Compare Miami city breaks

Miami’s beaches are world famous for good reason and it can be tempting to spend your Miami city break solely on the sand. South Beach is the best-known stretch to swim and sunbathe on, while the beaches on Key Biscayne are quieter with beautiful views.

Away from the sand, neighbourhoods such as Little Havana will show you another side to the city, where you can walk among Cuban bakeries, fruit markets and cigar shops. Alternatively, complement a morning on the sand in South Beach with an afternoon stroll admiring its Art Deco buildings.

Ready to relax? Look around the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, where there are exotic butterflies and tropical plants, or spot Florida alligators in the nearby Everglades National Park, around an hour’s drive away. And all of the family will enjoy feeding giraffes and admiring other creatures in Zoo Miami.

In the evening, Miami is an exciting destination for a meal, whether you fancy fine dining or a cheap and tasty dinner. Local specialities to look out for include stone crabs and toasted Cuban sandwiches stuffed with pork, ham, pickles, mustard and Swiss cheese.

If you have the energy, the city’s nightlife is legendary too, so dress to impress and sip on cocktails or craft beers before partying until late in a super club with a top DJ, or a live music venue with a pulsing beat.

Miami is hot year-round with temperatures usually in the 20s or above during the day. However, weather conditions do vary, with the mercury in summer reaching around 30C and humidity levels high. Expect some rain if you visit Miami in summer too, with an average of 15 rainy days a month in July and August.

Winter is a popular time to visit Miami as travellers escape the cold weather elsewhere, so expect prices to be high. Temperatures hover in the early 20s making sunbathing and sightseeing pleasant. The highly esteemed Art Basel Miami Beach, a huge modern and contemporary art fair, also takes place in early December.

If you’re looking for a cheap Miami city break, consider travelling in September. Temperatures can still reach the early 30s but it’s worth bearing in mind that this is hurricane season (which runs from June to November) so you may experience some storms.

Relaxing and people watching on soft sands are part and parcel of Miami city breaks, but if you can drag yourself away from your sun-lounger, you’ll discover culture, fabulous food and wildlife too. Make time to explore some of the city’s energetic neighbourhoods, admire cutting-edge art and relax in a green oasis.

Little Havana

This lively neighbourhood was formed by Cuban exiles in the 1960s; you’ll find it west of Downtown Miami. Its core is Calle Ocho, where you can dip in and out of Cuban restaurants and cafes and do the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame, with stars dedicated to Cuban celebs.

Book a tour to find out about the area’s history, admire the Art Deco Tower Theatre, and pop into Máximo Gómez Park, also known as Domino Park, where retirees gather to play.

Beaches

Relaxing on the beach is an essential Miami city break experience and there are miles of white sands to lounge on.

Glam South Beach is a favourite, where beautiful locals hang out next to tourists and even the lifeguard stations are stylish Art Deco affairs. Haulover Beach is a nudist spot but also attracts surfers, while for a more peaceful day, head to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park on Key Biscayne, which has a beautiful lighthouse and nature trails.

Wynwood Arts District

This trendy neighbourhood is filled with galleries, excellent restaurants and hip bars. The quirky Wynwood Walls is a major draw and you can take envy-inducing snaps in front of its colourful street art.

If you visit on the second Saturday of the month, take part in the free Wynwood Art Walk, when galleries open late, DJs play and food trucks serve dishes from around the world.

Art Deco District

Stroll around this district to admire stylish buildings in a rainbow of pastel colours. Book a guided tour or pick up an audio guide from the Art Deco Welcome Center to learn more about the 800 buildings that are listed on the on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

You’ll see smooth lines and geometrical shapes on the hotels, restaurants and other buildings in the neighbourhood. And don’t just admire their facades – peek inside too.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Take some time out from Miami’s bustling streets in these sprawling tropical gardens around 10 miles (16km) south of Downtown Miami. Highlights include a sculpture garden, tropical plant conservatory, rainforest with waterfalls and tropical palms, and Wings of the Tropics butterfly exhibition with thousands of butterflies from around 40 different species.

Take a guided or self-guided walking tour or a 45-minute tour by tram, to discover more about the plants and wildlife from an expert.

For families

If you’re travelling with children, consider staying in Coral Gables. Around seven miles south of Downtown Miami, Coral Gables has pretty tree-lined avenues, ivy-covered mansions, and the Miracle Mile shopping street. Kids will love exploring the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden here and the enormous Venetian Pool that dates back to the 1920s.

Key Biscayne is another relaxed destination for a family holiday in Miami. It’s a short drive away from the rest of Miami over the Rickenbacker Causeway. By day, you can relax on its idyllic beaches and by night, sleep in a luxurious resort or self-catering apartments.

For travellers on a budget

Surprisingly, there are some excellent budget places to stay in and around glitzy South Beach, so don’t rule this neighbourhood out if you’re looking for a cheap Miami city break. Sleep in style in Art Deco properties and hip hostels, often with cool bars, then walk to the beach or your hedonistic night out.

Little Havana is another pulsing neighbourhood where you’ll find excellent value places to eat, sleep and party. Make sure you listen to some live music while you’re there and take a stroll to Máximo Gómez Park.

For food and drink

The arty neighbourhood of Wynwood has a fast-growing restaurant scene, so stay here to dine from some of the hottest menus in the city, which range from Pan-Asian to tacos. As well as creative cuisine, there are plenty of cultural attractions here, such as Wynwood Walls. The nightlife is top-notch too, with some excellent places to sample craft beer.

South Beach is also packed with fantastic restaurants, whether you fancy an expensive steak, sushi, or a super sandwich. Many of the hotels have excellent in-house restaurants and there are some seriously swanky places to drink after eating.

For nightlife

Miami’s residents know how to party and if you want to stay at the centre of the nightlife action, look for hotels in South Beach. Pick the right place to stay and you’ll be able to enjoy a pool party or rooftop drinks in your hotel before you head out. After drinks, dance to playlists by top DJs or hang out with the city’s coolest movers and shakers in a lounge bar.

For more laid-back after-dark adventures, look for accommodation in Wynwood. This is a place to sip craft beer and cool cocktails while listening to a chilled-out soundtrack.

For culture

To have art galleries, chic shops and creative restaurants on your doorstep, stay in Miami’s Design District. There are cool self-catering apartments and hotels with pools here, and you’ll be within walking distance of attractions such as the Institute of Contemporary Art and the De La Cruz Collection. Wynwood, with its street and more galleries, is next door too.

For an injection of Cuban culture, from coffee shops serving strong brews on central Calle Ocho and Latin beats in the evening, to games of dominoes in Máximo Gómez Park, stay in Little Havana.