St. Petersburg, FL

Travel Guide

St. Petersburg featuring signage
St. Petersburg showing a bay or harbor, a coastal town and road cycling
St. Petersburg - Clearwater showing tropical scenes
St. Petersburg featuring a sandy beach
St. Petersburg featuring a sandy beach

Endless sunshine, fresh seafood and stellar street art: with a blend of artistic charm and urban sophistication, St. Petersburg might be Florida’s coolest coastal town.

There’s a lot going on beneath St. Petersburg’s sunny, fun-loving exterior. It’s overflowing with creative energy, from the colorful murals of its Warehouse Arts District to world-renowned cultural institutions like the Salvador Dalí Museum. It’s a culinary hot spot, with everything from buzzy brunch cafes to seafood restaurants and innovative craft breweries. And it’s a jumping-off point for exploring spectacular stretches of sand like St. Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille Beach, plus sprawling urban parks and nature preserves. Whether you’re looking for secluded shorelines, cutting-edge galleries or the best grouper sandwich in town, this St. Petersburg travel guide has you covered.

The best areas for accommodation in St. Petersburg

Downtown is one of the best places for first-timers to stay in St. Petersburg. Base yourself here to easily visit top attractions, including the Salvador Dalí Museum, the Chihuly Collection and the Museum of Fine Arts on the St. Petersburg harbor. First-timers keen to take a bite out of the city’s food scene should stay in the up-and-coming EDGE District, where there’s a mix of international eateries, bustling patio bars and beer gardens.

With mural-lined streets perfect for strolling down hand in hand and trendy eateries and coffee shops ripe for exploring together, the Grand Central District is one of the best places for couples to stay in St. Petersburg. And as the city’s historic “gayborhood,” it’s a great choice for LGBTQ+ couples. If you’re craving a seaside getaway, stay on St. Pete Beach, renowned for its powdery sands and alfresco restaurants and bars.

For families seeking a mix of dining options, museums and outdoor space, the Waterfront Museum District is one of the best places to stay in St. Petersburg. Enjoy the Sunshine City’s endless rays with a stroll along St. Pete Pier, one of the city’s best family-friendly attractions. If you’d prefer to be down on the beach, Treasure Island offers a stunning stretch of sand lapped by gentle waves with several family-friendly hotels.

Best time to visit St. Petersburg

  • Winter (December to early March): While temperatures are cooler, winter brings near-constant sunshine and thinner crowds.
  • Spring (late March to May): The best time to visit St. Petersburg for warm weather, minimal rainfall and events such as the Tampa Bay Blues Festival.
  • Summer (June to September): Great deals on accommodations and many festivals such as St Pete Pride and Sunsets at Pier 60. Expect high temperatures and frequent afternoon storms.
  • Fall (September to November): A sweet spot between summer’s heat and winter’s cooler temperatures, fall is another great time to visit St. Petersburg.

How many days to spend in St. Petersburg

Visit St. Petersburg for around three to four days if you’d like to explore top museums, relax on nearby beaches and enjoy the city’s culinary and craft beer scenes. With five days to a week, you can add a couple of day trips to nature spots like Honeymoon Island and Weeki Wachee State Park.

The vibe of St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg balances laid-back coastal charm with an artistic spirit. Downtown is a cool mishmash of restored warehouses, indie boutiques and microbreweries, while live music bars and vibrant murals add to the rich tapestry of sound and color. The city has an impressive array of major galleries for its size, including the Salvador Dalí Museum, the Chihuly Collection and the Museum of Fine Arts. But its creativity isn’t limited to art. Sample local IPAs, stouts and sours at craft breweries, or dine at innovative restaurants led by world-renowned chefs. St. Pete also has a loud and proud LGBTQ+ community and hosts Florida’s largest Pride; expect to see rainbow flags everywhere you go.

What is St. Petersburg famous for?

A vacation in St. Petersburg, Florida, will likely feature plenty of blue skies. Nicknamed “The Sunshine City,” it’s famous for holding the record for having the most consecutive days of sunshine: 768 days, recorded in the late 1960s. Soak up those endless rays at stunning beaches like Pass-a-Grille, Clearwater and Sunset Beach. St. Pete’s creative energy is evident through its colorful murals, with more than 600 dotted around town; take a guided walking tour to learn the stories behind the artworks. Locals love their sports, so join in the fun by watching Tampa Bay Rays (MLB) play at Tropicana Field or catching a Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer game at Al Lang Stadium.

Events in St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg’s events start with a bang, with the New Year Fireworks over St. Pete Pier. In February, the free Localtopia festival at Williams Park celebrates local arts, music and food. Vinoy Park comes to life with reggae rhythms for Reggae Rise Up Florida Festival in March and soulful sounds at the Tampa Bay Blues Festival in April. June brings a month of rainbow-hued festivities for St. Pete Pride, including a huge parade and street fair in the Grand Central District. In October, check out new artworks and special events for the SHINE St. Pete Mural Festival, or listen to jazz, swing, blues and funk at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday.

Top attractions in St. Petersburg

For first-timers, visiting the waterfront Salvador Dalí Museum is an unmissable thing to do in St. Petersburg. It’s home to the largest collection of the surrealist painter’s works outside of Spain, in a fittingly surreal glass building. A day trip to St. Pete Beach is also a must. Drive 20 minutes (or take a 30-minute bus) from Downtown to reach this barrier island with a vast expanse of powdery sand.

Strolling around the Sunken Gardens is one of the best things for couples to do in St. Petersburg. This sprawling green space is brimming with tropical plants, towering palms and native Florida flowers. For a romantic day on the sand, escape to Pass-a-Grille Beach, a tranquil shoreline at the southern tip of St. Pete Beach. Then catch a Gulf Coast sunset from one of the neighborhood’s rooftop bars or seafood restaurants.

One of the best things for families to do in St. Petersburg is a stroll around St. Pete Pier, which features a huge, modern playground, plentiful parks and fountains where kids can splash about. Take budding artists to explore the Salvador Dalí Museum’s interactive exhibits or gaze at colorful glassworks at the Chihuly Collection. It’s worth heading out of town to Weedon Island Preserve, where you can walk or kayak through lush wetlands.

Where to stay in St. Petersburg

Downtown St. Petersburg featuring outdoor art

Downtown St. Petersburg

A noteworthy feature of Downtown St. Petersburg is its fantastic nightlife. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Tampa Bay and The Coliseum.

Downtown St. Petersburg
South Pasadena which includes a pond and a bridge

South Pasadena

Located on a peninsula in Boca Ciega Bay, this city boasts picturesque parks like Maynard A. Duryea Bay View Park and the Barbara Gilberg Habitat. Enjoy tennis courts, playgrounds, and explore nearby islands such as Pasadena Isle and Sun Island.

South Pasadena
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Isla del Sol

While Isla del Sol isn't home to many top sights, Boca Ciega Bay Aquatic Preserve and Eckerd College Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Isla del Sol
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Disston Heights

3/5(21 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Disston Heights and surrounding area, you can visit Tropicana Field and St. Pete's Historic Coliseum.

Disston Heights
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Causeway Isles

Causeway Isles might not have many top sights, but St. Petersburg Municipal Beach and Sunset Beach are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Causeway Isles
Great Explorations Children\'s Museum which includes signage

Historic Old Northeast

4.5/5(26 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Historic Old Northeast, Renaissance Vinoy Golf Club and Vinoy Park Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Historic Old Northeast
Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
4 out of 5
333 1st St S, St. Petersburg, FL
$101 nightly
The price is $114 total per night from Jun 22 to Jun 23
$114 total
Jun 22 - Jun 23
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in St. Petersburg. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Very nice, clean hotel. Unfortunately, my daughter left her sweatshirt hanging on the back of the bathroom door and when we returned later in the day after her USF orientation to ask if it had been found or turned in, it was not."

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2025

Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront
SkyBeach Resort
SkyBeach Resort
3 out of 5
6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane, St. Petersburg, FL
$184 nightly
The price is $208 total per night from Jun 15 to Jun 16
$208 total
Jun 15 - Jun 16
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this beach hotel in St. Petersburg. Enjoy 2 outdoor pools, a private beach, and a marina. Popular attractions Tropicana Field and Salvador Dali ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (280 reviews)
"The Garden and Beach"

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

SkyBeach Resort
GALAXY HOTEL
GALAXY HOTEL
3.5 out of 5
101 3rd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL
$116 nightly
The price is $131 total per night from Jun 15 to Jun 16
$131 total
Jun 15 - Jun 16
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in St. Petersburg. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and valet parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Tampa ...
8/10 Very Good! (188 reviews)
"This is a great propery! Location is great for walking downtown. Very clean, very comfortable.i would definitely stay here again!"

Reviewed on Jun 11, 2025

GALAXY HOTEL
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.
Mint House St. Petersburg - Downtown
Mint House St. Petersburg - Downtown
4.5 out of 5
77 11th St N, St. Petersburg, FL
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in St. Petersburg. Enjoy free WiFi, valet parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (632 reviews)
"Very nice staff. Easy check in. Great restaurants that are walkable."

Reviewed on Jun 8, 2025

Mint House St. Petersburg - Downtown
Barsala At The Wayland Condos
Barsala At The Wayland Condos
4 out of 5
305 Dr. M.L.K. Jr St South, St. Petersburg, FL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in St. Petersburg. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Tropicana Field and Salvador ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (7 reviews)
"My little getaway was amazing!!! The studio was beautiful, had everything we needed I wasn't expecting a full kitchen with baking utensils as well. We had a blast the view was incredible. I loved the outside setup near the pool as well. Will definitely be booking another getaway real soon!!"

Reviewed on Jun 10, 2025

Barsala At The Wayland Condos
The BC Resort on the Water
The BC Resort on the Water
4.5 out of 5
8800 Bay Pines Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in St. Petersburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions John's Pass Village & Boardwalk ...
"Avoid this place at all cost. Firstly the place stunk. A wierd smell lingered around the entire time. The AC didnt work either so it was freezing the entire time. Once entering we noticed that they didnt provide the 2 sofa beds that we paid for. After contacting someone we were told to just sleep ..."

Reviewed on Feb 6, 2024

The BC Resort on the Water
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

Food in St. Petersburg

Fish and seafood reign supreme in St. Petersburg — and if you only eat one thing, make it a grouper sandwich. Florida’s signature sweet-tasting fish is typically deep-fried or “blackened” (fried with spiced seasoning) and served in a bread bun. For fresh seafood in upscale surroundings, head to the Maritana Grille at the Don CeSar, an iconic pink hotel in St. Pete Beach dating to the 1920s. Thanks to the Sunshine City’s Gulf Coast location, excellent Mexican taquerias abound, as do hot spots for Cajun and “Floribbean” fusion cuisine. For a weekend brunch, you’ll find everything from chicken and waffles to fluffy Japanese pancakes on the menus of St. Pete’s innovative cafes and restaurants.

Nightlife in St. Peterburg

Hops lovers are well catered for in St.Petersburg, nicknamed “the Gulp Coast” for its abundance of craft breweries. Start your evening sipping local ales in one of Grand Central District’s lively taprooms or sun-soaked patios. Then make a beeline for the mural-clad EDGE District, where you’ll find natural wine cellars, old-school pubs and LGBTQ+ bars. The best spots for live music are concentrated around the eastern end of Central Avenue, from Irish taverns to open-air concert halls and late-night cabaret venues. And if you’re feeling fancy, catch a performance at the Palladium Theater, housed in an impressive Romanesque revival building dating to 1925.

Shopping in St. Petersburg

For some retail therapy with local flair, stroll around the Marketplace at St. Pete Pier, where you’ll find gourmet candy, jewelry, beach apparel, vintage decor and artisan foods. Crislip Arcade on Central Avenue is another unique gem. This stunning 1920s arcade is worth visiting even if you’re just window-shopping, with its independent galleries, boutiques and cafes. Foodies won’t want to miss the Saturday Morning Market, a farmers market brimming with local produce and food trucks. And if you’re planning a trip to St. Pete Beach, Corey Avenue is a must-visit for boutiques selling unique gifts, homewares and fashion.

Best beaches in St. Petersburg

With a wide expanse of sand between rolling dunes and gentle Gulf waves, Treasure Island is one of the best swimming beaches near St. Petersburg. Pass-a-Grille Beach also offers crystal-clear waters along with plenty of aquatic activities, from deep-sea fishing to speed boating and stand-up paddleboarding. And if you’re seeking a quieter stretch of sand, venture a little further north to Redington Beach for the ultimate in secluded relaxation.

Shell Key Preserve is one of the best beaches for snorkeling near St. Petersburg, home to one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands in the U.S. You can get there by ferry from Pass-a-Grille Beach. Or take a guided snorkeling tour of the clear, shallow waters around Egmont Key, ideal for families and novice snorkelers. It’s worth exploring the mid-19th-century lighthouse and former Spanish military fort on this island, too.

Getting around St. Petersburg

The waterfront and Downtown St. Petersburg are fairly walkable, and you can easily reach attractions further afield on the Central Avenue Trolley or Downtown Looper Trolley. SunRunner buses are a good way to get from Downtown to St. Pete Beach. If you’re planning to visit several beaches and out-of-town destinations like Fort de Soto Park, driving is the best way to get around.

St. Petersburg currency and budget

The tipping etiquette here is around 15%-20% for restaurant bills and a couple of dollars for cab drivers, hotel staff and bartenders. For a mid-range vacation in St. Petersburg, Florida, budget around $200-$250 USD per day for accommodations, food, transportation and activities. To save cash, visit free attractions like St. Pete Pier or explore the city’s markets and murals. Here is what you can expect to pay for some typical daily costs:

  • A meal at an inexpensive restaurant = $20.00 USD
  • A pint of domestic beer = $5.00 USD
  • A medium cappuccino = $4.50 USD
  • A meal for two at a mid-range restaurant = $65.00 USD

*Prices are provided for informational purposes and are subject to change.

Reviews of St. Petersburg

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
846
5 - Excellent 58%
4 - Good
501
4 - Good 34%
3 - Okay
93
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
14
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
8
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful beaches, delicious restaurants with many options and an amazing coast !

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Great!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I absolutely loved it.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful beaches

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Lots of fun dining and drinking venues nearby. Only takes a day or two to see everything. Looking forward to coming back!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Love the city!

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