Things to Do in St. Augustine: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
St. Augustine, founded by the Spanish in 1565, is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the United States. Its historic district is full of coquina walls, Spanish courtyards and Gilded Age architecture, from the Castillo de San Marcos to Flagler College. Add wide Atlantic beaches, a striped lighthouse and a lively food scene, and you have one of Florida's most charming destinations.
This guide covers the best things to do in St. Augustine, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in St. Augustine
Castillo de San Marcos
17th-century Spanish stone fort with cannon firings and bay views.
St. George Street
Pedestrian street of the historic district with shops, cafés and the Colonial Quarter.
Flagler College
The former Ponce de Leon Hotel with Tiffany glass and lavish interiors.
St. Augustine Lighthouse
Black-and-white striped lighthouse with 219 steps and a maritime museum.
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
Site of the 1565 landing with the legendary spring.
Lightner Museum
Gilded Age collections in the former Alcazar Hotel.
Fort Matanzas
Small Spanish fort reached by a free ferry.
St. Augustine Beach
Wide beaches on Anastasia Island with a fishing pier.
St. Augustine in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Historic district
Start at the Castillo de San Marcos to explore the coquina fort and see a cannon firing. Walk through the City Gate to St. George Street and the Colonial Quarter with living history. Lunch in the historic district. In the afternoon tour Flagler College with its Tiffany windows and the Lightner Museum. Evening ghost tour and dinner in the old town.
2Day 2 · Lighthouse and Anastasia Island
Cross the Bridge of Lions to the St. Augustine Lighthouse, climb the 219 steps and visit the maritime museum. Continue to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm with crocodiles and a rookery of wading birds. Lunch on Anastasia Island. Afternoon on St. Augustine Beach and the pier. Sunset dinner on the water.
3Day 3 · Fountain of Youth and the bayfront
Morning at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, with the spring, a Timucuan village and the planetarium. Visit the Cathedral Basilica and the Plaza de la Constitución. Lunch downtown. Afternoon sailing or a scenic cruise on Matanzas Bay. Evening on the bayfront with live music.
St. Augustine in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Fort Matanzas and Crescent Beach
Drive south to Fort Matanzas National Monument and take the free ferry to the small Spanish fort. Spend the afternoon on quieter Crescent Beach and at Marineland. Lunch at a beachfront café. Dinner back in town.
5Day 5 · Washington Oaks and Flagler Beach
Visit Washington Oaks Gardens State Park with formal gardens and coquina rock beach, then continue to Flagler Beach with its pier. Lunch at a seafood shack. Return through the scenic A1A coastal road. Evening at the St. Augustine Distillery or a winery.
St. Augustine in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Guana and Ponte Vedra
Hike or kayak at Guana Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve, then relax at Vilano Beach and Ponte Vedra. Lunch at the beach. Afternoon for the Pirate and Treasure Museum or shopping. Sunset over the Matanzas River.
7Day 7 · Last day
Final morning with breakfast in the historic district, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse and the Ximenez-Fatio House, and souvenir shopping on St. George Street. Farewell dinner with datil pepper dishes and fresh seafood.
What to do in St. Augustine on a weekend
What to do in St. Augustine on a weekend? Saturday: Castillo de San Marcos, St. George Street, Flagler College and a ghost tour. Sunday: the Lighthouse, the Alligator Farm and the beach.
Nights of Lights from November to January is famous, along with Easter parades and the Founding Day reenactment in September.
What to do in St. Augustine in the evening
Evenings in St. Augustine mean ghost tours, historic taverns and live music on the bayfront and Aviles Street.
From November to January, Nights of Lights covers the city in millions of white lights.
St. Augustine for couples
For couples, stay in a historic bed and breakfast, take a sunset sail, walk the Bridge of Lions at night and dine in a Spanish courtyard.
St. Augustine with kids
With kids, the Alligator Farm, the Castillo cannon firings, the Pirate Museum, the Lighthouse, the beaches and the Old Town Trolley are ideal.
What to eat in St. Augustine
Datil pepper
Local hot pepper used in sauces and dishes.
Minorcan clam chowder
Spicy tomato chowder with datil pepper.
Fresh shrimp
From the Mayport fleet.
Spanish cuisine
Tapas and paella in the old town.
Local rum
From St. Augustine Distillery.
Where to stay in St. Augustine: best areas
Historic district
Inns and B&Bs within walking distance.
Anastasia Island
Beach hotels.
Vilano Beach
Quieter beach base.
Bayfront
Water views near the Bridge of Lions.
What to do in St. Augustine when it rains
What to do in St. Augustine when it rains? The Lightner Museum, Flagler College tours, the Pirate and Treasure Museum, the Lighthouse museum and the St. Augustine Distillery.
How much does a trip to St. Augustine cost?
Expect 170 to 350 dollars per night for a hotel or B&B, 15 to 25 dollars for lunch, about 20 dollars for the Castillo and 15 dollars for the Lighthouse.
Practical tips for St. Augustine
Best time to visit
March to May and October to November offer pleasant weather. Summer is hot with afternoon storms, and December brings Nights of Lights.
Getting around
The historic district is walkable, and the Old Town Trolley stops at the main sights. A car or bike is useful for beaches. Jacksonville Airport is about 50 minutes away.
Our practical tips
- Park in the Historic Downtown Parking Facility.
- Take the trolley for the first day.
- Book a ghost tour.
- Arrive early at the Castillo.
- Try Minorcan chowder.
- Visit during Nights of Lights.
Mistakes to avoid
- Driving in the historic district.
- Visiting in peak summer heat at midday.
- Skipping the beaches.
- Tourist-trap restaurants on the main street.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in St. Augustine with kids?
The Alligator Farm, the Castillo, the Pirate Museum and the beaches.
Is St. Augustine the oldest city in the US?
It is the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the continental US.
How many days do you need in St. Augustine?
Two to three days.
What to do in St. Augustine on a weekend?
The Castillo, St. George Street, the Lighthouse and the beach.