- Direct flights from Heathrow take around 9.5-10 hours and you need an ESTA
- Stay on Miami Beach for the beach, or Brickell and downtown for city life
- Winter is peak season with dry, warm weather
- Hurricane season runs June to November
- Airports
- Miami International (MIA), about 20-30 minutes to downtown and Miami Beach; Fort Lauderdale (FLL) about 45 minutes
- Best time to go
- November-April
- Type
- City
Miami is a city of sunshine and colour: pastel Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive, Cuban coffee in Little Havana, street art in Wynwood and glassy towers rising over Biscayne Bay. Its Latin American and Caribbean influences make it feel quite different from the rest of the United States.
It is a great winter-sun city break, and the starting point for the Florida Keys and the Everglades. For the wider picture, see our Florida guide, and consider continuing down the Overseas Highway to Key West.
Things to do in Miami
- South Beach – broad sands, lifeguard towers and people-watching on Ocean Drive.
- Art Deco Historic District – guided walks explain the 1930s architecture around Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue.
- Little Havana – Calle Ocho, domino games at Máximo Gómez Park, cigar shops and Cuban cafés.
- Wynwood Walls – large-scale murals, galleries and craft breweries.
- Pérez Art Museum and Frost Science – modern museums on the bay downtown.
- Vizcaya Museum and Gardens – an Italian-style villa and gardens from the 1910s.
- The Everglades – airboat rides, alligators and wading birds; Shark Valley in the national park has a tram tour.
- Key Biscayne – quieter beaches and a lighthouse at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
Where to stay
- South Beach – the classic choice, close to the sand, restaurants and nightlife.
- Mid-Beach and North Beach – bigger resorts and calmer stretches of sand.
- Brickell and downtown – sleek high-rise hotels, rooftop bars and business districts.
- Coconut Grove and Coral Gables – leafy, residential and more relaxed.
Getting there
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines fly direct from Heathrow to Miami in around 9.5 to 10 hours, and Norse and others have offered flights from Gatwick at times. You need an approved ESTA. From the airport, taxis and ride-hailing are simplest; Metrorail serves downtown and Brickell. A car is handy for the Everglades and the Keys, but parking on Miami Beach is expensive. The Brightline train links Miami with Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.
Best time to visit
November to April is peak season, with warm, dry days and the busiest beaches. Spring break in March can be loud and crowded on South Beach. Summer is hot, humid and rainy, with short tropical downpours, and hurricane season runs from June to November. Art Basel in early December brings big crowds and high prices.
Head to Little Havana for a ventanita (walk-up window) coffee in the morning, when the cafés and domino park are at their liveliest.
Top attractions in Miami
NatureCentral Park
Manhattan's 843-acre green heart, with lakes, meadows, bridges and woodland stretching for 51 blocks between Midtown…
LandmarkStatue of Liberty
The copper colossus in New York Harbor, a gift from France in 1886, visited by ferry with Ellis Island on the same trip.
Miami on the map
Frequently asked questions
Is Miami good for a beach holiday?
Yes. Miami Beach has miles of sand and warm water, and Key Biscayne offers calmer options away from the crowds.
How many days do you need in Miami?
Three or four days covers the city and a beach day, plus one day for the Everglades.
Do I need a car in Miami?
Not for Miami Beach, downtown and Brickell, where taxis, buses and walking work well. Hire one for the Everglades and Keys.
Is Miami safe?
The main visitor areas are generally fine with normal precautions. Keep valuables out of sight, especially on the beach and in cars.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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