The Most Charming Beach Towns in Florida, According to a Local

The Sunshine State has more than 800 miles of beaches, and within that, there are some really charming beach towns in Florida. If you’re looking for less of a party scene and more of a local, laid-back vibe with cute towns, these are some that you’ll definitely want to check out. As a Florida resident, I know how big and spread out the state is. In an effort to help you get your bearings and know the location of each beach town, I’ve categorized these by region. You’ll find charming beach towns all over Florida, including the panhandle, east coast, west coast and in the Florida Keys.

Region: Panhandle 

This quaint community is situated along Highway 30A, more commonly referred to as just 30A. This is a road that runs through multiple charming beach towns in Florida’s panhandle, and Santa Rosa Beach is one of the best. The Gulf Place Town Center is a popular local spot where you can grab a coffee and stroll through the Artists at Gulf Place. You’ll find multiple art galleries showcasing the best from the area’s local artists. 

Region: Panhandle

This is another great beach town along the famous 30A. The Shops of Grayton consists of a few cool shops and restaurants. The colorful architecture has somewhat of a Bahamian feel to it. You’ll also want to make sure you check out the Grayt Wall of Art. This is a fence that is decorated with colorful and funky artwork. This quirky addition to the town just shows the creativity that resides there. If you’re looking for a place to hear live music while getting a bite to eat, The Red Bar is a fun spot to hang out and try some of the local ales. 

Region: Panhandle

St. George Island is positioned off of Florida’s panhandle and is home to quiet, calm beaches. Since this is also a prime fishing destination, you’ll certainly find your fill of seafood, but this charming town has another must-try delicacy: the cake donuts from Weber’s Little Donut Shop. They make them fresh each day and people line up to claim their sweet treats, so try to get there early. 

Region: Panhandle

Rosemary Beach’s town center has cobblestone streets and buildings that showcase picturesque balconies. You’ll find several dining options, and Pescado and Havana Beach Bar and Grill both have great rooftop bars where you can take in the views. While this town does have a beautiful beach, it is for locals and guests only. It doesn’t have public beach access, but you can still enjoy some fun in the sun if you’re staying in a hotel or vacation home that has access. 

Region: Panhandle

Mexico Beach is nestled in Florida’s panhandle region and is one of the state’s best kept secrets. There’s only about 1,000 residents in this community and there’s no traffic lights. What you will find though is beautiful white sand and sparkling water. Snorkelers and divers will enjoy almost 300 artificial reefs that are easily accessible, as well as the wreckage site of the sunken lumber ship, Vamar. It’s submerged in 25 feet of water and you can actually see it from the surface at times. 

Region: East Coast

Located on Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach offers a great family-friendly coastline, but also a charming historic downtown. The architecture has a Victorian-era feel to it, and Centre Street is the main hub for dining and shops. That’s also where you’ll find a former train depot that now houses the Amelia Island Welcome Center. Centre Street is also home to the oldest bar in Florida—The Palace Saloon. The building dates back to 1878, but it has operated as a bar since 1903. 

Region: East Coast

Vilano Beach is a quiet community just minutes away from St. Augustine—the oldest city in the United States. After you’ve spent some time enjoying the relaxing beach, make some time to take in some of the local history nearby. The Vilano Beach Pier is also a great place to drop a line, or just hang out. You may even see dolphins there. If you want a better chance of seeing Flipper though, you can hop on a dolphin sightseeing tour with Red Boat Tours right there at the pier. 

Region: East Coast

This charming Florida beach town is located south of St. Augustine and north of Daytona Beach. This area of Florida has a lot of history, and you can visit the Flagler Beach Historical Museum to check out some of the cool exhibits.  Grab one of the brochures when you’re there and you can also go on a self-guided historic walk through Flagler Beach. If you’re looking for more of the old-Florida feel, visit Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park where you can see the ruins of an old plantation home and sugar mill from the 1800s. 

Region: East Coast 

This is one of the best beaches near Orlando and is only about an hour away from the theme park capital. You can drive down the popular Flagler Avenue and you’ll end up right there on the beach when the road ends. Make sure you take a stroll down Flagler, which has tons of cute shops, restaurants and even a shuffleboard court. It’s also worth paying a visit to Canal Street to check out  the art and history vibes. Art enthusiasts will love the Hub on Canal and Jane’s Art Center, and history buffs will enjoy a visit to the New Smyrna Museum of History. 

Region: East Coast

This town offers a luxury feel, but with a laid-back vibe. Ocean Drive is a great place within walking distance of the beach where you can take a walk and find several local boutiques and places to grab a bite, including Cobalt’s where you can hang out on their beachfront patio and start your day with mimosas. On Saturdays, you can also check out the Farmers Market Oceanside. It’s a great beach to find treasure, too. Back in the 1700’s, there were multiple shipwrecks off of this part of Florida’s coast, and still to this day, coins continue to wash ashore. I’ve taken my metal detector to several beaches and I think this is the best beach in Florida for metal detecting. 

Region: West Coast

Anna Maria Island is a barrier island on the west coast of Florida and actually has three cities: Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria, which is at the north end of the island. One of the city’s most iconic landmarks is the Anna Maria City Pier. It’s great for fishing, but is also a nice place to just come and see the fascinating colors of a Florida gulf coast sunset. Pine Avenue isn’t far away—where you’ll find local shops and restaurants, as well as the free museum that is run by the Anna Maria Island Historical Society. 

Region: West Coast

Located on Florida’s southwest coast, this area proudly wears the title of “Shark Tooth Capital of the World.” This is a great place to bring the family and hunt for fossilized, prehistoric souvenirs to take home. Within walking distance, you’ll find their precious downtown area where you can continue the shark-fueled fun where you can embark on a self-guided scavenger hunt to find 10 bronze shark sculptures around town. 

Region: West Coast

Located just west of Fort Myers off of Florida’s southwest coast, this is known as the best Florida beach for shell collecting. Most barrier islands run north-south, but this one is different. Since it runs east-west, it basically catches the shells as they’re brought in by the gulf currents. If you’re seeking the serenity of nature, you’ll love Sanibel Island. Make sure to check out the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge to meet some of the wild locals. You’ll also find over 25 miles of paths on the island that are perfect for cycling, so you may want to rent a bike and explore the area on two wheels. 

Region: West Coast

The cute town has deep Scottish roots that goes back to the 1800s and they have multiple events throughout the year to keep that heritage alive. The downtown showcases local boutiques, antique stores and some local breweries. The claim to fame for this town though is Honeymoon Island State Park, which has four miles of white sand beaches. Even better, you can also hop on a ferry within the park to be whisked away to another piece of tropical paradise at nearby Caladesi Island—another state park that is only accessible by boat. 

Region: Florida Keys

This tropical destination is worthy of a week’s vacation on its own, but it’s also a fun place to stop if you’re road tripping through the Florida Keys. Every time I pass through, I try to make it a point to stop at Robbie’s in Islamorada to feed the tarpon. This is one of the iconic rights of passage for your trip to the keys. It is such a crazy experience to lean over the dock and feed the massive fish as they are in a feeding frenzy. They also have a market with local artists, as well as a great restaurant. You can embark on snorkeling or fishing excursions there too—and Islamorada is a great spot for both activities.