'For those who don't know us yet: We are passionate travelers, especially fond of the USA, where we even got married in 2015 near Los Angeles. We share our experiences in our large travel blog, which now includes more than 160 travel reports from around the world. Since world maps and travel are closely linked, we will be presenting our absolute travel highlights in this blog from now on. Let's get started with Florida!'
Florida is the ultimate vacation paradise.
Endless sunshine, kilometers of dream beaches, and tropical nature make the US state a longing destination for many Europeans. After all, Florida has a lot to offer – and the relatively short distances make traveling through Florida pure pleasure! We ourselves have been there four times so far and would like to present our highlights along the Atlantic coast, the Florida Keys, and the Gulf of Mexico in this short report. For further details, feel free to follow the links to our USA travel blog.
With around 170,000 square kilometers, Florida is only half the size of Germany – yet it has so much to offer! The 27th state of the USA is a dream destination for many Europeans. Sunshine is guaranteed here, which has earned Florida the nickname "Sunshine State." Especially in winter, Florida offers a very pleasant climate with plenty of sunshine and comfortable temperatures. Only when the temperatures rise in May, the rain comes in summer, and the hurricane season rages in autumn, is Florida less of a suitable travel destination.
To explore Florida in the best possible way while keeping an overview, this US state can practically be divided into three regions: the Atlantic coast (including Miami) in the east, the chain of islands of the Florida Keys in the south, and the west coast along the Gulf of Mexico. All three regions differ significantly from one another, and each region has its own unique charm.
Perfect starting point for a Florida road trip: Miami
The best and easiest way to discover Florida is on an extensive road trip. With a car, you can comfortably reach the highlights! You should set aside at least two weeks for your travel plans – three weeks is better. The first destination is likely to be the metropolis of Miami, especially since the city offers perfect flight connections to and from Europe, in addition to Orlando.
The metropolis in the south of the Sunshine State Florida magically attracts more than eight million visitors every year. However, when people talk about Miami, they usually mean the adjacent key with Miami Beach. Here lies the heart of the metropolis – and the main destination for most tourists. The 16 km long, wide sandy beach and the turquoise waters of the Atlantic invite for the perfect beach day. After sunset, especially party enthusiasts get their money's worth at the famous and bustling Ocean Drive in the heart of the Art Deco District.
But Miami has more to offer than just beach and party. For example, the trendy neighborhood Wynwood. Hip scene bars, charming vintage shops, and impressive street art await visitors here. A piece of Cuban life culture awaits you in the neighborhood Little Havana, with small cigar factories and bars where people dance to Caribbean music. In stark contrast to this is Downtown Miami with its skyscrapers, which can best be admired from Bayfront Park.
Detailed information and photos from the metropolis of Miami can be found in our Miami Beach Travel Report: 12 Highlights, Tips & Attractions.
Pure Caribbean feeling on the Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a chain of islands at the southern tip of Florida. They consist of around 200 islands and islets, of which only the largest are inhabited. The Overseas Highway connects these largest islands (also called Keys). Over a total distance of 200 kilometers, these islands are connected by 42 bridges. The drive on the Overseas Highway is one of the most beautiful dream routes in the USA par excellence! The Keys are perfect for relaxing, swimming, or kayaking. The most beautiful sunsets can be admired in Key West, the last island of the Keys.
The journey to the Gulf of Mexico passes through vast swamps, the Everglades. As the tenth largest national park in the USA, Everglades National Park occupies almost the entire southern part of Florida and is especially known for its swamp and marsh landscape as well as the alligators that live there.
Florida at its finest: the West Coast on the Gulf of Mexico
"By the time you reach the West Coast of Florida, the true vacation feeling sets in. Along the Gulf of Mexico, the best vacation spots and the most beautiful beaches line up. In addition to the glamorous Naples with its Mediterranean lifestyle, Fort Myers is also worth a visit. The nearly 2,000 royal palms that line McGregor Boulevard earned the city the nickname 'City of Palms.' And St. Petersburg and Tampa should definitely be on your route."
Tired of (big) city? Then off to the beach! For example, to Clearwater Beach, one of the widest and most expansive beaches on Florida's west coast. Clearwater Beach promises crystal clear, shallow, turquoise bathing water. No wonder it is regularly voted the "Best Beach in the USA."
"It is a bit more tranquil and relaxed on the offshore islands (Keys). Leading the way are Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, as well as Anna Maria Island, which are the absolute highlights of Florida."
Insights into Space Travel at Kennedy Space Center
Back on the Atlantic coast, alongside Daytona Beach, Cape Canaveral is a must-see. At the "Kennedy Space Center" – NASA's spaceport – you have the unique opportunity to dive into the world of astronauts and space travel. From the monumental Rocket Garden to interactive simulations, the center offers an unparalleled experience for space enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.
The equally glamorous Fort Lauderdale can be a beautiful conclusion to your Florida road trip. The coast of Fort Lauderdale is lined with endless beaches of fine, white sand and turquoise-blue water. The city itself is crisscrossed by numerous canals, which is why it is also referred to as "the Venice of America." Along the canals, huge villas are lined up like a string of pearls, and the sometimes massive yachts simply dock right in the garden.
You can find more about Florida in our extensive USA travel blog.
Discover our two detailed travel reports there:
Florida Atlantic Coast & Florida Keys: 11 Attractions
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