St. Augustine, FL

Travel Guide

St. Augustine Beach showing a sandy beach and general coastal views as well as a family
Downtown Historic District which includes heritage architecture and a fountain
St. Augustine which includes boating, sailing and a marina
St. Augustine Municipal Marina featuring a sunset and a bay or harbor
St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum featuring interior views

America's “Ancient City” is famous for its historic streets and colonial-era monuments as well as its beaches, wildlife and water sports.

St. Augustine is the oldest European settlement on the U.S. mainland, hence its nickname the “Ancient City.” It was founded by the Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, all the way back in 1565 and has been plundered and conquered several times. Visit the sunny Florida city to discover influences from the Spanish, English, Greeks, Africans and Native Americans. Find traces of nearly five centuries worth of history in St. George Street alone. Admire the Spanish-style buildings, the Oldest Store museum and horse-drawn carts traveling along cobblestone streets. Visit the 1740s-themed Colonial Spanish Quarter, a living museum. Stop for a break in one of the old taverns some have dining by candlelight only. St. Augustine’s many 19th-century buildings still display the splendor of the “Gilded Age.” Don’t miss the chance to visit Castillo de San Marcos: The oldest standing European fort in continental America. Book a scenic cruise from the Municipal Marina to see the fort from the water and get pictures of the old lighthouse. While you’re at Castillo de San Marcos, take the kids to the Pirate and Treasure Museum to see artifacts such as treasure chests, maps and flags.St. Augustine has barrier islands accessible via two bridges: Francis and Mary Usina Bridge in the north, and the Bridge of Lions in the south. Head south to Anastasia Island to enjoy the white sand of St. Augustine Beach. Stop by St. John’s County Pier when you visit Anastasia State Park with its bird sanctuary, beaches, nature trails, picnic areas and camping grounds. The quieter northern barrier island has Vilano Beach. Come here for beachfront restaurants and fishing excursions.In St. Augustine most attractions are within walking distance of the city center. Join a narrated hop-on, hop-off trolley tour for a faster, and affordable, way to see more of the city and learn the history. It’s best to rent a car if you plan to visit the barrier islands.

Where to stay in St. Augustine

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Vilano Beach

4.5/5(253 area reviews)

Vilano Beach is beloved for its stunning beaches. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Vilano Beach and Castle Otttis.

Vilano Beach
Crescent Beach which includes a lake or waterhole as well as an individual male

Crescent Beach

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

Crescent Beach is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to Crescent Beach and Matanzas River while you're in town.

Crescent Beach
Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine featuring heritage elements and a church or cathedral

St. Augustine Historic District

5/5(812 area reviews)

Explore the colonial heart of St. Augustine, featuring narrow streets and landmarks like Castillo de San Marcos and Cathedral Basilica. Discover the city's oldest residences, such as the González–Alvarez House.

St. Augustine Historic District
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Butler Beach

4.5/5(44 area reviews)

Butler Beach is popular for its beaches, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Butler Beach or St. Augustine Beach.

Butler Beach
Downtown Historic District featuring a fountain and a sunset

Downtown Historic District

4.5/5(30 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Downtown Historic District, Lightner Museum and Ponce de Leon Hotel are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Historic District
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Davis Shores

If you're spending some time in Davis Shores, Anastasia Island Mini-Golf and Matanzas River are top sights worth seeing.

Davis Shores
Guy Harvey Resort on St Augustine Beach

Guy Harvey Resort on St Augustine Beach

3 out of 5
860 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine, FL
$143 nightly
The price is $160 total per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
$160 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in St. Augustine. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,597 reviews)
"The atmosphere and accommodations were great!"

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Guy Harvey Resort on St Augustine Beach
Southern Oaks Inn

Southern Oaks Inn

3 out of 5
2800 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd, St. Augustine, FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$65 nightly
The price is $72 total per night from Jul 31 to Aug 1
$72 total
Jul 31 - Aug 1
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly motel in St. Augustine. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,854 reviews)
"Everything was great except they took out the station where someone is fishing the breakfast to the guest...this lead to people cutting in the line . reaching across people ect...not good"

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2025

Southern Oaks Inn
Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach

Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach

3 out of 5
117 Vilano Road, St. Augustine, FL
$116 nightly
The price is $129 total per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
$129 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in St. Augustine. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (882 reviews)
"We spent a mini honeymoon here and it was wonderful. It had a great rooftop with live music, tasty bites and great service. The staff and the service was OUTSTANDING, from the front desk to the valet to the bar servers. Such a great experience and we loved our room and the balcony. It’s just far ..."

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2025

Hyatt Place St. Augustine/Vilano Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Inn at Camachee Harbor

Inn at Camachee Harbor

2.5 out of 5
201 Yacht Club Dr, St. Augustine, FL
Stay at this aparthotel in St. Augustine. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Vilano Beach and Castillo de San Marcos ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (180 reviews)
"Lovely property with a beautiful view of the marina."

Reviewed on Jul 26, 2025

Inn at Camachee Harbor
198 Riberia - Downtown Waterfront Luxury Home

198 Riberia - Downtown Waterfront Luxury Home

St. Augustine
Stay at this vacation home in St. Augustine. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions St. Augustine Beach and St. George ...
10/10 Exceptional! (81 reviews)
Great place
"Very clean and cool house!"

Reviewed on Jul 26, 2025

198 Riberia - Downtown Waterfront Luxury Home
Ocean Village Club

Ocean Village Club

4 out of 5
4250 A1a South, St. Augustine, FL
Stay at this 4-star condo in St. Augustine. Enjoy furnished balconies or patios, in-room washers/dryers, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions St. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (42 reviews)
"Very nice apartment, nice resort"

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Ocean Village Club
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Getting around St. Augustine

St. Augustine is often described as the oldest city in the United States, and you can travel around the center in vintage style with a ride on one of the city’s retro trolleys. Pedicabs – a type of cycle rickshaw – offer a relaxing, but slower, way to travel, or you can even take a horse and carriage from the harbor. The old streets of the historic center make for a lovely stroll. Visit the Florida Department of Transport Opens in a new window website.Browse St. Augustine rental cars.

Best time to visit

Like much of Florida, St. Augustine is subject to a tropical climate with hot, wet summers, and mild, dry winters. Thunderstorms carry on into the fall, making spring the best time to visit. If you do come at this time of year, however, you won’t be the only one with the idea, and you’ll have to contend with bigger crowds and higher prices. Winter is still pleasant, but quieter and cheaper.

Cities near St. Augustine