The Ultimate St Andrews Guide For Parents

By Misha Lauer

Stay

Upscale:

For a sophisticated stay, steeped in St. Andrews character, check into the Rusacks Hotel, where views of the Old Course meet interiors that are equal parts country club and countryside chic. For something lighter and airier, Seaton House sits right on the seafront, combining its sleek style with a calm coastal charm.

Homey:

For families or groups wanting more space, No.1 Apartments offers a home-away-

from-home feel in the heart of town. Each apartment comes with a fully equipped kitchen and multiple bedrooms, perfect for slow mornings, self-made breakfasts and just a short walk away from the best cafes and shops of St. Andrews.

Day 1: Castles, Cathedrals, Cashmere, Cocktails, & Comfort Food

Morning

Ease and settle into the, hopefully, sunny day in St. Andrews by starting at Spoiled Life Store; part cafe, part concept boutique, and wholly cosmopolitan. The coffee is considered the best in town but it’s the hybrid fuel format they deliver: one minute you’re sipping a salted maple matcha latte paired with a buttery blueberry Danish, and the next you’re shuffling through racks of carefully curated Scandinavian fashion and minimalist ceramics. It’s the kind of place that transforms a student town into something that feels more like Copenhagen than coastal Fife.

Late Morning

From there, caffeinated and charged with a croissant, wander through St. Salvador’s Quad, the centuries-old courtyard at the heart of the university. The cobblestones tell tales of spooky academic traditions (and photo ops) before you continue down toward the vast scaffolding of St. Andrews Cathedral. Once the largest church in Scotland, its worn structure frames the coastline. Nearby, the Castle ruins cling theatrically to the cliff, with a layered history of its battles and secret bunkers. Before heading further, take a detour to saunter along the iconic Pier. A long-standing St. Andrews tradition involves students gathering in red gowns to march along the stone planks, both as an induction into society in their first year and as a concluding event upon graduation. For the best perspective and an unmatched view of it all, climb St. Rule’s Tower. Its narrow spiral staircase permits scenic sweeping views across town, beach, and sea. From there, carry on to East Sands, a broad golden sweep of the shore popular with morning swimmers, dog walkers and paddle boarders. Further your stroll along the Fife Coastal Path, where, if it’s your lucky day, you’ll spot fluffy Highland cows grazing in the cliffside fields.

Lunch

Already being on East Sands, post-incline nature walk calls for a caloric comfort cult classic, Cheesy Toast Shack. Its mac & cheese toastie is as indulgent as it sounds, oozing with cheddar, béchamel and shelled pasta, pressed between two slices of buttered golden bread. Settle onto a picnic bench overlooking the sea and have the ultimate casual lunch with an unbeatable view.

Afternoon     

Back up from the shore, it’s time to roam the three streets of town. Topping & Co is a bookworm’s paradise, with ladders that roll along floor-to-ceiling shelves. Just down the street,   offers Scottish cashmere so soft you’ll want to wrap yourself in it immediately. At The White Company, you’ll find cloud-like robes and blankets that would scream luxury in communal Sallies washrooms, while Pluto feels like a curated vintage closet, mixing chic retro finds with the occasional designer piece. Stop into Naturity to stock up on wellness snacks and pantry staples, then wander through Farmore Interiors, a local favourite for aesthetic yet maximalist homeware and inspiration.

Evening

When the sun begins to set (hopefully not at the dreary 3pm in the depths of winter), it’s time to showcase the town’s elegance, where dining becomes a display for both local ingredients and sweeping coastal landscapes. At the sleek, glass-fronted Seafood Ristorante, Italian-inspired dishes meet locally sourced seafood, all served against a backdrop of panoramic windows overlooking West Sands and the endless horizon beyond. For a more carnivorous crowd, book in at The 18, the rooftop restaurant at the Rusacks Hotel, where perfectly cooked matured steaks are paired with cinematic views over the Old Course, the world's most famous golf course, and out to the beach beyond.

Nightcap

No first day with parents is complete without a nightcap. If you want to show them a true local institution, head to The Dunvegan, the legendary golfers’ pub just off the Old Course, where walls lined with photos tell a thousand stories. This spot is the perfect place for your parents to meet the cast of characters, putting faces to the names they’ve only heard in your stories over the phone. Cozy up together in a corner booth and swap stories over a cider or their classic pints. For something quieter and more intimate, head to The One Under, a subterranean bar in the Rusacks hotel. It has a speakeasy feel with low lighting, plush sofas and craft cocktails, perfect for winding down a refined evening in style. By the time you escort your parents back to their accommodation, they’ll have already had a complete fix of castles, cashmere, cheese toasties, and coastal charm. And that’s just day one.

DAY 2: Cafes, Coastlines, Ceramics, & High-class Cooking

Morning

Top of the morning. Hopefully the sun's out, and it's time to begin day two with a stop at Five Acres, a cafe that combats the notorious St. Andrews Scurvy. Known for their selection of weekly changing salads, stews, and toasties, this place feels like the epitome of health, contrasting with a typical late-night out involving large amounts of liquor. Order one of their famous maple sea salt lattes to caffeinate for the day ahead, along with a bowl of the warm, fragrant peach baked oats that are so good you'll wish they came in candle form.

Late Morning

Suppose your parents have rented a car (or booked reliable taxi companies such as (Golf City/ St. Andrews Taxis), head south through the Fife countryside towards the charming fishing villages that line the coast. Your first stop: Crail, a postcard-perfect town with stone cottages, windy cobblestone streets, and a harbor that boasts beautiful, unspoiled views. Nearby Elie is equally lovely, with sweeping sandy beaches and a breezy, seaside-holiday feel.

Lunch

For lunch, make your way to Baern Cafe, a farm-to-table spot specializing in sustainable bakes and dishes. Seasonal and hyper-local ingredients constitute the menu, set in the courtyard at the Bowhouse. This event space regularly hosts local markets, small business pop-ups, and St. Andrews black tie balls. The cafe's menu changes constantly, but expect earthy, bean-dominated soups, freshly baked breads, and produce plucked from the surrounding land.

Afternoon

After lunch, tie your shoelaces for a stroll of the southeast sector of the Fife Coastal Path. Follow the trail to the lively harbor town of Anstruther, famous for its fish and chips, and further along to the pretty fishing village of Pittenweem, repping its colorful boats and local artist studios. Before heading back, stop into Crail Pottery, a family-run workshop where your parents will love browsing the handmade mugs, bowls, and vases.

Evening

Already out of town, make the most of the rental car (or again an easy taxi) by booking dinner at one of the zip code's destination restaurants. For the ultimate cozy cottage charm with views back towards town, complemented by refined Scottish cooking, The Grange Inn, a 10-minute drive from Market Street, offers hearty classics in a pre-fixe form. For critical cuisine connoisseurs, a 15-minute drive from Market Street, The Peat Inn delivers Fife's most acclaimed and only Michelin-starred tasting menu, an experience as much as a meal. Alternatively, for something atmospheric, head 20 minutes south of Market Street to #66 on the UK's best restaurant list, The Kinneuchar Inn. This gourmet gastropub offers hyper-local ingredients enjoyed in the comfort of Fife's most charming, candlelit, characterful dining rooms, along with a daily changing specials board that makes every visit absolutely unique and unforgettable.

Day 3: The Sea, Saunas, Golf Swings, Sunsets, & Steak

Morning

Start your final full day with hot coffee and a fresh-baked croissant from Taste Cafe, a local favourite on North Street. It’s simple, cozy, and their freshly baked pastries/paninis set the tone for your final day of charm and St. Andrews character.

Mid-Morning

From there, wander down to West Sands, where you’ll find the Wild Scottish Sauna, a wood-fired sanctuary overlooking the sea (book your parties time slot in advance online). Assuming you’ve properly timed and aligned with the high tide swells, alternate between the warmth and the water. It’s invigorating as well as idyllic thanks to the unparalleled landscape views as you settle into the stone-steamed shelves.

Lunch

Refuel and replenish at The Dook, a cozy seaside cafe, where surfer’s crossover with screaming children. Order their perfect toasties paired with a well-whisked matcha before heading back to your accommodation to freshen up.

Afternoon

Once revived, it’s time for a little movement. Walk toward the legendary Swilcan Bridge, the most photographed stone arch in golf, and snap the obligatory family selfie; new picture frame incoming. Continue onward to experience the real reason St. Andrews is on the map. At the Old Course Driving Range, rent a bucket of balls and an iron to test your swing. Alternatively, for something more active, play a relaxed/easy-going nine holes on the Balgove Course, a scenic and beginner-friendly fairway.

Evening

After the range or round, grab a drink at The Jigger Inn, a cozy pub where golfers and students congregate on the covered terrace. Sit outside under a complementary fuzzy blanket and watch the sun set over the sea, with a cider in hand. Already in the direction of the Balgove area, finish your night with a spontaneous walk-in dinner at Steakbarn, part of Balgove Larder, one of the best butcheries in Scotland. Inside a converted barn, long communal/cafeteria-style tables and an open-fire kitchen create a modern yet rustic vibe. Order the famed ribeye or their signature burger and soak in the simple pleasure of farm-to-fork dining done right. Before you leave, if still open, pop into the adjacent Farm Shop for artisanal pantry staples and local produce your parents can take back home.

Departure Day

There should be no rush in saying your goodbyes. Revisit a favorite cafe or grab a to-go latte from the Kinnettles Coffee Truck. If the weather cooperates, find a seat outside in the garden to savor a pleasant moment before the punctual pressure of their airport plans. Four days in St. Andrews, with the slow living among the sea and stone streets, make parents sad and oddly jealous; mainly because they wish they were the student staying.

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(All pictures are from Misha herself)