Clearwater, FL

Travel Guide

Clearwater Beach showing a beach and a coastal town
Clearwater Beach showing a beach and a coastal town
Clearwater Beach which includes a beach and a coastal town
Clearwater
Clearwater Marine Aquarium featuring a marina and general coastal views

See the cradle of Scientology, visit the famous bottlenose dolphins from Dolphin Tale and try water sports at the stunning beaches.

Clearwater is a delightful beach town with all types of water sports activities and an entertaining pier area. It is also known across the globe as the headquarters of the mysterious and controversial Church of Scientology. Sunbathe on the gorgeous beaches and learn about the notorious religion of Tom Cruise and John Travolta in this intriguing town.

Among the town’s highlights is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is known for rescuing injured sea creatures. See the famous bottlenose dolphins Winter and Hope from the Dolphin Tale movie. Winter has a prosthetic replacement for her tail, which was caught in a crab trap line.

Get around the town center via the Suncoast Beach Trolley. Visit the majestic building of the Church of Scientology, which the religion considers a 21st-century cathedral. Drop in at the Church of Scientology Information Center to learn more about this enigmatic belief system.

Enjoy the picturesque scenery in the region while you practice your swing at Cove Cay Golf Course. Enjoy a meal at its grill restaurant against a picturesque backdrop of the lake and the bay. Bring your kids to Congo River Golf – Clearwater for a course of miniature golf that leads through waterfalls, caves and tropical rainforests.

Take advantage of the year-round warm weather with a trip to Pier 60. Note that August is particularly wet, with afternoon storms. Watch the lightning during tempests and the sunset on a clear day. At Clearwater Beach rent Jet Skis and kayaks to take out on the water.

The town is located on the western outskirts of Tampa in the western section of central Florida. Fly to the Saint Petersburg Clearwater International Airport or the Tampa International Airport, a 30-minute drive east across Old Tampa Bay from the town. See some of Florida’s other famous nearby towns, such as Largo, St. Petersburg and Palm Harbor.

Clearwater is a haven for golfers, beachgoers and Scientologists.

Candlewood Suites Safety Harbor - Clearwater NE by IHG

Candlewood Suites Safety Harbor - Clearwater NE by IHG

2.5 out of 5
2471 Mcmullen Booth Road Clearwater FL
$180 nightly
The price is $203 total per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
$203 total
Feb 1 - Feb 2
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (382 reviews)
Showers need to be upgraded.

Reviewed on Jan 18, 2026

Candlewood Suites Safety Harbor - Clearwater NE by IHG
Tropical Palms Hotel

Tropical Palms Hotel

2.5 out of 5
3580 Ulmerton Rd Clearwater FL
$62 nightly
The price is $70 total per night from Feb 1 to Feb 2
$70 total
Feb 1 - Feb 2
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
6.2/10 (431 reviews)
Nice place and great environment. Beautiful facilities and awesome service. Thanks so much.

Reviewed on Jan 22, 2026

Tropical Palms Hotel
Sleep Inn Clearwater - St Petersburg

Sleep Inn Clearwater - St Petersburg

2.5 out of 5
3939 Ulmerton Rd Clearwater FL
$113 nightly
The price is $128 total per night from Jan 29 to Jan 30
$128 total
Jan 29 - Jan 30
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,013 reviews)
Awesome place to stay! Clean rooms, clean pool, great staff!

Reviewed on Jan 26, 2026

Sleep Inn Clearwater - St Petersburg
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Full 2-Bedroom Exclusive Condo in Beautiful Clearwater Beach Area

Full 2-Bedroom Exclusive Condo in Beautiful Clearwater Beach Area

Clearwater FL
Stay at this condo in Clearwater. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Sand Key Park and Clearwater Beach are located nearby.
7/10 Good! (6 reviews)
All was good

Reviewed on Jan 5, 2026

Full 2-Bedroom Exclusive Condo in Beautiful Clearwater Beach Area
AVALON RESORT, LUXURY CUSTOM 2/2 BEACH THEMED CONDO, HEATED POOL, CLOSE TO BEACH

AVALON RESORT, LUXURY CUSTOM 2/2 BEACH THEMED CONDO, HEATED POOL, CLOSE TO BEACH

Clearwater FL
Stay at this condo in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Sand Key Park and Clearwater Beach are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (56 reviews)
Our stay was fantastic! It was clean and safe. The condo was unexpectedly stocked with great items like towels, umbrella, chairs which made our beach time perfect. Would definitely be recommending this to travelers and families Check in was smooth. We did not experience any issues at this site. We ...

Reviewed on Jan 2, 2026

AVALON RESORT, LUXURY CUSTOM 2/2 BEACH THEMED CONDO, HEATED POOL, CLOSE TO BEACH
InTown Suites Extended Stay Clearwater FL

InTown Suites Extended Stay Clearwater FL

2.5 out of 5
2833 ROOSEVELT BLVD Clearwater FL
Stay at this aparthotel in Clearwater. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Cove Cay Golf Club and Tampa Bay Grand Prix ...
6.4/10 (32 reviews)
Staff was super friendly, the air conditioner went out the first night and maintenance fixed it that same night.

Reviewed on Oct 10, 2025

InTown Suites Extended Stay Clearwater FL
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Clearwater

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
687
5 - Excellent 44%
4 - Good
637
4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
191
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
30
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
28
1 - Terrible 2%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Very nice vacation

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Clearwater was ok. We changed hotels to Clearwater beach and had a much better experience

4/5 - Good

Ed

We went for the beach it was nice, clean but very crowded.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It was My first time To Clearwater Beach It was Excellent Clean the Water was Beautiful I will be Going back in the Future. Very Friendly Staff And Helpful. Lots of Activity to do while your there I could not get them all in.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Great and calm beaches, nice for the walk and the food

Cities near Clearwater

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