Guide to Castillo de San Marcos: an Awesome Florida MUST SEE in St Augustine

Undoubtedly the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is THE sight to see in St Augustine. You can’t miss it as you drive through town and it’s one of the best things to do in St Augustine. With construction on it starting 400+ years ago, the Castillo is the pride of the city and worth adding to your visit.

Before we ever visited Florida and before living here, we’d built up the Castillo de San Marcos a bit to our kids. You know, it’s all pirates and alligators everywhere. With that, we also told a few lies… like there are pirate forts and you can find treasure on the beach. Well, even if there aren’t pirate forts here in Florida, there are Spanish fortresses and there is treasure to be found.

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. If you have any of your own tips to share about visiting the Castillo de San Marcos, please leave a comment or send us a note!

Things to do at the Castillo de San Marcos

Living here in St Augustine we actually visit the Castillo de San Marcos a lot. Whenever we have guests visiting we head to the Castillo, and randomly the city has movie nights on the lawn, so again, we find ourselves at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument just hanging out. 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.

St Augustine Living History at the Castillo

There are continual living history actors and tour guides to teach about the Castillo and answer questions. In visiting this historic fort, you can chat with park rangers every day, 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.

Touring the Castillo de San Marcos

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is really interesting as far as history goes, but it’s also just nice to walk around and read what inspires you.  As you tour the lower level of the fort, the chambers are filled with interpretive displays (English and Spanish), interesting artifacts, living history characters and fascinating architecture. If you have the time/patience for a guided tour, do it!  Kids 6 yrs+ may really enjoy it and they are free.

As you head up and out, the view surrounding the Castillo is just beautiful.  As you circle, there are cannons EVERYWHERE.  There are plenty of rangers and signage to answer almost every question you might come up with.  Again, like with the old walls, don’t touch.  You can get plenty close to the cannons and really examine them, but keep your hands to yourself.

Tip: check with the Park in advance to see if they’re doing any special programs, including cannon fire, if you really want to have a super special visit.

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 (before you actually enter the fortress walls)
• Courtyard and tunnel rooms
• Gun Deck with historic cannons (super interesting)
• 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.

Best Activity at 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.

Views of St Augustine From the Castillo de San Marcos

The Castillo de San Marcos offers a really wonderful panorama and LOTS of benches to be able to just sit and enjoy the town of St Augustine.  Being situated on an estuary, there are loads of egrets and osprey circling at all times.  Really beautiful.

To the east is the mouth of the inlet and out to the Atlantic Ocean.  To the south is the Bridge of Lions, the marina and the town.  To the west you’ll see the Old Town / Colonial Quarter, with church and university spires breaking the horizon.  To the north are the Tolomato River and the GTM Estuarine Research Reserve.  There is no bad view.

Planning a Visit to Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Our whole family has enjoyed the Castillo de San Marcos many times, and when we have visitors come to St Augustine we take them too. The fort is interesting for adults, and cool and castle-like for kids.  We’ve seen a lot of seniors there as well, walking the battlements and just enjoying the view. 

Also, anybody who enjoys a bit of theatre will enjoy it, both for the tour guides in costume and the random re-enactments with cannon fire.  If this is your first trip to the southeastern USA, this is a must stop.  Seeing the Castillo de San Marcos and learning about the history of the area will really help you understand the area, the names you see everywhere, and how Florida and the whole USA, developed over the years.

Tip:  if you’re traveling with kids, be sure to have them participate in the Junior Ranger program.  They get to find clues around the Castillo and get a more kid-friendly understanding of the fort and its history.

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.

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.

Is the Castillo de San Marcos Wheelchair Accessible?

While the path up to the entrance plaza and even across the drawbridge into the fort is wheelchair accessible, no all parts of the Castillo are without obstacles. Going into many of the fort’s chambers and exhibit areas require stepping up and there are lots of uneven surfaces. The interior walls/courtyard and the outer grounds are accessible, but even on the lower level, not all chambers can be traversed with wheels.

Also, the top of the Castillo isn’t wheelchair accessible.  You can carry a stroller to the top level (about 35 steps), but there’s no ramp to the top. Ask a ranger for instructions for accessing as much of the fort as possible.

When to visit Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

You’re in Florida, so know that when that sun comes out, it’ll get hot… like really hot.  Starting your day at Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a great idea, and that way you’re already parked in a great spot for more close by activities after the fort.  Allow at least an hour at the fort, and if you’re a big sitter or reader, longer. Check at the entry booth for tour times or events.

Hours of Operation: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas

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!

If you thought the Castillo was cool, get directions to Fort Matanzas.  It’s a 20 minutes or so away and is drastically different.  It also includes a boat ride (for free!)

Cost of Admission to the Castillo

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

Remember to bring your National Parks pass, as admission is required at the Castillo. Your pass covers up to five adults (16 years and older). Kids 15 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Yes, the Castillo de San Marcos 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)

History of the Castillo de San Marcos

The town of St Augustine was settled by the Spanish in 1565 but then kept getting attacked and bugged by the British, so having a fort to guard the city was very important.  St Augustine is situated on the bay and the Matanzas River (an inlet actually) and was the only defense for the old walled city.  The fort served as a stronghold in both battles and hurricanes.  It was named a National Monument in 1924 as Fort Marion, but then later converted names back to Castillo de San Marcos.

About the Coquina of the Castillo de San Marcos

Once you cross the draw bridge into the Castillo, you almost instantly see sea shells in the walls. Huh?  Yep, for realz.  The fort is built out of coquina, which is a sedimentary stone quarried in Florida.  It’s basically compressed shells held together with natural mortar.  Because it’s so porous and even looks like a sponge, it could withstand cannon balls, gun shots, hurricanes and more!

Tip:  when you’re at the fort, you’re asked not to touch the walls in an effort to preserve them.  If you’re really dying to take a piece home for your rock collection, the gift shop has some quarried stone you can purchase.  Preserve history and follow the rules, please.

Exploring the Town of St Augustine

St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States.  It’s home to the first Thanksgiving, the oldest western structure in the USA, the oldest fort in North America… and the Fountain of Youth.  Yeah, it’s really old and so cool.  As you walk through the town, you genuinely expect a pirate to get his lights punched out and fall from a window above you.

With this comes the fort where you’ll expect to get hit with cannon balls any moment, and there’s a pirate museum and lighthouse and such, but we’ve covered that in another post.

Tip:  park at the Castillo de San Marcos and pay for 4+ hours of parking. Things are tight in the old town and you’ll want to remember where you left your car.

So should you plan to visit the Castillo de San Marcos? OMG yes!  If you like history, National Parks or just cool old stuff, this is worth every moment you spend here. We usually do the whole thing in under two hours and return often.

If you have any questions about visiting Castillo de San Marcos National Monument or anything else around St Augustine, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help!