St. Andrews

Travel Guide
St. Andrew\'s Cathedral showing a sunset, a coastal town 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 metres). 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 centre 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 kilometres) northeast to reach the town. Dundee is a 30-minute drive north and Glasgow is 70 miles (110 kilometres) 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 S$296 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
S$296
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
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 27 Mar,2024

Rufflets St Andrews
Rusacks St Andrews
Rusacks St Andrews
5 out of 5
Pilmour Links, St. Andrews, Scotland
The price is S$527 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
S$527
per night
3 Apr - 4 Apr
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! (277 reviews)
"This is a fabulous property!! The hotel is absolutely gorgeous and luxurious. The rooms are decorated beautifully with very comfortable beds. The bathroom was sparkling clean. The food options were great. We had dinner and breakfast next morning and both meals were delicious. The staff was super ..."

Reviewed on 28 Mar,2024

Rusacks St Andrews
Old Course Hotel
Old Course Hotel
5 out of 5
Old Station Road, St. Andrews, Scotland
The price is S$614 per night from 31 Mar to 1 Apr
S$614
per night
31 Mar - 1 Apr
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 16 Mar,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 22 Mar,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 30 Dec,2023

No.1 Apartments St Andrews- South Street
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

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
118
" "5 - Excellent 79.19463087248322%
4 - Good
26
" "4 - Good 17.449664429530202%
3 - Okay
5
" "3 - Okay 3.3557046979865772%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
22 Mar 2020

Lot's to do and easy to get to from Edinburgh. lovely beach, lots of history and good dining options. The Aquarium is an excellent family option.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
17 Mar 2020

Prices of wine in the restaurants were outrageous snob value.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
8 Mar 2020

Full of Harry Potter rejects and golf knobs but otherwise gorgeous

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Feb 2020

A beautiful small town

5/5 - Excellent

Guy
8 Jan 2020

Lovely location and one of our favourites.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
5 Jan 2020

My most favourite holiday destination in all the world !