The 14 Best Beach Towns in Florida

There’s no shortage of stunning coastline in Florida, and the Sunshine State boasts some of the most captivating beach towns in the entire United States. From the easygoing charm of the Gulf Coast in the west to the popular Atlantic destinations in the east, each town has its own unique take on coastal living. Ready to start exploring? Keep scrolling to discover the best beach towns in Florida.

Located on Florida’s west coast, Bradenton boasts beautiful beaches with sugar-white sands, but it has also become a scenic hub for art, culture and cuisine. Founded in 1999, the town’s Village of the Arts is where local artisans make a splash creatively. The village is filled with galleries, shops and restaurants in cracker houses built by early Florida settlers, quaint bungalows and other structures painted in a rainbow of colors. The recent grand opening of the 252-room Palmetto Marriott Resort and Spa means locally caught seafood and stunning sunset views of the Gulf of Mexico are now served up daily on the property’s rooftop restaurant, just one of four at the hotel. The 1.5-mile Riverwalk in downtown is a popular gathering place for locals and tourists to stroll along the Manatee River.

There's no doubt that Cedar Key is one of the best beach towns in Florida. Tucked away off the beaten path, through a reserve and across several bridges, Cedar Key is a rustic fishing village on North Central Florida’s Nature Coast. The hidden gem is explorable on foot and serves as a hub for all things water, from boating and kayaking to fishing. But perhaps its biggest claim to fame lies in clamming. The town produces an estimated 95% of Florida’s clams, totaling around 200 million annually. It’s no surprise Cedar Key has earned its unofficial title as the clam chowder capital of the Sunshine State. A quick jaunt through town to Tony’s Chowder House or Steamers Clam Bar & Grill is all that’s required to score perhaps one of the best bowls of chowder in the entire United States.

Apalachicola on the Northwest Coast started out as a trading post in the early 19th century thanks to its location at the meeting point of the Apalachicola River and Gulf of Mexico. This laid-back port, also called "Oystertown," still has a working waterfront, making it the perfect place to go for a seafood feast. After filling up on blue crab, oysters, shrimp and other dishes at restaurants like Half Shell Dockside and The Station Raw Bar, take off on a tour of the artistic town’s many galleries and shops featuring the work of local artisans. Housed in an 1840s shipping warehouse, the riverfront Apalachicola Center for History, Culture and Art showcases ongoing exhibits. It’s a must-see destination for art enthusiasts.

The main star of Hollywood, the Floridian version, is the town’s 2.5-mile boardwalk (pictured). The historic brick pedestrian promenade features a showstopping array of restaurants and shops, great for endless people-watching opportunities. Hollywood’s impressive hotels and resorts are just as popular and many are also located near the water. There’s lodging to suit every preference, from the lively Margaritaville Hollywood Beach or bustling Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to the luxe Diplomat Spa & Resort. The area is great for nature lovers who want to explore beyond the beach since it’s home to scores of parks, including the family-friendly 1,501-acre Anne Kolb Nature Center, with its impressive 3,500-gallon aquarium.

Two bridges stretching from mainland Sarasota make accessing Siesta Key easy. Exploring the crescent-shaped barrier island is just as convenient since the free Siesta Key Breeze Trolley runs seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The area’s three sandy oases — Siesta, Crescent and Turtle beaches — are the main attractions, each catering to a different crowd. The shallower lifeguard-protected waters off Siesta Beach are perfect for families. The quieter Crescent Beach, meanwhile, boasts coral formations filled with marine life, making it ideal for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. Located on the southernmost point of Siesta Key, the livelier Turtle Beach offers beach activities, including a horseshoe pit and volleyball court for those wanting to get their game on, as well as shopping, restaurants and nightlife.

Located at the southern tip of St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille is the quintessential old-school beach town (picture outdoor art markets, cozy rooftop bars and inviting restaurants). Rent a rod and join the locals fishing for their dinner at the Merry Pier, or book a half- or full-day deep-sea expedition on the Miss Pass-A-Grille for a chance to snag red grouper, sea bass or even sharks. Learn more about the town’s history at the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum or just get to know the area better by pulling up a chair at Shadracks, a beloved Pass-a-Grille dive bar that’s been serving up cocktails and good conversation since 1972.

A stroll along Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach reveals a pinball machine museum with playable games, as well as restaurants, bars and shops. Just off the pedestrian-friendly street, there are two arts districts just waiting to be explored. Pineapple Grove features galleries and public art, including murals. Old School Square, named for an early 20th-century elementary and high school saved from the wrecking ball by locals, now houses the Cornell Art Museum and Crest Theatre. Visit the town’s 16-acre Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens (pictured) and explore its lush park, outdoor spaces, art galleries and bonsai display.

While family-friendly Venice has all the attractions of a top-rated Florida town from pristine beaches and beautiful biking trails along the Intracoastal Waterway to lively cafés and charming boutiques, the architecture is what makes it unique. Inspired by its namesake city in Italy, the town of Venice in Southern Florida has become a dream destination for design lovers. Venice Avenue is a feast for the eyes thanks to the postcard-perfect pink Italian Renaissance-style buildings and arched bridges over its canals. A museum, performing arts center and theater make Venice a true cultural hub. While parents are busy soaking in the atmosphere, kids will get a kick out of searching for the 10 small bronze sculptures of native living and prehistoric sharks or 30 whimsical fairy doors waiting to be discovered around town.

Alys Beach is just off Highway 30A, where gleaming towers stand guard on a palm tree-lined road that leads to this seaside planned community. A posh, 158-acre oasis set on Florida’s sunny panhandle, the village’s stucco homes are blindingly white, creating a study in clean lines and bright exteriors, all set against the Gulf of Mexico’s emerald waves. Inside the town’s many boutiques, visitors can dig up treasures ranging from colorful clothing to beach-inspired home décor. The destination is also a haven for foodies. Thanks to a wide selection of eateries, diners can enjoy memorable meals, including at the seaside tavern The Citizen or Restaurant Paradis.

When it comes to the best beach towns in Florida, you don't want to miss Key West. Perched at the southernmost tip of the United States, Key West can claim author Ernest Hemingway as one of its most famous former residents. Visitors to the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum (pictured) can literally walk in the literary giant’s footsteps and then grab a drink and listen to live music at Sloppy Joe’s, the writer’s favorite bar, established in 1937. Key West is notable for boasting some of Florida’s most beautiful homes and gardens. The historic 19-acre Key West City Cemetery is also worth a stop. Look for offbeat headstones at this final resting place for everyone from Spanish-America War veterans to Cuban cigar makers. “At least I know where he’s sleeping tonight,” reads one gravestone, while another laments: “I told you I was sick.”

Glitz and glamor abound in Palm Beach, a South Florida town packed with character that’s become a world-class mecca for its golf and beaches during the day and upscale dining and luxury lodging at night. Worth Avenue offers world-class shopping at boutiques like Chanel, Gucci and Loro Piana. But this island’s most fashionable gems are its Gilded Age masterpieces. Industrialist Henry Flagler is credited with promoting Florida as a tourist destination, and Whitehall, his opulent former estate, completed in 1902, is now a National Historic Landmark. The mansion is home to the Flagler Museum and features a music room outfitted with a 1,249-pipe organ.

Cobblestone streets, award-winning restaurants and calm waters make Rosemary Beach on Florida’s Northwest Coast a romantic must-see destination. The town’s center, with its candy-colored buildings and graceful terraces, has a distinctly European feel. Enjoy cocktails and sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico at the Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar or tapas and chocolate at the Spanish-inspired La Crema. A stay at the Euro-style Rosemary Beach Inn affords guests all the luxuries, while 30A Gulf View Rentals caters to those who prefer a cozy beach cottage vibe. Relaxing is always the aim at Rosemary Beach, and a bike rental and leisurely ride along Timpoochee Trail or the search for a handcrafted treasure at one of the town’s many boutiques fits the bill just fine.

South Beach is renowned for its beach scene, but it's also a masterclass in Art Deco architecture. Many of the curving, colorful buildings in this Southern Florida town were built in the vibrant style during the 1920s and ‘30s. (South Beach has 800 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.) The Miami Design Preservation League operates the Art Deco Museum and regularly hosts walking tours so visitors can learn about the pristine examples of Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival and Miami Modern (or MiMo) architectural masterpieces concentrated in the area. The 10-block Lummus Park is the perfect spot to take in all the best Art Deco buildings gracing Ocean Drive, from the Colony Hotel to the former Versace Mansion, now known as Villa Casa Casuarina.