Best Things To Do in Lower Largo, Fife

Venture along Fife’s popular east coast and you’ll discover the pretty village of Lower Largo. With its impossibly beautiful coastline, long history, and fantastic beach, Lower Largo is packed full of seaside charm.

Surprisingly, it’s often overlooked by travellers visiting the better-known villages and towns nearby. Yet once here, it’s easy to see why Lower Largo is a place you shouldn’t miss.

Nestled in the area of Levenmouth, it’s a delightfully hidden place between the town of Leven and popular harbour villages of the East Neuk. The compact village surrounds a wonderful sandy beach, with a harbour set deep into the Firth of Forth and incredible sea views from the coastal path above it all.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan the perfect day out – or stay – in Lower Largo, Fife. Including my tips on where to eat, stay, what to see and how to visit Lower Largo beach. 

Where is Lower Largo

Lower Largo is situated in Fife, on Scotland’s east coast. To the west is the busy town of Leven and to the east is the iconic East Neuk. You’ll also find Lower Largo on the Fife Coastal Path – I’d go as far as saying that this is the ideal start point for the coastal path.

Lower Largo Beach

On a coastline blessed with beautiful sandy bays, Lower Largo Beach stands out as one of the most picturesque.

Visit at low tide when a glorious expanse of golden sand emerges along the waterfront, ending at the old harbour walls. Only a few minutes’ walk away from Lower Largo Beach is the village itself, where you’ll find a café, restaurant, and small convenience store (selling ice cream of course).

At the end of the village, wooden steps climb above the beach to a gently rolling clifftop path. This spot makes a stunning viewpoint over the Firth of Forth and offers a manageable section of the Fife Coastal Path. Further along the coastal path Lower Largo Beach transitions into a nature reserve, where a crescent of soft golden sand is backed by sand dunes and fringed with rock pools.

Find Lower Largo Beach parking (and toilets) here on Google Maps.

Best places to visit in Lower Largo

These are the best things to do in Lower Largo, other than visit the beach!

1. Robinson Crusoe Statue

The early 18th century saw the British set sail across the world in search of adventure. One of those sailors was Lower Largo resident Andrew Selkirk, a real-life island castaway who inspired the story of Robinson Crusoe. Today, Lower Largo is famous for the Crusoe tale and commemorates his story with the Robinson Crusoe statue above the door of his home. From here the iconic sailor scans the horizon, searching for his rescuers. Well-worth visiting.

Find it here. 

2. See the Lower Largo railway viaduct

Built in the 19th century, the Lower Largo old railway viaduct and its massive 60-foot soaring archways are a wonder to behold. It towers over the village in a rather exquisite way, a reminder of the once thriving trainline that brought Victorian holidaymakers to Lower Largo. Sadly the railway line closed in the 60s as part of government cuts and the viaduct, now a listed structure, was closed off to the public. Still worth a wander once in the village.

Find it here.

3. Sample real ale

If you’ve worked up a thirst after a day exploring, then pop into the Railway Inn.  This traditional and characterful village pub has stood in Lower Largo for centuries and whilst it serves a whole range of drinks, The Railway Inn specialises in real ales.

4. Live music at The Aurrie

Upon arriving in any of Fife’s small coastal communities, the obligatory first stop is always for tea and cake. In Lower Largo, that stop is local café, the Aurrie. A community driven and intimate space in the former village church, the Aurrie also frequently host local artists, music, and makers.

They serve a varied and delicious lunch menu, complete with hot chocolates, coffee, and cake – a lovely spot to recharge and listen to local musicians. Alternatively, order takeaway for a picnic on the beach.

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 9.30 till 4.30. Find it here.

5. Walk the Fife coastal path

Stretching an impressive 183km along the Fife coastline, the Fife Coastal Path is the longest coastal trail in Scotland.

Whilst the official start point may be many miles south, I think Lower Largo is actually the best place to start the trail, and one of the best section’s of the Fife Coastal Path is from Lower Largo to Elie (10km) and the East Neuk beyond.

Once you arrive in Elie be sure to fuel up on a delicious lunch in the Ship Inn, the best restaurant in Elie. Later, catch the hourly Stagecoach 95 bus back to return to Lower Largo. 

6. Celebrate at the local festival

Largo Arts Week takes place in July and is one of the most impressive small festivals in Fife. Indeed, in recent years Largo Arts Week has become increasingly popular with artists and visitors alike.

The festival itself combines art, sculpture, poetry, concerts, gigs, and talks. Whilst exhibits and events are held in local hotels, homes, and studios. Expect lots of folk music, events, interviews, and big-name appearances from across the art world.

Alternatively, there’s a smaller Largo Arts Winter Weekend in December. Find out more here. 

Lower Largo Hotel

Whilst many of you will visit Lower Largo on a day trip, it is an ideal place to base yourself whilst you travel around the East Neuk; Lower Largo tends to be less busy than villages up the coast. Though small, there are plenty of accommodation options in the village to suit all budgets (mainly Airbnb’s). However, if you’re looking for a Lower Largo hotel then my top pick is absolutely The Crusoe Hotel.

Located in the heart of the village, overlooking the harbour, The Crusoe is a truly exceptional stay. Cosy and thoughtfully designed, the bedrooms are extremely comfortable with superb sea views. The food is also wonderful, the downstairs pub lively, and the cocktail bar lush.

Find out more The Crusoe Hotel here.

Lower Largo Weather

The weather in Lower Largo, as with most of the Fife coast, tends to be dry and sunny. Spring and summer are my favourite times to be visit - usually warm, with long days and pastel sunsets. All in, plenty of opportunities for coastal walks and evenings on the beach.

You can find more about the current weather in Lower Largo here.

How to visit Lower Largo

By car

As with many places along the Fife coast, the easiest way to visit Lower Largo is by car. There is one main carpark in Lower Largo by the beach (here on Google Maps).

By bus

Alternatively, the Stagecoach 95 bus service runs regularly between all the coastal villages and towns including Lower Largo You can check the full bus timetable here.

For those travelling from Edinburgh, the Stagecoach X60 stops in Lower Largo before continuing to most East Neuk villages. Find timetables and plan your journey here.