A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Pensacola vs. Saint Augustine for Beaches, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Pensacola 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 Pensacola and Saint Augustine can help you decide which place is right for you.

Pensacola

Pensacola is a fun-filled, active, and entertaining beach town. It's also known for museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is a notable, colonial, and historic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Pensacola and Saint Augustine: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pensacola or Saint Augustine?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Augustine. Although Pensacola and Saint Augustine are popular destinations, Saint Augustine has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Augustine is very popular for its museums, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Pensacola attracts visitors for its resorts, beaches, and hiking. Pensacola is more touristy than Saint Augustine and is known for its white sand beaches and long running naval history. Saint Augustine is famous for being the oldest consistently inhabited city in the United States. It is also well known for the Colonial Quarter.

How is Pensacola different from Saint Augustine?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Saint Augustine is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Pensacola is not as famous, but is still a good beach town to visit for its museums and history.

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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Pensacola. On a rainy day there are some nice museums in the area. You can visit the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Historic Pensacola Village, the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum, or Pensacola Children's Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Pensacola and Saint Augustine both to be excellent destinations.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Pensacola. You'll find no shortage of seafood options around town. Oysters, shrimp, and fresh fish are popular on the menus. You'll also find lots of Cajun flavors as well as casual sandwiches and pizza.

Saint Augustine has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. 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.

Is Pensacola or Saint Augustine Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are nice in both Pensacola and Saint Augustine.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Pensacola. There's a casual nightlife scene with pubs, live music, and a mellow but fun setting.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint Augustine. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.

Is Pensacola or Saint Augustine Better for Resorts?

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

Pensacola is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Family-friendly resorts with pools, waterslides, and lazy rivers are common. You'll also find beachfront hotels and more affordable options set back from the beach.

Saint Augustine is not a resort destination.

Is Pensacola or Saint Augustine Better for Beaches?

Pensacola is very popular for its beaches. Also, Saint Augustine is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

The beaches in Pensacola are among the best in the world. White sand beaches with blue water and mild temperatures make this a wonderful beach destination. Some of the best beaches include Casino Beach, Perdido Key Beach, and Opal Beach.

The beaches at Saint Augustine attract visitors from all over. 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 Pensacola or Saint Augustine Better for its Old Town?

Saint Augustine is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Pensacola does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Saint Augustine is revered around the world. 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.

Pensacola does not have a historic old town.

Is Pensacola or Saint Augustine Better for Hiking?

Pensacola is a beach town with a few options for its hiking experiences. However, Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Pensacola has hiking trails if you want to get outside. Step away from the beachfront development and you'll find some nice nature parks with quiet walking trails.

Saint Augustine is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pensacola or Saint Augustine?

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

Saint Augustine is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Pensacola has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are sprawling shopping malls and shopping centers as well as local boutiques and quintessential souvenir shops.

Is Pensacola or Saint Augustine Better for Families?

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

Pensacola is a very kid-friendly beach town. Kid-friendly beaches, minigolf, a zoo, and even a few museums make this a great family destination. There are family-friendly resorts and kid-friendly restaurants that make for an easy vacation that everyone will enjoy.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Augustine. 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 Pensacola or Saint Augustine Better for Couples?

Both Pensacola and Saint Augustine are excellent destinations to visit as a couple.

Pensacola is a very popular place to visit for couples. Beautiful beaches and sunset cruises make this a great romantic getaway. You'll find great restaurants for a date night and plenty of activity once the sun goes down. During the day you can lounge on the beach or by the pool, sip drinks, and enjoy a vacation with your loved one.

Saint Augustine makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Is Pensacola 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, Pensacola 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 Pensacola. There's a bus system, but it's not particularly helpful to vacationers.

Is Pensacola or Saint Augustine a more walkable city?

Saint Augustine is notable for its high level of walkability. However, Pensacola is a mediocre beach town for its ease of walking around.

Saint Augustine is a very walkable city. 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.

Pensacola is generally not a very walkable beach town. It's not a particularly walkable city and you'll want to have a car to fully enjoy your vacation.

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

Should I spend more time in Saint Augustine or Pensacola?

How long in Pensacola or Saint Augustine?

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

Families should spend more time in Saint Augustine than Pensacola. 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 Pensacola. 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 Pensacola 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 Pensacola or Saint Augustine?

The entertaining destination of Pensacola offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Saint Augustine. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Pensacola or Saint Augustine?

The beach town of Pensacola offers food and shopping. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the colonial destination of Saint Augustine. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Pensacola or Saint Augustine?

Pensacola is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Saint Augustine. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Pensacola or Saint Augustine?

The fun-filled beach town of Pensacola offers museums and nightlife. 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.

Saint Augustine is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pensacola and Saint Augustine, we can see that Pensacola 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 Pensacola would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pensacola 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 Pensacola Expensive? and Is Saint Augustine Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Pensacola or Saint Augustine?

Pensacola has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Pensacola 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 Pensacola 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 Pensacola or Saint Augustine in the Summer?

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

In July, Pensacola is generally around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

Saint Augustine receives a lot of rain in the summer. Pensacola gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pensacola usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Pensacola 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 Pensacola or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

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

Pensacola is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pensacola averages around 69°F (21°C) in October, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

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

Should I visit Pensacola or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

Both Saint Augustine and Pensacola are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Pensacola in the winter for the museums, 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 the winter, Pensacola is cooler than Saint Augustine. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pensacola in January average around 51°F (10°C), and Saint Augustine averages at about 53°F (12°C).

It's quite rainy in Pensacola. In January, Pensacola usually receives more rain than Saint Augustine. Pensacola 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 Pensacola or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

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

In April, Pensacola is generally around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 67°F (20°C), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

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

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Pensacola