A visit to the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a must when visiting St. Augustine. This beautiful fortress, which was started in the early 1600s, is now a popular tourist destination and is a favorite of visitors from around the world. The Castillo is home to many interesting historical exhibits and artifacts, and provides stunning views of the city’s skyline and bay. Make sure you add this stop to your list of things to see while in St. Augustine!
The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is one of the oldest masonry forts in the United States, and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re interested in history or architecture. You can’t miss it as you arrive in town any time of day, so no doubt it’ll work its way into your St Augustine itinerary. Along with Fort Matanzas, St George Street and the St Augustine Lighthouse, the Castillo is one of the MUST SEE sights of St Augustine.
Things To Do at the Castillo de San Marcos
Spending time at the Castillo de San Marcos isn’t just sitting in the moat of an old fort, but it’s fascinating and really beautiful as you see its many sides. There are activities inside and out at the fort, so take a peek and plan a fun morning or afternoon at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
Note: during hurricane/storm season the moat at the Castillo sometimes fills. During this time, you can visit and walk around the Castillo to see the cool views, but you need to visit with care and caution. It’s great to explore, but if there’s any erosion you need to steer clear and DO NOT poke around in it. If you fine any artifacts, you need to report them to a ranger (per the National Park Service). video here
@staugustineexplored My review of Hurricane Milton and his visit to St Augustine: showed up uninvited, left a mess, was super loud and disruptive, thought it would be cool to uproot a bunch of trees (not okay), and then left without so much as a thank you. While he might not have been as awful as Ian, Matthew or Irma, he still was memorable and NOT welcome to send his friends this way. We fared very well in the storm. Branches and leaves in the pool and then a bunch of other crap to clean up. Oh, Milton also thought it would be fun to rip out several of my hibiscus and leave them strewn about the yard. Whatever. At the end of the day I am so thankful we did not get badly pummeled. Yes, it was loud and caused a fair amount of damage, but at the end of the day we were very fortunate here in St Augustine. #hurricanemilton #staugustine #Florida #castillo ♬ original sound – Rob Taylor – St Augustine dude
St Augustine Living History at the Castillo
In visiting this historical fort, you can chat with park rangers who are happy to guide you throughout the tour and experience the living history that they offer on weekends and during the summer. You can also view the live Musket or Cannon Demonstrations, which take place most weekends.
Sites at the Castillo de San Marcos Not to Miss
You can explore the whole fortress as it is today, which really isn’t terribly different since its construction was completed. There are exhibits and displays both within the fortress walls and along the moat area. Wherever you are there’s something to see and learn about.
The must-see spots at the Castillo de San Marcos include:
- Ravelin and drawbridge
- Courtyard and tunnel rooms
- Gun Deck with historic cannons
- Sentry towers
- Walk the moat wall
The views from the fort are also amazing, so be sure to bring your camera! Year round, watch for dolphins, manatees and sea turtles just off the sea wall in the bay. In winter months when the sun sets earlier, enjoy the sunset just before the Castillo closes for the day.
Pro tip: Take in the best view of the city from the gun deck, which is fully open to the public except for one small lookout.
Check out this complete guide to the Castillo de San Marcos!
Best Activity at the Castillo de San Marcos: Walk the Moat Wall
Going around the entire fortress, the moat wall is a great walking path that includes the seawall, the cannonball oven grounds, the grazing space and the lawns around the fort. Because the exterior is well lit with walking paths you can visit any time of day. I love photographing the Castillo from the moat wall at sunset or late at night. (grounds are closed from 12:00 am to 5:30 am)
National Park Service Programs at the Castillo
In addition to the living history opportunities at the Castillo de San Marcos, there are other National Park Service programs available at the fort. Complete the Junior Ranger packet and review it with one of the Park Rangers to earn a badge. If you complete the entire packet and not just the minimum requirements you also are awarded a fabric patch.
Bring your National Parks Passport as well. The Castillo de San Marcos is a part of the National Park system, so while you’re here you can get a cancellation stamp in your passport.
Visiting St Augustine’s Castillo de San Marcos
Like many tourist sites in downtown St Augustine and all around Florida, the Castillo has limited hours so you need to plan your time appropriately. Also, because it’s part of the National Park Service, there are a few things to know before you visit.
Where is the Castillo de San Marcos
You can’t miss it. If you’re driving through St Augustine heading to the beach or Anastasia Island, you are nearly guaranteed to pass the Castillo. Located directly on the bayfront downtown, the Castillo de San Marcos’ grounds cover 20 acres of the city. It’s located on Florida’s Historic A1A Scenic Coastal Byway at the intersection of Castillo Drive and Avenida Menendez, across from City Perks Coffee (great downtown coffee spot).
From I-95 coming from the north, you take the Highway 16 exit and it’s about 15 minutes+ to the Castillo. From I-95 coming from the south, you take the Highway 207 exit, and it’s about 20 minutes to the Castillo.
Find a hotel near the Castillo de San Marcos
Parking at the Castillo and Bayfront
Midweek parking in the mornings and early afternoons is typically a breeze. There is a large paid parking lot directly next to the Castillo, as well as plenty of parking along the sea wall on Avenida Menendez. If you are visiting when it’s really busy, there is the city parking garage just a few blocks away behind the St Augustine Visitor Center.
Cost of Admission
The Castillo is not free like its sister fort, Fort Matanzas National Monument down the river a ways, but the cost is worth it, especially if you’re visiting with kids.
- Visitors 16 years+ are $15 each
- Visitors 15 and under are free, but must have an adult with them
Yes, the Castillo is a National Parks pass location! If you have a National Park Access / Interagency pass you’re covered, but there are some restrictions to who and how many are covered. The main thing to know is that if you’re using a standard National Parks Pass, it covers the holder and three adults (remember kids are free)
Hours of Operation
The grounds surrounding the Castillo de San Marcos are open to the public from 5:30 am to midnight every day. The fort opens for touring at 9:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm. It’s only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas days.
Note: when it’s super busy in downtown St Augustine (during Nights of Lights and summer peak) the Castillo limits entry and a line forms outside. Capacity is 350 people, so get there early!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Castillo de San Marcos
Why isn’t there water in the moat at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument?
The moat around the Castillo de San Marcos is a dry moat. When it was used as a Spanish fort, the moat actually had farm animals grazing there, and during battle troops were able to use the space for staging weaponry and making “hot shot” cannonballs.
Do they fire the canons at the Castillo?
Yes, on weekends and for special events the Castillo does shoot off some of the cannons. They do not have actual cannonballs or objects that they fire, but they do gunpowder charges for the cannon blast effect.
Is there wildlife at the Castillo or St Augustine waterfront?
Yes! In addition to the many seabirds you can watch from both atop the fort’s upper deck and its walls, you can also watch manatees, sea turtles and dolphins in St Augustine Bay.
Can I hold a wedding at the Castillo de San Marcos?
Sure! Why not? Wedding ceremonies only; no receptions. Only one ceremony per day is permitted, with a starting time no earlier than 5:00 pm. Set up of materials may begin no earlier than 4:00 p.m. No ceremonies are permitted on holiday and special event weekends. There is a non-refundable $100.00 application fee and all events require a monitor at a rate of $50.00 per hour per Park Ranger assigned to monitor your event. The number of monitors needed is dependent upon the estimated number of guests attending the event.
Is the Castillo de San Marcos still in use?
The Castillo de San Marcos is no longer an active military fortress. Today the fort is only used as an educational historic site for St Augustine visitors and residents to enjoy. The practical use of the fort is no longer feasible, including as a hurricane shelter.
Where is Fort Marion? Why do I see things that say “Fort Marion” on them?
Fort Marion IS the Castillo de San Marcos. There are some vintage tourism signs and souvenirs that may say Fort Marion on them, but the fort has been called its original name, the Castillo de San Marcos, since 1942. While the fort was occupied by the US Armed forces and before it’s official renaming, it was called Fort Marion.
There’s plenty to see and do at the Castillo de San Marcos, so be sure to add it to your list of things to do while in Saint Augustine. Allow yourself at least 1.5 hours to explore the interior and upper level of the fort. Allow 30 minutes+ for walking the moat wall any time of day.
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