Before it became known as ‘the home of golf’, St Andrews was famous for having the third oldest university in the English-speaking world, and the oldest in Scotland. It’s still considered one of the best universities in the UK. Before the university, St Andrews was a religious centre, and during the medieval period, St Andrews Cathedral was Scotland’s most important church. Now St Andrews has golf as well, most famously the Old Course, which is considered the world’s oldest golf course. The good news for any keen followers of the game is that some of our recommendations for the best places to stay in St Andrews have views over the iconic fairways — they're ideally located whether you've come to play or just watch!
St Andrews cathedral and St Andrews Castle, founded in 1200, are beautifully atmospheric ruins. Some medieval sandstone architecture remains, though, including several buildings in the centre of town. Walking tours are a great way to explore the town and its treasures, and many of them are lead by university students very willing to pass on their recommendations. If you haven’t managed to book a tee time, you can still get onto the Old Course on Sundays — it’s closed for play on Sundays, and everyone is welcome to stroll the fairways!
While our Gurus recommendations for the best places to stay in St Andrews obviously include a golf hotel or two, they also include smaller, more intimate picks, and these may suit you if you’re looking for personal tips from locals in the know. It's well worth pointing out that the town doesn't just cater to golfers: this is a picturesque coastal destination, with incredible historic monuments and stunning beaches (including West Sands Beach, which was memorably used in the opening scene of the film Chariots of Fire). The Botanic Gardens are well worth a stroll too.