10 Fun Things to Do in St Andrews, Scotland: Beaches, History & Golf

I visited St Andrews on a day trip with a Scottish friend during my travels through Scotland last June. I expected a golf town. Instead, I found a coastal university town filled with golf history, medieval ruins, seaside walks, and one very famous cat. The British media call it “mini-Nantucket.”

In one day, I walked beside medieval ruins, played a round of putting golf, explored a windswept beach, and stopped for afternoon tea in a historic tavern. Students in red university gowns crossed the streets while church bells echoed across town. Even if you don’t play golf, St Andrews has a special energy.

This coastal town is home to the University of St Andrews, Scotland’s oldest university. It is also known worldwide as the “Home of Golf.” Yet the town feels surprisingly relaxed and easy to explore on foot.

If you are planning a visit, these are my favorite things to do in St Andrews.

Play putting golf beside the famous Old Course

Our first stop after parking the car was to book our tee time. Although the sun was shining, the strong winds blew us across the grounds.

I wanted to experience golf in St Andrews without booking a full round on the famous course. The perfect solution was the Himalayas Putting Green beside the legendary Old Course at St Andrews.

The course is affordable, relaxed, and fun even for beginners. Locals sometimes refer to it as “ladies golf,” although visitors of all ages play here.

Playing a round beside one of the world’s most famous golf courses became one of the highlights of my visit.

Fun Fact: The Old Course dates from the 15^th century.

Join a guided walking tour

Taking a walking tour helped me understand how all the pieces of St Andrews connect together.

My local student guide explained the town’s religious conflicts, university traditions, and golf history in a way that helped me connect the dots. I learned details I never would have discovered on my own (such as St. Andrew’s famous feline.

If you only have one day in St Andrews, I strongly recommend booking a guided tour early in your visit.

Pose with the Hamish McHamish statue

One of the quirkiest attractions in town is the Hamish McHamish Statue.

Hamish was a real ginger cat who wandered freely through local shops and streets. Residents cared for him collectively, and he eventually became a local celebrity. (Click this link to listen to my guide explain how his fans raised the funds to honor him on my YouTube channel.)

Sadly, Hamish is no longer alive, but this didn’t stop me from watching for Scottish cats. As anyone who reads my blog knows, I am always on the lookout for cats when I travel. I have published several articles, including “Cats of Portugal” and “SOS Dubrovnik Cats“.

Explore the ruins of St Andrews Castle

One of the big stops on our walking tour was St Andrews Castle. The dramatic ruins sit directly above the North Sea cliffs. Samuel Johnson decried the “mournful remains” of the castle, wondering why they should be preserved.

But I loved walking through the remains of the fortress and learning about the political and religious conflicts that shaped Scotland’s history. I understand you can walk through an underground mine tunnel, which is narrow, dark, and surprisingly claustrophobic. Not surprisingly, I bypassed this tourist trail.

Don’t miss the sea views from the castle grounds. This was one of my favorite photography spots in town.

Walk through the historic university grounds

The historic center of the University of St Andrews feels like stepping into another century. I wandered through St Salvator’s Quad and watched students crossing the lawn in traditional red academic gowns.

Founded in 1413, the university gives the town much of its character. The mix of ancient stone buildings and student life creates a lively atmosphere that keeps St Andrews from feeling like an outdoor museum.

I read a tongue-in-cheek article in the Wall Street Journal about Americans loving everything about this Scottish university, except the Americans. In fact, 20% of the student body (2,200) is American.

Visit the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral

St Andrews Cathedral was once the largest church in Scotland. Today, the massive ruins still dominate the landscape. Its ghostly presence transported me back to the 14^th century.

It took 150 years to build the cathedral, which was founded in 1158 in the county of Fife. The final dedication occurred in 1318. Scotland’s largest church was abandoned in 1561 during the Scottish Reformation.

I spent time walking among the stone remains and imagining what the cathedral must have looked like centuries ago. The site feels both peaceful and haunting.

If you do not mind climbing stairs, head up St Rule’s Tower for sweeping views across the rooftops and coastline.

Take a long walk along West Sands Beach

One of the best things I did in St Andrews was simply walk along West Sands Beach.

The beach stretches for nearly two miles and feels wonderfully open and uncrowded. The rolling dunes and sea air make it ideal for a reflective walk.

I saw a few brave souls swimming in Scotland’s North Sea, but it remains cold even in the summer. Typically, swimmers arrive wearing their swimsuits under their clothing. They warm up afterward as a café. We saw a pop-up wild sauna experience near the beach.

Fun fact: Movie fans may recognize the beach from the opening scene of Chariots of Fire.

Wander the cobbled streets

The historic center of St Andrews is compact and very walkable. We spent hours wandering the narrow streets and stopping inside small shops and cafés.

North Street and South Street are especially enjoyable for slow exploring. You will find historic stone buildings, independent stores, cozy pubs, and students gathered outside coffee shops.

I recommend allowing extra time here. Some of my favorite moments happened when I lost myself walking down alleys and skinny streets. I agree with Rudyard Kipling that St. Andrews is the ideal place for walking.

Enjoy afternoon tea in a historic tavern

I highly recommend stopping for a traditional tea at a historic tavern in St. Andrews. This is always one of the most relaxing parts of any visit to the U.K.

After a chilly morning spent golfing, we enjoyed a pot of piping-hot tea with scones, clotted cream, and finger sandwiches.

Visit the St Andrews Botanic Garden

Sadly, we ran out of time to visit St Andrews Botanic Gardens as we had the long drive back to Edinburgh. But it is a “must stop” if you are a gardener. The garden features walking paths, native Scottish plants, and tropical species inside its glasshouses. I would have loved wandering through the woodland areas and stopping beside the ponds.

Tip: If you miss the Botanic Garden, you will still see beautiful beds of flowers planted on the university quad. The roses were blooming in June!

Final Thoughts on Visiting St Andrews

St Andrews may be small, but it offers an incredible mix of history, scenery, and atmosphere.

During my visit, I walked from medieval ruins to a famous golf course and then straight to the beach. Few places feel this layered and walkable.

For solo travelers, St Andrews is especially rewarding. The town is easy to navigate, filled with history, and compact enough to explore at your own pace.