Hotels in St. Augustine

St. Augustine: America's Oldest City on Florida's Atlantic Shore

St. Augustine, founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés on 8 September 1565, holds the title of the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the continental United States. The Colonial Quarter and Castillo de San Marcos — a 17th-century coquina stone fortress completed in 1695 — anchor the historic district along the Matanzas River. St. George Street, the pedestrian core, runs through the heart of the old city past Spanish Colonial architecture, galleries, and independent restaurants.

Where to Stay in St. Augustine

Most hotels cluster within walking distance of the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument or along Anastasia Island, separated from downtown by the Bridge of Lions, a 1927 bascule drawbridge. The Lincolnville neighborhood, east of Riberia Street, offers historic bed-and-breakfasts in late-19th-century Victorian homes. Visitors seeking beach access book properties on Anastasia Island near St. Augustine Beach, roughly 5 km southeast of the Castillo.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: The city's red train trolley loops the historic district; the route covers 20+ stops and operates daily.
• Parking: Park at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility on Cordova Street and walk — traffic in the colonial core is restricted.
• Timing: Summer temperatures reach 33 °C with high humidity; October through April offers milder conditions and lower hotel rates.
• Beach access: Anastasia State Park, 4 km from downtown, provides 2.4 km of Atlantic beach with minimal crowds.