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To the east of the town centre, lie the ruins of the Cathedral of St Andrew. This was at one time Scotland's largest building, originated in the priory of Canons Regular founded by Bishop Robert Kennedy. St Rule's Church, located to the south-east of the medieval cathedral is said to date from around 1120 and 1150, being the predecessor of the cathedral. The tall square tower, part of the church, was built to hold the relics of St Andrew and became known as the first cathedral in the town. After the death of Bishop Robert Kennedy, a new cathedral began in 1160 by Bishop Arnold (his successor) on a site adjacent to St Rule's Church. Work on the cathedral was finally completed and consecrated in 1318 by Bishop Lamberton with Robert The Bruce (1306-29) present at the ceremony. Following the savage attack of the cathedral by the Reformation in 1559, the cathedral was allowed to decay.

Apart from most of the east and west gables, the south nave wall, and parts of the south transept, the Cathedral itself has been reduced to its foundations by stone robbing. The most important single piece is the St Andrews Sarcophagus, a masterpiece of 8th or 9th century Pictish sculpture. In 1826, the ownership of the ruins of the cathedral were acquired by the barons of the Exchequer. The picturesque ruins of St Andrews Castle are situated on a cliff-top, maintained by a man-made ditch (similar to Ravenscraig Castle in Kirkcaldy) to the north of the town. The castle was first erected around 1200 as the home of the bishops and later archbishops for use as a palace, prison and fortress, bearing the ecclesiastic ties with the town. Since several demolitions and re-built have taken shape, the majority of the castle only now dates back to between 1549 and 1571. The work was done by Archbishop John Hamilton in a renaissance style retaining the use of a palace rather than a fortress. Today, the castle serves as a visitor centre.

Modern St Andrews is home to one secondary school, one private school and three primary schools. Of these, Greyfriars RC Primary School serves the local Roman catholic population. [35] Madras College is the only secondary school in the town. The school which opened to pupils in 1832 was based on a Madras system - founded and endowed by Dr Andrew Bell (1755-1832), a native of the town. Prior to the opening, Bell was interested in the demand for a school which was able to teach both poor and privileged children on one site. The high reputation of the school meant that many children came from within other parts of the United Kingdom to be taught there, often lodging with masters or residents in the town. Nowadays, the school is located on two campuses - Kilyrmont and South Street (incorporating the original 1833 building). Pupils in S1-S3 are served by Kilyrmont and S4-S6 by South Street. Famous pupils of the school have included the singer KT Tunstall; vice-president of the University of Sydney, Gavin Brown; MSP, journalist and broadcaster Ted Brocklebank and the members of the Scottish indie band Dogs die in hot cars. There are plans to build a new Madras College to serve all pupils and bring all facilities into single building.

The private school known as St Leonards School was initially established as the St Andrews School for girls company in 1877. The present name was taken in 1882 when a move to St Leonards House was made. The school is now spread across thirty acres between Penns Road and Kinnesburn. A private school for boys was also set up in 1833 as New Park. The operations of the school merged with the middle and junior sections of St Leonards to become St Leonards-New Park in 2005

There are many putting greens in different parts of the town, and abundant facilities for tennis, lawn bowling, swimming and boating. Indeed it is to be doubted whether there is in Britain a stretch of beach to equal the magnificent two-mile stretch at the West Sands. Almost equally appealing are the East Sands and Kinkell Braes, a stretch of rocky foreshore much enjoyed by young and old alike.