Scottish seaside town crowned top 'hidden gem' for summer 2025 as top five named
A Fife town has been revealed as the best travel destination in Scotland.
Scotland's top "hidden gems" have been named ahead of summer. The number one title has gone to a seaside town in Fife.
Now that June has begun, summer has well and truly started. While the weather across much of the country may not be as warm and sunny as we would like, there is still no better time than the start of June to plan a day trip or a staycation.
FlixBus has shared a list of the top five hidden gem destinations in Scotland for those after a quieter and less-crowded summer getaway. The experts compared more than 30 Scottish towns and villages, considering factors such as the number of nature parks, spas, wellness centres, minimum temperatures, sunshine and rainfall, as well as how locations are cropping up in Google searches.
Coming in at number one on FlixBus' list of the top hidden gems in Scotland is St Andrews. The town is located along Scotland's east coast, northeast of Edinburgh.
St Andrews was praised by the experts for its "stunning coastal views" and laid-back atmosphere. The seaside town was also singled out for its "tranquillity and natural beauty".
With summer here, the most prominent feature of St Andrews is arguably its sandy beaches. East Sands and West Sands are both stunning bays that are popular amongst locals and visitors alike.
West Sands in particular is famous for featuring in the film Chariots of Fire, and is popular spot for running. Meanwhile, East Sands is a top location for watersports such as surfing and sailing.
Other top beauty spots in St Andrews are St Andrews Castle and St Andrews Cathedral. St Andrews Castle dates back to the 13th century and sits on a rocky cliff looking out over a small beach, while St Andrews Cathedral features the remnants of Scotland's biggest and most impressive medieval church.
FlixBus also praised St Andrews for its fascinating history. In addition to attractions such as St Andrews Castle and St Andrews Cathedral, the town is also known for its golf heritage.
Often referred to as the 'home of golf', the seaside town is reportedly where the sport was invented back in the 15th century. The Old Course, which is open to the public., is among the most iconic and historic golf courses in the world.
Elsewhere, St Monans comes in at number two on FlixBus' list of the top hidden gems in Scotland. Also located in Fife, the village was noted for its high average hours of sunshine and outdoor activities and was described as "a prime escape from the hustle and bustle of the city".
In third place on the roundup is St Abbs, which is located in the Scottish Borders. According to the experts, the small fishing village offers a rugged coastline, dramatic cliffs, and clear waters to explore.
Meanwhile, the fourth-best hidden gem in Scotland was named as Ayr. Situated along the southwest coast of Scotland, Ayr earned praise for its beauty spots and wellness facilities.
Finally, rounding out the top five hidden gems in Scotland according to FlixBus is Arbroath. Known for being the home of the Arbroath smokie delicacy, the experts said the Angus town is "the perfect destination" and singled it out as a top destination for relaxation.
See below for the list of Scotland's top hidden gems. More information can be found on the FlixBus website.
St Andrews
St Monans
St Abbs
Ayr
Arbroath
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