St Andrews
St Andrews is a gorgeous historic town. It’s small, but there’s a lot to see, and ideally, you’ll want most of the day here.
Parking:
St Andrews can be busy, and parking is at a premium. Thankfully, there are plenty of options, and if you arrive before 10am, it’s usually quite easy to find a space. However, if arriving later, be prepared to try a few car parks. Note that most are paid, and you’ll need to buy a ticket at the machine:
Woodburn: here (my first choice, but a longer walk into town; free)
East Sands: here (an extension of the above at the beach front; free)
Embankment: here (my second choice)
Argyle Street (South): here
Petheram Bridge: here
Murray Pl Car Park: here
Things to see
We’ll list the highlights below for you to choose from, but our recommendation is to park either in town or at the beach (or your hotel if walkable), and walk the loop that connects the coastal path with the harbour, castle, and cathedral, and into town to see the university buildings.
This takes about an hour, though you’ll want more time for photos and to soak in the sights! Adjust depending on where you park:
The Pends (walk)
St Andrews University (go through the gate to the garden and cloisters at the back)
→ Walking trail map (as a rough guide; the route is easy to follow, and once at the cathedral, you can easily divert into the town centre for amenities).
Town Centre
The town centre focuses around cobbled Market Street, where you’ll find shops, pubs, and restaurants.
There are offshoots, with lanes leading back towards the castle. And larger streets leading up towards South Street, where you’ll find more eateries and shops.
Those streets have gift shops and quirky stores, and you’ll find hidden squares tucked amongst them. Spend an hour or so simply following your feet; don’t worry, you won’t get lost!
Where to eat in St Andrews
There are tons of really great places to eat in St Andrews, whether for lunch or dinner. We recommend:
Lunch/Coffee
Five Acres: farm to fork, seasonal menu and a lovely aesthetic for lunch.
Northpoint: a popular brunch and lunch stop, the queue tends to move fast. Expect bagels, breakfasts, pancakes, and salads.
Spoiled Life: excellent speciality coffee with quirky cakes and bakes. Also popular and limited seating, but you can take it away to eat at West Sands.
The Cheesy Toast Shack: by the beach, serving heart-stopping sandwiches, but great for before the walk!
Palompo's Espresso Bar: savoury bites and great coffee.
Fisher & Donaldson: This traditional bakery is a local institution (the fudge doughnuts are award-winning)!
Forgans: bistro-restaurant for lunch or dinner.
Dinner
Haar: Excellent seafood, in a lovely, award-winning bistro. You’ve booked for one night of your trip, fantastic choice.
Ondine: Inside Seaton Hotel, this stunning seafood + grill restaurant is both stylish and delicious (a little more ‘fine-dining’) with all ingredients local and of the highest quality. Also, an option for lunch.
The Criterion: a fantastic, very buzzy pub serving traditional Scottish fare. Expect hearty dishes and, if you want to sample a dram, an excellent whisky selection.
The Tailend: classic Scottish fish & chips done really well. Sit in or takeaway.
Saints Sizzle: a no-frills burger joint with stunning views over West Sands Beach. Service can be slow, but the food is really good.
The Bothy: A lovely bistro with Scottish-inspired dishes for lunch or dinner.
The Adamson: Trendy brasserie, with relaxed, good food. Also, a very quirky cocktail bar tucked away at the back.