Holiday cottages in Elie
Seaside escapes on Fife’s beautiful coast
Browse our holiday cottages in Elie
Elie is the perfect Scottish summer holiday destination
Located directly south of St Andrews, Elie is a haven for those seeking relaxation, rejuvenation and really pretty beachfront views across the Firth of Forth estuary. Historic buildings and architecture line the streets of this small, but popular seaside town, while yachts and small pleasure crafts fill the 16th Century harbour.
The beach and bay are truly stunning with golden sands, and many windsurfers and bathers enjoy the calmer waters. You can even take in a round at The Golf House Club or Earlsferry Thistle Golf Club.
But the harbour is, without a doubt, the centrepiece of the town, and the stunning natural surroundings help maintain a timeless, tranquil atmosphere even with the small town hustle and bustle.
What to do in Elie
Meander through the historic streets and down The Toft to enjoy historic harbourside views, then follow Ruby’s Bay around to the lighthouse viewpoint for breathtaking panoramas of the estuary and the North Sea before looping around Lady’s Tower on your way back to town to enjoy the local bars, restaurants and small-town life.
If you fancy some day trips to the nearby towns, Lundin Links is a short bus ride away. In fact, Elie is ideally placed for quick bus trips along the coastline of the East Neuk of Fife.
So there are more beaches, stunning views, loads of golf courses and plenty of activities within quick reach.
Accommodations near Elie
Ruddon Grange, Elie
From £ 277 per night
Seaclusion
From £ 225 per night
Castle Rock, Crail
From £ 190 per night
The Crab Shack, Crail
From £ 260 per night
Accommodations with hot tub
Marlow Lodge 1 with Private Hot Tub at Stewarts Resort, St Andrews — Sleeps 4
From £ 140 per night
Rivendale Lodge 29, Stewarts Resort — Dog-Friendly Hot Tub Lodge with Enclosed Decking near St Andrews, Sleeps 6
From £ 160 per night
Lodge 52, Stewarts Resort — South-Facing Lodge with Sunken Hot Tub and Enclosed Decking, Sleeps 4
From £ 160 per night
Rivendale Lodge 7, Stewarts Resort — Hot Tub Lodge near St Andrews, Sleeps 6
From £ 160 per night
Accommodations with parking
Marlow Lodge 1 with Private Hot Tub at Stewarts Resort, St Andrews — Sleeps 4
From £ 140 per night
Rivendale Lodge 29, Stewarts Resort — Dog-Friendly Hot Tub Lodge with Enclosed Decking near St Andrews, Sleeps 6
From £ 160 per night
Lodge 52, Stewarts Resort — South-Facing Lodge with Sunken Hot Tub and Enclosed Decking, Sleeps 4
From £ 160 per night
Rivendale Lodge 7, Stewarts Resort — Hot Tub Lodge near St Andrews, Sleeps 6
From £ 160 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 Elie
Can you swim on Elie beach?
Elie has safe waters and has been designated a bathing water site. There are local rules and regulations to follow when swimming near Elie Harbour, but you’re more than welcome to take a dip.
Where is there to eat in Elie?
Elie is a typical seaside town in terms of restaurants and takeaways – there are a couple of pubs, the golf Pavilion Cafe, the Elie Deli, a bakery, an ice cream shop and a seaside snack bar. For a wider range of restaurants, try one of the nearby coastal villages or head around the bay to Leven.
What is Lady’s Tower?
Lady’s Tower is a historic landmark near Elie. It was built in the 1770s for the beautiful Lady Janet Anstruther, who was said to sit, recover, and watch the world go by inside after a cheeky skinny dip into the sea.
How do you find Elie?
Elie is right on the southern tip of the East Neuk of Fife, so it’s ideally positioned for the coastal X60 Stagecoach bus taking just 20 minutes to get to Lundin Links, 10-15 minutes to the next town or just under 50 minutes to St Andrews.
Equally, due to its position, it’s very easy to drive to.