Being surrounded by the nature and absorbing its goodness can be overwhelming. Although, visiting St. Andrews eases the process and provides the best of nature with the benefit of utter goodness.
Being situated in Scotland, St. Andrews has gained enough footfall to make its mark in the tourism industry.
This tourist-friendly place has a rich history which finds its proof in the architecture and surroundings. Ground to some of the brilliant attractions to choose from, family-friendly spots to historical wonders, as well as an abundance of stunning beaches, parks, and fantastic walks to explore, St. Andrews never fails to amaze its visitors.
St. Andrews is an important town located on the Fife Peninsula. It is a part of the land which extends from the broad Forth Estuary in the South to the Firth of Tay in the North. A key location where once the trade with the Friesians, Flemings, and Normans bloomed during the Middle Ages, and now with the changing times, tourists (especially golfers), keep the locals busy here.
Apart from this, the fact that this picturesque town boasts the presence of its rich heritage is nothing short of admiration. Numerous historic buildings, amazing castles, mesmerizing cathedrals, and Scotland’s oldest university, everything here is worth exploring.
St. Andrews is located in a very particular place- 50 kilometers northeast of the capital of Edinburgh, arriving here is easy due to the presence of Scotland’s finest and major airports.
Being surrounded by water gives it the benefit of having some of the astounding beaches in Scotland. This category definitely includes West Sands beach- a two-mile stretch of sand and dunes that go onto the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
The following list of things needs to be a part of the itinerary of unusual things to do in St. Andrews!
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Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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Where to Stay in St Andrews
There is a wide range of accommodations available in St Andrews, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in St Andrews for any budget.
Luxury – Rusacks is one of the most luxurious hotels in St Andrews and overlooks the famous Old Course in St Andrews centre. Each room features free wifi, a TV, and tea and coffee making facilities. Rusacks also has a restaurant on site, The Bridge and Eighteen, a three AA Rosette restaurant that serves delicious Scottish dishes using produce from local suppliers
Book your stay at Rusacks here.
Mid-Range – The Albany is a homely yet elegant hotel that dates back to 1795 and is located in the heart of St Andrews
The hotel is in a great location for for exploring the cathedral and the castle as well as the picturesque university buildings scattered throughout town and the quaint shops around the town centre.
The hotel offers a continental or full Scottish cooked breakfast in the restaurant. The lounge area has a cosy open fire for the winter months and in the summer, guests can enjoy the beer garden and patio area.
Book your stay at The Albany here.
Budget – Edenside House situated on the Eden Estuary, a short 5 minute drive from the town of St Andrews. The accommodation dates back to the 1700s and retains much of its original façade. Edenside House offers free Wi-Fi and free parking on site.
All rooms have an ensuite bathroom and tea and coffee-making facilities.
St Andrews Cathedral
Staring your journey with a visit to St. Andrews cathedral would not only be aesthetically pleasing but it would also give a serene feeling to carry on forward.
The history of St. Andrews cathedral often astonishes many people and once you get to know about it, there is nothing stopping you from planning your next here!
St. Andrews Cathedral was once the center of religious and spiritual power in Scotland, and in 1472 it became the seat of the archbishop. By the 15th century, the location was referred to as the Cathedral of St. Andrews, just a few twist of words.
Another fun fact associated with this place is that some 335 feet in length and 160 feet wide, the cathedral was built between 1160 and 1328 and was once the largest church in Scotland.
The cathedral had been a host to numerous powerful people in its time but to stand out from them were Robert I and James V.
The cathedral’s stonework was plundered in 1559, leaving it in ruins. For tourist visitation, now only parts of the late Romanesque east front, a section of the west front, the southern side aisle, and a gatehouse remain to let them take in the rich historic feeling.
Apart from having a look at the mesmerizing ruins, many tourists pay a visit to the neighboring 108-foot-tall St. Rule’s Tower. Many say the view from there is nothing short of being called magically hypnotizing.
St Andrews Castle
A bishop’s palace, a fortress, and a state prison, St. Andrews castle has been everything to closer to nothing in the place. Now almost in ruins, St. Andrews castle was built around the late 100s which makes it more interesting to visit now. With its broken and cracked walls, it says more than before.
The amazing history of this place talks about how its purpose changed over time and how with the changing times it has seen all from being a palace to sieges to prison.
While visiting here, the tourists are welcome to explore the remains of the old medieval tunnels dug during the year-long siege that started after the murder of Cardinal Beaton in 1546. Along with this, they can also pay a visit to the dungeon where the Cardinal was imprisoned.
It is definitely a place worth visiting!
St Andrews University Museum
Established in 1411, St. Andrews university holds the record of being the smallest yet oldest university in Scotland. Its well-preserved old architecture is one of the major tourist attracting points.
While talking about its infrastructure, the main building has had a few additions to it over a period of time. St. Leonard (1511) and the college of St. Salvator (1450) were added in 1747 whereas St. Mary’s College was opened in 1538 by Cardinal Beaton. The former colleges are devoted to Arts and Science whereas the latter serves as the theology faculty.
Aside from being famous for its architecture, St. Salvator has something which grabs the most attention. It contains the pulpit from the Holy Trinity Church, a place where John Knox had his first preaching. Whereas, St. Leonard’s Chapel is a tourist hub as it houses some fine tombstones from the 16th and 17th centuries. Something to look forward to!
For St. Mary’s College, the one thing that attracts globetrotters is a rose bush. Yes! A bush!
According to the legends, a rose bush was planted by Mary Stuart near the college. What’s interesting is that this bush still flowers and bores quite beautiful flowers. Adding to this beauty is a house located in South Street where she stayed. It is now known as St. Leonard’s College library.
Apart from these magnificent architectures, a list of other tourists’ famous museums are: The Bell Pettigrew Museum and the Wardlaw Museum. The former is known for its notable natural history collections and the contemporary art exhibits in the Gateway Galleries whereas the latter is pretty famous for its large collection of historic and art-related artifacts.
St Andrews Links Golf Course
Many tourists visit St. Andrews for its magical scenery and beautiful architecture but beyond this, another tourist attraction plays its role well.
Due to its huge golfing estate and heritage, the game of golf was invented here itself and its modern version was invented in the 15th Century.
Even though this sport has been played here since the early 1400s but it wasn’t until the mid-18th century that it was established as a par-72, 18-hole course. It’s this format that has since become the norm.
So it would not come as a surprise that the area would be home to the world’s oldest golf club: Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, established in 1750.
Another fact that this place wears as a jewel is St. Andrews’ seven famous courses which are owned and operated by the non-profit St. Andrews Links.
St. Andrews Links is a group that also manages the best-known of the St. Andrews links courses, the famous Old Course- the oldest golf course in the world.
While sightseeing and knowing St. Andrews inside-out, do add a golf link tour to your itinerary for a better and more historical experience for you to remember the place by!
St Andrews Aquarium
While unveiling the historical chapters, the tourists also learn a lot about the rich aquatic life St. Andrews holds. To explore the basic as well as unique aquatic wildlife, visiting the St. Andrews aquarium would be a great choice. The aquarium doesn’t just hold a place for marine life but it is also home to some interesting wildlife which has always attracted globetrotters.
Overlooking the coast and St. Andrews Bay, the aquarium is home to countless fish species including sharks and piranhas alongwith other local marine life such as seals, crocodiles, and crabs to name but a few.
Other attractions include things like participation in fun animal feeding activities and animal handling. The feeding program deals with animals like penguins and seals while animal handling deals with insects and docile reptiles.
St Andrews Botanic Gardens
Serendipity is found all across St. Andrews but the one place where you can connect with yourself is at the Botanic Garden. Distributed in a lovely 18-acre site on the south side of town, the garden showcases some fine gardens, numerous plant species, and an attractive riverside setting perfect for enjoying some quality me-time.
The one thing that attracts so many eyes is 8,000 different exotic and native plant species all in one place. They are perfectly distributed and extensively labeled in ‘zones’. These ‘zones’ are dedicated to particular species including a pleasant meadow, a woodland area, a rockery, and mesmerizing ponds and waterfalls. One could also find what’s regarded as one of the country’s top collections of rhododendrons.
Alongwith the magnificent gardens and woodland areas, there is also a butterfly house which fascinates many, especially kids.
Drive to Craigtoun Country Park
Located to the south of St. Andrews, Craigtoun Country Park is an early 20th Century construction. It has been built similar to the village-style found in the Netherlands and on the grounds which were once a part of 17th Century manor house.
The place offers a lot for its tourists mainly with things that provide utter tranquility. The ambiance of Craigtoun Country Park is such due to the presence and feels of an authentic village. The place is filled with open and huge gardens which include sitting areas, golf areas, walled gardens, rose gardens, a lovely avenue lined by cypress trees, walking trails alongside beautiful lakes where the option of boating is available, and numerous ponds.
For tourists who are traveling with family and kids, this place is nothing else than perfect for having a picnic memory. From laying on the soft grass to walking in the heritage lanes, children could learn and play alongside history. The options of enjoying a traditional railway ride and a tractor ride are also present.
Fit for all kinds of travelers from across the world, this place surely is a perfect choice to explore.
St Andrews Museum and Preservation Trust Museum
To unfold the history of St. Andrews’, pay a visit to St. Andrews Museum and the preservation trust museum. Excellently maintained by the townsfolk, the museum is situated in a lovely old Victorian-era mansion in Kilnburn Park.
It features a huge exhibit showcasing every facet of the history of the town, from the legendary golf course to the acclaimed university. Since it is free to visit, usually a huge crowd is found here.
The museum’s gallery showcases the local artwork which fascinates one and all. While tourists flood over here every year, the place has now become a hot spot for concerts, workshops, and gatherings.
The St. Andrews Preservation Trust Museum is situated rather close to the cathedral as well as the magnificent castle, giving it the pleasure of being one of the most interesting spots in St. Andrews. It supports a huge and delightful garden, perfect for evening time.
While on your visit to the St. Andrews Preservation Trust Museum and St. Andrews Museum, feel free to connect with the heritage and history of the location.
Explore the Food in St Andrews
Whilst exploring the heritage, make sure to also unfold the food essence of St. Andrews. The place is the top spot for rich seafood and drinks.
To know the best of any destination in the world, one should have a taste of its local cuisine.
How to Prepare for your Trip to St Andrews
Before you set off on your way to St Andrews, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip to Scotland. All of this is discussed in detail below.
How to Get to St Andrews
One of the most popular ways to get to Sta Andrews is by driving as it takes no longer than a couple of hours from Glasgow and even less from Edinburgh. Leuchars train station serves St Andrews and there are also coach services that stop in St Andrews as well if you are looking for a cheaper option.
Where to Stay in St Andrews
There is a wide range of accommodations available in St Andrews, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in St Andrews for any budget.
Luxury – Rusacks is one of the most luxurious hotels in St Andrews and overlooks the famous Old Course in St Andrews centre. Each room features free wifi, a TV, and tea and coffee making facilities. Rusacks also has a restaurant on site, The Bridge and Eighteen, a three AA Rosette restaurant that serves delicious Scottish dishes using produce from local suppliers
Book your stay at Rusacks here.
Mid-Range – The Albany is a homely yet elegant hotel that dates back to 1795 and is located in the heart of St Andrews
The hotel is in a great location for for exploring the cathedral and the castle as well as the picturesque university buildings scattered throughout town and the quaint shops around the town centre.
The hotel offers a continental or full Scottish cooked breakfast in the restaurant. The lounge area has a cosy open fire for the winter months and in the summer, guests can enjoy the beer garden and patio area.
Book your stay at The Albany here.
Budget – Edenside House situated on the Eden Estuary, a short 5 minute drive from the town of St Andrews. The accommodation dates back to the 1700s and retains much of its original façade. Edenside House offers free Wi-Fi and free parking on site.
All rooms have an ensuite bathroom and tea and coffee-making facilities.
What to Pack for Your Trip to St Andrews
When it comes to packing for a trip to Scotland there is one item of clothing that you are going to need all year round: a waterproof. It rains in Scotland on average 250 days a year, meaning that during your trip to St Andrews, you can expect rain at some point. Due to this, the number one item on your packing list is a good waterproof jacket.
Second to that, another item to not leave home without is a good pair of warm and, if possible, waterproof boots.
You will definitely need a hat and gloves during the winter months as the wind chill can be bitter.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around St Andrews, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Scotland
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
The house of heritage, presence of cultural development, and serendipity, St. Andrews is worth every penny and time. Holding the title of being the perfect choice for a getaway, St. Andrews attractions have provided tourists with some worthy memories to carry on with. From amazing cathedrals to magnificent castles, this town is absolutely worth time and effort and leaves an impression on you of being the most tranquil destination.
Let us know what you thought of the sights listed above, or if you have any suggestions let us know in the comments below.
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Now Read:
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- 7-day North Coast 500 Itinerary – FREE, Detailed and Unforgettable!
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