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The 13 Most Beautiful Places in Florida
By Clarissa Buch Zilberman
•Published Mar 13, 2023
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
With over 1,300 miles of coastline, a bounty of national parks, gorgeous tropical islands and more, there’s no shortage of breath-taking travel destinations in the Sunshine State. But with so much to see, where do you begin? We’ve got you covered with our list of the most beautiful places in the Florida, including where to stay in each spot. From the northern part of the Sunshine State all the way down to the Keys, these downright gorgeous locations deserve a spot on your travel bucket list.
Why We Love It: Florida springs, quiet escape
Where to Stay: King’s Bay Lodge, Waterfront Condo in Sawgrass Landing, Waterfront with Boat Ramp
A small town on Florida's Nature Coast, Crystal River is known for its crystal-clear springs and abundant wildlife. Take a guided tour of the springs, swim with manatees (yes, really!) or explore the nearby forests and nature trails. Want even more outdoor adventure? Kayaking and fishing are also popular activities here. After a day out in Mother Nature, kick back with some fish-to-fork cuisine in the historic downtown area.
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Why We Love It: old Florida vibe, water activities
Where to Stay: Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages, Anna Maria Beach Resort, Anna Maria Beach Place
Located on the Gulf Coast, Anna Maria Island is a quiet, old Florida town with a laid-back atmosphere and stunning, private island-like beaches. Come here for fishing, kayaking and swimming, or simply relax on the beach and soak up the sun. Explore the island's charming downtown area, which is home to a range of boutique shops and galleries or take a bike ride along the scenic Gulf Drive to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery. Find out more
Why We Love It: best of beach and city
Where to Stay: Naples Bay Resort & Marina, Naples Grand Beach Resort, Little Gem by 5th Ave
This ritzy beach town is known for its soft stretches of sand, luxury shopping, and upscale dining. The city is home to several beautiful parks (don’t miss the Naples Botanical Garden) and is surrounded by pristine nature preserves. Explore the historic downtown area, filled with charming shops, galleries, and restaurants, or take a stroll along the iconic Naples Pier for stunning sunset views over the Gulf. FIND OUT MORE
Why We Love It: pristine beaches, shelling, relaxing atmosphere
Where to Stay: Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa, Seaspray Condo, Wind + Tide Island Beach Club
Just off the state’s peninsula on the Gulf of Mexico, Sanibel is heaven on a beach. Beyond the miles of crystal-clear waters, there are thousands of patterned seashells waiting to be collected up and down the shoreline. Known for its relaxing atmosphere, this dreamy beach town doesn’t have a single high-rise in sight. Hop on a bike or lace up your sneakers, explore a nearby trail and end your journey on the beach. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also book a boating excursion or go snorkeling. If that isn’t quintessential Florida beauty, we don’t know what is. FIND OUT MORE
Why We Love It: arts and culture, seaside vibes, gorgeous beaches
Where to Stay: Inn on the Beach, The Don CeSar, Sunset Beach Condo
Connecting lower Tampa with St. Pete, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a breathtaking introduction to this area of Florida. Once you’re in St. Pete, you’ll have the best of both worlds: beach and city—all in one place. In fact, downtown St. Petersburg is less than ten miles from St. Pete Beach. And since there’s virtually no traffic in the area, the drive is less than 15 minutes. What might surprise you is this seaside town is home to an impressive collection of museums and galleries, including the Salvador Dali Museum, the Chihuly Collection and the Museum of Fine Arts. The city also has several parks and nature preserves, including Fort De Soto Park, which is home to a historic fort, beautiful beaches and abundant wildlife. FIND OUT MORE
Why We Love It: upscale, rich history, golf
Where to Stay: Amelia Island Williams House, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Amelia Surf & Racquet
Amelia Island is everything you could ever wish for in an upscale beach town. It’s home to a Ritz-Carlton hotel (if you’re into that kind of vacation), but there’s also more than 13 miles of super-quiet beaches, adorable bed-and-breakfasts, next-level golf courses and a quirky historic district (with ghost tours!). In fact, there’s more than 400 years of history packed into this island, with influences from Spanish, French, and British cultures. Explore historic sites, such as Fort Clinch State Park and the Amelia Island Museum of History. FIND OUT MORE
Why We Love It: historic attractions, outdoor activities, beautiful beaches
Where to Stay: St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort, Casa Monica Resort & Spa
To explore Florida’s rich history, you must make the trip to St. Augustine. Dating back 450 years, this northern Florida town is as charming as it is old (we mean that as a compliment). Situated on the Matanzas River, this European-inspired city marries cobblestone-lined streets and Spanish forts with bright palm trees and sparkling shorelines. Home to several historic attractions, make it a point to visit the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the St. Augustine Lighthouse and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. If you can’t swing a trip to Rome or Spain, this Florida spot may be the next best thing (within driving distance, of course). FIND OUT MORE
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Why We Love It: nightlife, vibrant cultural scene, delicious seafood
Where to Stay: Southernmost Beach Resort, Oceans Edge Resort, Bella Vita
Colorful pastel-painted beach houses, swaying palms, Ernest Hemingway’s historic home and the rowdy bars of Duval Street—there’s just nothing like Key West (and the seven-mile bridge you must take to get there). Enjoy outdoor activities like snorkeling, diving and fishing in the crystal-clear waters, and browse all the galleries and museums showcasing the work of local artists. Don’t forget to indulge in fresh-caught seafood, Caribbean-inspired cuisine and tropical key lime pie. FIND OUT MORE
Why We Love It: arts and culture, beaches
Where to Stay: The Goodtime Hotel, Hotel Breakwater South Beach, Studio at Icon Brickell Luxury Waterfront Building
We know it seems counterintuitive to ask you to turn your back away from the beach and toward the buildings, but in this case it makes total sense. The Art Deco District in South Beach is one of the most incredible sights in the state. After all, the neighborhood is home to the largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the world (!!!). The buildings in the area date back to the 1920s and 1930s and have been meticulously preserved and restored, creating a unique and beautiful streetscape. Pro tip: See it all for yourself with a walking tour. FIND OUT MORE
Why We Love It: fishing, water sports, seafood
Where to Stay: Islander Resort, Cheeca Lodge & Spa, Flakey’s
Can’t swing a trip to the Maldives this year? The four islands of Islamorada are a close Florida equivalent. With a beachy, small-town vibe, there’s nothing like watching this kind of sunset every evening on vacation. (Pro tip: If you want to pair a view like this with the most delicious seafood in Florida, head to Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar. You’ll literally eat dinner on the sand facing the water. Gorge.) FIND OUT MORE
Why We Love It: nature, wildlife
Where to Stay: River Wilderness Waterfront Cabins in the Everglades, Charming Farm Cottage, Charming Private Pool House
One of the world’s most diverse ecosystems is hidden in plain sight inside Florida’s swamplands. Scope out alligators, manatees and panthers on an hour-long airboat ride, which begins and ends at Everglades National Park. You’ll journey deep inside the area’s tree-canopied landscapes, stopping every few minutes to spot wildlife and get some history from your local tour guide. The Everglades is also a popular spot for hiking, biking, and kayaking as well as fishing, camping, and picnicking in one of the many scenic locations throughout the park. FIND OUT MORE
Why We Love It: beautiful scenery, history
Where to Stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne, Key Biscayne Beach Place, Chic Condo in Key Biscayne
About a mile south of Cape Florida, you’ll find a cluster of seven pastel-colored wood-frame houses. Dating back to the 1930s, the now-vacant houses were known to host wild parties during Prohibition. Nowadays, the houses sit quietly in the middle of the open waters—it’s truly a sight to be seen. If you’re nearby, embark on a fascinating guided tour from Deering Estate. FIND OUT MORE
Why We Love It: nature, antiques
Where to Stay: Herlong Mansion Bed & Breakfast, Sandhill Crane Cottage
At just over a mile long, Micanopy is Florida’s self-proclaimed antiques capital. It’s known as a rural, sleepy town just south of Gainesville, which is why it earned the nickname of “the little town that time forgot.” With a population of about 600, the busiest road (Cholokka Boulevard) is lined with typical Florida architecture, old oak trees covered in Spanish moss and antique storefronts. Surrounded by lush forests, sparkling lakes and beautiful natural landscapes, you can hike, bike or kayak in the nearby Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park or take a scenic drive along the nearby country roads to enjoy the picturesque scenery. FIND OUT MORE
Before writing your “how-to” or “best-of” post below, add one last sentence that sums up your paragraph and offers a polished transition to your guide.
Some Quick Guidelines on Formatting
Don’t make your guide longer than 2000 words. In an ultimate guide, you also have a lot of space to use your SEO keywords. Put 2-3 keywords around in the post, in the H2 headings, and in the text itself. Add Anchors Links much like a table of contents where readers can click and go to a section of the post. To add them, click on Link in the toolbar above, select Section and select one of the headings in the post.
Heading #1: Why Is This Topic So Important?
In this first section, you set the stage for your readers. This is where you remind your site visitor, in greater detail, about the topic at hand. You can offer a brief history of the issue as well as when and how it became so popular or vital; describe the geographic location or setting if your guide is travel-focused; relay the possible mishaps that occur (or can occur) to someone who doesn’t stay up-to-date with current trends; and explain how practical implementation of your recommendations is simple.
This is your chance to get your reader excited about the guide and appreciate the real value behind reading the post in its entirety.
To boost the post's SEO, be sure to include keywords in the heading and format them as Heading 2 or Heading 3.
Heading #2: What are the Nuts and Bolts of Your Guide?
Get ready to explain everything! Start with a catchy introductory sentence or two to get the ball rolling, and then begin sharing your insights with your audience.
Decide from the start of this section if you want to write your detailed explanation of your expert guide (i.e. Parisian Restaurants or Vitamin and Mineral Supplements or SEO Steps) as a list or separate subheadings. The most important thing is to be consistent. Each entry should be clearly distinguishable and you should offer your reader concrete insights throughout.
Explain with examples and anecdotes. Try to give different perspectives so readers with different backgrounds understand. Think about your audience. Are you talking to beginners or more advanced readers? Do you need to use a more professional writing style, or a friendly and casual tone that is more relatable?
Remember that this is the largest section of your guide. Add images to make the post more dynamic and interesting, and include links from other sources or to one of your previous posts. You may want to include something personal or funny along the way to lighten the load and make the read more enjoyable.
Heading #3: Is Your Reader Feeling Empowered?
It’s time for your readers to start applying what they have begun to master. Leave your reader feeling like they learned a lot. In this last section, you can write one or two paragraphs that remind your audience what they have learned; what are the first steps they can take to apply all your advice and coaching (i.e. make reservations to the perfect restaurants in Paris for an upcoming holiday; purchase vitamin supplements or make an appointment with a nutritionist; or check their SEO search engine rankings and keywords). Provide them the needed links (can be an affiliate) to get going and encourage them to soar.
You can also remind them of other resources you have on your website as well as paid services or events that you offer. Don’t be shy. They may have more questions after reading (or in the future). Invite them to leave comments below the post so they stay engaged.
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