Miami is the largest, most eclectic city in Florida. It boasts a huge variety of things to see and do, including the Art Deco district in South Beach, Miami Zoo, and, of course, the famous Everglades.

You can spend your days on beautiful Miami beaches, visit the numerous museums or get a retail hit in the malls and markets. Then, when dusk settles on the sands, dance the night away to Latin beats (or in rock joints/chilled-out bars – your choice).

With sunshine throughout the year, warm temperatures, and plenty to see and do, holidays in Miami are perfect for visitors of all ages.

Besides trips to the beach, visitors should see the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Everglades National Park, HistoryMiami, the Ancient Spanish Monastery and Coral Castle Museum. If you're travelling with children, meanwhile, Jungle Island, Seaquarium and the Miami Children's Museum should keep everyone happy.

The best shopping can be found in Bal Harbour, Bayside Marketplace, Aventura Mall and Coral Gables' Miracle Mile.

As well as the glorious beaches, including South Beach, Miami Beach, Surfside Beach and Sunny Isles, there are water sports, charter fishing boats and outdoor parks aplenty.

If you have a keen interest in the arts and culture, there is no shortage of museums. These include the Wolfsonian (decorative arts), Bass Museum of Art (Art Deco) and the Museum of Contemporary Art (mainstream art). If you are feeling bold, the World Erotic Art Museum is an option for adults.

Interested in theatre and music? The Jackie Gleason Theater, the Colony Theater and The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts put on a large variety of performances.

The Ancient Spanish Monastery and The Barnacle Historic State Park are must sees for history buffs, while the Art-Deco buildings of Miami are a fascinating link to the past.

And Little Havana is worth visiting for a taste of Cuban-American culture, especially on the last Friday of the month for Viernes Culturales, when free walking tours are available.

Whether it's Cuban food in Little Havana, five-star cuisine on Lincoln Road in South Beach, an eclectic selection in Downtown Miami or Haitian food in Overtown, the choice of restaurants is as diverse as Miami itself.

Walking is the preferred method of transport for the beaches and there are pedestrianised areas in Espanola Way, Lincoln Road and Ocean Drive. However, a sunset cruise is something all visitors to Miami should experience, as a Florida sunset is a very special thing.

When travelling by car, it is a good idea to carry an up-to-date map and check your routes before you set off each day. You should also take a good amount of change, as there are a number of toll roads and charges for parking in some areas. If you are spending more than a week in the area, investigate a SunPass.

Got your cheap flights to Miami Airport (MIA) booked? Excellent. It’s time to figure out where to stay. Read on, travel-planning superhero…

Miami Beach is the city’s island resort and main tourism hotspot. Connected to the mainland by bridges, Miami Beach oozes style and character, with Art-Deco exquisiteness, heavenly beaches and plenty - and we mean plenty - of nightlife, especially in South Beach.

If you are planning to book a hotel in South Beach, Ocean Drive is a great place to stay for easy access to the sands, incredible ocean views, and top-class hospitality. You will, however, pay a premium to check in at one of the best South Beach hotels. Some of the most in-demand properties include W South Beach, The Betsy, and 1 Hotel South Beach (we’re not sure what happened to proper hotel names either!).

There’s plenty to see and do in South Beach, as well as a plethora of great restaurants and cool bars and clubs. And if you want South Beach vibes on a Blackpool Beach budget, you can look for accommodation in the grid of streets to the west of the main Ocean Drive hotels.

If shopping around North Beach and Bal Harbour is important, Collins Avenue is a convenient location. Still on the ocean and some way north of South Beach, the North Beach area also offers reasonable tourist amenities and a good selection of cheap hotels. But beware: North Miami Beach is primarily a residential area rather than a holiday hotspot and many visitors prefer hotels in vibrant South Beach.

If your visit is geared towards the Downtown Miami area, look for hotels around Bricknell Avenue or Biscayne Boulevard. The financial, cultural and commercial heart of Miami, the beach charms of South Beach are nowhere to be found in Downtown, but it’s a great base if museums, shops, parks, restaurants and lively bars (minus the guest-list attitude) tick your holiday boxes. There are also some excellent four- and five-star hotels in Downtown, including those from famous names such as Hyatt Regency, Hilton, InterContinental, and Mandarin Oriental.

The choice of hotels in Miami is quite varied and you should book Miami hotels as early as possible, especially when visiting between November and April, which is the peak season.

Miami Beach hotels can be expensive, particularly in South Beach. Book well in advance of travel and compare hotel deals on TravelSupermarket to find prices that match your budget. You can read guest reviews at a glance to find out whether it’s the right hotel for you.

Book direct with the provider or save your deals into My Suitcase. TravelSupermarket’s awesome planner is the sidekick you need in your quest to plan the perfect holiday in Miami. You’ll never miss a deal again when you set up price-change email alerts.

TravelSupermarket: helping the world to search wider, plan smarter and Travel Super in Miami. 

Top five attractions

Little Havana

Miami sizzles with the flavours of Cuba and nowhere is this more obvious than in Little Havana, also known as the Latin Quarter.

South Beach

If you want to sound like a local, call it SoBe. The most famous beach in Miami, these are the sands on which to be seen and top up your tan. It's a hip area and a must-see during your trip, even if you choose not to stay in South Beach hotels.

Miami Art Deco Historic District

Whether you like the style or not, this is the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world and it is a pleasure to simply stroll around or take a tour to learn more about this striking part of the city.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Take a trip to the wonderfully named Coconut Grove to see the beautiful Italian Renaissance gardens and villa, which is crammed with antiques and art.

Everglades National Park

Only an hour away from Miami, the crocodile- and alligator-infested waters of the Everglades are a major draw for visitors to Florida. Book boat trips through the subtropical wetlands to see the swamps and their inhabitants up close. 

Events

Art Deco Weekend; January: Delve even deeper into the distinctive Art Deco style of Miami with this dedicated weekend of events, which includes special tours, parades and films.

South Beach Comedy Festival; February/March/April: The dates of this popular event change every year, but what never changes is the calibre of the comedy greats that grace stages around South Beach and get crowds howling with laughter.

Carnaval Miami; March: Join in the fun times of this typically vibrant and colourful carnival in Little Havana. The Calle Ocho Festival, part of the carnival activities, is a particularly well-attended event. Calle Ocho is a street in the area and a journey here at any time is like a journey back in time.