St Andrews

If you are looking to escape from the city for the day while visiting Scotland, take a trip from Edinburgh to St Andrews, a charming seaside town on the east coast of Scotland. St Andrews is famous as the birthplace of golf, but even if you're not a golfer, you'll fall in love with the town's beauty and history. The town is just an hour outside of Edinburgh and easily accessible by a quick train and bus ride or by driving via rental car or private transfer. Here’s how to spend one day in St Andrews:

Morning

Start your day at The Old Course, the first golf course in history, originally built in the 1400s. If you are traveling with an avid golfer, spend the morning playing one of the courses at St Andrews Links. If you would like to play The Old Course, enter the lottery system 48 hours in advance for your chance. We did not have a tee time since my husband is a single golfer, so we tried our luck (and succeeded) at getting a walk-up tee time at The New Course, known to be the best for day-of tee times. If you prefer to skip the golf round, enjoy the trail that runs through the property grounds offering stunning views of the sea and greenery.

Afternoon

Continue your day at the stunning St Andrews Cathedral, which was once the largest church in Scotland and the center of religious life in medieval Scotland. The cathedral was built in the 12th century and played an important role in Scottish history until the Reformation in the 16th century. Today, the ruins of the cathedral are a hauntingly beautiful reminder of Scotland's past, and visitors can explore the nave, chapter house, and other parts of the cathedral.

After visiting the cathedral, take a stroll along the town's beautiful beaches, where you can see the ruins of St Andrews Castle. The castle has a long history of violence that led to much damage and rebuilding over the years, and you can learn about its fascinating past at the on-site museum. Finish your day at the University of St Andrews, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. You can explore the university's historic buildings and learn about its famous alumni, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, who met here in 2001.

Evening

After enjoying your day in St Andrews, head back to Edinburgh.