Top 6+ Historic Things to Do in St Andrews on a Day Trip

Interested in taking a day trip to St Andrews, Scotland, the home of golf? Your 'favourite' history buff and UK traveler has rounded up my top things to do in St Andrews on a day trip.

Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Post updated, January, 2024

Interested in taking a day trip to St Andrews ​from Edinburgh?

View of St Andrews from the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral

Only 30 miles north of Edinburgh, Stunningly historic St Andrews is a must-see on a trip to Scotland. And you'll get a lot of impressive, 'tour-able' destinations under your belt in a fairly quick and manageable day trip.

St Andrews is the birthplace of, and now a shrine to, the game of golf, invented here in the 18th century. 

The historic town is home to the University of the same name - the third-oldest in the English-speaking world. The charming university town most recently played host to the romance of Will & Kate (as depicted on the most recent season of The Crown), who met during their early years as undergraduates at St Andrews.

St Andrews Cathedral, now a ruin, was the largest in Scotland before its destruction. Climb the stunning St Rules Tower for incredible views of St Andrews and the surrounding area.

Interested? I'll walk you through some of the best attractions in St Andrews, as you plan your trip.

View of St Andrews Cathedral from St Andrews Castle

Check out the top 10 tourist mistakes in Scotland you don't want to make!

FAQ: Is St Andrews, Scotland worth visiting?

Absolutely. Even if you aren't a golf lover, the history and mystery of St Andrews has seen it welcoming visitors for thousands of years. It's a quaint little town and certainly worth a visit during your trip to Scotland.

FAQ: How do you get to St Andrews from Edinburgh?​

Getting to St Andrews from Edinburgh on public transport is easy, if not very straight-forward. First, hop on the train at Edinburgh Waverley and you’ll be off the train in St Andrews in approximately an hour, including just a few stops.

The train stops at Leuchars (for St Andrews) Rail Station. From there, you’ll need to take a short drive in a bus or a cab to St Andrews. Don't be alarmed when you get off the train in the middle of a suburban neighborhood and a field. The bulk of the passengers will also be going to the bus station, so you won't get lost.

​We opted for a cab back to the train station on our way home, so that we didn't have to walk all the way back to catch the bus in St Andrews, just given where we ended up at the end of the day.

The Old Course, St. Andrews

FAQ: Is one day enough time in St Andrews?

Yes. Enchanting as it is, St Andrews is a fairly small town. You can easily see the tourist sights you've come to see in one day, unless you're a huge golf fan, in which case it's probably worth an overnight stay.

Historic Things to Do on a Day Trip to St Andrews:
Explore St Andrews Cathedral

One of the main attractions in St Andrews is, and has been for many centuries, St Andrews Cathedral. 

A very quick walk from the centre of St Andrews itself, St Andrews Cathedral itself is a ruin, but that makes it all the more inspiring. Walk around the haunting grounds and examine the hundreds of graves spanning as many years. Intriguingly, one (empty) tomb is intentionally left open to give you an understanding of what lies below your feet.

St Andrews Cathedral Tickets, Museum,
& St Rules Tower

A ticket is required (it allows you to see the entire property, including climbing the tower) and is reasonably priced. 


The fascinating museum is worth a visit, but can be managed quickly. Actually experiencing the Cathedral and grounds was one of the is the best things about our entire trip to Scotland. I would allocate at an absolute minimum, 45 minutes for this portion of your day trip.


Built in 1158, St Andrews Cathedral was the head of the Catholic Church in Scotland during the Middle Ages, and the largest church ever built in Scotland. After the Protestant Reformation, the church, like St Andrews Castle, fell into disrepair after a sacking by a mob, was officially closed in 1561, and was abandoned to become the ruin it is today.

View of St. Andrews from St Rule's Tower

My husband climbed St Rule's Tower, which, he says, offered excellent views. There's no better place to get an incredible view of the entire town of St Andrews. Be advised, the extremely narrow tunnel leading to the top of the tower begins with a one-way gate that closes behind you.

The staircase, inside St Rule's Tower

History of St Andrews Cathedral

Ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral

Historic Things to Do on a Day Trip to St Andrews:
Visit St Andrews Castle

The next stop on our list, we'll take a short walk from the Cathedral over to the ruin of St Andrews Castle, on a craggy landscape overlooking the sandy beach of the North Sea. You’re free to roam around St Andrews Castle at your leisure and crawl around in the nooks and crannies.


For those of us too afraid to climb the tower at St Andrews Cathedral, the view from the top of the smaller and more open Castle turrets are great as well. 

View from St. Andrews Castle

History of St Andrews Castle

St Andrews Castle was originally built in the 12th century, and over the years, especially through the turbulent wars of Scottish independence, it was burned and put under siege many times.

The Castle eventually landed in the hands of the Catholic Church and, in conjunction with St Andrews Cathedral, was a seat of ecclesiastical power, but with the abolition of the bishops by William of Orange, St Andrews Castle ultimately fell into disrepair in the 18th century.

​Thankfully, for us, it was sufficiently preserved from then 'til now to be safe to explore today.

St Andrews Castle ruins

St Andrews Castle Tickets

I'd allocate about half an hour of your day to spend at St Andrews Castle. Tickets are required and can be purchased in the modern gift shop. Never fear: there is a restroom in the visitor's centre.

Historic Things to Do on a Day Trip to St Andrews:
Discover the University of St Andrews

Walking away from St Andrews Castle and Cathedral toward the Old Course will take you on a quick spin through the University of St Andrews. Founded in the 15th century, it's the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world, and the oldest in Scotland, in continuous operation since medieval times. The stunning, dark stone university buildings have a much more foreboding air than the airy Oxford and Cambridge, so don't count it out if you've already visited another great British university during your travels.


Stroll the streets where love first ignited for Prince William and Kate Middleton, and silently pray that The Prince and Princess of Wales are in town on an alumni visit weekend. No need to take an organized tour unless you’re thinking of attending (a girl can dream).

Wondering what to wear in Scotland? Check out my packing tips!

Historic Things to Do on a Day Trip to St Andrews:
Delight in St Andrews Museum

Interested in exploring a breath-taking stone, Victorian mansion? Stop by St Andrews Museum, a fairly casual museum in the heart of Kinburn Park.

Extra credit: Discover St Andrews Botanic Gardens

Nature lovers rejoice! St Andrews Botanic Gardens is a tranquil reprieve from the hustle and bustle of St Andrews itself.

Historic Things to Do on a Day Trip to St Andrews:
Fall in Love with the Old Course

Continuing along The Scores, you’ll know it when you see it - the iconic Old Course, looms in the distance. ​

The Old Course, St. Andrews, Scotland

History of The Old Course at St Andrews

The oldest golf course in the world, the sport was invented here in St Andrews in the 15th century, though it was banned by the King for many years, for fear that men were wasting time on golf when they should be practicing archery.

Once they were allowed to play again, the game slowly evolved here, with a number of clubs having "play privileges" on the course, in addition to it being open to the public. The most well-known club is The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (founded in 1754).


The Old Course has hosted a number of prestigious British and international championships over the years, and will be familiar even to the most casual golf follower from The Open Championship, which it has hosted 30 times. St Andrews is also home to a number of other golf courses (ten in total), if actually playing golf is the motivation for your visit! And yes, there is a New Course. For more information on St Andrews Links, check out their website.

Tips for visiting The Old Course at St Andrews

For those of you looking to play the course, you certainly can, but absolutely plan far, far, far in advance. 

For the rest of us, come to St Andrews on a Sunday - The Old Course is open for walking around. You can stand on the 18th and take a picture for your dad, without getting in the way of someone who’s paid a pretty penny to play the course.

​ Don't forget to grab your dad a ball marker from the gift shop or one of the surrounding tat stores. Small, compact, and easy to carry - he’ll keep it on his dresser forever. 

Where to grab a historic pint in St Andrews

When you’ve gotten your fill of pictures, obviously it's time to grab a pint. There are several restaurants on the actual grounds of the course, including Rock & Spindle and Hams Hame overlooking the course. Continue walking either to grab the bus or toward the transit center (down the hill to the right) where you can grab a cab back to Leuchars.


Like any good college town, St Andrews is home to a modern, growing microbrewery, St Andrews Brewing Company.

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you have a phenomenal day trip to the enchanting Scottish town of St Andrews. It's the perfect place to fall in love with everything Scotland has to offer - lore, mystery, ruins, stone, rugged sports, fancy universities, and...beer. There are so many fun things to do in St Andrews, and it's one of the best places we've visited on our travels. Standing on the Old Course is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences to check off of your bucket list.


While you're on the blog, I hope you'll check out many more of my tips on visiting Europe in general and the U.K. specifically. For more information about train travel and other great day trips from Edinburgh, check out Visiting the U.K. by Train.

You may also like...

• How to Visit Craigmillar Castle from Edinburgh
• Visiting Stirling from Edinburgh
• Exploring the Scottish Highlands Without a Car
• What to Wear in Scotland

Love it? Pin it!