St. Augustine, Florida City
Historic city in Florida, USA
Spain founded St. Augustine in 1565; its colonial streets, the Castillo de San Marcos, museums and nearby Atlantic beaches draw visitors interested in Spanish colonial history, architecture and coastal day trips.
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Why Visit St. Augustine, Florida?#
Long colonial streets and Spanish-era fortifications explain why history lovers head to St. Augustine, where the Castillo de San Marcos and cobbled St. George Street bring architecture and stories from four centuries. Culinary highlights such as Minorcan clam chowder and evening ghost tours add theatrical local color, and nearby beaches and the Matanzas Inlet let visitors balance culture with seaside time. Museums and guided walks keep the historic quarter lively without the crowds of larger coastal cities.
St. Augustine, Florida Bucket List#
Castillo de San Marcos - Explore Castillo de San Marcos fortress, centuries-old coquina walls and bay viewpoints.
St. George Street - Stroll historic St. George Street for boutiques, colonial buildings, restaurants, and street performers.
Flagler College and Lightner Museum - Visit Flagler College and the Lightner Museum housed in a lavish Gilded Age hotel.
Ximenez-Fatio House Museum - Tour the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum to learn about 19th-century boardinghouse life.
St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum - See real pirate artifacts and immersive exhibits at the St. Augustine Pirate Museum.
Local seafood shacks - Eat at hidden seafood shacks along the waterfront for fresh catch and casual atmosphere.
Anastasia State Park - Spend time at Anastasia State Park for dunes, tidal pools, and long sandy beaches.
Fort Matanzas National Monument - Ferry to Fort Matanzas to explore the 1740 Spanish fort and marshland trails.
Best Time to Visit St. Augustine, Florida#
St. Augustine is most pleasant from late fall through spring when temperatures are cooler, humidity is lower and mosquitoes are fewer. Summers are hot, humid and storm-prone but vibrant.
November - April
10°C to 22°C (50°F to 72°F)
Dry, mild and pleasant-perfect for exploring historic streets, beaches and outdoor tours without oppressive heat or many mosquitoes or crowds.
June - September
24°C to 33°C (75°F to 92°F)
Hot, humid summers with frequent afternoon storms and hurricane risk-great beach energy and nightlife but be prepared for heat, rain and higher bug levels.
March - May & October - November
15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F)
Transitional, comfortable weather with lower humidity and blooming gardens; ideal for sightseeing, festivals and daytime beach trips before or after peak heat.
St. Augustine, Florida's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1249 mm/year), wettest in September.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 19°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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April
April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
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June
June is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Significant rainfall (146 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the hottest month, feeling like 31°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (142 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is hot, feeling like 30°C with oppressive humidity. Significant rainfall (160 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (163 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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November
November is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to St. Augustine, Florida#
St. Augustine is easiest reached by flying into Jacksonville (JAX) or Orlando (MCO) and driving; rental cars are the most convenient option. There are bus connections from Jacksonville and other Florida cities, but services are less frequent than driving.
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX): The closest major airport (about 40-50 minutes north by car). From JAX you can rent a car or take a shuttle/taxi to St. Augustine; driving is the most common choice and takes about 40-50 minutes.
Orlando International Airport (MCO): An alternative for more flight options, about 1.5-2 hours by car. From MCO a rental car is the simplest way to reach St. Augustine; shuttle options are limited and journeys are longer.
Train: Amtrak does not have a direct daytime stop in central St. Augustine; the nearest major Amtrak station is Jacksonville. From Jacksonville station you can continue by bus, taxi or rental car to St. Augustine (about 40-60 minutes).
Bus / Coach: Greyhound and regional bus operators serve St. Augustine from Florida cities; local Sunshine Bus lines and the Sunshine Flyer seasonal services provide connections within the region. Expect travel times and fares to vary by route.
How to Get Around St. Augustine, Florida#
Fly into Jacksonville or Orlando and rent a car for the most convenient access to St. Augustine. Public transport exists but is slower and less frequent; once in town, trolleys and walking are excellent for sightseeing.
- Rental car / Driving ($30-$70/day) - The most practical and flexible way to reach and explore St. Augustine and nearby beaches. Parking is available at many sites and driving times from Jacksonville are about 40-50 minutes. Recommended if you plan day trips in the region.
- Taxi / Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) ($30-$120 (varies by distance)) - Good for short trips and airport transfers from Jacksonville, though longer trips from Orlando can be costly. Rideshares are widely available in the tourist areas and are convenient for nights out or luggage-heavy transfers.
- Regional bus / Coach ($5-$30) - Greyhound and regional carriers connect St. Augustine with Jacksonville, Orlando and other cities; travel times are longer than driving but fares are economical. Local Sunshine Bus routes and seasonal shuttles serve popular tourist spots.
- Local trolley / Old Town Trolley Tours ($10-$30) - Sightseeing trolleys and hop-on/hop-off services run around the historic district and provide convenient access to main attractions. Good value if you want guided hop-on/hop-off access for a day.
- Bicycle ($8-$25/day) - A pleasant way to explore the historic district and waterfront in fair weather; rentals are available and many streets are bike-friendly. Not ideal for long coastal trips without designated bike lanes.
- Walking - St. Augustine’s historic core (Castillo de San Marcos, St. George Street, waterfront) is compact and best experienced on foot. Many attractions are clustered within easy walking distance.
Where to Stay in St. Augustine, Florida#
Near US-1 / West Augustine - $50-90/night
Affordable motels and a few hostels sit outside the Old City; easy access by short drive or bus into the historic center.
St. Augustine Hostel (listings) - Dorms and budget private rooms.
Local motels & budget inns (booking listings) - Wide selection near historic district.
Historic Downtown / Bayfront - $140-220/night
Plenty of well-situated mid-range hotels inside and near the historic downtown-great for sightseeing with comfortable amenities.
Casa Monica Resort & Spa - Historic luxury converted to mid/luxury.
Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront - Waterfront rooms, close to attractions.
Historic Downtown / Bayfront - $220+/night
St. Augustine offers several upscale boutique hotels and well-restored historic properties right in the Old City-ideal for luxury stays.
Casa Monica Resort & Spa - Historic architecture, full-service spa.
The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens - Boutique luxury in converted historic homes.
Where to Eat in St. Augustine, Florida#
Downtown St. Augustine centers on seafood and coastal classics, with historic dining rooms and courtyard patios serving fresh shrimp, oysters, and longstanding local recipes.
- O’Steen’s Restaurant - Legendary fried shrimp, family-run since 1965
- The Raintree - Romantic courtyard, seafood and steak plates
- Collage Restaurant - Intimate fine dining, seasonal tasting menus
- Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille - Creole-influenced seafood and lively bar scene
Comfort-food kitchens and craft brewers highlight local ingredients and Southern flavors - breakfasts, Lowcountry riffs, and casual waterfront pubs for relaxed meals.
- The Floridian - Seasonal Southern cooking, vegetable-forward plates
- Blue Hen Café - Southern breakfast and brunch, homestyle preparations
- A1A Ale Works - Craft beer and waterfront views, pub food
Breakdown of cuisine types found across St. Augustine, Florida’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in St. Augustine, Florida#
Shopping in St. Augustine centres on the Historic District’s St. George Street, where independent shops, galleries, souvenir stores and specialty food shops cluster. You’ll find coastal décor, local crafts and plenty of tourist‑oriented stores. For outlet shopping and brand names, the St. Augustine Premium Outlets and nearby malls are a short drive away.
Nightlife in St. Augustine, Florida#
St. Augustine’s nightlife mixes tourist‑friendly bars along St. George Street with several restaurants that stay open late. Historic pubs, craft‑cocktail spots and seasonal live music make evenings lively, particularly on weekends. Larger concerts and bigger acts play at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, while the Historic District offers atmospheric late‑night walking and drinks.
