Castillo de San Marcos is a national monument and the oldest masonry fort in the US. Built by the Spanish in 1672 it was never captured or taken by hostile forces. There's so much history here and plentiful exhibits to learn about it. The fort is remarkably well preserved and it's a joy to walk around regardless of whether you decide to dig into the history. The second floor is especially stunning with gorgeous views of the water beyond and an impressive display of the fort-protecting cannons. Any ship sailing in those waters would be vulnerable to the cannon fire. This was one of the highlights of our Saint Augustine trip. read more

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Highly recommend coming to this fort only during the winter and never ever during the summer. The heat gets so intense that medics were taking older folks out in stretchers. I was almost one of them - really!!!. Visited here again in the winter months and was a much better experience. Aside from the heat, it was a really cool place and been inside twice on self guided tours. They have staff dressed up in colonial attire and they answer all our questions. The little stone walled rooms were extremely tiny but you then can understand how the Spanish military lived and fought to defend the fortress and the City of St. Augustine. There is a price per person but you can hear the cannons shoot for free outside. You can also get great free pictures with the stone walls of the outer fort and rusted cannons with the river. read more

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Interesting place full of history and fun facts about the origins of the fort, the area, how it was built, etc. beautiful view of the bay too. It took us about an hour to get through and that was reading 60-80% of the things. $15/adult with no park passes read more

Castillo de San Marcos - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Cool historical place. $15 to get it but if you have the America the Beautiful Pass, it's free! read more

Castillo de San Marcos - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

What a cool fort and dive into history. I would recommend visiting early in the day versus later as you'll avoid the strong sun as well as threat of thunderstorms. We spent about an hour and a half here. Definitely, you want to sit in on the in-person presentation by the M" national Park service associate. He was so thorough, detailed and entertaining in going through the A-to-Z history of the fort. He was really cool and the presentation was about 35 minutes long; but, quite speedy, detailed, and really entertaining. Remember to stop b the gift shop on your way out. read more

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We showed up just in time for the cannon firing. It wasn't as loud as I was expecting, but it was still cool to witness and I'm glad we caught it at the right time. Since we were visiting St. Augustine for 5 days, we had checked out the ground level of the fort (which was free) and then a couple days later, we went back and bought an America the Beautiful pass so we got the group paid for (plus we got a pass for the next year out of it). It was neat seeing all the different rooms and they did a good job putting a lot of information in each that my dad ate up lol. read more

Castillo de San Marcos - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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You absolutely cannot skip the Castillo de San Marcos if you're in St. Augustine. Walking up to this massive fortress right on the water feels like stepping straight back in time. The cool part is that it's built entirely out of coquina (a rock made of compressed seashells), which gives the walls a really unique texture. If you time it right, catching the live reenactment firing is an absolute must. Also, if you are military or your spouse, you get free entrance for life! read more

If you are ever in St. Augustine, visiting Castillo de San Marcos is a must. Walking through it honestly felt like stepping back in time. The history there is incredible, you can feel it almost like a transport to a different time. It really gives you a deeper appreciation for how much this place has seen over the years. And the views... just wow. The water is something you have to experience in person just an incredible view. It's peaceful, beautiful, and just one of those moments where you stop and take it all in. I also loved how well everything is preserved and how much you can actually explore. It's not just something you look at, it's something you experience. Whether you're into history or just want to see something truly unique, this is definitely worth your time. Such a beautiful and meaningful landmark. I would 100% recommend it. read more

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This is a really cool fort. Very old and historical. It wasn't open this day for some reason so didnt actually get to go inside but ventured around it and got some pictures. Its pretty cool it is right on the water and just outside the main town you can tell how they protected the town back in the day. Hope to go back when they are open read more

Castillo de San Marcos - chillin at fort - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Visiting Castillo de San Marcos was such a memorable experience. This beautiful historic site here in Florida is incredibly well preserved and gives you a real sense of stepping back in time. The architecture alone is impressive--the massive coquina stone walls, the cannons facing the water, and the expansive views of the bay make it feel both powerful and peaceful at the same time. Walking through the fort with my sisters was fascinating. There's so much history in every corner, from the old rooms and corridors to the open courtyard in the center. You can really imagine what life might have been like centuries ago. The grounds are clean, well maintained, and the views around the fort are stunning. It's definitely one of those places that reminds you how much history Florida holds. If you're visiting St. Augustine, this is absolutely a must-see historic landmark. read more

Coming to Saint Augustine for the weekend we need to go visit the Castillo de San Marcos! A beautiful location, full of history for the whole family. We got to experience even one of the Canon fires. You have an option of doing the whole water on your own or doing a voice guided experience. Definitely recommend coming here during the holidays even though it might be a little bit busy, but it's great to experience the whole city in full . read more

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Expect to spend at least 2 hours here, and be aware that there is no air conditioning. From the portcullis at the entrance, to the area down by the water (the water battery), I was in awe of this fort. Castillo de San Marcos (St. Mark's Castle in English) is the oldest masonry fort in the continental US, according to Wikipedia. You enter through the main gate and end up in a courtyard. There are several rooms in the fort that visitors are allowed to enter, with displays and informational boards and plaques in each. Remnants of carved grafitti and paint can be seen in a couple of them. In one of the rooms, a ranger gives a regularly scheduled talk not only about the fort, but the history of the area of St. Augustine and why the fort was needed. There are bathrooms, vending machines, and drinking fountains available in a shaded area of the courtyard. Near the entrance to the courtyard is a stairway that takes you to the top of the fort. You will experience great views of the Matanzas Bay harbor and the city of St. Augustine. You can take a look at some original cannons, as well as the bell tower. There is only one way in and out of the fort, so when you exit, you can continue straight down to the water battery (the sandy looking area by the wall on the water) and walk around it and see the original moat. There are actual cannons here, as well, and if you continue walking tot he left, you can see where they were positioned behind the wall. The hot shot furnace is located here as well. There is a small gift shop located inside the fort, which sells the usual souvenirs, but ice cream, too. It's interesting to note that the fort was never lived in, so to speak. There were rooms for sleeping, but that was for when the soldiers were on duty in shifts, as everyone actually lived in town behind the city gates. The moat was never filled with water, and was used to house livestock when the city and fort were under attack. The townspeople would "move in" to the fort then as well. There is an entrance fee, but if you have a National Parks pass, you can use it here. Whether you are a history buff, or just like to learn new things, a visit here will be worth your while; put it on your list. 109/2025 read more

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I came here once in 1974, then returned in 2026. Not much changed, but you'd expect that from a historic monument. It was good to see everything taken care of so well. Make sure to visit the gift shop at least 30 minutes before closing since they close it prior to 5pm. read more

I have lived in Saint Augustine for years and have never been here. Honestly, I thought it looked very boring but on a whim I took my kids met up with a friend and we ended up loving it. Kids are free adults are $15. There is some kind of deal where if you're a veteran you get in for free too. There are lots of rooms with cool stuff to see and they have plaques around so you can learn about the history of the fort. Once you go upstairs to the second level, the views are amazing. I did not expect to like this place so much but now it's on my list of places to bring people when they visit me. read more

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So beautiful so history and you will start believing in ghosts once your done with with your tour it is amazing incredible place so beautiful unbelievable unique beautiful i love it so much it is only castle in Florida to see I recommend you come early and on weekday! Happy Friday the 13 everyone! From Lauren read more

This is one of the most gorgeous spots I've been too. Such a historical but beautiful place. You learn so much whilst on the tour and their is so much to enjoy and look at. read more

Castillo de San Marcos - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

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Very nice place to visit , lots of history here and vets and disable people enter for free , very nice place you at least have to come a visit it , very interesting architecture construction with seashells.. read more

Walked right in to see the cannon fire exhibition! Didn't know they did that, but it seems to happen every few hours. It was a wonderful way to start our trip in St. Augustine! There were also several Spanish soldiers milling about which helped immerse you in the experience! The fort itself is beautiful and old, it's definitely a must see! Plus, I got my national parks passport stamped! Most importantly, if you buy a day pass, it works for a full week! So we were able to go two days in a row (just make sure you have the same credit card you made the initial purchase on you). Would definitely recommend! read more

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Hundreds of years old, filled with live reenactments and tickets for $15. This fort was worth the visit, especially if you wanted to see the cannon fire an love Spanish history. read more

Castillo de San Marcos - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Came here for a school project and staff was very kind and ready to help answer any of my dumb questions read more

Castillo de San Marcos - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Castillo de San Marcos is an incredible piece of history and the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. The view is amazing too! The workers give great information about the old castle and fort. They sometimes do reenactments at the castle, which is really cool! read more

Such a great experience and an awesome way to spend part of the day. This was my boyfriend's first time at the Fort, and he learned so much. We did the 30-minute listening tour and led by a state park ranger, and honestly, it was 100% worth it. If you don't know much about the history (or even if you do), the tour really brings everything to life and makes the Fort feel meaningful instead of just something you walk through. Super informative, engaging, and easy to follow. It added a lot to the experience for us. We had a really fun time together and would absolutely go back again, especially to do another tour or spend more time exploring. read more

We went to see the this fort just before Christmas 2024 and it was cold during that time. Our self guided tour was on a cloudy day. But it was still fascinating to see the oldest fort in the US and especially the cannons! They fire them once a week is what I understood. The day we went was crowded with tourists. I kind of liked that because I would not feel comfortable without a group of people around me as there are rumors of old Spanish soldier ghosts seen fighting at the fort. I highly recommend making this a priority to see when you come to St Augustine! It is well worth it. Once you get to the top, you will have beautiful views of St Augustine, the harbor, and the amazing Bridge of Lions! Good photo opportunities here! Tickets were $15. It is run by the National Park Service. There is a large parking lot next to the Fort. It took us about 1 1/2 hours to see everything. read more

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I have been here a few times before. These pictures are from 2019 when I visited here. I have been visiting this place since 2017. My first visit was awesome. There is so much history within this fort. I have visiting here every year whenever time and weather permits. Parking is slightly difficult to find, being that this is a tourist city and there's random field trips always occurring. But, there is paid parking adjacent to the fort. One other option would be the parking garage a couple of minutes away from this place. Word has it, that this place is haunted by random soldier's ghosts that stayed there. This location was even featured on a paranormal TV show hosted by Zack Baggens. If you love historical places like I do, then I highly suggest visiting this old historical fort. read more

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Beautiful! $15 entry. Spent about an hour here walking across and admiring the history. There's a demonstration of the cannon firing. It's about a 5-10 minute show read more

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It's only a 4 because it isn't open to see the inside. We've been here before and absolutely loved the history. Unfortunately, on this visit it was closed due to the government shut down. However, even the outside leaves a lasting impression of history and amazement. read more

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I cannot believe I have never done a review for Castillo and only have a few pictures uploaded! I have been coming here for close to 15 years and visit at least once per year. I love bringing my nephew. He is now 13 but we have been visiting since he was about 4. It's a great way to spend a couple hours. They are continually adding displays, updating activities and provide a great about of information. They also participate in the junior ranger program which my nephew has done numerous times. The amount of pages required to get a badge increases as the kids get older so he has done it many times and it has gradually forced him to learn more. The staff are always incredible, willing to answer questions and involve kids. They do reenactments of cannon firings and talks with the volunteers in period style clothing. The cost is $15 for ages 16 and above and free for 15 and under. My sister has the America the Beautiful pass that admits 4 anyway so it makes going, easy and affordable. Parking can be a nightmare, especially in the summer or around the holidays but that is to be expected in the area. If you can't find parking in their lot, just head to the parking garage 3 blocks away. Also, don't forget to visit Fort Matanzas 13 miles down the river. It's another really cool stop! And completely free!! read more

Castillo de San Marcos - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Saint Augustine, Florida

Very well-preserved fort and the re-enactors firing the cannons were top-notch. Ive seen two different guides give presentations and both were great. There was even a little playroom for the kids (toy table, arch block and costumes)- thank you for that! Parking is a nightmare, so I suggest making a day of it and parking somewhere else in town and walking over. read more

Very cool fort with great views. It was an extremely hot day so I highly recommend bringing a bottle of water with you and maybe even a small towel. There were 2 main levels and you could self guide yourself through it although they had a guided tour option. There was zero shade when you're up on the top but you were able to see where they had the old firing cannons which was super cool. As you walk through each room they had plenty of artifacts and information which was helpful to understand. I felt that it was very well maintained and full of rich history! They do offer bathrooms inside as well. read more

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One of the best historical fort visits I've had. The information included was phenomenal and the site was very impressive. The views from the top parapet was worth the price of admission. Everything was easy to navigate and the signage was very good. We took about 1.5 hours to visit everything read more

I've been to the Castillo at least 20 times and I never tire of it, and I learn something new with every visit. Completed in the mid-18th century, when St. Augustine was under Spanish rule, the fort has been under the control of Spain, England, The United States of America and the Confederate States of America at various times in its history. One of two coquina forts in the world (the other being Fort Matanzas, about 14 miles away), it protected colonial St. Augustine from attack via the Intracoastal waterway. In the 19th century, it served largely as a prison during war time and, sadly, for the incarceration of certain native Americans. It's been about 30 years since I took a tour with a guide, but if you enjoy history and do not know a lot of the history of St. Augustine, it is worth the price of a tour to learn more about the fort's story. If you travel for history or nature (or both), consider buying a National Park Service Pass for $80, which will give you admission for two to every Park and Monument managed by the National Park Service. If you are at least 62 years of age, the pass will be good for the rest of your life. Under 62, and the pass is good for a year, which can still be a great bargain! read more

This historic monument was built starting in 1672. It is the oldest masonry fort in America. It has actual canons and equipment all throughout the grounds. The Park Rangers are in authentic dress and answer all your questions. They even fire one of the canons daily ( without the ball ). The fort is large and takes about 1 1/2 hours to walk thru inside and out. From the top level there is a great 360 degree view of the harbor and the city. There is a wealth of history to be learned here. Admission is $15 pp. You can use a National Parks pass if you have. There is a large parking lot. The entry line gets long after 12 noon. read more

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Hands on way to learn history, the battles, the conflicts, the architecture, and the way of life of people long ago. For $15 or an American the Beautiful pass (the pass that gets you into all the US National Parks for a year), you have entry to walk along the same buildings our ancestors did. While the battles were interesting, I appreciated the ability to peek into the day-in-the-life of these people, through carvings and trinkets. Very unique place. The rangers on site are very knowledgeable about the location and will answer your questions enthusiastically. Not a lot of parking so we walked from the BnB we were staying in. read more

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Interesting place. got to see the cannon ball shot. Looks like the kids really enjoyed it. Long line to get in but if you have the senior pass you don't have to stand in the line. Gift shop was nice. They no longer give you pieces of paper to get your stamp. Instead you purchase a sticker of three for a $1.33. They have several stamps. The prices were very good. A bottle of water was only $2.28 compared to other places out in town. If you are in the area it is a must see. read more

Gorgeous, beautiful and I can't find more words about this magical place! Inside or out, they'll steal your heart...we saw the most gorgeous rainbow and also breath taking view...Castillo San Marcos has rich history and it's worth to see this place! Adorable! I ended up to park my car in a parking that I paid $16 so im not sure if there is free parking around... read more

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I wish I found out about this place sooner. Situated by a touristy town full of little shops in decked out back in the day architecture, this fort is like a small castle built by the Spanish. Really nice displays and history to go through. Don't forget the junior ranger, kids and adults can do it. Up the steps the view of the sea is beautiful, as are the cool canons you can take pics next to. Rangers are very kind and knowledgeable. I wanna come back at night some day. read more

Castillo de San Marcos is definitely worth a visit! The tickets are inexpensive, and you get so much value out of the experience. We highly recommend watching the video session on the history of the fort--it really helped us understand just how impressive and important this structure was. The exhibits are great for the whole family, with informative boards and props that give you a feel for what life was like back then. We especially enjoyed the beautiful views from the top of the fort where the cannons are--such a cool perspective of St. Augustine. We learned a lot and had a great time exploring. Don't miss this historical gem! read more

If you visit Castillo de San Marcos in the historic Spanish Quarter of Saint Augustine, you will enjoy a tour of one of the oldest military forts in the United States that you are allowed to tour from the rooftop floor to the ammunition, pantry rooms, jails, and barracks on the ground floor that were heavily insulated from attack by enemy ships from other countries. Admission is reasonable for both adults and children. Walking up the stone stairs and down, making your way past all the old cannons and cannonballs pointing outward, around the lower level courtyard area, and entering the various rooms of this stone fortress. You obtain a feel of how life was back then... especially when you realize there were no electronics, let alone cell phones. read more

Located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay and north of the Bridge of Lions is located in St. Augustine. This is the oldest masonry for in the continental United States. It is a large Spanish stone fortress built to protect and defend Spain's claims in the New World. This 327 year old National Monument, recognized in 1924, is the oldest structure in St. Augustine. Construction began in 1672 and lasted 23 years. Made of coquina and was impenetrable to enemy attack. Open Monday to Sunday 9-5. read more

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This was on our check list to stop by while we were in town for spring break. Located right on the coast, there's a paid parking lot right in the front. If it's full, you'll have to go few blocks down to another lot. Admission is $15 to get in. It's an old fort that has cannons sitting on the top. We went to check out the cannons upstairs and the view. Checked out each rooms and read the history of the place. read more

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