Looking for things to do in Miami? In a single day you can go from the Art Deco buildings of South Beach to the murals of Wynwood, then to the Cuban cafés of Little Havana. The city stretches between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic, with Miami Beach on a barrier island opposite. It is also the starting point for the Everglades and the Keys. This guide helps you choose what to do in Miami, where to stay and how to plan a 3 to 5-day stay. In the center of the state, Orlando and its theme parks are often combined with Miami.
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AirportMiami International Airport (MIA), linked to downtown by Metrorail
Getting thereMIA is one of the main gateways to the US from Europe and Latin America; check current nonstop options from your home airport
Ideal length3 to 4 days in the city, plus 1 day for the Everglades and 2 to 3 days for the Keys
Best timeDecember to April
Time zoneEastern Time, UTC−5 (UTC−4 in summer): 5 hours behind London most of the year, same time as New York
EntryUS citizens: domestic travel; UK citizens: approved ESTA or US visa before travel (GOV.UK)
CurrencyUS dollar (USD)
Indicative budgetroughly US$135 to 225 per person per day on a budget, US$280 to 505 for comfort
Things to do in Miami: the highlights
South Beach and the Art Deco Historic District
At the southern end of Miami Beach, the Art Deco district brings together several hundred 1930s buildings with pastel façades, neon signs and rounded lines. Ocean Drive, facing Lummus Park and the beach, is its showcase, with terraces buzzing day and night. Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue, running parallel, are quieter and just as interesting. Guided walking tours run by the Miami Design Preservation League explain the history of these buildings. At the tip of the island, South Pointe Park offers a promenade facing the channel used by cruise ships.
The beaches of Miami Beach
The beach runs for about fifteen kilometers (9 mi) along the island, dotted with colorful lifeguard towers. South Beach is the busiest and most festive; Mid-Beach and North Beach are quieter and more family-friendly. A beachfront promenade (the Beachwalk) lets you follow the coast on foot or by bike. Swim between the lifeguard stations and respect the flags: currents can be dangerous.
Wynwood and the Design District
A former warehouse district north of downtown, Wynwood has become Miami’s street art showcase. The Wynwood Walls, a paid space, bring together works by international artists, but the surrounding streets are also covered in murals, free to see. The district has many galleries, breweries and restaurants. Just to the north, the Design District combines luxury boutiques, contemporary architecture and the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA Miami).
Little Havana and Calle Ocho
Little Havana is the historic heart of the Cuban community. On Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street), you pass cigar makers, cafés where you order a « cafecito » at the counter and Máximo Gómez Park, where locals play dominoes. The neighborhood is liveliest in the evening and at weekends, especially around the music venues. Every March, Calle Ocho hosts a big street festival.
Downtown, Brickell and the Pérez Art Museum
Downtown and Brickell are packed with office and residential towers. The Metromover, an automated elevated people mover that is always free, lets you glide above them and reach Bayfront Park and Bayside Marketplace, where bay cruises depart. The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), devoted to modern and contemporary art, and the Frost Museum of Science, with its planetarium and aquarium, stand side by side in Museum Park, facing the bay.
Vizcaya, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables
South of downtown, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is an early 20th-century villa inspired by the Italian Renaissance, surrounded by formal gardens on the bay. Nearby Coconut Grove is a leafy neighborhood of villas and cafés. Further west, Coral Gables, a planned city from the 1920s with Mediterranean-style architecture, is home to the Venetian Pool, a public pool carved out of an old coral rock quarry, and the Biltmore hotel.
Key Biscayne
Linked to the mainland by a causeway, Key Biscayne has quieter beaches than Miami Beach. At the south of the island, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park protects a beach, trails and a 19th-century lighthouse. Crandon Park, to the north, is well suited to families.
The Everglades
About an hour’s drive west, Everglades National Park protects a vast expanse of marshes and flooded prairies, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Shark Valley, a 24 km (15 mi) paved loop (by bike or tram) leads to an observation tower; alligators and birds are often visible from the path. Airboat tours are run by private operators, outside or on the edge of the national park. The dry season, from December to April, is the best time.
The Keys and Key West
The Overseas Highway (US 1) links Miami with Key West across a chain of islands and bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge. Key Largo, about 1 h 30 min from Miami, is the gateway for snorkeling in John Pennekamp State Park. Key West, at the end of the road, takes at least 3 h 30 min to 4 hours of non-stop driving: it is better to spend one or two nights there than to do the round trip in a day. More details in our Florida guide.
Miami neighborhoods
South Beach: beach, Art Deco and nightlife; practical without a car, but expensive and noisy at night
Mid-Beach and North Beach: quieter beaches, big hotels and residential buildings
Downtown and Brickell: city stay, free Metromover, easy airport access by Metrorail
Wynwood and Edgewater: galleries, restaurants and bars; lively in the evening
Coconut Grove and Coral Gables: leafy and quiet, best with a car
Little Havana: Cuban atmosphere, limited hotel choice
Miami itinerary: 3 to 5 days
Day 1: South Beach, the Art Deco District and Ocean Drive, South Pointe Park at sunset
Day 2: Wynwood and its murals in the morning, the Design District, then Little Havana and Calle Ocho late in the day
Day 3: Downtown by Metromover, the Pérez Art Museum, a Biscayne Bay cruise, an evening in Brickell
Day 4: a trip to the Everglades (Shark Valley) or a day at Vizcaya, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables
Day 5: Key Biscayne and the Cape Florida lighthouse, or set off for the Keys
With only two days, focus on South Beach, Wynwood and Little Havana. For a road trip, allow at least a week to combine Miami, the Everglades and the Keys.
Miami airport transfers: Metrorail, bus, taxi and private transfer
Miami International Airport (MIA) connects to public transportation via the Miami Intermodal Center. According to the airport (miami-airport.com, checked 26 October 2026), first take the MIA Mover, a free automated train on the 3rd level of the terminal, between the Dolphin and Flamingo garages. It takes you to the airport Metrorail station, the bus stops and the Rental Car Center.
Metrorail to Downtown and Brickell
The Metrorail Orange Line links the airport (MIA) station with Downtown, Brickell, Coconut Grove and Dadeland. According to Miami-Dade County (miamidade.gov, checked 26 October 2026), a ride costs $2.25 (full fare). You pay at the gate with a contactless bank card, an EASY Card, an EASY Ticket or the GO Miami-Dade Transit app; the gates do not accept cash (cash can only be used to buy a card at the vending machines). Metrorail runs from 5 am to midnight. At weekends, the county says Orange Line trains only run as an airport shuttle between Earlington Heights and the airport, every 15 minutes: change at Earlington Heights.
Route 150 Miami Beach Airport Express
For Miami Beach, the airport lists the Route 150 Miami Beach Airport Express: it leaves from the airport Metrorail station (a short MIA Mover ride away) every 30 minutes from 6 am to 11:40 pm, seven days a week, serving Miami Beach from 41st Street to South Pointe Drive, for $2.25 each way. Other Metrobus routes serve the airport (including 37, 42 and 57).
Taxi: metered, with a minimum
Taxis wait outside the baggage claim areas. The airport publishes the meter rates (miami-airport.com, checked 26 October 2026): $2.95 for the first sixth of a mile, $0.85 per additional sixth of a mile up to the first mile, then $0.55 per sixth of a mile, and $0.40 per minute of waiting. A $2 airport fee is added, with a $15 minimum for any trip from MIA and a 30% surcharge for SUVs and vans. Ride-hailing (Uber, Lyft) is also available; prices vary with demand.
Option
Where to catch it
Official fare
Source
MIA Mover
3rd level, between the Dolphin and Flamingo garages
Free
miami-airport.com
Metrorail (Orange Line)
MIA station, via the MIA Mover
$2.25
miamidade.gov
Bus 150 to Miami Beach
Airport Metrorail station
$2.25
miami-airport.com
Taxi
Outside baggage claim
Meter + $2; $15 minimum
miami-airport.com
Booking a private transfer in Miami
A private transfer booked in advance is useful if you arrive late at night, travel as a family or with lots of luggage, or if your accommodation is far from bus and train lines. Before paying, check the total price (tolls, luggage, child seats, night surcharge), the meeting point at the airport, flight tracking in case of delay, the waiting time included and the cancellation terms. Compare with the official fares in the table above: for a solo traveler with light luggage, public transit is often enough. For Miami Beach, bus 150 is cheap but does not run at night: after 11:40 pm, rely on a taxi, ride-hailing or a booked transfer.
Sources: Miami International Airport (Public Transportation, Taxis & Ride App) and Miami-Dade County (Metrorail), checked 26 October 2026. Fares may change: check them before you travel.
Where to stay in Miami?
For a first visit without a car, South Beach remains the most practical: everything is walkable and buses link it to downtown. For peace and quiet, Mid-Beach and North Beach have equally beautiful beaches. Downtown and Brickell suit city stays and cruise departures, with direct Metrorail access. With a car, Coconut Grove or Coral Gables offer a more residential setting.
Miami Beach hotels often charge resort fees and very expensive parking: check the total price before booking. In December, March and during major events, book several months ahead.
Getting around Miami
Metrorail: links the airport (MIA station) with Downtown and Brickell, then the south of the city as far as Dadeland.
Metromover: an elevated people mover that is always free, in Downtown, Brickell and Omni (Miami-Dade County).
Bus: the Metrobus network serves Miami Beach and most neighborhoods; in Miami Beach, a free trolley runs on several loops.
Ride-hailing and taxis: handy in the evening and to link Miami Beach with Wynwood or Little Havana.
Train: Brightline links Miami with Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando.
Car: unnecessary for a stay in Miami Beach, where parking is expensive, but essential for the Everglades and the Keys. Tolls are often electronic: ask the rental company how they are billed.
When to go to Miami?
✓ Ideal~ Good, with caveats✕ AvoidAverage max. temperature · click a month to see where to go
✅ Best months: January, February, March, April, November, December
❌ Period to avoid: September
The best period is December to April: 25 to 29 °C (77 to 84 °F) in the afternoon and little rain, according to NOAA normals. From June to October, temperatures exceed 31 °C (88 °F), thunderstorms are frequent and the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. November and early May are good compromises between weather and prices. Month-by-month climate and events: see our article when to go to Miami.
Budget for a trip to Miami
Miami is an expensive destination, especially for accommodation in Miami Beach. On top of displayed prices come sales tax, hotel resort fees where applicable and, in restaurants, a tip. Indicative amounts per person per day, excluding flights:
Item
Budget
Comfort
Accommodation (based on a shared double room)
about US$65 to 125
about US$170 to 335
Meals
about US$40 to 60
about US$80 to 135
Transport (bus, Metrorail, occasional ride-hailing)
about US$5 to 20
about US$35 to 65 (with a car)
Sights and activities
about US$15 to 35
about US$45 to 90
Total per day
roughly US$135 to 225
roughly US$280 to 505
Indicative estimates, converted from euros at the European Central Bank rate of 23 October 2026, varying with the season. Hotel prices peak in December, March and during major events.
To keep costs down: travel in November or early May, stay in Mid-Beach or downtown rather than South Beach, use the free Metromover and trolley, and enjoy the Wynwood murals, the beaches and Little Havana for free. The ventanitas (walk-up windows) of Cuban cafés serve cheap coffee and sandwiches.
Entry requirements, health and safety
US citizens: a trip to Miami is domestic travel, with no entry formalities.
UK citizens: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 18 August 2026), you need an approved ESTA (only via the official ESTA website or ESTA Mobile app) or a US visa before you travel; some travel histories (Cuba since 12 January 2021, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 2011) and arrests or criminal records can make you ineligible. Your passport must be valid for the length of your stay.
Health: medical treatment is expensive and some hospitals ask non-residents for a deposit; UK prescriptions are not valid in the US (GOV.UK). Take out insurance covering medical costs. Emergency number: 911.
Driving: GOV.UK says you can use a UK photocard driving licence, but you may also need the 1949 international driving permit (IDP), depending on the state, and car hire companies may set stricter conditions.
Hurricanes: according to GOV.UK, the Atlantic hurricane season normally runs from June to November: monitor the US National Hurricane Center, expect possible flight disruption and follow local authorities’ instructions and evacuation orders.
Mosquito-borne diseases: GOV.UK lists Zika and West Nile virus among health risks in the US: use repellent, especially in the Everglades.
Safety: GOV.UK notes that violent crime and gun crime rarely affect tourists, but advises taking care in unfamiliar areas and not walking through quieter areas alone at night. Watch your belongings in tourist areas and use a taxi or ride-hailing at night.
Practical tips for Miami
Tipping: in restaurants, it is customary to leave 18 to 20% of the bill. Check the receipt: some Miami Beach establishments already add a service charge.
Money: cards are accepted almost everywhere; check your bank’s foreign transaction fees.
Language: English and Spanish are spoken everywhere; a few words of Spanish come in handy in Little Havana.
Sun and heat: sunscreen, a hat and water in every season; in summer, plan outings early in the morning.
Mobile data: check your home carrier’s US roaming charges; a local eSIM is often cheaper.
Who is Miami for?
Our verdict by type of traveler, based on the information in this guide (sights, budget, seasons).
Profile
Our verdict
Why
Couples
Good fit
South Beach and its Art Deco façades, a Biscayne Bay cruise, a getaway to Key West.
Families
Good fit
Quieter Mid-Beach and North Beach, Key Biscayne, the Everglades. Miami Beach hotels often add fees.
Tight budget
With reservations
Roughly US$135 to 225 per day; free Metromover and trolley, Wynwood murals, beaches.
Culture
Good fit
Art Deco District, Wynwood, Little Havana, Pérez Art Museum, Vizcaya.
Beach
Very good fit
About fifteen kilometers of beach in Miami Beach, plus Key Biscayne.
Nature and road trip
Very good fit
The Everglades an hour’s drive away, the Keys road to Key West.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Miami?
Three days let you see South Beach, Wynwood, Little Havana and Downtown. Allow four to five days to add the Everglades, Vizcaya or Key Biscayne, and a week if you want to go as far as Key West.
How do you get from Miami airport to downtown or Miami Beach?
Take the free MIA Mover to the airport Metrorail station: the Orange Line runs to Downtown and Brickell ($2.25), and bus 150 runs to Miami Beach every 30 minutes from 6 am to 11:40 pm ($2.25). Taxis charge the meter plus a $2 fee, with a $15 minimum.
Do you need to rent a car in Miami?
Not for a stay in Miami Beach or downtown: public transit, the free trolley and ride-hailing are enough, and parking is expensive. A car becomes useful for the Everglades, Coral Gables and the Keys road.
What can you do for free in Miami?
The beaches, the Art Deco district, the mural-covered streets of Wynwood, Little Havana and Máximo Gómez Park, the Metromover downtown and South Pointe Park are free.
Is Miami safe?
Generally yes in the tourist areas. GOV.UK notes that violent crime rarely affects tourists but advises care in unfamiliar areas and avoiding quieter areas alone at night. Watch your belongings and use a taxi or ride-hailing in the evening.
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