satellite TV. Popular attractions Old Course at St Andrews and St. Andrews ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (16 reviews)
"Well furnished, great standard , brilliant location,"

Reviewed on Jul. 8, 2023

No.1 Apartments St Andrews- South Street
Superior ground floor pied à terre with short walk to golf courses
Superior ground floor pied à terre with short walk to golf courses
St Andrews
Stay at this apartment in St. Andrews. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and Netflix. Popular attractions Old Course at St Andrews and St. Andrews Links are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (94 reviews)
Beautiful flat
"It was such a nice and elegant flat. Central to everything!"

Reviewed on Mar. 25, 2024

Superior ground floor pied à terre with short walk to golf courses
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Things to do

Reviews of St. Andrews

5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
23
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4 - Good
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" "4 - Good 0%
3 - Okay
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2 - Disappointing
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5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Oct. 26, 2019

Absolutely beautiful!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Aug. 25, 2019

Very friendly town with great dining options!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Aug. 24, 2019

Went to see the Old Course and weren't disappointed

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Aug. 21, 2019

A beautiful place to visit. Lots of quaint shops in town. Very nice gift shop at Fairmont St. Andrews as well, with good selection of clothing, souvenirs and unique items. Beautiful ruins of St. Andrews Castle and St. Andrews Cathedral.

5/5 - Excellent

Susan
Jul. 28, 2019

Lots to do in St. Andrews and area. We visited the Old Course, the castle and cathedral, and walked a section of the Fife Coastal Path. We were there for 2 days and definitely could have enjoyed some additional time in the area.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jul. 23, 2019

There are dozens of great golf courses around St. Andrews. We loved Kingsbarns and St. Andrews. Amazing meals & Pubs! I highly recommend The Rav restaurant! Historical and magical place. We will be back again!

Cities near St. Andrews