Miami in 7 days

Art Deco, ocean blues and Latin rhythm: beaches, nightlife, Cuban food and Wynwood murals. Best time to visit: November-April. Average daily budget: $150 to $300 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: South Beach (SoBe), The Art Deco district, Ocean Drive, the beach and the headline nightlife, iconic but touristy.

Morning: Art Deco walking tour in South Beach. The world's largest collection of Art Deco architecture along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue.

Afternoon: Explore South Beach (SoBe), The Art Deco district, Ocean Drive, the beach and the headline nightlife, iconic but touristy.

Evening: Wynwood Walls. The outdoor museum of giant murals, surrounded by galleries, breweries and street food.

Eat: A Cuban sandwich and cortadito in Little Havana

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Wynwood & the Design District, Open-air street-art murals, galleries, breweries and Miami's coolest creative scene.

Morning: Little Havana on Calle Ocho. Cuban coffee, hand-rolled cigars, dominoes at Máximo Gómez Park and live music.

Afternoon: Explore Wynwood & the Design District, Open-air street-art murals, galleries, breweries and Miami's coolest creative scene.

Evening: Beach day on South or Mid-Beach. Turquoise water, soft sand and people-watching, less crowded north of 20th Street.

Eat: Fresh stone crab (in season, Oct-May)

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Little Havana, Calle Ocho, cigar rollers, domino players, Cuban cafés and live salsa.

Morning: Everglades airboat trip. An easy half-day into the sawgrass to spot alligators and birdlife, just west of the city.

Afternoon: Explore Little Havana, Calle Ocho, cigar rollers, domino players, Cuban cafés and live salsa.

Evening: The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, an Italianate villa on Biscayne Bay.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Ceviche and Peruvian-Nikkei in Brickell

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Brickell & Downtown, Gleaming towers, rooftop bars, river dining and the most walkable urban core.

Morning: Stand-up paddleboarding in the calm waters off Key Biscayne.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Brickell & Downtown, Gleaming towers, rooftop bars, river dining and the most walkable urban core.

Evening: The Cuban sandwiches and cortaditos at a no-frills Little Havana ventanita.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Pastelitos and croquetas from a ventanita

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Coconut Grove & Coral Gables, Leafy, upscale and laid-back, banyan-lined streets, boutiques and Mediterranean architecture.

Morning: Sunset drinks on a Brickell rooftop overlooking the river and bay.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Coconut Grove & Coral Gables, Leafy, upscale and laid-back, banyan-lined streets, boutiques and Mediterranean architecture.

Evening: Dinner at A Cuban sandwich and cortadito in Little Havana, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Coconut Grove & Coral Gables.

Eat: A Cuban sandwich and cortadito in Little Havana

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: South Beach (SoBe), The Art Deco district, Ocean Drive, the beach and the headline nightlife, iconic but touristy.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in South Beach (SoBe), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore South Beach (SoBe), The Art Deco district, Ocean Drive, the beach and the headline nightlife, iconic but touristy.

Evening: Dinner at Fresh stone crab (in season, Oct-May), then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in South Beach (SoBe).

Eat: Fresh stone crab (in season, Oct-May)

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Wynwood & the Design District, Open-air street-art murals, galleries, breweries and Miami's coolest creative scene.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Wynwood & the Design District, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Wynwood & the Design District, Open-air street-art murals, galleries, breweries and Miami's coolest creative scene.

Evening: Dinner at Ceviche and Peruvian-Nikkei in Brickell, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Wynwood & the Design District.

Eat: Ceviche and Peruvian-Nikkei in Brickell

Hidden gems

The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, an Italianate villa on Biscayne Bay.
Stand-up paddleboarding in the calm waters off Key Biscayne.
The Cuban sandwiches and cortaditos at a no-frills Little Havana ventanita.
Sunset drinks on a Brickell rooftop overlooking the river and bay.

Getting around

Miami is spread out and car-friendly; many visitors rent a car or use Uber/Lyft, especially between South Beach, Wynwood and Little Havana. Downtown and Brickell have the free Metromover and the Brightline train links to Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. South Beach is very walkable and has Citi Bike, but parking there is scarce and expensive, so consider rideshare for nights out.

Safety

Miami is generally safe for visitors in the main areas, with normal big-city precautions. Be alert on Ocean Drive late at night (overpriced bars, scams and rowdiness), watch your belongings on the beach, and don't leave valuables in parked cars. Some neighbourhoods just outside the tourist zones are best avoided after dark, use rideshare to be safe.

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