Where next?

Miami Beach boasts some of the most pristine stretches of sand in the country and it’s very easy to spend a holiday just soaking up the sun, snorkelling and relaxing. However, if you want to be a bit more active on your holiday to Miami Beach, there’s plenty to see and do.

• Take an Art Deco walking tour: Miami Beach is world famous for its glamorous Art Deco designs, and behind every building, there’s a story to be told. Learn about Miami Beach’s history, people and culture through its iconic architecture.
• Shop on Lincoln Street: Lincoln Street is the perfect place to spend an afternoon browsing art, fashion, antiques and all the other goodies you’ll be able to pick up here. It’s home to big name brands, small boutiques and a number of galleries, so there’s something to suit every shopper.
• Miami–Dade County Fair & Exposition: typically held at the end of March and beginning of April, The Youth Fair (as it’s known) attracts 600,000 visitors each year and is the biggest fair in Florida. With rides, exhibitions, displays, concerts, and attractions, it’s a great opportunity to have some family fun.

• Bicycle: Miami Beach is an extremely bicycle friendly part of the city, and renting a bike can be a great way to move around.
• Bus: connections between downtown Miami and Miami Beach are excellent, as are the services running around the Miami Beach island itself. However, connections to other parts of the city are less regular.
• Car: car rental can be a good idea if you want to explore further afield around the Sunshine State.

With so much good food in Miami, your best bet is to do your research and ask around. You’ll find there’s enough fantastic restaurants to keep you dining out for months. Luckily, we’ve done a bit of asking ourselves — here’s three you have to check on your holiday to Miami Beach.

• Joe’s Stone Crab: Joe’s place has been serving seafood for over 100 years. The restaurant is a Miami institution, and a must-visit if you’re in any way a foodie. While everything on the menu is pretty amazing, it’s the stone crabs (surprise, surprise) that everyone loves.
• 27 Restaurant: away from the glitz that defines many Miami Beach eateries, you’ll find Restaurant 27, a unique, homely and, above all, delicious local restaurant. With a menu inspired by Miami’s own cultural diversity and an emphasis on relaxed, communal dining, this is an affordable option that’s appreciated by both locals and tourists.
• The Bazaar: celebrity chefs are two a penny in Miami, and that means that there‘s an enormous number of excellent big-name restaurants to choose from. The Bazaar is one such restaurant. With a unique take on Spanish cuisine that utilises modern techniques and technology (liquid nitrogen caipirinhas anyone?), a flexible approach to fusion foods, and the freshest ingredients, it’s a spectacular place to eat.

With its subtropical climate, Miami Beach offers all the benefits of warm, sunny weather but without the tropical downpours. Temperatures are fairly similar throughout the year, and the dry season runs from October to April, when it’s practically wall-to-wall sunshine all day long - perfect beach weather!

• October to April: either side of January, temperatures are up in the mid-20s°C, and it never really dips below 20°C all season. There’s very little rain for the whole season, making it the best time to visit Miami Beach.
• May to October: temperatures rise to around 30-35°C, and yes, you may bump into the occasional shower but it’ll be quick, and surprisingly warm (no ‘cold showers’ in Miami, thank you very much!). It tends to cool down in the evenings and it’s still warm enough to hit the beach throughout June, July and August.