Best beaches in Fife

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Below are a list of the top 12 beaches in Fife as selected by the users of the Beach Guide website.

The current most popular beach in Fife is St Andrews West Sands. If you would like to have your say on which are the best beaches in Fife just follow the link to the beach and vote by clicking the star ratings at the top right of the page.

  • 1. St Andrews West Sands Beach

    St Andrews West Sands © James Allan | BY-SA

    West Sands is the largest and best-known beach in St Andrew's, surprisingly one of the sunniest and driest places in Britain.

    The south end of the two-mile-long sandy beach featured in the opening sequence of Oscar-winning film, Chariots of Fire, while the north end is popular with kite surfers and overlooks the Eden Estuary Nature Reserve,…

  • 2. Kingsbarns Beach

    Kingsbarns © Richard Law | BY-SA

    Admirers of big skies and wide open spaces will enjoy Kingsbarns Beach, which can be found about 8 miles down the coast from St Andrews. The 2-mile stretch of golden sands with interesting rocky outcrops is the perfect destination for those seeking solitude and stunning scenery. 

    The beach is backed by low, grassy dunes and one…

  • 3. Kinghorn Harbour Beach

    Kinghorn Harbour © Liz Foulis

    Kinghorn Beach is a pretty stretch of sand in the burgh of Kinghorn on the north shore of the Firth of Forth. It is home to a harbour that sits on one side of the sand and a lifeboat station that sits on the other. The station is known for being one of the busiest…

  • 4. Aberdour-Silver Sands Beach

    Aberdour-Silver Sands © G Laird | BY-SA

    Aberdour Silver Sands is a small, sandy beach with good views of the islands of Inchmickery and Inchcolm. Backed by woodland the beach has a very tranquil feel. An excellent section of the Fife Coastal Path passes behind the beach.

    As you would expect from a blue flag beach there are plenty of facilities here such…

  • 5. Tentsmuir Sands Beach

    Tentsmuir Sands © Lis Burke | BY-SA

    Close to the mouth of the Tay Estuary, Tentsmuir Sands is a wide expanse of clean sands backed by grassy dunes, and Tentsmuir Forest.  The remains of various wartime defences can be found both on the beach and in the forest.  These were built by Polish troops who were stationed here during the Second World…

  • 6. Lower Largo Beach

    Lower Largo © John Allan | BY-SA

    Lower Largo Beach is located in the pretty village of Lower Largo on the coast of Fife. The village and beach sit to the north of the Firth of Forth and this is an attractive spot with a long and interesting maritime history.

    The beach is made up of a good-sized stretch of soft sand and…

  • 7. Elie Woodhaven (Ruby Bay)

    Elie Woodhaven (Ruby Bay) © John Allan | BY-SA

    A quiet and sheltered sandy beach with easy access to a range of facilities. 

    Backed by dunes, with views over the Firth of Forth. Great walking in the surrounding countryside.

  • 8. St Andrews East Sands Beach

    St Andrews East Sands © Bill Kasman

    Located on the south side of the old harbour, St. Andrews East Sands is a popular beach destination for both locals and visitors to Fife. The sandy beach has a path on the inland side, making it an ideal location for walkers. It is also within close proximity to the harbour and sailing club, so…

  • 9. Roome Bay (Crail)

    Roome Bay © Jim Bain | BY-SA

    Roome Bay is located next to the village of Crail, about 10 miles down the coast from St Andrews. The upper parts of the south-facing beach are mostly sandy, perfect for a relaxing day at the beach whilst taking in the view. Below the high water mark things get rockier and there are a good…

  • 10. Burntisland Beach

    Burntisland © Wayland Smith | BY-SA

    A sand and rock beach east of Burntisland, overlooking the Firth of Forth. Plenty of facilites including a leisure centre, seaside park, crazy golf, bouncy castles and an annual summer fairground.

  • 11. Aberdour-Harbour Beach

    Aberdour-Harbour © Simon Johnston | BY-SA

    This is a mostly sandy beach, stretching west from the harbour wall, to the south of the beautiful historic village of Aberdour. It offers fine views across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh and the surrounding hills and mountains. The beach is popular for bathing, as well as for exploring the many rockpools exposed at…

  • 12. Earlsferry Beach

    Earlsferry © Jim Bain | BY-SA

    Elie Earlsferry Beach joins the villages of Elie and Earlsferry in Fife and sits next to Elie Harbour Beach

    The beach is known for its family friendly sands and is a centre for water sports. In the summer months cricket is a popular pastime at the beach and the western side of the beach has…