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A visit to “The Kingdom” starts with a drive or train ride over the iconic Forth Bridges! So let’s discuss the best things to do in Fife for those looking to do a day trip or spend a few nights exploring its historic locations and coastal villages.
Places to Visit in Fife
Dunfermline
Starting in West Fife, the city of Dunfermline is home to Robert the Bruce’s grave which is marked in the choir of Dunfermline Abbey.
It’s also known for music where you’ll find live gigs at the Dunfermline Fire Station Creative, PJ Malloys, and many other small pubs.
If you like cakes or curry there are plenty of food options too, check out Cafe Wynd, Prost, and Maria’s Baking Stories for lunch, and Dhoom and Ashiqs for Indian food.
Locals call Pittencrieff Park, The Glen — a huge green space gifted to the town by the Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, and home to roaming peacocks.
You can learn more about Carnegie, who was once the richest man in the world, at the Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum.
Dunfermline is a great base for those who want to visit Edinburgh on a budget as accommodation is cheaper and you can get to the capital by train and bus.
Culross
Outlander fans will recognise Culross as Claire’s herb garden (Culross Palace), Cranesmuir (Mercat Cross), and Geillis Duncan’s house.
Wander through its preserved streets and historic homes, then grab a bit to eat at Bessie’s or The Red Lion.
Aberdour and Burntisland
If you like to be by the seaside, the village of Aberdour and the neighbouring town of Burntisland boast huge stretches of sand and thriving high streets which is no mean feat in Scotland where many towns suffer from dying trade.
Both locations have golf courses, shops cafes, pubs, and fish and chip shops called “chippies”; and are connected by a walking path called the Fife Coastal Path.
They both have train stations which have services running to Edinburgh.
Ellie Bay and Ruby Bay
Ellie Bay and Ruby Bay are part of the East Neuk aka the Scottish Cinque Terre — home to pastel colour houses, cute fishing villages, historic lighthouses, harbours with boats bobbing about the water, and tidal pools for wild swimming.
Dine at The Ship Inn at Elie Bay, then park at Ruby Bay for a wander along to Lady’s Tower.
Back on the road, pick up some edible souvenirs at Ardrossan Farm Shop.
Visiting during the summer?
Don’t miss the region’s strawberries.
St Monans
Pack your swimwear for a unique experience, as there are three tidal pools close to each other in the East Neuk!
St Monans has a large pool with benches that sits in the shadows of a windmill.
Pittenweem
We’re always learning more about Pittenweem’s past, especially its connection to the country’s witch trials where three villagers were tortured and killed, accused of misconduct by a lying teenage boy.
The village name means ‘place of the cave’, and it is where St Final’s Cave is situated.
Visitors flock to this wee area during summer to dip in its open-air swimming pool and attend the annual arts festival.
Anstruther and Cellardyke
Cellardyke’s tidal pool area is accompanied by a food truck with tables and chairs so you can make a day of it when the sun is out.
Just south of Cellardyke is the busiest town on the East Neuk, Anstruther, where boat tours depart for the Isle of May (puffins!) and visitors chow down on chippies.
Crail
Crail has the cutest harbour and a small beach; its population is less than 2000 but there are a few cafes to dine at.
Note: There is a public bus that runs between these towns and villages but you will have much more flexibility if arriving by car.
The Fife Coastal Path connects them all too which means that you can park up at one destination and walk to the next.
St Andrews
Leaving the East Neuk behind, it’s time to say hello to the “home of golf”.
St Andrews is also where the Prince and Princess of Wales (Will and Kate) sparked a royal romance.
Like many of the Fife towns in this guide, it has beaches, cafes, chippies, pubs, and historic landmarks such as a castle and cathedral ruins.
The longest line on the high street is Jannettas Gelateria and it is worth sticking around for a cone or a tub!
If you plan to play a round or two of golf at the Old Course, you must book in advance.
No luck during the draw?
Don’t stress; pretty much every town and village in Fife has a golf course.
You can get to St Andrew by taking the train from Edinburgh (to Leuchars) and then the bus.
Read more in our Edinburgh day trips guide.
Editor’s Note
This guide features some but not all of the places to visit in Fife.
It highlights the areas most likely to feature in first-time visitors’ itineraries, however, there are many lesser-known areas such as the Fife Earth Project (Kingseat), Saline Shaw Farm Shop, Lochore Meadows, Links Market (Kirkcaldy Easter fairground), and Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve.