Move Over St. Augustine! This Cobblestone Beach Town Feels Like Europe With Less Crowds

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We’ve been around the block a time or two here at Travel Off Path. We know there are typically a few recycled places that come to mind when we think of European-esque getaways without the need for a passport.

St. Augustine, Florida, Carmel, California, Savannah, Georgia, and some would even say sections of New Orleans, have all been well-publicized ‘secrets’ that aren’t so secret anymore for a domestic portal into Europe.

However, our pals at Southern Living revealed one Florida hideaway decked with cobbled streets that goes overlooked in the shadow of more popular St. Augustine.

Best of all, you’ll find fewer crowds, and some would say even more vibrant beaches, since this tiny town is more hush-hush than the usual Florida favorites.

Let’s start with this town’s gorgeous shores, shall we?

Beach Bonfires & Spacious White-Sand Coastline

There’s something intangible about Florida that just seems to feel more freeing than vacationing on the West Coast, for example.

Whether it be modest gas prices, less bureaucracy, or simply the fact that much of Florida’s coastline is reminiscent of the Caribbean in both color and calm.

I live on the West Coast and wouldn’t be able to tell you where you can go for a beach bonfire, something any vacationer would love to cap off a perfect beach day.

Here in Rosemary Beach, that’s easy.

According to Southern Living, you are ‘allowed to plan a beach bonfire with friends and family that begins at sunset and goes until all the s’mores are gone’.

Sounds like a great day to me.

The Rosemary Beach Service will even help you arrange it, including beach chairs, which can be like pulling teeth sorting out in other beach destinations.

But charring marshmallows isn’t the only coastal appeal here — Rosemary Beach boasts sugary white sand and emerald green waters, perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and boogie boarding for the kiddos.

Though if you’re more into kayaking, Camp Helen State Park is the perfect spot.

Right now is the perfect time to visit, too, as 30A beaches can pack up during Spring Break and summer, but there are pockets of spring shoulder season to sneak in a blissful escape, too.

The Gulf’s Most Charming Beach Town

Since St. Augustine has been in just about every publication as a European loophole, Rosemary Beach is the exact opposite, clinging on to “hidden gem” status.

This means you can actually go back home with amazing photos of timeless architecture without having to crop out strangers’ heads.

In the heart of Rosemary Beach, you’ll discover a townscape brimming with European flair from cobblestone roadways, intimate courtyards, pastel facades, and wrought-iron balconies.

Southern Living recommends renting a beach cruiser to practically give yourself a free tour of this European charmer.

But don’t forget, when you opt to walk the village, you’re likely to discover more than meets the eye cruising through — just like in actual Europe.

Some of the best cafes and hole-in-the-wall eats I’ve found ‘across the pond’ came from simply walking with my phone in my pocket and savoring the moment — so that’s exactly what we at Travel Off Path suggest as well.

Bike the beach, not the town.

A quick (and mildly depressing )history lesson:

Rosemary Beach was designed with European and Dutch West Indies–inspired influence and dates back to mid 90s, meaning I am older than Rosemary Beach! 😳

Despite being relatively new for a city, it proves Americans can still build places that inspire the same awe we usually reserve for Europe.

Getting Here & Where To Stay

Given Florida’s global popularity, Rosemary Beach isn’t hard to reach with ample nearby airports.

Here are the closest 3 airports, all with commercial flights:

• Panama City Beach, FL (ECP) — 25 to 30 minutes
• Destin / Fort Walton Beach, FL (VPS) — 50 to 60 minutes
• Pensacola, FL (PNS) — 75 to 90 minutes

If you want to maximize the European vibes, we have to put The Pearl Hotel on your radar for an elegant stay that looks straight out of some of Europe’s trendiest cities with its distinctive turrets and striped terraces.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.