St Andrews West Beach in Fife has been named the best beach in Scotland in a new UK-wide roundup by Skyscanner. The beach ranked third overall in the list of the top 10 beaches across the UK, and was the only Scottish destination included.
Beach rankings and ratings
The rankings were based on factors such as visitor reviews, average air temperature, and average sea temperature. St Andrews West Beach has an average Tripadvisor rating of 4.7 out of five, based on reviews from 797 visitors. The average peak-season air temperature at the beach is 15.8 degrees Celsius, while the average sea temperature is 17.8 degrees Celsius.
The beach is located around 15 minutes on foot from the centre of St Andrews, and features nearly two miles of sand backed by dunes and a world-renowned golf course. It is famous for its appearance in the iconic 1981 film Chariots of Fire.
Why it was praised
Skyscanner praised the beach as a top destination for picturesque walks and games with family and friends. The company noted the beach's beautiful sea views, as well as its boardwalk that offers "an easy way to enjoy the surrounding dunes and coastline".
Skyscanner wrote: "St Andrews West Sands Beach is a wide, two-mile stretch of golden sand backed by rolling dunes, just a short walk from the centre of St Andrews. Made famous by the opening scene of Chariots of Fire, it's a favourite for long walks, beach games and taking in sea views."
"At low tide, the expansive shoreline offers plenty of space to explore, while the nearby West Sands boardwalk provides an easy way to enjoy the surrounding dunes and coastline. St Andrews West Sands pairs a 4.7 Tripadvisor rating with beautiful coastal scenery. Though average peak season temperatures reach a slightly chillier 15.8 degrees Celsius, the sweeping views and long shoreline make it well worth a visit."
Other top beaches
Sandbanks Beach in Dorset was crowned the number one beach in the UK. The bay has an average Tripadvisor rating of 4.6 out of five based on 1,919 visitor reviews, while its average peak-season air and sea temperatures are 20.8 and 15.3 degrees Celsius respectively.
Skyscanner also named the best beaches across the globe, with Baía do Sancho in Brazil placing first with a perfect five-out-of-five Tripadvisor rating. Radhanagar Beach in India came in second, while Eagle Beach in Aruba placed third.
A spokesperson for Skyscanner shared: "No two beaches are the same. Some are all quiet coves and gentle waves. Others are packed with watersports, family-friendly resorts, and bustling beachfronts. Whatever your idea of a perfect beach day looks like, there's a stretch of sand to match."
The full list of the top 10 beaches in the UK and the world can be found on the Skyscanner website.
