Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Saint Augustine?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Saint Augustine?
Most visitors spend three to four days in Saint Augustine when visiting. The notable city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the historic old town, the beaches, the museums and landmarks, and the food.
Located on the northeast coast of Florida, St. Augustine is filled with colonial Spanish architecture and charming cobblestone streets. As the oldest city in the United States, it offers a historic atmosphere that is different than many of Florida's cities. It's also near several great beaches and is filled with museums, shops, and local restaurants.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Saint Augustine? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Saint Augustine?
Three days is generally not enough time to browse around the old town, lounge on the beach, browse through museums, and taste delicious cuisine in Saint Augustine. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy popular activities such as the historic old town, the beaches, the museums and landmarks, and the food. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the notable city, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for three to four days here. After all, Saint Augustine is a small city that is quite popular with tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend 3 days in Saint Augustine
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Walking History Tour of St. Augustine's Historic District ($25)
- History Walking Tour in St. Augustine ($30)
- The Night Watchman Ghost Walking Tour ($30)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Feast of Saint Augustine Walking Food Tour ($139)
Saint Augustine is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. 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.
Don't miss the Colonial Quarter during your trip to Saint Augustine, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. There are wineries, pubs, live music venues, and a number of activities that take advantage of the outdoor setting.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included ($63)
- Ghosts and Spirits of St Augustine Pub Crawl Tour ($39)
The beautiful beaches await you in Saint Augustine, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Deluxe Dolphin Kayak Tour ($77)
- Adventure Boat Tours - Sunset Water Tour in St. Augustine ($38)
- Sunset Cruise of St. Augustine ($46)
Saint Augustine is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Colonial architecture and a charming atmosphere give this historic town a unique beauty.
A few tour suggestions include:
- History Walking Tour in St. Augustine ($30)
- The Night Watchman Ghost Walking Tour ($30)
- Walking Tour in North City Cemeteries of St. Augustine ($25)
Is 4 days enough time in Saint Augustine?
Saint Augustine, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. Four days is just the right amount of time to see pretty much everything in Saint Augustine. Most visitors prefer to spend three to four days here, and we have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting. Also, Saint Augustine is popular with families and couples which enjoy visiting because the city offers activities specifically for them.
St. Augustine, Florida
How to spend 4 days in Saint Augustine
If you have more than 4 days in Saint Augustine, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Saint Augustine a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine ($18)
- Historic Museum Tour Ticket ($16)
- Potter's Wax Museum Admission in St. Augustine ($17)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Saint Augustine.
Is 5 days enough time in Saint Augustine?
With five days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Saint Augustine has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Saint Augustine as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can browse around the old town, lounge on the beach, browse through museums, and taste delicious cuisine at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 5 days in Saint Augustine
Having 5 days in Saint Augustine will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
Shopping in Saint Augustine is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. 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.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Saint Augustine.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Saint Augustine, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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