South Beach Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A beach with clear turquoise water, a rocky shoreline, and several high-rise buildings in the background.
A street with outdoor seating and storefronts, including a Lacoste store.
A beach with a lifeguard tower, umbrellas, and a city skyline in the background.
A bustling street lined with brightly lit restaurants and outdoor seating areas.
A beach scene with palm trees, lounge chairs, and a stage with performers.

Party with the rich and famous in possibly the most glamorous ocean-front setting.

At the southern end of Miami Beach, South Beach, or SoBe to those in the know, is a beautiful stretch of pristine sand looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. This is undoubtedly the place to see and be seen as the top-quality beach and legendary nightlife draw in the rich and famous wanting to let their hair down.

Behind the seafront, you’ll discover a wealth of architectural gems. South Beach grew out of developers’ plans to create an independent city to rival Miami. The first houses date back to 1912. The famous Art Deco District is a must-see for anyone interested in the style of 1930s. You’ll discover the iconic resort-style apartments and Mediterranean Revival-style houses.

For daytime entertainment, nothing beats a stroll along Ocean Drive, Miami’s answer to LA’s Venice Beach. With celebrity residents past and present including Jenifer Lopez, Anna Kournikova, Jackie Gleeson and the late Gianni Versace, you never know which famous face you might spot. For a spot of retail therapy, head to Lincoln Road Mall to browse the many boutiques, cafés and art galleries. Food-lovers should try the Sunday Farmer’s Market for fresh local produce.

Once the sunsets, the party begins. For a luxury dining experience, head to one of the many celebrity-owned restaurants such as Nobu Miami, a Japanese restaurant co-founded by Robert De Niro, or Gloria Estefan’s beachside Cuban-themed restaurant Larios. Keep the night alive by joining the crowds of beautiful people and VIPs in the dazzling night clubs, lounges and bars. Before you know it the sun will be rising again!

Wander down to the beach to relax and recover. Simply lay back, top up you tan and watch the world go by. However, if you are still looking for thrills, South Beach is a top spot for water sports, including parasailing, scuba diving and even swimming with dolphins.

At the southern end of Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, South Beach is best explored on foot. The Art Deco Welcome Centre offers walking and bicycle tours of the area, as well as self-guided audio tours.


Stay near popular South Beach attractions

Activities


Our pick of the best South Beach Hotel Deals

Loews Miami Beach Hotel – South Beach

Loews Miami Beach Hotel – South Beach

4.5 out of 5
1601 Collins Ave Miami Beach FL
The price is NZ$587 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$587
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Miami Beach. Enjoy a full-service spa, 4 restaurants and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (838 reviews)
"Overall okay"

Reviewed on 3 July 2026

Loews Miami Beach Hotel – South Beach
Park Central South Beach

Park Central South Beach

4 out of 5
640 Ocean Dr Miami Beach FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$413 per night from 13 July to 14 July
NZ$413
13 July - 14 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Miami Beach. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,581 reviews)
"I really like the retro vibe of this hotel and the walkable accessibility of multiple nice restaurants with plenty of outside seating options close to the water. The room was simple, and the room safe did not work."

Reviewed on 3 July 2026

Park Central South Beach
Catalina Hotel & Beach Club

Catalina Hotel & Beach Club

3.5 out of 5
1732 Collins Ave Miami Beach FL
The price is NZ$148 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$148
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Miami Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (2,042 reviews)
"Room was clean air was blowing ice cold I loved it it was great experience and the staff was great n respectful"

Reviewed on 3 July 2026

Catalina Hotel & Beach Club
citizenM Miami South Beach

citizenM Miami South Beach

4 out of 5
1200 Lincoln Road Miami Beach FL
The price is NZ$196 per night from 21 July to 22 July
NZ$196
21 July - 22 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Miami Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Lincoln Road Mall and Collins Avenue ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,060 reviews)
"staff were nice. rooms are small and you need to know that going in. the ipad did not control the A/C or fan which was annoying so we had no climate control"

Reviewed on 3 July 2026

citizenM Miami South Beach
Beacon Hotel South Beach

Beacon Hotel South Beach

3.5 out of 5
720 Ocean Dr Miami Beach FL
The price is NZ$193 per night from 28 July to 29 July
NZ$193
28 July - 29 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Miami Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in ...
7.4/10 Good! (2,991 reviews)
"The bed was a little off balance. Other than that, excellent service."

Reviewed on 3 July 2026

Beacon Hotel South Beach
1 Hotel South Beach

1 Hotel South Beach

5 out of 5
2341 Collins Avenue Miami Beach FL
The price is NZ$1,111 per night from 15 July to 16 July
NZ$1,111
15 July - 16 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Miami Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,570 reviews)
"awesome"

Reviewed on 2 July 2026

1 Hotel South Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Our guide on where to stay in South Beach

Find the best South Beach areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about South Beach
Learn more about South Beach

Brickell

Known for its beaches and abundant dining options, there's plenty to explore in Brickell. Top attractions like Brickell City Centre and Mary Brickell Village are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Brickell Metromover Station or Financial District Metromover Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Miami

Known for its stunning beaches and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Miami. Check out top attractions like Bayside Marketplace and Brickell City Centre, and jump on the metro at First Street Metromover Station or Knight Center Metromover Station to see more of the city.

Doral

A noteworthy feature of Doral is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out CityPlace Doral and Miami International Mall.

Flamingo/Lummus

If you're spending some time in Flamingo/Lummus, Collins Avenue Shopping Area and Miami Beach Boardwalk are top sights worth seeing.

Mid Beach

Miami Beach Boardwalk and Miami Beach Beaches are just a few worthwhile attractions to visit in Mid Beach. Travellers also love the stunning beaches, fantastic nightlife and popular shops.



South Beach Travel Guide

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