StayAreas

South Beach

Miami

The southern tip of Miami Beach, with pastel Art Deco hotels on Ocean Drive, a wide sandy beach, Lincoln Road and Miami's liveliest nightlife.

Best for First visit · Nightlife

Transport
2/5
Sights
4/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
1/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$280/night · 30 min to Downtown Miami

See hotels in South Beach

South Beach on the map

Why stay here

  • Beach and Art Deco streets on the doorstep
  • Miami's best nightlife
  • Walkable, with hotels for every budget

Who should stay here

  • First-time visitors
  • Nightlife lovers
  • Beach lovers

Not ideal if…

  • You want quiet nights
  • You want to explore the mainland
  • You're travelling during spring break and want calm

What it's like

South Beach is the Miami of postcards: the neon-lit Art Deco hotels of Ocean Drive, the lifeguard huts of Lummus Park beach, the pedestrian Lincoln Road and Española Way, and the calm green lawns of South Pointe Park at the island's tip. Most of it is walkable, and the beach is never more than a few blocks away.

It's the best base for a first beach trip, with hotels for every budget. Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue get loud and crowded, especially at weekends and during spring break, and the mainland sights are 30 minutes or more away by bus or taxi.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Ocean Drive

    Art Deco hotels, outdoor bars and the beach opposite.

  • Collins Avenue

    The main hotel strip, a block back from the sand.

  • Lincoln Road

    Pedestrian street of shops and restaurants.

  • South of Fifth

    Calmer, upmarket streets by South Pointe Park.

Getting around

Nearest stations
Free Miami Beach Trolley around the island, Metrobus routes over the causeways to Downtown, and Citi Bike.
To Downtown Miami
About 30 minutes
From Miami International Airport (MIA)
About 50 minutes: Miami Beach Airport Express bus from MIA, or about 25 minutes by taxi.

Nearby attractions

  • Art Deco Historic District

    Walking tours start from the Art Deco Welcome Center on Ocean Drive.

  • Lummus Park beach

    The classic South Beach sand with colourful lifeguard towers.

  • South Pointe Park

    Pier and lawns watching cruise ships leave the port.

  • Española Way

    Mediterranean-style lane of restaurants.

Where to eat and drink

  • Ocean Drive

    Outdoor bars and people-watching; drinks are pricey.

  • Lincoln Road

    Restaurants and cafés with outdoor tables.

  • South of Fifth

    Some of the island's best restaurants.

Where to stay in South Beach

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

The Setai, Miami Beach

Why we like it: Calm Asian-inspired luxury hotel with three oceanfront pools.

Typical luxury rate in South Beach: ~$650/night

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Boutique pick

The Betsy – South Beach

Why we like it: Colonial-style hotel on Ocean Drive with a rooftop.

Typical mid-range rate in South Beach: ~$280/night

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Best value

Clevelander South Beach

Why we like it: Adults-only party hotel on Ocean Drive with a famous pool bar.

Typical mid-range rate in South Beach: ~$280/night

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Hotels in South BeachMid-range from ~$280/night

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