St. Andrews

Travel Guide
St. Andrew\'s Cathedral which includes a beach, a sunset and a coastal town
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.

Rufflets St Andrews
Rufflets St Andrews
4 out of 5
Strathkinness Low Road, Fife, St. Andrews, Scotland
The price is ¥27,668 per night from Apr 22 to Apr 23
¥27,668
per night
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! (223 reviews)
Excellent hotel
"Fantastic hotel, great location walking distance from St Andrews. The staff were really attentive and the breakfast was excellent. We stayed in one of the gatehouse rooms which was really spacious, comfortable and quiet."

Reviewed on Mar 20, 2024

Rufflets St Andrews
Rusacks St Andrews
Rusacks St Andrews
5 out of 5
Pilmour Links, St. Andrews, Scotland
The price is ¥49,167 per night from Apr 3 to Apr 4
¥49,167
per night
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! (275 reviews)
"Fab hotel in a great location"

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024

Rusacks St Andrews
Old Course Hotel
Old Course Hotel
5 out of 5
Old Station Road, St. Andrews, Scotland
The price is ¥57,282 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
¥57,282
per night
Mar 29 - Mar 30
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in St. Andrews. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 indoor pools. Popular attractions Swilken Bridge and St Andrews - Jubilee ...
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! (134 reviews)
"Difficult to find, but good once in, I would stay again"

Reviewed on Mar 22, 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! (17 reviews)
"Only things not perfectly for room4 was too noisy the bus stop and drunk people shouting on the street ."

Reviewed on Dec 30, 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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of St. Andrews

4.9
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
92
" "5 - Excellent 92%
4 - Good
7
" "4 - Good 7%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 1%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 2, 2019

Great visit

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 1, 2019

Love this quaint little town. Wide variety of dining and shopping options. Super friendly people.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 9, 2019

What a great little town! Definitely will come back again. Specially love The Criterion Pub they have the best Steak and Ale Pie!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 1, 2019

Beautiful scenery with interesting historical sites to visit. The castle and cathedral are recommended tours.

5/5 - Excellent

CharlesChartier
Sep 11, 2019

Playing Golf at St Andrews. Superb!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Aug 30, 2019

Visited St. Andrews Cathedral and Castle. Both were on the Explorers Pass which we had purchased. The town itself is very quaint with cobblestone streets and nice shops and restaurants. Glad we visited

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