Pensacola

About this city

Also known as: The City of Five Flags / The Cradle of Naval Aviation

Pensacola is a deeply historic waterfront city and the county seat of Escambia County, located in the westernmost corner of the Florida Panhandle along Pensacola Bay. Founded by Spanish explorer Don Tristan de Luna in 1559, it stands as the first multi-year European settlement in the continental United States, famously changing sovereignty between five different nations throughout its turbulent history, earning it the title 'The City of Five Flags.' Geographically, the city is blessed with a magnificent deep-water harbor and protected barrier islands. Pensacola flawlessly blends its profound military heritage—serving as the legendary 'Cradle of Naval Aviation' and home of the Blue Angels—with a vibrant, historic downtown and miles of blindingly white, sugar-sand emerald beaches.