8 Best Florida Beach Towns Near Miami for Your Next Weekend Escape

As a born-and-raised South Floridian, getting to the beach was never a challenge. Yet there was something special about the beaches beyond the usual stretch of Miami sand—whispers of quieter shores and sea life-rich waters we didn’t get to in our day-to-day. These Florida beach towns were reserved for weekend escapes.

We’d hop on the freeway in search of the promised Old Florida land, the one with the retro motels, the best key lime pie or the most orange of sunsets over the Gulf. And sometimes, there was a whiff of swamp—the kind only the Everglades can offer. Ah, the nostalgia of it all. These are the best Florida beach towns near Miami. Grab a car, crank the AC and go.

If no one told you Key Biscayne sits a mere 15 minutes from Miami’s bustling downtown, you’d swear you were on another coastline entirely. Technically still part of the city—just across the Rickenbacker Causeway from the Brickell Financial District—this five-mile-long barrier island feels like its own standalone beach town. Maybe it’s the way the sea breeze hits, without having to veer through all the tall buildings on the mainland, or perhaps it’s the quiet lighthouse sitting at the far end of the island. Either way, Key Biscayne feels like a tucked-away Florida gem that locals like to keep for themselves.

It’s the ideal Miami day trip scenario: The beaches here are wide and uncrowded, backed by natural dunes and gentle waves. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park anchors the island’s southern tip, where you’ll find the old lighthouse—climb to the top for sweeping views of the Atlantic and city skyline. Plus, there’s plenty to do outdoors aside from lying on the sand. Hiking and biking trails wind through the park, and just up the road, Hobie Beach offers kayaking, kiteboarding, and windsurfing.

Lauderdale‑by‑the‑Sea is Old Florida charm at its finest—where retro-style motels still reign and a walkable town square where everything is just steps from the sand. This tiny Florida beach town holds a mighty title, known as Florida’s Beach Diving Capital, thanks to a thriving reef just 100 yards offshore. You can snorkel out on your own or join a guided dive to spot turtles, beautiful coral and even a shipwreck.

Everything centers around Commercial Boulevard, home to beach bars, cafés, mom-and-pop shops and the town’s signature Beach Pavilion. Grab ice cream, catch live music or people-watch in the shade of El Prado Park, where there’s also a seasonal farmers’ market. Some hotels offer bikes—and if not, hop on the free Pelican Hopper shuttle to cruise around town, no car required.

If you want a beach day followed by a good dose of gallery hopping, Delray Beach is the place. This small but vibrant Florida beach town between Boca Raton and West Palm Beach offers two miles of clean, golden coastline with calm waters that are perfect for swimming or just laying low under an umbrella. Here, the beaches are well-maintained and often quieter than their South Florida neighbors. Delray is also home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, including the colorful Delray Beach Art Trail made up of more than 40 public murals.

Everything here revolves around Atlantic Avenue, the longest main street in Florida. It has all the charm you’d expect from a small-town strip—boutique hotels, sidewalk cafés, and local shops—but with that unmistakable Florida beach town. A little kitschy, and totally laid-back. The street ends right on the beach, which means you can walk from brunch to the sand in minutes. For a more peaceful stretch of sand, head over to Anchor Park or Atlantic Dunes Park, both located just south of the main action. Stay at Crane’s Beach House, a leafy retreat just one block from the beach, and grab happy hour tacos and margaritas at El Camino.

Palm Beach is Florida’s original playground for the elite, and it still exudes that same timeless elegance today. Located on a narrow barrier island, this four-square-mile town is very walkable and easy to navigate, with palm-lined avenues framing old-world mansions, historic hotels, and the powdery beaches the state is known for.

Spend the weekend on the golden sands of Phipps Ocean Park, shaded by mature trees and tiki huts, or head to Municipal Beach, conveniently located just steps from the best shopping in town. That’s Worth Avenue, and if you like luxury goods, then it’s certainly worth the trip.

Despite all its Old World glamour, the Florida beach town remains surprisingly approachable. Families can bike the scenic Lake Trail, explore the Flagler Museum or watch yachts dock at the Palm Beach Marina. The city—which is also known as America’s First Resort Destination—delivers on uniquely glamorous stays, from the iconic Breakers Hotel, with its private beach and fine dining restaurants, to the chic Colony Hotel, famous for its classic pink façade. Might be worth splurging on a night’s stay or two. Here in Palm Beach, it’s part of the fun.

Naples was my favorite childhood beach getaway with my mom. Everything on this side of the coast just feels softer—the surf is gentler, the pace is slower and the sunsets are magical. Tucked along the Gulf of Mexico, the beaches here are what I remember most, with their calm, clear waters, and powdery white sand.

Lowdermilk Park and Clam Pass Beach are favorites for families, while Vanderbilt Beach offers a long, walkable shore. For that classic Gulf Coast sunset, head to Naples Pier and you might just spot a dolphin. In town, the energy centers around Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South, where art galleries, chic cafes, and upscale boutiques sit alongside casual seafood joints and elegant waterfront restaurants, many with sweeping Gulf views.

Beyond the beach, Naples is a gateway to some of Florida’s most overlooked wilderness. The Everglades sit just to the east, and nearby parks and preserves offer birdwatching, kayaking and even the chance to spot a Florida panther. Whether you’re here for a slow, sunny weekend or using it as a base for adventure, Naples offers both—at a bit slower pace.

Many Floridians consider Islamorada their favorite local getaway, particularly for fishing enthusiasts. Lovingly known as the Sportfishing Capital of the World, the island village is home to crystal-clear water, thriving coral reefs, and a relaxed, sunny atmosphere that makes you want to stay longer than planned. Here, a weekend trip can really feel like slipping away to the Bahamas.

While the beaches aren’t your typical soft-sand stretches (expect coral and seagrass), you can lounge at Anne’s Beach, hang by the water at Founders Park or spend the day at the famous Islamorada sandbar. Snorkel at Alligator Reef Lighthouse, feed tarpon at Robbie’s Marina or hop on a fishing charter. And don’t leave without trying the key lime pie—Midway Café, Green Turtle Inn, and Marker 88 are all wonderful options for that.

Marco Island is where Florida’s wild side meets its resort reputation. Here, both sides are worth exploring. On one end, you’ve got wide, soft beaches lined with luxury resorts and restaurants serving crunchy French toast and blackened grouper sandwiches. Then, just a few miles east, are sleepy fishing villages, maze-like mangrove tunnels, and airboat rides into the Everglades. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the morning kayaking with manatees and the afternoon at a spa.

To get the full picture, you’ll want to have a car, or hop in the local Crabby Cabbie to reach places like Goodland, a quirky fishing village that everyone recommends visiting. Don’t miss Tigertail Beach for shelling, the Marco Island Historical Museum for a glimpse into Indigenous history and a boat ride to Keewaydin Island for a quieter stretch of sand. Fishing charters, art galleries, seafood joints with live music—they all coexist here, tucked between the Gulf and the wild network of mangrove islets known as the Ten Thousand Islands.

You don’t just go to Key West—you let it happen to you. The southernmost point in the continental U.S. feels like its own tiny country, where chickens roam freely, margaritas are more than acceptable before noon, and pastel cottages sit behind white picket fences covered in bougainvillea. It can be downright weird at times, but always unforgettable.

Most of the action takes place on Duval Street, a walkable strip of colorful bars and shops that’s equal parts touristy and iconic. At night, it comes alive with a full-on Mardi Gras energy—including drag shows, street performers, and those kitschy souvenir cups filled with mysterious punch. Grab a drink at Sloppy Joe’s, once Hemingway’s favorite watering hole, then visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum to meet the six-toed cats still living on his old estate. (Did I mention weird?)

From snorkeling and paddleboarding to boating and jet skiing, Key West is really is Florida’s watersports haven. As for beaches, head to Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park for the best for swimming and lounging (bring water shoes for the coral), and Higgs Beach for a more laidback vibe. For something even quieter, head to Smathers Beach, the island’s longest stretch of sand and a popular spot for kayaking. And when you’ve had your fill of adventure, refuel with conch fritters and key lime pie. Better yet, join a Key West Food Tour for a fun ride through the island’s unique culinary landscape.