Discover Elie’s Famous Beaches
Elie and Earlsferry share a long, golden arc of sand. Easy underfoot, wide at low tide, usually with a gentle swell. If you’re searching for things to do in Elie on a sunny day, start here.
Earlsferry Beach
Open, quiet, and great for long walks. Big skies, firm sand, clear views to the headland. On breezy days it suits kites and miles underfoot more than lounging.
Local note: It feels exposed — pack a windbreak even in summer.
Elie Harbour Beach
Sheltered and handy for cafés. Calm water, easy access, and a simple launch for a paddleboard or kayak when the tide suits.
Local note: Arrive early on warm weekends; spaces near the harbour go fast.
Ruby Bay and Elie Ness
Small, rocky coves with clear water and rockpools. A short path leads to the lighthouse and Lady’s Tower. Ideal for a half-hour explore between tides.
Local note: Rocks can be slick. Trainers beat flip-flops and keep an eye on the tide.
Watersports and beach games
Flat days are perfect for paddleboards; breezier spells suit bodyboards and simple beach games. You’ll often see kayaks in the shallows and kids digging moats that never quite hold.
Local note: Check the wind. Offshore breezes make returns tougher than they look.
Practical bits
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Parking near the harbour for short stays; more room along Earlsferry with a short walk
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Seasonal loos by the harbour; cafés within a few minutes
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Dogs welcome year-round; leads near busy sections
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Pack towels, a warm layer, and something for the wind
Coastal Walks & Outdoor Adventures
Elie and Earlsferry make walking easy. Clear paths, sea air, views for days. Start from the harbour or the Earlsferry end and you’re on the Fife Coastal Path within minutes. Not sure what to do in Elie when the wind picks up? Choose a short loop to a viewpoint, then tuck into a café nearby.
Elie Chain Walk (caution advised)
A short, exposed scramble along chains set into the cliffs at Kincraig Point. Exciting and scenic, but not a casual stroll.
When to go: low tide, settled weather, dry rock.
Who it’s for: confident adults with good footwear; not for small kids or dogs.
Escape route: if it looks sketchy, take the safer path over the top.
Lady’s Tower and Ruby Bay loop
From the harbour to Elie Ness lighthouse, on to Lady’s Tower and down to Ruby Bay. Simple paths and short climbs. Allow 30–45 minutes with photo stops.
Elie to St Monans Windmill
Head west past Elie Ness. Salt pans, shore platforms, big open views. The old windmill makes a good turn-around or lunch point. About 45–60 minutes each way.
Kincraig Point and Shell Bay circuit
A fuller loop over Kincraig to the quieter sands at Shell Bay, returning via Earlsferry. Figure on 60–90 minutes depending on stops.
Golf, runs and easy cycles
Courses on the doorstep. Hard sand at low tide is great for easy miles. Quiet back roads to St Monans and beyond — watch for farm traffic.
Practical bits
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Trainers or light boots beat flip-flops on most paths
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Check tides and weather before the Chain Walk or beach runs
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The Fife Coastal Path is waymarked; the OS app helps with options
Things to Do with Kids or Dogs
Simple, open spaces make Elie and Earlsferry easy with little legs and waggy tails.
Beach time and rockpools
Harbour Beach is calm and close to snacks. Ruby Bay has rockpools and a short path to the lighthouse for a quick explore.
Short, low-effort walks
Try the harbour to Lady’s Tower and back, or a there-and-back along Earlsferry sands at low tide. Flat, scenic, plenty of benches and easy bail-outs.
Practical notes
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Dogs welcome year-round; leads near busy spots
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Pack layers and a windbreak, even in summer
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Check tide times if you plan to paddle or rockpool
Best Local Food & Drink in Elie
Small place, good range. Most options cluster near the harbour and main street.
Coffee and ice cream
Easy wins after the beach. Hot drinks, bakes, and a cone without a long detour — handy with sandy kids and tired dogs.
Lunch and dinner
Seafood, pub classics, and simple bistro dishes. Book ahead in school holidays and sunny weekends. Mid-week is calmer.
Practical notes
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Kitchens can stop early; check hours in spring and autumn
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Takeaway works well — fish and chips or a picnic on the wall
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Cards are fine almost everywhere, but a little cash never hurts
If you need somewhere quiet or dog-friendly, we can point you in the right direction.
FAQs About Visiting Elie & Earlsferry
What is Elie known for?
Wide beaches, the harbour, the Fife Coastal Path, the Elie Chain Walk, golf, and big sunsets. It’s relaxed, walkable, and close to other East Neuk villages.
Can you do the Chain Walk in summer?
Yes, but only at low tide, on dry rock, with care. Wear good footwear, avoid swell, and skip it with small kids or dogs.
Are there family-friendly things to do in Elie?
Plenty. Harbour Beach for paddling, Ruby Bay for rockpools, short loops to Lady’s Tower, and easy café stops close by.
Is Elie good for a day trip or a weekend break?
Both. A day covers beach plus a short walk; a weekend adds St Monans, Anstruther, or St Andrews without much driving.
What to do in Elie, Scotland if the weather turns?
Pick a short loop to Lady’s Tower, watch the sea from the harbour wall, then warm up with coffee and cake nearby.
If you’re pairing Elie & Earlsferry with St Andrews, explore our curated St Andrews accommodation—an easy coastal hop for historic streets, great dining and of course golf.
