Sarasota, FL

Travel Guide

Venice showing tropical scenes, general coastal views and a sandy beach
Ca’ d’Zan showing heritage architecture and a garden
Central Sarasota showing outdoor art and street scenes as well as a couple
John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art featuring art and interior views
Central Sarasota which includes interior views as well as an individual male

Sarasota Travel Guide Video

Famous white-sand beaches, a dynamic arts community and lush tropical beauty keep visitors coming back to Florida’s central west coast cultural capital.

Sarasota is a bayside city dotted with Mediterranean Revival architecture and bordered by award-winning beaches on three picturesque barrier islands. The city and its county are known as “Florida’s Cultural Coast” and are home to 10 theaters, 30 art galleries, an acclaimed symphony orchestra and prestigious ballet and opera companies.

Downtown Sarasota has plentiful cultural attractions. Enjoy classical operatic performances at the Sarasota Opera House. See a diverse selection of acts at the striking Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, the Historic Asolo Theater or the Asolo Repertory Theatre. Dine at one of the restaurants in the area and enjoy the local seafood. Try Florida spiny lobster, crab and shrimp and finish off with a citrusy slice of key lime pie.

The 1920s millionaire circus magnate, John Ringling, and his wife Mable contributed greatly to some of the city’s most intriguing cultural features. Visit the Ringling Estate, a sprawling bayside complex that contains the Ringling Museum of Art and the couple’s own lavish Ca’ d’Zan mansion.

Discover the natural beauty of the tropical Gulf of Florida coastline at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardensand look for an iconic pink flamingo at the Sarasota Jungle Gardens.

Lido Key and Siesta Key, barrier islands just west of downtown, provide some of the most breathtaking beaches in the United States. Siesta Key Public Beach, with its crystal-clear water and sand that looks and feels like powdered sugar, is a favorite for locals and visitors for swimming, playing volleyball or taking long walks as the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico.

Sarasota is located on the central west coast of Florida, 60 miles (96 kilometers) south of Tampa. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is a short distance from downtown and is served by major airlines flying from the eastern United States and Canada. Sarasota has a tropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Warm temperatures and diverse cultural attractions make this city a fantastic destination any time of the year.

Where to stay in Sarasota

Beautiful Bruny... home to amazing cheese, oysters, wine... all the good stuff.

South Sarasota

While visiting South Sarasota, you might make a stop by sights like The Landings and Coconuts Family Entertainment Center.

South Sarasota
Causeway Park featuring general coastal views

Central Sarasota

4/5(911 area reviews)

Gardens, art galleries, and theaters are some highlights of Central Sarasota. Make a stop by Sarasota Opera House or Marina Jack while you're exploring.

Central Sarasota
Sarasota which includes a sandy beach as well as children

Downtown Sarasota

If you're spending some time in Downtown Sarasota, Sarasota Opera House and Regal Hollywood - Sarasota are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Sarasota
Legacy Trail

Palmer Ranch

When in Palmer Ranch, you can plan a visit to Stoneybrook Golf & Country Club and Sarasota Square, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Palmer Ranch
St. Armands Circle featuring a statue or sculpture

Saint Armands Key

Beaches and restaurants are just a few things travelers like about Saint Armands Key. A stop by St. Armands Circle is also recommended if you've got time to explore the area.

Saint Armands Key
We helped with the Grand Opening of the Time to Revive National Office in Sarasota. Time to Revive was started over 10 years ago in Dallas, Texas. In 2016 Time to Revive came to Sarasota for a week which turned into 4 weeks and 40 churches working together love and share the Gospel.
The International leader and founder Kyle Martin shared a vision for attendees.

Fruitville

4.5/5(142 area reviews)

Restaurants, beaches, and shopping highlight some of the notable features of Fruitville. Make a stop by Nathan Benderson Park while you're exploring.

Fruitville
Kompose Boutique Hotel
Kompose Boutique Hotel
3 out of 5
965 University Pkwy, Sarasota, FL
$98 nightly
The price is $111 total per night from Jun 19 to Jun 20
$111 total
Jun 19 - Jun 20
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,965 reviews)
"Great property , quiet, 16 min from the beach, staff was amazing. The pool it’s small, but quiet."

Reviewed on Jun 12, 2025

Kompose Boutique Hotel
Spark by Hilton Sarasota Siesta Key Gateway
Spark by Hilton Sarasota Siesta Key Gateway
3 out of 5
6600 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL
$127 nightly
The price is $143 total per night from Jun 25 to Jun 26
$143 total
Jun 25 - Jun 26
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,383 reviews)
"Staff was very friendly. Facilities are a little dated but everything was very clean."

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

Spark by Hilton Sarasota Siesta Key Gateway
Golden Host Resort - Sarasota
Golden Host Resort - Sarasota
3 out of 5
4675 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL
$81 nightly
The price is $92 total per night from Jun 22 to Jun 23
$92 total
Jun 22 - Jun 23
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,991 reviews)
"My bed was EXTRAORDINARILY comfortable. My room was quiet (which surprised me, because the bar next to the property had very loud outdoor music). My room was clean, the staff was all lovely. The POOL AREA was amazing. I was very pleased with my stay."

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

Golden Host Resort - Sarasota
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.
Hibiscus Suites - Gateway to Siesta Key
Hibiscus Suites - Gateway to Siesta Key
2.5 out of 5
1735 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,130 reviews)
"Very nice place, close to all beaches, great customer service. I will come back."

Reviewed on Jun 6, 2025

Hibiscus Suites - Gateway to Siesta Key
Tiny House Siesta
Tiny House Siesta
2 out of 5
6600 Avenue A, Sarasota, FL
Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and patios. Popular attractions Siesta Key Beach and Lido Beach are located nearby.
8.2/10 Very Good! (291 reviews)
"Very good property, clean and easy access"

Reviewed on Jun 11, 2025

Tiny House Siesta
Siesta beach....one and only
Siesta beach....one and only
Sarasota
Stay at this vacation home in Sarasota. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a water park. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (177 reviews)
25th anniversary
"Karl was fantastic with all info about the area and any help we needed. Super clean , beautiful swimming pool , a/c was coooool and all creature comforts available and worked great. Love the safe clean neighborhood."

Reviewed on May 11, 2025

Siesta beach....one and only
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 Sarasota

Sarasota is quite spread out, across the mainland downtown and three offshore keys. This means you might find renting a car the most convenient option for getting around. There’s an extensive bus network, but be aware that most buses don’t run at night or on Sundays. If you’re going to be staying around downtown, consider exploring on foot, or renting a bike. Taxis are quite expensive in Sarasota. Visit the Sarasota Country Area TransitOpens in a new window website.Browse Sarasota rental cars.

Best time to visit

Sarasota has a typical Floridian climate, which means summers are often hot and wet, with thunderstorms a possibility from June well into the fall. Winter sees very pleasant, drier weather, but is the peak season, so you’ll be jostling for space with seasonal snowbirds. That makes spring the best time to visit, before the wet season starts and after the crowds which descend in winter have dispersed.

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