Guide to St Augustine

'Oozing old-world charm and crammed full of historical sights – this is America, but not as you know it.'

Quaint cobbled streets. White clapboard houses. Wooden shuttered windows. Is this America? You bet it is. Come and take a step back in time and let this stunning city charm the socks off you. The oldest city in North America, St Augustine is decidedly un-American. With its exotic archways, Byzantine churches and Mediterranean bell towers, it's much more reminiscent of a Spanish time warp. In fact, it's a living legacy of the 16th century settlers who came here from Spain with Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles. And it's also seen influences from the English, Greek and African Americans over the years. These days, people flock here to soak up its historical and architectural treasures. Despite fires and hurricanes, the original walled city has pretty much remained intact and you can clap eyes on America's oldest house, oldest wooden schoolhouse, oldest store and even the oldest jail. Wherever you head here, the higgledy-piggledy streets are laced with colonial buildings reminiscent of a Wild West town, which now house gift stores, boutiques, restaurants, inns and historic attractions. Stroll down to the marina at the heart of the city and you'll find more shops to browse as well as inviting eateries. One way to see it all in style is to hop on a horse-drawn carriage. Don't miss the star-shaped Castillo de San Marcos. With 33-foot high walls, it looks out over Matanzas Bay and is a well-preserved Spanish colonial castle, and the oldest stone fort in the US. Another must-see sight is the Colonial Spanish Quarter, a living history museum that portrays the life of Spanish soldiers and their families in 1740. You'll see how these families lived, what they ate and watch them go about everyday life as carpenters, blacksmiths, leatherworkers and candle makers. If you fancy some chill out time while you're here, St Augustine's beaches are breathtaking, with seemingly endless pearl-white sands that melt into sky-blue seas. Comb the beach for pretty shells such as moon snails and angel wings. Swim out into the waters and join the surfers riding the rollers. Reel in a bluefish, snapper, kingfish, or amberjack. Or simply stroll along in the surf as the sun sets in a soul-stirring display. Magical.

Stroll down to the marina at the heart of the city and you'll find more shops to browse as well as inviting eateries. One way to see it all in style is to hop on a horse-drawn carriage. Don't miss the star-shaped Castillo de San Marcos. With 33-foot high walls, it looks out over Matanzas Bay and is a well-preserved Spanish colonial castle, and the oldest stone fort in the US. Another must-see sight is the Colonial Spanish Quarter, a living history museum that portrays the life of Spanish soldiers and their families in 1740. You'll see how these families lived, what they ate and watch them go about everyday life as carpenters, blacksmiths, leatherworkers and candle makers. If you fancy some chill out time while you're here, St Augustine's beaches are breathtaking, with seemingly endless pearl-white sands that melt into sky-blue seas. Comb the beach for pretty shells such as moon snails and angel wings. Swim out into the waters and join the surfers riding the rollers. Reel in a bluefish, snapper, kingfish, or amberjack. Or simply stroll along in the surf as the sun sets in a soul-stirring display. Magical.

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