A weekend in St Andrews

The home of golf, Scotland's oldest university and a famous beach

Independent UK guide
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Updated October 2026

St Andrews is a historic coastal town in Fife, known around the world as the home of golf, which has been played on the Old Course since the 15th century. It is also home to Scotland's oldest university, founded in 1413, and has a ruined cathedral and castle overlooking the North Sea.

A long, wide sandy beach called West Sands featured in the film Chariots of Fire, and the town is a short drive from the pretty fishing villages of the East Neuk.

Best forHistory lovers, Beach days, Culture fans, Food lovers

Best time to goMay to September for the beaches. The Open or other golf events fill rooms, so check the dates.

Typical budget (2 people, 2 nights)£420–£730, excluding travel

Getting thereEdinburgh: About 1 hour 15 minutes by car, or about 1 hour 30 minutes by train to Leuchars, then a bus.

Check prices for a weekend in St Andrews

Plan your weekend in St Andrews

Top attractions in St Andrews

The Old Course and the Golf Museum

The oldest golf course in the world, and a museum telling the story of the game.

St Andrews Cathedral

The ruins of Scotland's largest medieval church, with a tower you can climb.

St Andrews Castle

A ruined castle on a cliff beside the sea, with a mine and countermine.

West Sands

A huge sandy beach where the Chariots of Fire scene was filmed.

The university and old streets

Wander the medieval streets and the historic university quad.

Best things to do in St Andrews

Guides to the activities most people plan a weekend around.

Edinburgh Castle visit

Edinburgh Castle stands on an extinct volcanic rock above the city and is Scotland's most visited paid attraction. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

Whisky tasting in Edinburgh

Edinburgh offers many ways to learn about Scotch whisky, from guided tastings on the Royal Mile to specialist bars with hundreds of bottles. Allow 1 to 2 hours.

Cairngorm Reindeer Centre

The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre near Aviemore looks after the only free-ranging reindeer herd in the British Isles. Allow about 2 to 3 hours.

Best areas to stay in St Andrews

The town centre

Walkable to the sights, shops and restaurants.

Near the Old Course

Convenient for golfers.

Strathkinness or Guardbridge

Quiet villages nearby.

Best hotels in St Andrews

These are well-established hotels often recommended for the area, listed in no particular order. They are not paid placements. Check current ratings, prices and availability before you book.

The Old Course Hotel

Rusacks St Andrews

Compare places to stay in St Andrews

Prices change daily, so check a few sites. These are affiliate links.

Best time to visit St Andrews

May to September for the beaches. The Open or other golf events fill rooms, so check the dates.

Seasons that suit St Andrews well: spring, summer, autumn.

Estimated budget for a weekend in St Andrews

Hotel or B&B, per night for two	£130–£220
Food and drink, per day for two	£65–£100
Activities and extras for the weekend	£30–£90
Estimated total, 2 people, 2 nights, excluding travel	£420–£730

Higher-priced destination. These are rough 2026 estimates and vary by season and room type. Add the cost of getting there. For a personalised figure, use the BritBreaks finder.

Getting to St Andrews

From Edinburgh: About 1 hour 15 minutes by car, or about 1 hour 30 minutes by train to Leuchars, then a bus.
From Dundee: About 30 minutes by car.
From Glasgow: About 2 hours by car.

Journey times are rough guides. Check live train and road times before you travel.

A sample weekend in St Andrews

Friday evening: Arrive, settle in and have dinner in The town centre.
Saturday: Start with The Old Course and the Golf Museum, then St Andrews Cathedral. In the afternoon, head to St Andrews Castle.
Sunday: Visit West Sands or The university and old streets, then head home.

Packing list for St Andrews

Handy things people often forget. These are Amazon links, so prices and availability are set by Amazon.

More kit guides: Beach and coast gear Walking gear Wet-weather gear

Good to know

Golf events fill rooms and raise prices, so check dates.
The nearest station is Leuchars, about five miles away.
Tee times on the Old Course are booked by ballot, so plan ahead.

St Andrews weekend FAQs

Is St Andrews worth a weekend without golf?

Yes. It has a cathedral, a castle, beaches and a lively student town, even if you do not play.

Can I play the Old Course?

Yes, but tee times are hard to get, and are usually booked well ahead or by ballot.

More weekend ideas

CrailFife

A postcard harbour in the East Neuk of Fife, with lobster and pantile roofs

EdinburghScotland

A dramatic castle city of cobbled lanes, festivals and whisky

DunkeldPerth and Kinross

A cathedral village on the River Tay, in Perthshire's Big Tree Country

PitlochryPerth and Kinross

A Highland gateway town with a theatre in the woods and a salmon ladder

Explore more: Best weekend breaks in Yorkshire and the North East · Best weekend breaks in Scotland · Best family weekend breaks in the UK · Best UK weekend breaks in spring

Browse popular weekend activities or use the BritBreaks finder to match a weekend to your budget and travel time.

Last reviewed October 2026. Please check opening times and prices with each attraction before you go. Report an error or share a tip.