Holiday Cottages in Anstruther
Coastal comfort & charming seaside stays
Browse our holiday cottages in Anstruther
Explore the Kingdom of Fife from your Anstruther holiday let
Located in the picturesque East Neuk of Fife in Scotland, Anstruther is a bit of a hidden gem. With overwhelming natural beauty, charm in abundance and classic small-town character, it’s a treat for the senses.
Once a thriving fishing town, Anstruther is a popular tourist destination thanks to its quaint streets, colourful cottages and bustling harbour.
One of the highlights of Anstruther is the Scottish Fisheries Museum, an award-winning national museum that tells the story of Scottish fishing from its earliest days.
And you can’t complete your visit without a traditional fish supper at the renowned and award-winning Anstruther Fish Bar.
Things to do around Anstruther
The famous town of St Andrews is less than 10 miles away from Anstruther and is home to several important historical landmarks, including St Andrews Cathedral and St Andrews Castle.
There’s also the oldest golf course in the world and some stunning beachfront walks.
Closer to your accommodation, you’ll be spoilt for choice on outdoor activities, with the Isle of May just across the harbour providing day trips where you can see puffins, seals, and all manner of seabirds in the National Nature Reserve.
Scotland’s Secret Bunker is just around the corner, offering a fascinating glimpse into Cold War history.
And it’s a golfer’s paradise with quite a few courses all within a 30-minute drive, including Anstruther Golf Club and its challenging par three 9-hole course with views across the harbour.
Accommodations near Anstruther
Accommodations with hot tub
Marlow Lodge 1 with Private Hot Tub at Stewarts Resort, St Andrews — Sleeps 4
From £ 213 per night
Rivendale Lodge 29, Stewarts Resort — Dog-Friendly Hot Tub Lodge with Enclosed Decking near St Andrews, Sleeps 6
From £ 237 per night
Lodge 52, Stewarts Resort — South-Facing Lodge with Sunken Hot Tub and Enclosed Decking, Sleeps 4
From £ 228 per night
Rivendale Lodge 7, Stewarts Resort — Hot Tub Lodge near St Andrews, Sleeps 6
From £ 231 per night
Accommodations with parking
Marlow Lodge 1 with Private Hot Tub at Stewarts Resort, St Andrews — Sleeps 4
From £ 213 per night
Rivendale Lodge 29, Stewarts Resort — Dog-Friendly Hot Tub Lodge with Enclosed Decking near St Andrews, Sleeps 6
From £ 237 per night
Lodge 52, Stewarts Resort — South-Facing Lodge with Sunken Hot Tub and Enclosed Decking, Sleeps 4
From £ 228 per night
Rivendale Lodge 7, Stewarts Resort — Hot Tub Lodge near St Andrews, Sleeps 6
From £ 231 per night
All about your holidays in Fife
We recommend you the best plans and thing to do in Fife area
Walk the Fife Coastal Path: Trek along dramatic cliffs, golden beaches, and past charming fishing villages on this iconic long-distance trail.
Explore St Andrews: Immerse yourself in history at the Home of Golf, wander the ruins of its majestic cathedral, and feel the buzz of its ancient university.
Discover the East Neuk Villages: Get lost in the winding lanes and colourful harbours of picturesque seaside towns like Anstruther, Crail, and Pittenweem.
Tour Falkland Palace: Step back in time at this stunning Renaissance royal palace, a favourite retreat of the Stuart monarchs, and explore its gardens.
Eat Fresh Fish in Anstruther: Indulge in world-famous fish and chips, made with the day’s catch, right by the working harbour.
Visit Dunfermline Abbey: Discover the impressive royal necropolis, the final resting place of legendary Scottish kings including Robert the Bruce.
Admire Bass Rock: Gaze out at this iconic volcanic island, a towering seabird sanctuary turned completely white by its huge gannet population.
Tour Kingsbarns Distillery: Experience a modern, award-winning Lowland single malt whisky distillery, born from the coastal landscape.
Weather in Fife: A Seasonal Guide
Spring (Mar-May): Crisp, bright days perfect for coastal walks as nature awakens. Pack layers.
Summer (Jun-Aug): The mildest, sunniest season with long evenings. Ideal for beach visits and exploring.
Autumn (Sep-Nov): Dramatic skies, golden landscapes, and a quieter atmosphere. A waterproof jacket is essential.
Winter (Dec-Feb): Short, cold days often brightened by clear, crisp sunshine. Perfect for cozy fireside retreats.
The 8 Best Villages to Visit in Fife
Crail: A postcard-perfect fishing harbour with historic cottages, famed for its photogenic charm and lobster creels.
Anstruther: A bustling harbour town and the undisputed home of Scotland’s best fish and chips, rich in maritime history.
Pittenweem: A working fishing port with an authentic, unpolished character and a fascinating network of hidden courtyards.
St Monans: Dramatically positioned on the sea, famous for its ancient salt pans and a church that appears to rise from the waves.
Elie (& Earlsferry): A charming seaside resort with a beautiful, sandy beach perfect for swimming and watersports.
Falkland: A beautiful inland village dominated by its majestic Royal Palace and set against the Lomond Hills.
Culross (pronounced ‘Coo-riss’): A stunningly preserved 17th-century time capsule, often used as a film set for historical dramas.
Lower Largo: The picturesque birthplace of Alexander Selkirk, the real-life inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe.
8 best hiking routes in the Fife area
Fife Coastal Path (Elie to Crail): The classic section. Experience stunning cliffs, sandy beaches, and the iconic chain-walk near Elie.
The Lomond Hills Circular: Conquer the gentle peaks of East and West Lomond for breathtaking panoramic views over all of Fife.
St Andrews to Guardbridge: A peaceful, flat riverside walk along the River Eden, rich in birdlife and ending at a historic bridge.
Tentsmuir Forest & Beach: Wander through atmospheric pine forest to emerge onto a vast, wild beach with views across the Tay to the Highlands.
Dunfermline to the Firth of Forth: Follow the old railway line through the historic town and down to the dramatic coast and naval memorial.
The Pilgrim’s Way to St Andrews: Walk a section of the ancient path through rolling farmland towards the spires of the historic city.
Balmerino to Wormit (Fife Coastal Path): A beautiful woodland and coastal stretch along the Tay Estuary, offering spectacular sunsets and bridge views.
Ravenscraig Park to Dysart: A short but dramatic clifftop walk linking a 15th-century castle with a historic fishing harbour.
The 8 Best Beaches in Fife
1. Kingsbarns Beach: A pristine, expansive sweep of golden sand backed by dunes. Its sheer size and natural beauty make it perfect for long walks and escaping the crowds.
2. Elie Ruby Bay: Famous for its garnet-flecked sand, this sheltered, scenic beach is ideal for families, swimming, and exploring rock pools at low tide.
3. St Andrews West Sands: An iconic two-mile stretch of dramatic dune-backed shoreline, immortalised in film and offering classic views of the historic town skyline.
4. Tentsmuir Beach: A vast, wild frontier of sand, forest, and sea. Experience unique solitude, dramatic driftwood sculptures, and views across the Tay to the Highlands.
5. Crail’s Roome Bay: A charming, sheltered cove right below the picturesque village. Its rock formations and clear pools are perfect for a peaceful, scenic paddle.
6. Aberdour Silver Sands: Consistently award-winning, this family-friendly beach boasts soft, pale sand, safe swimming waters, and excellent facilities.
7. Pittenweem Harbour Beaches: A series of small, rocky and sandy coves around the working harbour, offering authentic charm and great spots for a coastal picnic.
8. Leven Beach: A long, broad expanse of sand perfect for traditional seaside fun, walking, cycling the promenade, and enjoying classic views of the Firth of Forth.
Explore our Fife blog post
Frequently ask questions about Anstruther
What are the best dining options in Anstruther?
Shore Street and the harbour have many dining options, including Anstruther Fish Bar, which is renowned for its delicious fish and chips.
Much of the fare is seafood-based, but there are plenty of local pubs, cafes, ice cream parlours, and more serving some familiar favourites, as well.
How to book your visit to the Isle Of May?
Getting to the Isle Of May from Anstruther is straightforward as boats depart from the harbour daily.
The Isle is open to visitors from 1st April to 30th September every year, and you can book your boat trip in advance from Anstruther Pleasure Cruises. You can also buy tickets from the office at the Lifeboat station on the harbour.
Does Anstruther have a beach?
Anstruther does have a small beach called Billow Ness, just off the Fife Coastal Path. There is plenty of sand to enjoy and interesting rock pools to explore.
What shops are there in Anstruther?
Anstruther is home to many local and boutique shops for you to explore, from gift shops to local whisky and cider shops, clothes, books, homewares, galleries, antique shops and more.
For everyday groceries, there is a Co-op and several stores throughout the town. For larger supermarkets, head to St Andrews or Leven.
What is the nearest station to Anstruther?
Most of East Fife is managed by buses and coaches. The nearest rail stations are in Leuchars and Cupar, with another station in Leven due to open in 2024.