11 Amazing Things To Do in St Andrews

A ‘must-see’ for any visitor, explore the remains of St Andrews Cathedral, which was once the largest church in Scotland. The cathedral’s museum houses an outstanding collection of medieval sculptures and relics which were found on the site. Make sure to climb St Rule’s Tower, which dates from the 12th century, to see amazing views across St Andrews and Fife.

Be transported into an underwater world of adventure and come face to face with fascinating creatures at St Andrews Aquarium. See animals including British sharks, piranhas, seals and even meerkats! You can also get up close and personal with animals at various interactive demonstrations held every day.

The St Andrews Spy Mission Treasure Trail is the perfect way to explore the town with kids. Follow the self-guided trail to solve sneaky clues and crack the code. While looking for answers you’ll learn all about the town including its historical buildings, signs and statues.

A location which every golfer aspires to visit, the Old Course at St Andrews is one of the most famous golf courses in the world. Join an expert guide as they take you around the 1st, 17th and 18th holes, where you’ll be able to walk in the footsteps of golfing legends and experience a player’s eye view.

A unique way to learn about the town’s extraordinary history, St Andrews Ghost Tours will also introduce you to many haunted locations and residents from years gone by. The tours take in locations including the Cathedral and St Andrews University and are based on extensive research. And you’ll find no theatrics on these tours – the only ‘jumper ooters’ are the real ghosts!

As the Home of Golf and where the game was invented, playing golf in St Andrews is one of the best golfing experiences you can have, and you shouldn’t visit the town without taking in a round. Choose from 10 unique courses to hone your skills on, including some of the finest links courses in the world.

Explore the heritage of the town from its medieval past to the present at St Andrews Museum. Situated in a stunning Victorian mansion in Kinburn Park, the museum houses a permanent exhibition 'St Andrews A - Z' as well as a series of temporary exhibitions and a regular programme of talks, concerts and workshops.

With a history spanning 450 years, St Andrews Castle has been a bishop’s palace, a fortress and a state prison. The main residence of the bishops and archbishops of St Andrews in medieval Scotland, you can learn all about the castle’s rich past when you explore today. Discover the 16th century underground mine and the ‘bottle dungeon’, a prison cut out of solid rock.

Explore the main areas of St Andrews from the Old Course to the cathedral by foot with the St Andrews Food Tour, which visits five locations where you’ll taste locally sourced food and drink. Your guide will also explain more about the history of the area and point out other places to visit after the tour is over.

The town’s stunning West Sands are accessible to all with the St Andrews West Beach Wheelchairs, who provide free rental of specially adapted beach friendly wheelchairs. With 6 available in a variety of sizes, they can be booked in advance by phone or online, with slots ranging from 1 hour to half a day.

Take a journey through history on the Fife Pilgrim Way which winds through the ancient Kingdom of Fife. This long-distance walking route ends in St Andrews, which was once the focal point of the church in medieval Scotland. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims who would flock here between the 11th to 16th centuries.