Hotels in St. Andrews

St. Andrews: Scotland's Golf Capital and Medieval Shore Town

St. Andrews, on the east coast of Fife, Scotland, sits 14 km southeast of Dundee and roughly 80 km northeast of Edinburgh. The town is defined by three landmarks that draw visitors from every continent: the Old Course, the world's oldest golf links dating to the 15th century; St. Andrews Cathedral, a ruined 12th-century structure that was once the largest church in Scotland; and the University of St. Andrews, founded in 1413 and the oldest university in Scotland. The town's medieval street grid — North Street, South Street, and Market Street — remains largely intact, lined with stone-fronted shops and cafés.

Where to Stay

Most hotels concentrate along The Scores, the clifftop road with views over the West Sands beach, or within a short walk of the Old Course Hotel near the 18th hole. The North Haugh area near the university suits visitors attending academic events. Budget guesthouses line Murray Place and Murray Park, roughly 600 m from the town centre.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Trains run to Leuchars station, 8 km away, with onward bus connections; Edinburgh Airport is 55 km via the M90.
• Golf bookings: Old Course ballot applications open 48 hours in advance; serious golfers book months ahead through the St Andrews Links Trust.
• Weather: Pack waterproofs year-round — average July high is 18 °C, and coastal winds are constant.
• High season: The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (October) and university graduation weeks (June) fill hotels fast.