St. Augustine has been ranked as one of the Top 10 Small Cities in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The city secured fourth place on the list, which was released on October 7, 2025.
Susan Phillips, President and CEO of the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau, commented on the recognition: “We’re thrilled to see St. Augustine receive this honor. To be named one of the best by travelers who have experienced our destination, that’s a testament to our wonderful community of tourism and hospitality professionals. They strive to make St. Augustine a memorable place to explore, connect, and relax. To be included in this list for multiple years speaks volumes.”
The annual awards are based on votes from readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine. In its 38th year, over 757,000 votes were cast for cities, hotels, islands, resorts, and cruises across various categories. This year’s list featured two Florida cities: St. Augustine at number four and Pensacola at number ten.
St. Augustine was noted for its historical significance and charm. Founded in 1565, it is recognized as the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African-American origin in the United States. The city offers attractions such as beaches, waterways suitable for boating or kayaking, colonial Spanish architecture, brick-lined streets, museums with historic artifacts and fine arts collections.
Popular sites include Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, St. Augustine Distillery; events like Nights of Lights and various festivals; diverse dining options; and lodging choices ranging from historic inns to luxury resorts.
Earlier in 2025, Condé Nast Traveler also listed St. Augustine among America’s most beautiful towns while Booking.com named it as the only U.S location among its World’s Most Welcoming Cities for 2025.
Florida’s Historic Coast encompasses not only St. Augustine but also Ponte Vedra Beach—known for golf—and other communities such as Hastings and Elkton along with more than forty miles of Atlantic coastline.
Additional visitor information can be found at www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com.
