GB · Scotland · 56.34°N 2.80°W

st andrews

Old golf links, cathedral ruins and a long beach beside a university town.

Best time
April–September has long days for the beaches and ruins, with July–August and big golf events the busiest. November–February is quiet, and the North Sea wind makes it feel colder than it is.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Fly with one stop to Edinburgh, usually via London, Dubai, Doha or Istanbul, about 17–19 hours all in. From Edinburgh, take the train to Leuchars, about 1 hour, then a 10-minute bus into town. The UK is 7 hours behind KL in summer and 8 in winter.
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GB · Scotlandst andrews56.34°N 2.80°Wgowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Old golf links, cathedral ruins and a long beach beside a university town.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingSt AndrewsGB, Scotland
KLst andrews
≈ 10,600 km from KL, as the crow flies
the view from the top of St Salvator's tower in St Andrews

Photo: User:Jamesmcmahon0 · Public domain

1 / 2

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

St Andrews is a small seaside town with Scotland's oldest university, the ruins of its greatest cathedral and the most famous golf course in the world. You don't need to play: the Old Course, the beaches and the ruins are all a short walk apart.

Makan

  1. Fish and chipsHaddock is the Scottish choice. The fishing village of Anstruther, about 20 minutes down the coast, is known for it.Map ↗
  2. Ice creamJannettas has been scooping on South Street since 1908.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Old CourseGolf has been played on these links since the 1400s. On Sundays the course closes for play and becomes a public park.Map ↗
  2. West SandsA long, wide beach beyond the golf links, where the opening run in Chariots of Fire was filmed.Map ↗
  3. St Andrews CathedralThe ruins of what was once Scotland's biggest church, with tall broken gables above a graveyard by the sea.Map ↗
  4. St Andrews CastleA clifftop ruin with tunnels dug by attackers and defenders during a 1540s siege.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Stick to the paths when crossing the links, and wait for golfers to play before taking photos.
  • Halal choice in town is small; Dundee, about half an hour away, has more.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.