A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Destin vs. Saint Augustine for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Destin or Saint Augustine?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Destin and Saint Augustine can help you decide which place is right for you.

Destin

Destin is a beautiful, relaxing, and peaceful beach town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a historic, notable, and colonial city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Destin and Saint Augustine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Destin or Saint Augustine?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Augustine. Although Destin and Saint Augustine are both popular with visitors, Saint Augustine has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Augustine is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Destin is known for its resorts. Destin is popular for its powdery sand and turquoise water, its kid-friendly environment, and its local waterfront seafood restaurants. Saint Augustine is popular for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. It is also home to the Colonial Quarter.

How is Destin different from Saint Augustine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Augustine and Destin. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Destin or Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine is notable for its sights and museums. However, Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Saint Augustine specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. It's history is brought to life with many monuments and museums. The Lightner Museum, the Old Jail Museum, the Lincolnville Museum, and Castillo De San Marcos are among the city's most notable sights. Also worth a visit is the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.

Destin does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Destin or Saint Augustine? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Augustine is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Saint Augustine makes for a great culinary experience. The food scene is influenced by the long history of the city. You'll find flavors that are influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American cultures. There are several popular dishes around town such as fried shrimp, clam chowder, and shrimp and grits.

Destin has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The area has great seafood including crab chowder, seafood gumbo, and fried fish. You can find wonderful local restaurants that have waterfront views and menus that feature freshly caught seafood. Many restaurants also have kid-friendly menus. During peak season, reservations are recommended.

Is Destin or Saint Augustine Better for Nightlife?

Saint Augustine is very good for nightlife. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Saint Augustine. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Destin doesn't offer many options. The region is more popular as a family-friendly beach destination than it is for it's nightlife. Head to the Harbor area for the most lively nightlife.

Is Destin or Saint Augustine Better for Resorts?

Destin is a great destination for its resorts. However, Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Destin is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Popular options include the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, as well as Hilton Sandestin Beach, Golf Resort & Spa. Most of the accommodation in the area is in the form of condos that include a kitchen and separate bedrooms. Most of these complexes also have pools, hot tubs, and even kids clubs.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Is Destin or Saint Augustine Better for Beaches?

Destin and Saint Augustine are excellent choices for a beach vacation.

Destin is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. This area is famous for its powdery white sand, beautiful blue waters, and calm waves. The beaches are large enough that they never get incredibly crowded, but you will find the largest crowds during the summer months. These beaches are particularly popular with families and seniors.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Saint Augustine. Head to the beach to relax and swim. There are miles of sandy beach nearby, with some of the most popular being Ponte Vedra Beach, known for its golf courses, Vilano Beach, with its charming atmosphere, and the scenic Anastasia State Park.

Is Destin or Saint Augustine Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is terrific for its historic old town. However, Destin does not have a historic old town.

Saint Augustine has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. As the longest running, continuously occupied city in the United States, the Historic Downtown is at the heart of the city. It's filled with quaint restaurants, historic hotels, and charming streets. You can take carriage rides or wander through the historic sites. Many of the buildings date back to the 1700s and offer a glimpse into Florida's past.

Destin does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Destin or Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine is notable for shopping. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Saint Augustine is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The Historic Downtown has unique art galleries and boutiques. St. George Street is the perfect place to pick up a souvenir and Aviles Street is the oldest street in the United States. It's also filled with artisan boutiques. Plaza de la Constitución is known for its long running public market and it often has live entertainment.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Destin. In the shopping centers around town you'll find a number of unique boutique shops that are fun to explore. They have boutique-style beach clothes, local art, and any beach supplies that you may have forgotten.

Is Destin or Saint Augustine Better for Families?

You'll find excellent kid-friendly activities in either Destin or Saint Augustine.

Destin is a very family-friendly place to visit. The area has beautiful sandy beaches, calm waters, and plenty of activities for kids like Big Kahuna's Water Park. This is one of the more kid-friendly areas in Florida and many families return year after year with their kids. There are also many condos available for rent and kids can have their own room, kitchens are available for meal preparation, and there are washers and dryers to clean clothes. Many of these condo complexes also have kid-friendly pools

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Augustine is very family-friendly. Kids will love the Alligator Farm but there's also a surprisingly fascinating archaeological park - The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. The Colonial Quarter is fun for all ages as well, as is a visit to Fort Castillo De San Marcos. If you have some time, head outside of town to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which is well worth the trip.

Is Destin or Saint Augustine Better for Couples?

Saint Augustine is notable for romance. Also, Destin is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its romantic activities.

Saint Augustine is a very popular place to visit for couples. The Ancient City has a charm that is unique in Florida. There is beautiful architecture and a historical atmosphere that is romantic and genuine. You can enjoy a carriage ride and then sample some local cuisine before heading to the beach.

Destin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. For a relaxing beach vacation, this is a nice option for couples. A lot of the accommodation is in the form of condos, so it may not have the romantic resort vibe you're going for though. There are many great seafood restaurants and quiet beaches that have beautiful sunsets.

Is Destin or Saint Augustine Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Augustine is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Saint Augustine. The Old Town Trolley travels through the historic center. There's also a bus service through the region, but you really need a private vehicle to explore everything.

Public transit is quite limited in Destin. There is almost no public transit so a car is essential. Some condo complexes do over golf carts to get around the grounds.

Is Destin or Saint Augustine a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is notable for its walkability. However, Destin is a mediocre beach town for its high level of walkability.

Saint Augustine is very walkable. It's one of the more walkable cities in the area. Downtown, Uptown, and even near the beach have accessible areas with sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly zones.

Destin is not a very walkable beach town. The area is very spread out and not walkable so you'll need a car to access restaurants and most forms of entertainment.

For even more information, also check out Is Destin Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Augustine Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Augustine or Destin?

How long in Destin or Saint Augustine?

It's fun to spend time in either Destin or Saint Augustine. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Destin due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Destin, and 3-4 days is enough time in Saint Augustine.

Families should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Destin. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Augustine, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Destin. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Augustine that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Destin if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Saint Augustine.

One day in Destin or Saint Augustine?

The relaxing destination of Destin offers food and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint Augustine. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Destin or Saint Augustine?

The beach town of Destin offers shopping and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Saint Augustine is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Destin or Saint Augustine?

Destin is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This beach town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint Augustine. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Destin or Saint Augustine?

The family-friendly beach town of Destin offers shopping and food. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colonial destination of Saint Augustine. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Destin and Saint Augustine, we can see that Destin is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Destin would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Destin than you might in Saint Augustine.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Destin Expensive? and Is Saint Augustine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Destin or Saint Augustine?

Destin has a larger population, and is about 0% larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Destin and Saint Augustine, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Destin or Saint Augustine?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Destin or Saint Augustine in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Destin and Saint Augustine. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Destin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Destin is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine in the summer. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. Destin gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Destin usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Destin gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Destin or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Destin as well as Saint Augustine. Many travelers come to Destin for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Destin is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Destin in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Saint Augustine averages at about 70°F (21°C).

Destin receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Destin usually gets more rain in October than Saint Augustine. Destin gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.

Should I visit Destin or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

Both Saint Augustine and Destin are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Destin in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Destin is generally cooler than Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Destin average around 50°F (10°C), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

It's quite rainy in Destin. In January, Destin usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Destin gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Destin or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

Both Saint Augustine and Destin during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Destin for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Destin is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine in the spring. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

Destin usually gets more rain in April than Saint Augustine. Destin gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Destin