Pensacola, FL

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Pensacola Bay Area CVB.
Pensacola Beach which includes a beach, a sunset and general coastal views
Downtown showing heritage elements and heritage architecture
Pensacola Beach showing general coastal views, a beach and a sunset
Downtown

This northwest Florida coastal city is famous for its beautiful beaches and for being one spot where Europeans first settled in the United States.

Pensacola is a beach city with miles of white-sand shoreline. Enjoy snorkeling, diving, swimming, sailing, sunbathing and other activities centering on the water. But Pensacola also charms with its museums, galleries, family attractions and history and traditions of its downtown area.

A 1559 Spanish outpost at this location was one of the oldest European settlements in the United States. Pensacola is known as the “City of Five Flags” because Spain, Britain, France, the Confederacy and the United States have each ruled the area at various times.

Investigate Pensacola’s diverse past with a walk through the historic downtown district. Note the mixture of building styles, including British timber cottages and stucco homes with wrought-iron balconies that reflect Spanish influences. Stand in Plaza Ferdinand where General Andrew Jackson, who would later become the president of the United States, claimed Florida from Spain in 1821.

Visit Historic Pensacola Village, comprising 27 properties and museums, including an 18th-century church and early 19th-century homes. While you are here, follow the Colonial Archeological Trail, a self-guided walking tour that takes you to colonial ruins, fortresses and other structures.

With Pensacola’s year-round sunshine and a moderately warm climate, most visitors head directly to the beach there are many to choose from. One of the most popular is Pensacola Beach, a 10-minute drive from downtown, on the western end of Santa Rosa Island. Cross the Pensacola Bay Bridge to reach this long and narrow barrier island.

Lie on the sand or choose from the many water activities: parasailing, surfing, kayaking and more. Enjoy free events and activities. Bands on the Beach concerts are held every Tuesday from April through October. One annual highlight in July is the Pensacola Beach Air Show, featuring the Blue Angels, the United States Navy's flight demonstration squadron.

Treat yourself to a great night out by heading back downtown. Watch a live performance at the Saenger Theatre and relax in the oyster bars, international restaurants and clubs.

Where to stay in Pensacola

Downtown showing heritage elements and heritage architecture

Downtown Pensacola

4/5(314 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Downtown Pensacola, Saenger Theatre and Historic Pensacola Village are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Pensacola
Beautiful sunset overlooking Pensacola Bay in northwest Florida. Great spot to fish or just relax. In between the beach and downtown area, just a few minutes drive from each. #colorful #pensacola #sunset #veryorange

Southeast Pensacola

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

While visiting Southeast Pensacola, you might make a stop by sights like Palafox Shopping Center and Beach Road Shopping Center.

Southeast Pensacola
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South Pensacola

3/5(29 area reviews)

While visiting South Pensacola, you might make a stop by sights like Palafox Shopping Center and Pensacola Outlet Mall.

South Pensacola
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Northeast Pensacola

4/5(465 area reviews)

While visiting Northeast Pensacola, you might make a stop by sights like Cordova Mall and Roger Scott Athletic Complex.

Northeast Pensacola
Welcome to Florida.
Travelling on I-10 from Arizona to Florida

Northwest Pensacola

3.5/5(752 area reviews)

While visiting Northwest Pensacola, you might make a stop by sights like Five Flags Speedway and Splash City Adventures.

Northwest Pensacola
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Perdido Key Coves One

While Perdido Key Coves One isn't home to many top sights, Perdido Key State Park and Ono Island are some notable places to visit nearby.

Perdido Key Coves One
Quality Inn & Suites Pensacola Bayview
Quality Inn & Suites Pensacola Bayview
2.5 out of 5
7601 Scenic Highway, Pensacola, FL
$77 nightly
The price is $87 total per night from Jun 22 to Jun 23
$87 total
Jun 22 - Jun 23
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Pensacola. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7/10 Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Loved it great experience will definetly recommend"

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Quality Inn & Suites Pensacola Bayview
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Pensacola
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Pensacola
3 out of 5
7750 N Davis Hwy, Pensacola, FL
$64 nightly
The price is $71 total per night from Jun 22 to Jun 23
$71 total
Jun 22 - Jun 23
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Pensacola. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions University Town Plaza and Grizzly ...
5.6/10 (1,011 reviews)
"We stayed her a week and the beds were nice and soft, The room was clean, would definitely stay here next time. Breakfast was simple, but got the job done. Great size pool, and was kept clean. The only downfall was people smoking weed, and are air conditioner sucking in the smell so are room would ..."

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Pensacola
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Pensacola West, FL
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Pensacola West, FL
2.5 out of 5
2607 Wilde Lake Blvd, Pensacola, FL
Fully refundable
$135 nightly
The price is $151 total per night from Jun 29 to Jun 30
$151 total
Jun 29 - Jun 30
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Pensacola. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,174 reviews)
"Great place! Great staff! We had to move from another hotel and the front desk was great helping us get 2 rooms and checked in."

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Pensacola West, 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.
Extended Stay
Extended Stay
2.5 out of 5
6950 Pensacola Blvd., Pensacola, FL
Stay at this aparthotel in Pensacola. Enjoy free parking, laundry facilities, and cable TV channels. Popular attractions Splash City Adventures and Marcus Pointe ...
4.4/10 (278 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on May 20, 2025

Extended Stay
stayAPT Suites Pensacola-UWF/West Florida Hospital Area
stayAPT Suites Pensacola-UWF/West Florida Hospital Area
4 out of 5
9229 University Pkwy, Pensacola, FL
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Pensacola. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Archaeology Institute ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (143 reviews)
"The property was newer and generally in good condition. Rooms were equipped with some basic items for cooking and eating, but lacked a broom and dust pan. Air conditioner, television and internet worked well. Overall, this property was a fine choice."

Reviewed on Jun 17, 2025

stayAPT Suites Pensacola-UWF/West Florida Hospital Area
Perdido Skye by Southern VR
Perdido Skye by Southern VR
3.5 out of 5
13785 Perdido Key Drive, Pensacola, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Pensacola. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Perdido Key Beach and Lost Key Golf Club ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (29 reviews)
"The condo we stayed in was nice enough. Nice view of the ocean. Would have been the perfect location in relation to the pool, had the pool not been out of commission. The TV in the bedroom had a permanent line across it and the remote to the TV in the family area was missing. One pro was that the ..."

Reviewed on Jun 14, 2025

Perdido Skye by Southern VR
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.

Getting around Pensacola

Public transportation options are not extensive in Pensacola, so car rental may be the best way to explore the city and its surroundings. There’s plenty of free parking across the city, although you may have to pay to park downtown. Cycling is another option if you plan to see a relatively small area. Bus routes in the city do not go everywhere and are of more use to commuters. Visit the Escambia County Area TransitOpens in a new window website.Browse Pensacola rental cars.

Best time to visit

Pensacola is a very popular summer vacation spot for families in summer, so you’ll have more space to yourself if you visit in the fall instead. Temperatures at this time are also less hot and more pleasant, while there is less risk of hurricanes. Both those things are also true in spring, but at this time of year spring breakers descend on the city, making fall the perfect time for good weather and smaller crowds.

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