Miami South Beach Art Deco hotels and palm trees Key West colorful Duval Street and tropical architecture

Best 5 Days in Florida Keys — from Key West

Key West → Miami → Upper Keys

5 days · 3 cities · 8 activities · route optimized by distance

A mix of nature, art & culture, and walking tours. A moderate mix of walking and active experiences, with plenty of guided experiences. Includes 6 must-see landmarks across Key West and Miami and Upper Keys.

Highlights: Old Town Key West, South Beach & Art Deco District, Dry Tortugas Day Trip, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Wynwood Walls & Design District

Arriving Wed, Jul 1 Change

This variant starts in Key West instead of the default, with the route re-optimized from that entry point.

Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking

8+ activities scored and ranked · route optimized across 3 cities

Where you'll stay
Hotel in Key West · From $249/night +2 more
See lodging →
Trip cost
~$1,384 total · $277/day
See budget →
Top picks
Old Town Key West, Dry Tortugas Day Trip, Sunset Sailing Charter
See itinerary →

Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out

Key West

Key West Key West · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 1 Wed, Jul 1 Full Key West
Morning
Old Town Key West$~3 hrs

Wander Old Town's pastel conch houses, Hemingway Home, and the Southernmost Point marker

Best Nov-Apr. Summer is hot and humid. Hurricane season Jun-Nov.
Afternoon
Dry Tortugas Day Trip$$$~3 hrs

Ferry to Dry Tortugas National Park for Fort Jefferson, pristine snorkeling, and remote island beauty

$250 Verified Mar 2026 Best Mar-May and Oct-Nov for calm seas. Ferry may cancel in rough weather. Peak bird migration Apr-May.
🏨 Hotel in Key West

Old Town / Duval Street / Bahama Village

wifiparkingair-conditioning
Travelers book: The Marker Waterfront Resort $300-500/nightH2O Suites (Adults Only) $200-400/nightAlmond Tree Inn $180-300/night
Book Hotel in Key West from $249/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 2 Thu, Jul 2 Moderate Key West
Morning
Sunset Sailing Charter$$~3 hrs

Sail into a legendary Key West sunset with cocktails, music, and Gulf of Mexico views

$70 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round sunsets. Calmest seas and clearest skies Nov-May.
Afternoon
Key West Culinary Experience$$~3 hrs

Taste Key West's signature flavors on a guided food tour through Old Town's best kitchens

$69 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round. Key West Food & Wine Festival in late January.
🏨 Hotel in Key West

Old Town / Duval Street / Bahama Village

wifiparkingair-conditioning
Travelers book: The Marker Waterfront Resort $300-500/nightH2O Suites (Adults Only) $200-400/nightAlmond Tree Inn $180-300/night
Book Hotel in Key West from $249/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Key West → Miami
3h 48m Drive straight to Miami without sightseeing along the route. This is recommended for those who want to maximize their ti

Miami

Miami Miami · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 3 Fri, Jul 3 Full Miami
Morning
South Beach & Art Deco District$~3 hrs

Stroll the iconic Art Deco Historic District and soak up South Beach's vibrant oceanfront scene

Best Nov-Apr (dry season). Jun-Nov is hurricane season with afternoon thunderstorms.
Afternoon
Wynwood Walls & Design District$~3 hrs

Discover world-class street art murals and cutting-edge galleries in Miami's creative heart

$13 Verified Mar 2026 Open daily 10:30am-6:30pm year-round. Best Nov-Apr to avoid summer heat.
🏨 Hotel in Miami

South Beach / Mid-Beach / Brickell

wifiparkingair-conditioning
Travelers book: The Setai Miami Beach $500-900/nightFontainebleau Miami Beach $250-450/nightGenerator Miami $100-200/night
Book Hotel in Miami from $180/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Miami → Upper Keys
1h 42m Drive straight to the Upper Keys without sightseeing along the route. This is recommended for those who want to maximize

Upper Keys

Upper Keys Upper Keys · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 4 Sat, Jul 4 Full Upper Keys
Morning
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park$$~3 hrs

Snorkel or dive America's first underwater park with vibrant coral reefs and tropical fish

$39 Verified Mar 2026 Best visibility Apr-Oct. Water temp pleasant year-round. Winter can have choppy seas canceling boat tours.
Afternoon
Key Largo Reef Diving & Snorkeling$$~3 hrs

Dive or snorkel the spectacular coral reefs of Key Largo with expert local guides

Best visibility Apr-Oct. Winter swells can cancel trips.
🏨 Hotel in Upper Keys

Key Largo / Upper Matecumbe Key / Venetian Shores

wifiparkingair-conditioning
Travelers book: Casa Morada $350-550/nightCheeca Lodge & Spa $300-500/nightKona Kai Resort and Gallery $200-350/night
Book Hotel in Upper Keys from $265/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 5 Sun, Jul 5 Upper Keys
Checkout & Depart

Check out of your hotel, grab a final breakfast, and head to the airport. Safe travels from Upper Keys!

Where You’ll Stay

Estimated total: $754–$1,132

Trip Budget Estimate

$1,384 estimated total per person
$277 per day
Lodging $943
Activities $441

Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.

Typical range for Florida Keys

$500 – $2,500 per person for 5 days

Budget: $100/day — Budget motels, fast-casual dining, public transport Mid-range: $250/day — Hotels, restaurants, car rental Luxury: $500/day — Resorts, fine dining, guided tours

Similar Destinations

Similar vibes, fewer crowds — destinations our algorithm rates as close matches to Florida Keys.

🧳 Practical Info for Florida Keys

📄 Visa
ESTA required for Visa Waiver Program countries. CA citizens visa-exempt. See US entry requirements.
💵 Tipping
18–20% tip expected at restaurants. Standard US tipping culture applies.
💱 Currency
US Dollar ($ USD). Cards accepted everywhere.
🔌 Power
120V, Type A/B plugs. EU/UK/AU travelers need an adapter.
📶 Connectivity
Good coverage along the Overseas Highway. Some remote keys may have weaker signal.
🚨 Emergency
911 (general emergency)

🚗 Getting Around Florida Keys

🚗 Car

Drive the Overseas Highway (US-1) from Miami through all the Keys — one of America's most scenic drives.

🚌 Bus

Keys Shuttle runs between Miami Airport and Key West with stops along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit?

Spring and fall offer the best weather and fewer crowds. Summer is peak season. Check regional weather patterns for specific conditions.

Do I need to rent a car?

A car is essential for road trips and national parks in the US. Public transit is limited outside major metro areas.

How much does a week cost?

Budget: $100-150/day. Mid-range: $200-350/day. Luxury: $500+/day. Costs vary significantly by region and season.

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