How many days does it take to visit Miami? This question lingers in the mind of anyone who is organizing a tour of Florida, and for sure one answer is as good as another: since there are so many things to see and experiences to do in the Sunshine State, you need to figure out how many days to devote to Miami and how many to the rest of the stages of the trip. There are many factors that can influence your choice, and the first that come to mind are the following:
- I want to take a long, relaxing vacation on the beaches of Miami, taking my time to visit the historic neighborhoods, natural parks, beaches and main attractions without moving around too much
- I want to optimize my time: stay in the city long enough to visit the main attractions and then leave for my next destination
- Not only do I want to visit the city, but I also want to use Miami as a strategic base to visit the surrounding area: Key West, Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, etc.
In short, there are many variables to take into account to make a choice: one for each traveler. In this article I want to give you some advice on what to see in Miami in 1, 2, 3, 4 days up to a week. However, before you start, since Miami will be your strategic base for a few days, you need to determine which area is the best for your overnight stay.
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Where to Stay in Miami
The choice of accommodation in Miami is important in view of organizing your itinerary and your choice of days to devote to the city. At the link below you will find our advice for overnight stays neighborhood by neighborhood: the most popular choice is always South Beach, but it is certainly not the only one!
Tips on where to stay in Miami
The itinerary is intended for cars, the best way to get around Miami. If you don’t have a rental car during your stay you can rely on public transport but your movements will be slower and you will probably have to miss out some of the attractions.
1 day in Miami
This is an infrequent occurrence, but if for you Miami is just a stopover on a larger tour, or if you had a layover at Miami airport and want to spend a day in the city to see just the main attractions, here’s what you shouldn’t miss:
South Beach
As much as you can, for convenience, count it among Miami’s neighborhoods, South Beach is part of Miami Beach, which is actually an independent city that is part of Miami/Dade County. South Beach is without a doubt the most well-known and iconic neighborhood in the entire Miami area, mainly for two reasons:
- Lummus Park Beach: ideal for lounging under the sun while watching the Miami people who populate the most famous and fun beach in Miami. You might decide to spend the morning here, before taking a walk in the adjacent park and, afterwards, going to discover the peculiarities of the district
- Art Deco District and Ocean Drive: after lunch, it’s worth taking a stroll along the waterfront in search of SoBe’s most elegant and flashy Art Deco-style buildings. Many of these are located on Ocean Drive promenade, a street to be traveled along in the shade of palm trees with your eyes on the various trendy clubs and exclusive hotels, restaurants and bars where you can stop for a drink watching the people passing by and the parades of the most expensive cars on the street
- Finally, if you have time, you can go to the Holocaust Memorial and the Memorial Wall for a moment of contemplation.
To best organize yourself read our guide on South Beach.
Wynwood Walls
South Beach, if you take your time, could take you a whole day, but there’s still a lot to discover and it’s definitely worth leaving in the middle of the afternoon to spend a couple of hours walking among the wonderful murals of Wynwood.
This neighborhood, located north of Downtown, is completely different from all other areas of Miami. It is an industrial area that has undergone a particular urban redevelopment, and the result is definitely surprising. Wynwood is a kind of paradise for those who love street art: you can walk along the streets of the neighborhood sipping a craft beer in search of the most beautiful murals, but the space called Wynwood Walls (2520 NW 2nd Avenue) contains the best.
For dinner, if you are looking for something sophisticated, I recommend Kyu (251 NW 25th St.), which offers a refined cuisine, far from the gigantic American portions and influenced by Asian culinary tradition.
2 Days in Miami
In 2 days you begin to get more familiar with the city, visiting one of its flagships, Villa Vizcaya, in the Coconut Grove district. The second part of the day is dedicated to the beautiful island of Key Biscayne.
Villa Vizcaya and Coconut Grove
Miami inspires dreams of grandeur and Villa Vizcaya, overlooking the sea, is the most eloquent sign of it. It is a majestic Renaissance villa adorned with ornamental flower gardens, graceful water features, masterfully embroidered flower beds, statues, staircases and gazebos reminiscent of the most elegant and regal European gardens. The villa, which houses several art collections, boasts luxurious rooms worthy of a royal palace and rooms finished with aesthetic taste.
While we are in these parts, I recommend you visit the neighborhood of Coconut Grove, which shows how the area south of Downtown is the most elegant and expensive. Villa Vizcaya isn’t the only luxury residence in Coconut Grove – you’ll see quite a few waterfront ones. The area to stroll around for shopping is Grand Avenue.
Key Biscayne and Virginia Key
After spending the morning in Coconut Grove, it’s time to see something different: Key Biscayne and, above all, the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Beach facilities are a prerogative of Miami, but a few miles from South Beach and Downtown there is a natural area that offers a completely different panoramic context. You will be struck by the paradisiacal unspoiled beach and the white lighthouse towering in the blue sky among the vegetation.
If you want, along the road leading to Key Biscayne and the Bill Baggs Cape Florida SP, you will also find Virginia Key, a small island that hides a beautiful beach. We are very close to the Seaquarium, a beautiful aquarium famous for being the movie set for several episodes and movies about the dolphin Flipper. The idea could be to relax a bit on the beach and then go visit the orca Lolita and the other protagonists in the marine world.
3 Days in Miami
On this third and very intense day you will have to get up early to enjoy everything that awaits you but you won’t be disappointed: awaiting you is an evocative ring-shaped beach, 2 fascinating neighborhoods, the famous Venetian Pool, a ride through the skyscrapers of Downtown Miami and a dinner that’s hard to forget…
Matheson Hammock
Decentralized and nestled in a beautiful natural setting, the Matheson Hammock Park ring beach is a true oasis of peace and relaxation. In addition to swimming, you can take the opportunity to admire the Miami skyline from afar and contemplate the beauty of the ocean. Being a bit far from the city center, my advice is to leave early both to find less traffic and to enjoy the site in solitude.
Coral Gables
In this town in Miami County, conceived and designed by entrepreneur George Merrick, it is really nice to drive to the discovery of the many surprises that await us along the streets shaded by banyan trees. For an in-depth view, read our article on what to do in Coral Gables, in the meantime here are some tips:
- arrive in Coral Way and do some shopping along Miracle Mile, a very characteristic commercial street where theaters, art galleries and stores abound;
- admire the houses and monuments of the neighborhood, the Andalusian architecture of the Biltmore Hotel, inspired by the Giralda of Seville; immerse yourself in the exciting natural corridor of the Banyan Line, lose yourself amidst the multiple architectural styles of the Coral Gables Villages until you lose track of space and time;
- finally, take a dip in Miami’s most beautiful public pool: inspired by the Venetian lagoon. The Venetian Pool features crystal-clear spring waters, waterfalls, man-made grottoes and lush vegetation. Undoubtedly it is the pride of Coral Gables: it is worth investing a few dollars to pay the entrance and relax after visiting the neighborhood.
A walk in Little Havana
On the border with Coral Gables is Calle Ocho, the main street of the historic district Little Havana, a really interesting district full of art and history. It is impossible not to notice the many murals that adorn the buildings, the places where Cuban musicians perform, the cigar stores and Memorial Boulevard, where various monuments celebrate the history and independence of this people. In our article dedicated to Little Havana you will find all the details to visit the area.
Take a ride on the Metromover through the skyscrapers of Downtown
After this intense day, my advice is to drive before sunset to Miami Downtown to take a ride on the panoramic train around the city: the Metromover which is also free. Dashing between the skyscrapers undoubtedly has its charm and allows you to get an idea of the city center quickly and without having to get off and take long walks.
Just one stop is a must, for dinner: stop at First Street Metromover Station and go down the stairs to Sparky’s Roadside Barbecue, a place that meat lovers should not miss: I recommend the Three Meat Combo, with dishes that can be composed as you like (the ribs and pulled pork are worth it) and served with 2 side dishes. The craft beer is also remarkable.
4 Days in Miami…Up to a Week
After seeing all the most iconic neighborhoods and seeing every type of beach, you might be largely satisfied. However, if you’ve planned to stay in Miami 4 days, you might decide to visit two attractions in the South Miami area before heading off to the surrounding sights:
- Miami Zoo: Not the classic zoological park with cages. The animals are in fact in the open air, in spaces dedicated to them divided according to geographical areas.
- Coral Castle: the most mysterious place in Miami is located in Homestead. If the city didn’t have so many must-sees, I would recommend visiting Coral Castle even if you only have one day to spare! Imagine a garden littered with strange monoliths in fanciful shapes. We still don’t know how the sculptor Edward Leedskalnin transported and assembled the heavy material to create these incredible works of art.
Miami, in fact, is to be considered as a good starting point for visiting other small towns and natural parks on the southeastern side of Florida. Clearly, for excursions to the Florida Keys and Key West, it may be necessary to change hotels: due to the excessive distance and the amount of things to see, it is impossible to return to Miami for your overnight stays. In this case, it may be advisable to schedule your visit to the Florida Keys at the end of your stay in Miami, so that you do not have to make two different hotel reservations.
Everglades National Park
This national park is the most famous in Florida, and not by chance: anyone who wants to immerse themselves in a natural setting radically different from any other in the United States of America can do so here. The nature trails that wind through the mangroves and sea of grass typical of subtropical forests are teeming with alligators, crocodiles and manatees, while countless species of birds are present in the park.
If you want to get advice on how to visit the park, read our article dedicated to Everglades National Park: whether you decide to enter from the Ernest Coe Visitor Center, or you want to reach Shark Valley, Miami is always a strategic place to stay at the end of the excursion.
Fort Lauderdale
Another classic excursion that can be done in a day from Miami, either by rental car or public transportation (as you read here) Fort Lauderdale – a sunny town with a big personality – famous for its beaches and canalside promenade – it’s only 45 minutes away from Miami Downtown.
The Florida Keys and Key West
Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Bahia Honda– these places cannot be ignored on a tour of Florida. The Florida Keys are jewels that dot the sea south of Miami: crossed by the Overseas Highway, they are easily accessible by car. If your intention is to visit them in a day and then return to base, you may have to limit yourself to Key Largo and Islamorada, which are about 1 hour 40 from Miami. Key Largo, in particular, is home to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, a natural underwater park that boasts a beautiful coral reef.
If instead you want to reach the islands south of Islamorada and Marathon, in particular the unmissable Key West, then, as anticipated, you will have to revise your plans: the ideal is to stay in Key West, so as to make the most of the time available to visit the best attractions.
How many days do I need to visit Miami? Final tips
After reading this long article, you will already have an idea of how many days you need to visit Miami. However, I don’t want to leave you without giving you some personal advice: in my opinion, the ideal choice is to devote three full days to the city of Miami, or at least two, so as not to risk seeing everything in a hurry, limiting yourself only to the most touristy and crowded places.
As far as the surrounding areas are concerned, the situation is a bit different: you can choose to stay in Miami and organize various day trips (paying attention to distances), or you can organize a more extensive road tour of Florida, choosing where to stay stage by stage.
What else you need to know?
To make a summary of the things you need to know to plan a vacation in Miami, I’ve collected our in-depth articles below:
