City Trip to Miami: Between Ocean Drive and the Everglades

Arrival to Miami

Miami International Airport (MIA) is a major aviation hub and one of the largest airports in the world.

Pirate Tip: A cheap alternative to flying directly to Miami is a ticket to Ford Lauderdale. That's where the big cruise ships set sail, so numerous vacation planes fly there directly. You can reach Miami in 30 to 40 minutes by bus.

How Much Time Does it Take for a Proper Trip to Miami?

There is so much to see and do in Miami that few invest less than a full week. If you're only staying a few days, you might feel the spirit of Miami, make it out to Ocean Drive once, but don't really immerse yourself in the atmosphere.

Three to four days are enough to get a taste of it, but you should plan seven to ten days for a relaxing stay with trips to the sea and the Everglades!

When is the Best Time to Travel to Miami?

The good news first: Miami has a warm, subtropical climate. You can enjoy the sun at any time of the year and have excellent bathing weather. Even in December the temperatures are above 60 degrees, between May and October there are usually 70 to 90 degrees. The water temperature is also over 60 degrees all year-round and even reaches peak values ​​of more than 90 degrees in July and August.

However - and this is the bad news - from May to October all of Florida is hit by the rainy season and hit by tropical storms and even hurricanes.

The best travel time is therefore the winter months from November to April.

What Activities Does Miami Offer?

Miami may be known for great weather and the perfect beach vacation, but the city offers so much more.

Shopping in Miami

In the Aventura Mall, both high-fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton and Cartier as well as labels suitable for everyday use are gathered under one roof.

Things are more glamorous in the Design District. Numerous luxury brands and designer shops have settled there on the border with the Upper East Side. It's not just about fashion here, but also about living and lifestyle - if you want to shop poor, you can do it here.

Our pirate tip: Lincoln Road in South Beach is perfect for buying everyday equipment. There one flagship store follows the other. Get beachwear at Bikini Village or Beach Bunny.

Eating and Drinking Out

Diners and burger shops can be found on every corner, but it's worth looking out for something special: Miami is characterized by Creole cuisine! For example, "Crawfish" and "Crabcakes " are served at Naomi's Garden Restaurant & Lounge on 71st Street NW.

Along with the ubiquitous freshly squeezed orange juice, Key Island limes are one of Florida's specialties. Should you come across Nellie & Joe's Key Lime Juice in the supermarket: grab it!

The Palm Beach Hotel's Essencia restaurant serves herbs and fruits from the restaurant's own garden. The kitchen is supplied by companies in the area and offers local and seasonal dishes - even for breakfast, by the way.

Miami Nightlife

In Miami, beach life and partying are almost synonymous. That's why South Beach isn't just a seaside resort, it's also a party hotspot. There you will find exclusive clubs like the Mansion or chilled lounges and bars.

Things are more relaxed in Midtown or Wynwood. Hipsters hold the reins here. With live music in one of the numerous music bars, they prove that they are not only good at cocktails and latte macchiato but also dancing and partying.

Excursions Around Miami

The main attractions of Miami are of course the numerous breathtaking beaches in the vicinity: the Lummus Park Beach on Ocean Drive, the nudist beach Haulover, or the Pelican Island.

The mangrove swamp of the Everglades begins just inland from Miami. The Everglades are classified as a national park and are strictly protected. Various providers offer day trips from Miami.

A trip to the archipelago of the Keys, on the other hand, can also be done on your own. The islands are connected by bridges and Key West is serviced hourly by bus routes from Miami. However, the travel time is almost 5 hours, so you should plan an overnight stay.

Art in Miami

Absolutely worth seeing and a great photo opportunity are the Wynwood Walls in the district of the same name. Wynwood's industrial history inspired well-known graffiti artists to beautify entire streets wall by wall.

The Absolute Must-Do in Miami

Ocean Drive from Miami Beach to South Pointe Park - you can't avoid that in Miami!

The Most Popular Attractions in Miami

In addition to the beaches and the climate, Miami offers a whole range of other attractions. Here is just a tiny selection to show you how colorful Miami is:

• The Art Deco District in South Beach is one of the largest contiguous 1920s neighborhoods in the world. The district became known through the series Miami Vice.

• The Bayside Marketplace scores with bars and restaurants, shops and shops. From here you can take boat tours through Biscayne Bay and admire the skyline from the water.

• Dive into Cuban rhythms at Little Havana in Downtown Miami. Thousands of exiled Cubans have settled here, hence the name.

Miami is a winter destination par excellence ! Where else can big city flair be combined with sunshine and beach life as beautifully as in the metropolis in the south-east of the USA?

Rental Car in Miami

A rental car is almost always worthwhile in the states. Without it, it's quite tedious to get from A to B and you lose valuable travel time. Of course, the most convenient way to travel is with a Fly & Drive offer, where you can pick up the rental car directly at the airport.

It is advisable to rent a slightly larger car for Miami. You are much more comfortable and safer on the highways. If you have a combination of flight/hotel and rental car, which includes a small car, you can ask for an upgrade without any problems.

When it comes to insurance, we always recommend fully comprehensive insurance without excess . With this you are on the safe side. In addition, it can be very useful if you book a toll flat rate for the streets of Miami if you plan to use the car a lot.

Our pirate tip: In Miami, you should definitely drive with a navigation system to save valuable time and gas. For cost reasons, it is usually worthwhile to get a navigation system with the maps of the USA in advance.