10 Florida Beach Towns for the Perfect Summer Getaway

Florida is full of beach towns, and each one is special in its own way. Some have pastel buildings, bikes lined up outside of ice cream shops, and golf carts cruising down the coast. Others are all about the water, with calm, clear shorelines that make you forget about everything else.

We’ve lived just minutes from the coast our entire lives, and over the years we’ve spent just as many weekends exploring beach towns as we have relaxing on the sand. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that the town around the beach can be just as special as the beach itself.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a full summer road trip, or just want to discover somewhere new, these are 10 Florida beach towns that are absolutely worth a visit this season.

The Best Beach Towns in Florida for a Summer Getaway

Jupiter

Jupiter is home for us… literally. We both grew up here and still live here today, so we know it inside and out, and while we’ve seen a lot of beautiful places, Jupiter still holds up as one of our favorites.

The beaches are calm, the water has that Gatorade blue color in the summer, and there are spots that still feel completely untouched. One of our go-tos is Blowing Rocks Preserve over on Jupiter Island, it’s quiet and not many people know about it, mostly just locals. The limestone rocks along the shoreline make it feel totally different from any other beach in Florida.

Another spot we love is the inlet on Jupiter Island, where the mangroves create these little pockets of sand that kind of feel like your own private beach. You can swim, float, and feel like you're a world away, even though it’s right off the main road.

The best part about Jupiter is that Summer is actually the slow season. Once the snowbirds head back up north, the beaches and restaurants feel way more relaxed. There are tons of great local spots to eat, especially on the water; we always recommend Jetty’s or U-Tiki for dinner with a view.

Key West

Since we live in South Florida, we’ve spent our fair share of time in Key West, and you either love it or you hate it. We personally love it, you can go to relax, to party, or for a little bit of both. If you’re looking for a fun weekend with good food and a lot of personality, Key West is always a good idea.

It’s also the southernmost point in the continental U.S., which is just a fun thing to say you’ve done. If you ever look at the Keys on Google Earth, you’ll see why we always go back; the water around here is some of the bluest in the world.

There’s no shortage of places to hang out by the water. Smathers Beach is big and easy to access, while Fort Zachary Taylor has clearer water, great snorkeling, and a little more shade. If you’re up for a full adventure, take a ferry or seaplane out to the Dry Tortugas National Park; it’s remote and absolutely stunning. 

Key West definitely leans more toward the party side of beach towns. Duval Street is where most of the action happens, bars, live music, frozen drinks, and that classic vacation crowd energy. Just be sure to read the signs before walking in. If it says “clothing optional”, it’s not just for laughs; it’s exactly what it sounds like. Only in Key West!

That said, there’s also a softer side to the island. Mallory Square is one of our favorite spots to watch the sunset; there are street performers, live music, and a view that always delivers.

Destin

We’ve been coming to Destin every summer for years, and that tradition will probably never change. It’s definitely gotten more popular over the years; summer crowds here are no joke, but we still love it. The beaches are beautiful, the food’s always good, and it always ends up being one of our favorite weeks of the year.

If you’re planning a trip during the summer, just be ready for some traffic and long waits at restaurants; it’s one of the most popular spots in the panhandle for a reason. That said, there are still ways to find quiet moments. One of our favorite places to watch the sunset is Norriego Point. If you walk all the way down to the end, you’ll usually have it to yourself, with calm water on one side and a perfect view of the boats passing by on the other.

When it comes to food, Louisiana Lagniappe is one of our go-tos for seafood, and Fat Clemenza’s has amazing pizza and pasta (definitely make a reservation if you’re able to, they fill up fast). For a fun afternoon or evening, we like walking around Baytowne Wharf, it has restaurants, live music, and a bunch of family-friendly things to do.

St. Augustine

If you’re looking for a little history to go with your beach trip, St. Augustine’s the spot. It’s the oldest city in the U.S., but it still manages to feel fresh and fun. The town is full of charm, easy to explore, and has way more to do than just lounge on the sand, though the beach is great, too.

You’ll find cobblestone streets, old Spanish buildings, and little shops you’ll want to walk through even if you don’t need anything. The historic district has a ton to explore, from old forts to museums to hidden alleyways, and all of it is within walking distance.

If you need a break from sightseeing, head over to the St. Augustine Distillery. They offer free tasting tours, and the space itself is beautiful. It’s a quick stop, but one of those things you’ll be glad you did.

As for the beach, yes, it’s here too. St. Augustine Beach is just a short drive from downtown and is super relaxed, with wide stretches of sand and a fun pier area. 

St. Augustine is great if you want your beach trip to have a little more going on. You can swim in the morning, walk through centuries-old streets in the afternoon, and grab a drink under string lights at night.

Islamorada

Islamorada is the definition of vacation. It’s easygoing, tropical, and has some of the clearest water you’ll see in Florida. It’s part of the Upper Keys, only about an hour and a half from Miami. It’s not far, but it feels like you’re on an island thousands of miles away.

This isn’t really a “lay on the beach all day” kind of town, it’s more about getting out on the water. You can paddleboard through the mangroves, go snorkeling at Alligator Reef, or just float around in water so clear it barely looks real. It’s also a huge fishing town (it’s actually named the sportfishing capital of the world), but even if that’s not your thing, there’s still so much to do.

One of the most popular spots, and worth the stop, is Robbie’s. You can feed the tarpon off the dock (they’re HUGE), walk through little market stalls, or grab a drink right on the water. It’s touristy in the best way.

For food, Morada Bay is one of our favorite places. It’s right on the beach and you can sit at a table in the sand while the sun goes down, it really doesn’t get more Florida than that.

Islamorada isn’t packed with tourists, but there’s still plenty to do, especially if you want to spend the day on or in the water.

Anna Maria Island

If you’re looking for a slower pace this summer, Anna Maria Island is one of the best beach towns to visit. There are no big resorts or loud crowds, just quiet streets, beach houses, and a lot of charm.

One of the things we liked most was how easy it was to get around. There’s a free trolley that runs up and down the island, so you don’t have to drive everywhere or fight for parking. It’s a super laid-back way to explore and makes it easy to hop between the beach, shops, and restaurants.

Pine Avenue is one of the main spots to check out, it has cute boutiques, a few little art galleries, and ice cream shops that always have a line (our favorite was Two Scoops near the pier). It’s fun to walk around for an hour or two before heading back to the water.

The beaches are quiet and feel super local, even in the summer. One of the best spots to escape the crowds is Bean Point, tucked up at the very north end of the island. It’s a bit of a walk from the nearest parking, but it’s worth it!

Dunedin

We weren’t really sure what to expect the first time we visited Dunedin, but it instantly became one of our favorite small towns on the Gulf Coast. It has a low-key, artsy charm that feels different from the rest of Florida, like a mix between an old Florida beach town and a creative little community.

Downtown Dunedin is very walkable, but one of the best ways to explore is by bike. The Pinellas Trail runs right through the middle of town, and it’s such a fun way to hop between coffee shops, breweries, and little boutiques. We spent the morning just riding around, stopping for iced coffee at a place called Strachan’s, which also has homemade ice cream that was so good we ended up going back later that night. The town itself is full of color and personality; there’s a Saturday market, a bunch of fun art galleries, and live music playing somewhere almost every weekend. 

You’re also right next to some of the best beaches in the state. Honeymoon Island State Park is just a few minutes away and has long, quiet stretches of sand that are way less crowded than most other spots on the Gulf. If you’re up for a little adventure, you can take a quick ferry from there over to Caladesi Island.

Seaside

Seaside might just be one of the most picture-perfect beach towns in Florida. It’s small and super walkable, with pastel cottages, white picket fences, and a town square that always has something going on. If it looks familiar, it might be because The Truman Show was filmed here!

The town itself is built around a central square, with beach access just steps away. But one of the best parts of visiting Seaside is the row of Airstream food trucks lined up along the main strip. They’re all good, but our favorite is definitely The Meltdown, a grilled cheese spot that’s perfect after a long day in the sun. There are also smoothie stands, barbecue, and sweets, so it’s a great place to grab something casual and hang out for a bit.

Seaside does get busy in the summer, especially in the afternoons, but if you start your day early, you’ll have time to explore before it fills up. You can walk from the shops to the beach in just a few minutes, and everything feels close enough that you never really need to get in your car.

Palm Beach Island

We’ve lived just a few minutes from Palm Beach Island for years, and even now, it still feels like a vacation every time we cross the bridge. The streets are full of perfectly trimmed hedges, and the way the ocean peeks through between the mansions makes it feel a little more special than your average beach town.

Worth Avenue is always our first stop. It’s one of the prettiest streets in Florida, not just because of the shops, but because of all the tucked-away courtyards and little details most people walk right past. We like to grab breakfast at Surfside Diner and just walk around for a bit. You’ll almost always find a quiet bench, a hidden fountain, or a storefront that feels like it belongs in Europe.

The beach itself feels more like a locals-only kind of spot. It’s not obvious how to get there, which keeps it from getting too crowded. If you park near Worth Avenue and walk south, there’s a small path that leads you straight to the ocean. The water is usually pretty calm, and the houses behind you look like something out of a magazine.

When we’re in the mood for a really good dinner, we head to Elisabetta’s. It’s technically across the bridge in West Palm, but it’s right on the water and one of our favorite places around. Their ribeye is one of the best in town, and the pizza is just as good.

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Rosemary Beach

Rosemary Beach doesn’t really feel like Florida at first. The streets are lined with dark wood and white-trimmed buildings that look more like something out of a European village than a beach town in the U.S., but that’s what makes it so special.

It’s one of the most unique towns along 30A, very walkable, beautifully designed, and full of little details that make it feel both upscale and laid-back at the same time. There are cute cafes, boutique shops, and bikes everywhere.

One of our favorite things to do here is grab breakfast at Amavida Coffee, a little café with outdoor seating that’s perfect for people-watching. After that, we usually bike down the shaded paths and head to the beach.

The beach here is one of the best in Florida; it has soft white sand, clear turquoise water, and just has such a calming feel to it. Just keep in mind that beach access is private, so you’ll need to be staying at a hotel or vacation rental in Rosemary to use the designated access points. If you're just visiting for the day, there are public beaches nearby that are just as beautiful.

Final Tips for Visiting Florida’s Best Beach Towns

No matter which beach town you choose, the key to a great Florida trip is packing smart, planning ahead, and leaving a little room for spontaneity. If you want to make travel days easier, we put together a list of 10 Travel Essentials That Will Instantly Upgrade Your Trip, it’s full of the little things we always bring that make a big difference. You can also check out our Amazon Storefront for all our favorite beach, road trip, and travel gear in one place.

And if you want more travel tips, behind-the-scenes moments, or real-time updates from the road, make sure to follow us over on Instagram.

FAQs About Visiting Florida’s Best Beach Towns