Key West in 7 days

The southernmost city: Duval Street, conch houses, coral reefs and the end of the road in the Florida Keys. Best time to visit: March-May (warm, drier, before peak heat). Average daily budget: $200 to $380 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Old Town, The historic heart of pastel conch houses, Duval Street bars, galleries, museums and guesthouses.

Morning: Tour the Hemingway Home. The author's former house and gardens, home to dozens of famous six-toed cats.

Afternoon: Explore Old Town, The historic heart of pastel conch houses, Duval Street bars, galleries, museums and guesthouses.

Evening: Watch the Mallory Square sunset celebration. Street performers, food carts and crowds gather nightly to cheer the sunset over the water.

Eat: Fresh key lime pie

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Duval Street, The famous mile-long strip of bars, restaurants, shops and nightlife running coast to coast.

Morning: Snorkel or dive the coral reef. Take a boat to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental US, vibrant with fish and coral.

Afternoon: Explore Duval Street, The famous mile-long strip of bars, restaurants, shops and nightlife running coast to coast.

Evening: Visit the Southernmost Point buoy. Snap the iconic marker just 90 miles from Cuba, the end of the continental US.

Eat: Conch fritters and conch chowder

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Mallory Square, The waterfront plaza famous for its nightly sunset celebration with street performers.

Morning: Day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park. A ferry or seaplane to a remote island fort with pristine snorkelling, book well ahead.

Afternoon: Explore Mallory Square, The waterfront plaza famous for its nightly sunset celebration with street performers.

Evening: Sunset and swimming at Fort Zachary Taylor's beach away from the Mallory crowds.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fresh-caught grouper and yellowtail snapper

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Bahama Village, A historic, low-key neighbourhood with Caribbean roots, local eateries and colourful streets.

Morning: Key lime pie from a local bakery rather than a tourist stand.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Bahama Village, A historic, low-key neighbourhood with Caribbean roots, local eateries and colourful streets.

Evening: Quiet morning walks among the conch houses before the cruise crowds arrive.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Pink Florida shrimp and stone crab (in season)

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Truman Annex & the waterfront, Leafy historic streets near the Hemingway Home, Fort Zachary Taylor and the harbour.

Morning: A kayak trip through the mangroves of the backcountry flats.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Truman Annex & the waterfront, Leafy historic streets near the Hemingway Home, Fort Zachary Taylor and the harbour.

Evening: Dinner at Fresh key lime pie, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Truman Annex & the waterfront.

Eat: Fresh key lime pie

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Old Town, The historic heart of pastel conch houses, Duval Street bars, galleries, museums and guesthouses.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Old Town, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Old Town, The historic heart of pastel conch houses, Duval Street bars, galleries, museums and guesthouses.

Evening: Dinner at Conch fritters and conch chowder, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Old Town.

Eat: Conch fritters and conch chowder

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Duval Street, The famous mile-long strip of bars, restaurants, shops and nightlife running coast to coast.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Duval Street, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Duval Street, The famous mile-long strip of bars, restaurants, shops and nightlife running coast to coast.

Evening: Dinner at Fresh-caught grouper and yellowtail snapper, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Duval Street.

Eat: Fresh-caught grouper and yellowtail snapper

Hidden gems

Sunset and swimming at Fort Zachary Taylor's beach away from the Mallory crowds.
Key lime pie from a local bakery rather than a tourist stand.
Quiet morning walks among the conch houses before the cruise crowds arrive.
A kayak trip through the mangroves of the backcountry flats.

Getting around

Key West's compact Old Town is best explored on foot, by bicycle or by scooter, which are the most popular and characterful ways to get around. Driving the Overseas Highway from Miami (about 3.5 to 4 hours) is a scenic experience, but once on the island a car is more hassle than help, with limited, pricey parking. Many visitors fly into Key West's small airport or arrive by ferry, then rent bikes for the stay.

Safety

Key West is generally safe and laid-back, but Duval Street gets rowdy at night with heavy drinking, so keep your wits and belongings close. Protect against the strong sun, stay hydrated, and respect ocean and weather conditions on reef trips and water activities. Watch for cyclists and scooters when walking, and be aware that hurricane season runs June to November, so monitor forecasts if visiting then.

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