St. Augustine has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Small Cities in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The city ranked fourth on the list, which was published 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. This year’s poll received more than 757,000 votes for favorite cities, hotels, islands, resorts, and cruises across the country. Two Florida cities made the top ten; St. Augustine was fourth while Pensacola placed tenth.
St. Augustine was noted for its history and charm by voters. Founded in 1565, it is considered the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African-American origin in the United States. The city offers a range of attractions including beaches, waterways suitable for boating or kayaking, colonial Spanish architecture, museums with historical artifacts and art collections.
Popular sites include Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, and St. Augustine Distillery. Annual events such as Nights of Lights and music or food festivals attract visitors throughout the year. Dining options span local favorites like La Nouvelle Bistro to Caps on the Water and Lotus Noodle Bar; accommodations include historic hotels such as Casa Monica Resort & Spa.
Earlier this year, Condé Nast Traveler also listed St. Augustine among America’s most beautiful towns while Booking.com named it as one of its World’s Most Welcoming Cities for 2025—the only U.S. location to make that list previously recognized by Southern Living and USA Today 10Best.
Florida’s Historic Coast includes not only St. Augustine but also Ponte Vedra with its golf courses and beaches along with rural communities like Hastings and Elkton spread across 42 miles of Atlantic shoreline.
For more information about travel to St. Augustine or Florida’s Historic Coast visit www.FloridasHistoricCoast.com.
