We have ALWAYS wanted to visit Miami.
And in October 2025, we got to do EXACTLY THAT!
Spending 3 days exploring Miami and discovering what the city and the beach have to offer.
Honestly, you could spend weeks exploring Miami. So with just 3 days you need to be strategic.
Below is exactly what we got up to, including:
Let’s get straight into it …
Miami had been on our list for a long time so we wanted to make sure we did it properly. Not rushed, not overplanned, and not trying to squeeze everything in for the sake of it.
And a common question is whether 3 days is enough in Miami. From our experience? Yes, for a first visit, it’s a great amount of time to get a proper feel for the city.
One thing I soon realised is that Miami is much bigger than it looks, and that’s something a lot of first-time visitors underestimate. The city is spread out, made up of very different neighbourhoods, and it’s not somewhere you can casually wander between sights without thinking about transport.
This 3 day Miami itinerary is written specifically for first-time visitors who want a well-rounded introduction to the city. It mixes beach time with culture, food, and some of Miami’s most well-known areas, without turning the trip into a checklist.
You will NOT see all of Miami. With the simple reason being that you need far longer than 3 days to see it all.
We’ve structured the itinerary by area, which keeps travel time down and days feeling manageable. You won’t see everything, but you’ll get a really good feel for places like South Beach, Wynwood, and Little Havana.
Before we continue, let me quickly mentioned how we stayed connected whilst sightseeing throughout Miami!
We used a Simify eSIM.
I had an unlimited data eSIM and it honestly made searching for places to eat, ordering Ubers, finding places much easier with consistent access to 4G data throughout Miami!
So check it out here if you're interested.
Where you stay in Miami really matters, especially on a short trip. The city is huge, and your base can completely change how relaxed (or hectic) your days feel.
We stayed at Tony Hotel in South Beach, and honestly, I’m really chuffed we did.
It definitely wasn’t the cheapest place we could’ve booked, but it was nowhere near the eye-watering prices of the proper beachfront hotels either.
Some of those oceanfront spots with balconies overlooking the sea run into hundreds a night. If we’d had that budget, maybe we’d have tried one, but I’m still not convinced it would’ve been worth it.
What the Tony Hotel gave us was a really good middle ground. It’s a nice place to stay without feeling overly polished or corporate. Parts of it are a little dated, but in a way that actually adds to the charm. It has that classic Miami construction style I always associate with Scarface.
Which felt very fitting given the famous Scarface filming location is literally just around the corner.
Location-wise, it was spot on.
The beachfront is right there, and we went down for dinner along the seafront a couple of nights without having to think about transport. The hotel stay also included beach loungers and towels, which made beach days feel easy rather than like a logistical mission.
The real highlight for me though was the pool.
It felt surprisingly exclusive for somewhere so central, and most mornings I’d head up early, sit by the pool, and read while watching the sun come up. One morning there was a group doing an early volleyball session on the beach below, clearly trying to beat the heat, and it was one of those very “this is Miami” moments.
If you’re visiting for the first time and want somewhere with a great location, a bit of character, and a genuinely relaxing atmosphere, this kind of mid-range South Beach hotel is hard to beat.
If South Beach isn’t your thing, Downtown Miami is another solid option. Especially if you’re more interested in sightseeing, food spots, and being closer to areas like Little Havana. You’ll trade beach access for convenience, but it can work well if you’re happy using Uber or public transport.
For bigger budgets, the oceanfront hotels along South Beach do offer incredible views and direct beach access. Just be aware you’re paying a premium for those balconies, and you’ll likely spend less time in the room than you think.
If you’re deciding between South Beach vs Downtown Miami, it really comes down to whether you want beaches or sightseeing on your doorstep.
To get an idea of prices of where to stay, here’s a look at live prices for:
For your first morning in Miami, South Beach is the easiest and most logical place to start. It gives you an instant feel for the city and helps you get your bearings without needing to travel far.
If you are staying in South Beach, everything is walkable today. If you are staying Downtown or in Brickell, Uber is the simplest option and saves time.
Start by walking along Ocean Drive, then move inland onto Collins Avenue and the surrounding streets. This is where the Art Deco buildings really stand out and where Miami’s character starts to make sense. It is worth taking this slowly rather than treating it as something to rush through.
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From the Art Deco area, the beach is right there, so this is the natural next step. South Beach is one of the nicest city beaches we have visited. The sand is clean, the water is clear, and it does not feel cramped once you move slightly away from the main entrances.
We would really recommend actually getting in the water rather than just sitting on the sand. The sea was warm and refreshing and helped break up the day, especially in the heat.
If your hotel includes beach loungers and towels, this makes things very easy. If not, loungers are available to rent directly on the beach. Even Cazzy got in there with me which never happens!
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Miami heat can be intense, so heading back to your hotel in the late afternoon makes the evening much more enjoyable. We used this time to cool off, sit by the pool, and get ready for dinner.
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South Beach works well in the evening even if you are not interested in nightlife. There are plenty of restaurants along the beachfront and nearby streets, and the area is lively without feeling overwhelming.
If you are a Scarface fan as well, the filming location near South Beach is worth a short stop. It does not take long to see, but it is a fun addition and fits naturally into this part of the day. It’s a spot I instantly recognised having grown up watching that movie; it was a really fun moment.
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So Miami is expensive, so if you're looking for a good value breakfast/brunch option, then honestly, go to the classic American insititution that is Dennys! ;)
We started our morning here, and actually had a lovely time. Decor was nice, staff were friendly and food was good!
Wynwood is best visited in the morning before the heat really builds. This is an area you explore on foot, stopping frequently to look at murals and street art.
Getting here is easiest by Uber, especially if you are coming from South Beach. Public transport works, but it will take longer and today is already quite full.
You do not need a set route. Just walk and explore, and you will see plenty.
You know when you're there as you suddenly start seeing murals every which way you look.
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After exploring the streets, it is worth visiting Wynwood Walls itself. This is a paid attraction, but it is more curated and brings together large-scale works by well-known artists.
We liked doing both the free wandering and the museum, as they offer slightly different experiences. I must admit, we aren't in any way art connoisseurs. And sometimes just get outright annoyed by it.
But a lot of the exhibits here are genuinely worth paying to see and we really fell in love with a few prints.
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From Wynwood, head to Little Havana. Uber is again the simplest option and keeps the day flowing.
Calle Ocho is the main street and where most of the activity is. This is a great area to wander, pop into cafés, watch people playing dominoes, and take in the atmosphere.
You can explore independently, but this is one place where a guided experience adds a lot. In fact, it was Cazzy’s favorite part of our entire Miami trip …
We booked a food and culture walking tour and thought it was excellent value. It lasted around two and a half hours and included multiple food stops plus visits to places like Domino Park and Tower Theatre.
You don’t have a clue what I’m talking about, and that’s fine! They are super iconic spots to the initiated (which you soon will be!)
The tour gave context and history that we would not have picked up on our own, and it also meant we did not need to plan a separate dinner.
And I’m not just talking about Little Havana itself; but more on the entire history behind Cuba & the USA and why there is even such a large Cuban population in this part of Florida. It also helps make films like Scarface make a lot more sense! (not the drugs or violence by the way).
You will also see chickens everywhere! Do you know why there are chickens randomly all over Little Havana (and also down in Key West)? You soon will …
So if you’re wondering whether a Miami food tour is worth it, then yes! This was easily one of the best-value experiences we had.
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Day three is slightly slower and works well as a late start. Head to Bayfront Park, which is easy to reach by Uber from South Beach and even easier if you are staying Downtown.
The park is a good place to walk, sit by the water, and ease into the day. Maybe even grab yourself a coffee and breakfast to go. Just soak it all in, take it easy, relax.
You’re on holiday, remember?
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Next to Bayfront Park is Bayside Marketplace. It is touristy, but everything is in one place, which makes it practical on your final day.
The views from here are really lovely, and a good spot to pick up a few last minute souvenirs if you need.
There are a lot of fancier bars and eating spots here. Or, you can do what we did and grab a couple of pizza slices as a light meal before the cruise …
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This was one of our favourite things we did in Miami. And one of the best things to do in Miami at night if you want views without a club scene.
Seeing the city from the water as the sun goes down and the skyline lights up is genuinely impressive. Most tours last around 90 minutes and leave from Bayside, so it fits neatly into the day without extra travel (check out our tour here).
This was maybe my favorite part of the trip.
At least my favorite tour. I just loved the views and the whole super touristy part of being like “oooo look how the rich and famous live”.
I was genuinely just shocked and amazed by the scale of Miami and its buildings, and, well, everything!
And they are still building there. It really is such an epic city and you get to experience all aspects of what makes Miami so impressive from doing this boat tour.
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After the tour, stay in the area for dinner or drinks before heading back to your accommodation.
Not a fan of one of our suggestions above? That’s fair and I don’t blame you! Here are some extra things to either squeeze in or replace altogether …
The Museum of Ice Cream is one of those “fun, silly, very Miami” attractions that seems to be permanently popular.
Especially if you are travelling with kids, or you just want something easy and indoors for an hour or two. It’s basically a series of colourful rooms and interactive installations, with plenty of photo spots and lots of ice cream along the way.
I’d treat this as a good option if you have spare time, or if the weather turns and you want something low-effort that still feels like you have done something. It’s not a “must do” for everyone, but it is one of those places people love for a reason.
How to book
Coral Castle is one of Miami’s more unusual attractions, and it tends to appeal to people who like quirky places with a bit of mystery behind them. It’s essentially a stone structure and sculpture garden built by one person, and it’s the kind of place that is hard to describe until you are standing there looking at it.
It’s a good add-on if you’re visiting Miami for a weekend and want something different from beaches, bars and neighbourhood wandering. It’s also an easy one to plan, because it is mainly just a case of booking an admission ticket and turning up.
Maybe even stopping in and seeing it on your way in or out of Miami if you’re renting a car to head off.
How to book
If you have flown into Miami and you are not planning to leave the area, then an Everglades airboat tour is absolutely worth considering. It’s one of the most “Florida” things you can do, and it’s a nice contrast to the city. Most tours are half-day, so you can still spend part of the day back in Miami afterwards.
If you are doing a wider Florida road trip (like us), you can also leave this for later, which is what we did. We personally wouldn’t force it into a three-day Miami itinerary if you know you will be driving around Florida afterwards.
Because essentially it’s most of the day gone and is more “Florida” than “Miami” in my opinion.
But if your plan is Miami then straight onto a cruise, or flying out with no plans to return to the Sunshine State, then yes, it makes sense to do it from here.
How to book
If you want something calmer, more scenic, and a bit different from the rest of Miami, Vizcaya is a great shout. It’s a historic mansion with formal gardens right on the water, and it feels like you have briefly stepped into another world.
This is also a strong option if you want a “slower” day in your itinerary.
You can spend a couple of hours here without needing to constantly move around, and it’s a nice break from the heat and noise of the city. It’s especially good if you like photography, gardens, or anything slightly grand.
How to book
Superblue is a good option if you want something indoor, modern, and genuinely different. It’s an immersive art experience, so you are not just looking at art on walls, you are walking through it.
It’s the kind of place that works well for couples, friends, or anyone who wants a break from standard sightseeing.
The main practical tip here is to book ahead, because entry is typically timed. If you are planning your days tightly, this one is easy to slot in as a late morning or mid-afternoon activity.
How to book
If you like shopping, design, architecture, or just walking somewhere that feels polished and different, the Miami Design District is worth a look. Even if you do not buy anything, it’s a nice area to wander for an hour or two, especially if you want a change from South Beach and the more touristy strips.
A short guided walk can also be a good way to understand what you are looking at, because a lot of the appeal here is in the details and the design story behind the area.
How to book
The key to getting round Miami is understanding just how spread out the city is and choosing transport that actually fits a short trip.
This guide is designed to work perfectly as a Miami itinerary without a car, as that’s exactly what we were!
Walking worked really well for us, but only because of where we stayed. If you base yourself somewhere like South Beach and plan to spend a lot of time there, you can do a surprising amount on foot.
Beaches, restaurants, bars, and sightseeing spots are all close together, and walking lets you dip in and out of places without overthinking it.
That said, walking is very area-specific in Miami.
You’re not going to walk from South Beach to Wynwood or Little Havana, and trying to do that would quickly suck the enjoyment out of your day. Walking works best when you treat Miami as a collection of neighbourhoods rather than one big city.
For anything beyond walking distance, we used Uber almost exclusively, and it worked brilliantly. We had no real issues at all getting Ubers around Miami, whether it was during the day or in the evening.
Cars arrived quickly, prices felt reasonable for the distances, and having air conditioning alone made it worth it.
Yes, you can save money using buses or public transport, but Miami isn’t exactly a cheap destination to begin with. By the time you’ve paid for flights, accommodation, and food, spending a few extra bucks on Ubers isn’t going to break the bank.
What it does save is time and effort, which is far more valuable on a short trip.
Using Uber also made it much easier to fit more into each day. Less waiting around, less planning routes, and no standing in the heat wondering if you’re at the right stop.
Miami does have buses and other public transport options, and they can be useful if you’re travelling on a tighter budget or staying longer. That said, they’re not always the quickest way to get around, and routes can take longer than you expect.
We personally avoided buses where possible. They take more planning, involve more waiting around, and can feel like unnecessary hassle when you’re only in the city for a few days. If you enjoy public transport or are watching every pound, they’re there, but they weren’t the right fit for how we wanted to travel.
Now, that being said, Miami has a free trolley system that runs through several key areas of the city, and it’s genuinely useful to know it exists, even if you don’t end up relying on it.
The trolleys look more like old-style trams than buses, and they run on set routes through places like Downtown, Brickell, Little Havana, Wynwood, and parts of Miami Beach. They’re completely free to use, you just hop on and off, and there’s no ticketing or payment involved.
If you’re staying Downtown or in Brickell, the trolley can be handy for short hops within the same area, especially if you’re not in a rush. It’s also a decent option if you want to save a bit of money and don’t mind planning around fixed routes and stops.
That said, there are a few things to be aware of. Trolleys don’t run everywhere, they don’t always run late, and they can be slower than you expect, particularly in traffic. During busy periods they can also get quite full, which isn’t ideal in the heat.
After research, we personally didn’t use the trolley. Simply because Uber was quicker and more flexible for a short trip. But if you’re staying longer, travelling on a tighter budget, or sticking mostly to one area, it can absolutely be useful.
Get more info and even track live trolleys here.
For a short stay in Miami itself, we really don’t think a car is necessary. Parking is expensive, traffic can be frustrating, and you’ll often end up paying hotel parking fees on top. Uber and walking covered everything we needed.
If you’re picking up a car for a wider Florida road trip, it can actually make sense to skip the rental while you’re in Miami and rehire when you’re ready to leave the city. That way you avoid parking costs and the stress of driving in busy areas.
This is exactly what we did. So our itinerary went:
This saved 3 days of rental cost + parking. Far more than the cost of any Ubers. If you want to learn more about how driving in Florida works, then check out my guide on renting cars in Florida.
Or you may even want to rent a campervan or motorhome in Florida and road trip that way. In which case you would definitely need to plan ahead regarding parking in Miami.
Miami food is great, but it’s not a cheap place to eat out, especially around South Beach. As a rough guide, starters were often around $15 to $20, and mains commonly $30 to $45. Even when you find somewhere “reasonable”, the total can creep up quickly once you add drinks.
Happy hour is your best friend here. Loads of places run deals that bring cocktails down to around $10 and beers closer to $5, which makes evenings feel way more affordable. Just remember that US pricing is rarely the final price you pay.
You’ve got to add on some pretty exorbitant tipping (usually minimum 18-20% or they look at you like you just kicked their puppy - honestly don't get me started on the US tipping culture, 90 countries later and it's the worst lol).
A food tour sounds like a splurge, but it can actually save you money because it replaces a full meal and lets you try loads of things without ordering blindly in pricey restaurants.
Our Little Havana tour was brilliant for this. It wasn’t just one snack and a pat on the back. It was coffee, pastry, empanada, Cuban sandwich (with veggie options), mojito, and ice cream, plus the cultural stops like Domino Park and Tower Theatre.
It’s also a really easy way to experience an area properly when you’re short on time. You don’t spend half the day deciding where to eat or wondering if you’re missing something.
I spoke about this above. But if you’re doing a Florida road trip, it can genuinely be cheaper to ditch your car while you’re in Miami, then rehire when you’re ready to leave the city. Parking is expensive, and a lot of hotels charge daily parking fees too, so you end up paying just to have the car sit there.
Getting around by Uber is easy, and for a short trip it saves a lot of effort. When you’re ready to move on, just rehire. There are loads of rental offices around, and we re-rented with Sixt with no hassle.
One of our biggest regrets is not jumping on a cruise while we were there. Miami is a huge cruise hub, so there’s loads of choice, and prices can be surprisingly low compared to what you’d expect.
If you’re European like us, it’s even more tempting because you’ve already done the expensive part (getting to the US). Once you’re in Miami, you’re in the right place to start a Caribbean cruise without needing extra internal flights or complicated travel days.
We saw deals starting from around $50 per person per day. Even if you don’t book, it’s worth checking what’s available before you leave, because you might be shocked by how affordable it can be.
Had we thought this through, we would have flown into Orlando 3-5 days earlier purely to do a cruise. But don’t panic, if you want a “mini-cruise” then check out my guide on the Victory Casino Cruise up in Cape Canaveral.
This sounds obvious, because the earlier you start, the more you can squeeze in. But besides time saving, it made a huge difference to how enjoyable Miami felt. If you start late, you end up doing your most walking in the worst heat, and it can drain you faster than you expect.
This is especially true depending on the time of year you visit. The best time to visit Miami for sightseeing is generally outside peak summer heat.
We visited in October and found mornings were the best time for anything outdoors. South Beach was quieter, the water felt amazing, and walking areas like Wynwood was just more comfortable before the midday sun really kicked in.
If you build in a reset in the late afternoon (pool, shower, a break indoors), your evening feels better too. You’ll have more energy for dinner, a sunset boat tour, or just wandering without feeling like you’re melting.
So it’s not like you are constantly on-the-go from sunup to sunset. Instead you get to make use of your (hopefully) nice hotel and enjoy some downtime in that gorgeous Miami sun.
Miami is full of little add-on costs that can catch you out if you’re not expecting them. The big ones are hotel fees and anything beach-related.
Some hotels charge resort fees, and parking can be a separate daily charge too. Then on the beach, things like loungers and umbrellas can be much more expensive than you’d assume if you’ve only travelled in Europe.
And again, always remember that a lot of US prices look cheaper than they are because tax and tip are added after.
As when booking accommodation, check for resort fees and parking fees. And when budgeting meals, assume the final bill will be higher than the menu price.
Miami is a great “launch point” city. It works brilliantly as a short standalone break, but it’s also the easiest place to start the next part of a Florida trip, especially if you’ve only got a few days here before moving on.
Below are the most common routes people take after Miami, plus what we did.
If you’ve got more than a few days in Florida, a road trip is the obvious next step. Miami gives you the city and beach side of the state, and then you can go chase the stuff that makes Florida feel more like Florida.
Our full route for our month-long trip was:
It worked really well because it kept the trip varied. After three busy days in Miami, it’s a nice change to have a few more scenic, slower travel days.
If you’re planning something similar, these guides will help:
This is the one we wish we’d thought about before the trip. Miami is basically the perfect place to jump on a Caribbean cruise, especially if you’re visiting from Europe.
The big cost of a Caribbean cruise is usually the flights. If you’re already in Miami, you’ve already paid that part, so it suddenly becomes a much cheaper and easier decision. You can do a short cruise as a bolt-on, or go bigger if you’ve got the time.
Even if you’re not sure, it’s worth at least looking at what’s sailing from Miami around your dates before you fly home. It’s one of those “why not” situations, because you might find a deal that makes it a no-brainer.
Orlando is the obvious next stop if you’re doing Florida with kids, or if theme parks are the whole reason you’ve flown over. It’s completely different to Miami, but they pair well together because you get the city and beach first, then the full-on theme park part after.
If you’re building a longer itinerary, Orlando is also a good base for:
If you’re heading back up the coast, Kennedy Space Centre is genuinely worth making time for. We spent two days there and still felt like we could have stayed longer.
It’s one of those places that surprises people. Even if you’re not a huge space nerd, it’s still impressive, and it breaks up a Florida itinerary really nicely because it feels so different from beaches and theme parks.
And honestly? The highlight of our entire month in Florida was watching a rocket launch from the space centre on the second day we were there.
It’s one of those moments that still makes me emotional thinking about it.
If you want a couple more “easy add-ons” to mention (without turning this into a massive Florida guide), these are the ones I’d include:
This turned into a pretty mega guide, and I hope you found it valuable.
It’s drawn from our EXACT experience spending 3 days in Miami and then road tripping much of the rest of the state.
I really did love this city and am so glad we chose to visit and do it well. I would say that 3 days here is really a minimum (but also a good amount to get a fun sense of the city).
Now it’s over to you …
Do you have any questions you think I missed?
Or have any other tips for what to get up to in Miami?
Drop a comment below and let me know!
Other guides you may find useful:
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