St Monans, Fife: A Complete Guide
Planning a trip to St Monans, Fife but not sure what to see and do? Don’t worry, my guide to St Monans has everything you need to plan the perfect trip, like restaurants, walks, and the best things to do in St Monans.
Near the start of Fife’s East Neuk, you’ll find the tiny fishing village of St Monans. Though this harbour hamlet is the smallest on the coast, St Monans is sprinkled with really lovely things to do.
A picture-postcard village of white washed cottages and their distinctive pantile roofs, St Monans is set around an intricate harbour. Along the waterfront are a few fantastic eateries and benches to watch the world go by. Then further along the coast ancient castle walls and historic churches perch on the rocky cliffs.
Once you arrive, you’ll see why St Monans is a must-see on any Fife trip.
In this short guide you’ll find everything you need to plan the perfect trip. This includes the best things to do in St Monans, as well as my tips on restaurants, the coastal path, and where to stay.
Is St Monans worth visiting?
Whilst not bursting with big attractions, St Monans is still absolutely worth a visit. This is a place to enjoy a leisurely wander, indulge in fresh seafood, and explore wonderful coastal views. Whether you visit for day trip or stopover on a bigger East Neuk road trip, you’ll find lots to see in St Monans.
Best things to do in St Monans
These are the best things to do in St Monans, Fife’s tiniest harbour village:
1. Visit St Monans harbour
Easily identified by its intricate zigzagging stone walls, St Monans harbour is generally considered one of the best in the East Neuk. Originally designed as a breakwater to protect sheltering boats, it now provides stunning views out over the water. Once here, be sure to walk on the pier walls and take in the view back towards the village. If possible, visit at golden hour when it is a particularly beautiful spot.
You can find St Monans harbour here on Google Maps, directly in the centre of the village.
2. St Monans Church
St Monans Church – or the Auld Kirk – is one of the oldest churches in Scotland. There’s no definitive record of when the church was originally built, but construction likely began in the 13th century before the church fell into disrepair. The church we see today was rebuilt a century later and is an exceptional example of medieval architecture. Head inside for the whitewashed walls, Celtic crosses, and the vaulted ceiling, though the main reason to visit is the wonderful hilltop location overlooking the village.
Still in use today, St Monans Church is open daily from Easter till October and can be found here.
3. St Monans Windmill
If you spend time exploring the Fife coast, you’ll spot signs of its industrial history frozen in time along the clifftops. St Monans Windmill is one of those spots – this 18th century windmill and its salt pans are now all that remains of Fife’s once thriving salt industry.
Visit the windmill along the coastal path, as you leave St Monans. Find the windmill here.
4. Newark Castle
Just a short walk to the east of St Monans, also on the coastal path, are the ruins of once grand Newark Castle.
This building, one of the most striking things to see on this stretch of coast, dates back to the 13th century. The castle passed through various landed gentry through the centuries, with some walls fortified, extensions added, and whole sections claimed by the sea. What we see today are medieval ruins set out on the clifftop, overlooking a constantly crashing sea.
Find Newark Castle here.
5. Welly Boot Garden
Something most definitely newer and far more unusual, is the St Monans Welly Boot Garden.
Over 200 old wellies have been upcycled into plant pots and every summer burst into colour, turning the harbour slipway into a lively garden. Started by amateur gardener Win Brown, who decided to put her grandchildren’s old welly boots to good use. Also the proud winner of various “Beautiful Fife” awards, the welly boot garden is one of the best (and most cheerful) things to do in St Monans.
Find the welly boot garden here.
6. Walk the Coastal Path
The Fife Coastal Path meanders it’s way north along this stretch of coast, linking together each of the East Neuk villages. This is the best part of the Fife Coastal Path, which makes walking some of the trail absolutely one of the best things to do in St Monans.
Largely flat and accessible, this section of the 183km route is also one of the most popular. A fantastic option whether you want to spend a full day or a few hours walking, in each village there’s also ample places to stop for lunch.
These are the places easiest to visit on foot from St Monans and their walk times (one way):
To Elie | This 5km walk heads south and takes around 1 to 2-hrs.
To Anstruther | This 6km walk heads north via Pittenweem and takes around 2-hrs.
To Crail | This 12.5km walk heads north via Pittenweem & Anstruther and takes around 4-hrs.
Each section is well waymarked and clear to follow, simply follow the trail to the next village. Whilst the terrain isn’t particularly challenging, do be aware that it is muddy in parts and exposed – so wear study footwear and pack layers. You can find out more about the trail here.
St Monans Restaurants & Cafes
There are a number of incredible St Monans restaurants, from cosy cafes serving excellent coffee to upscale eateries serving locally caught seafood. Some of the best St Monans restaurants are the East Pier Smokehouse and 16 West End. Whilst the Giddy Gannet cafe serves sweet treats and savoury plates that are equally delicious. Read my list of the best St Monans restaurants to help plan your visit.
Where to stay in St Monans
This is such a small village, which means you won’t find any hotels in St Monans. However, there are a handful of beautiful cottages to choose from. These are especially good for groups, or those looking for a self-catering experience with more space.
The following are my pick of the bunch, all with excellent reviews and super host status:
Waterfront Cottage | High standard and modern interiors in this traditional cottage with sea views and 2 bedrooms. Book it here.
Waterside Cottage | A cosy and comfortable 2-bedroom home, with open plan living and spacious rooms. Book it here.
Doodles Den | Cosy and homely one-bedroom flat with an extra sofa bed. Book it here.
Wee Coorie Cottage | A stylish former fisherman’s cottage at the end of the harbour, this one-bedroom cottage has beautiful homely features. Book it here.
