St Augustine Travel Guide

St. Augustine in northeast Florida claims to be the oldest continuously non-indigenous occupied city in the U.S. The city, which lies on the coast, was founded by the Spanish in 1565 and features Spanish colonial architecture and a 17th-century fortress called Castillo de San Marcos, which has tactical views over the St. Augustine Inlet.

Things to Do in St Augustine

Top things to do in the city include strolling around the Colonial Quarter, which is packed with cafes, restaurants and shops, visiting the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum, to learn about the role of piracy in Florida, and checking out the Fountain of Youth, a legendary mineral spring thought to increase life expectancy.

Best Time to Visit St Augustine

The best time to visit St Augustine is between the months of March and May, where the crowds are smaller and the temperatures are comfortably warm.

A Local's Guide to Saint Augustine

Finding a home away from home to spend a vacation in the sun couldn’t be easier with the fantastic range of vacation homes available at St Augustine beach. The Floridian city on the northeast coast is best-known for Spanish colonial architecture as well as Atlantic Ocean beaches like St. Augustine Beach and the picturesque Crescent Beach.

At only ten square miles, this small city packs plenty of character including a 17th-century stone fortress, called Castillo de San Marcos, which has views of the St Augustine inlet.

There’s also plenty of wildlife for nature-lovers to enjoy, mostly at the Anastasia State Park, a protected wildlife sanctuary.

St Augustine is the oldest city in America as it is the oldest occupied settlement -- being established in 1565 after a Spanish Admiral landed there. There are several historic districts in St Augustine which are national landmarks and the areas are closely guarded and protected to keep the charm of the area alive.

Cobblestone streets and buildings dating back to the 1700s are all within this historic area, where there are also the majority of the restaurants, hotels, shopping areas and attractions. The streets are still laid out how they would have been centuries ago and there are plenty of hidden gems to discover.

The Historic District also has the Bayfront area which has panoramic views of Matanzasa Bay. Tourists should visit the Colonial Quarter to understand the history of Saint Augustine. This living history museum has costumed reenactors and interactive experiences for visitors to enjoy. At the Castillo itself, there are weapons demonstrations so vacationers can hear canon and musket fire for real.

There are plenty of rental properties around this location which means travelers can be right in the heart of the city and experience these historic sights within just a few minutes walk.

One of the prettiest places to visit in St Augustine is Vilano Beach. With under 3,000 permanent residents, this is a quiet place to take a day trip or a family vacation.

The surrounding town has a chilled out, art deco vibe. Surfers flock to this beach as it has a strong current and heavier surf. Jetskis can be hired and fisherman can cast off in the waters surrounding the area too.

A great spot to sunbathe or swim is Crescent Beach. Just along the coastline, this is a less populated area in St Johns County with just under 1,000 permanent residents.

It's easy to find the right oceanfront rental unit in St Augustine. Pet-friendly rentals are available and there are condos with full kitchens to help families cook together while on vacation. Florida vacation rentals are available throughout the year and the price tends not to change with seasons.

This Atlantic Ocean vacation spot has a subtropical climate which stays mainly warm and sunny all year round. Sunshine-lovers can soak up some of the 2,900 hours of sunshine every year. The hot and rainy season runs from May to October and it gets cooler through November to April. The best of the ocean views can be enjoyed in the winter as the rains clear.