Looking for a cool and classy 3-day Miami itinerary that will maximise your short visit to the culture capital of Florida? Let this blog be your guide.
After several visits to the Magic City, I’ve devised what you could call the ultimate long weekend travel guide, with a streamlined itinerary that ticks off all the top spots with some time to hit South Beach scheduled in.
It covers cult favourite neighbourhoods like Wynwood and Little Havana, natural wonders like the Everglades, plus the coolest restaurant recommendations along the way.
I’ve carefully planned this Miami itinerary to ensure you can tick off as much as possible without feeling rushed, by grouping activities by location. How to get from one spot to the next is also covered.
I’ve answered some FAQs about visiting Miami at the end – but if you’ve got more burning questions, just let me know! I’m always happy to help plan your trip in the comments section.
3 Days in Miami, Itinerary in Brief
Below is a brief outline of my optimised 3-day Mimai itinerary, so you can get a quick flavour of what your trip could look like.
I’ll go into more detail about each of the activities below, along with essential info on getting from one place to the other, insider restaurant recommendations, and hot tips to help plan your dream trip.
Day 1
- See the Sunrise on South Beach
- Have Brunch at Pura Vida
- Walk or Rollerblade Along Ocean Drive to Check Out Iconic Art Deco Buildings
- Go Shopping on Lincoln Road
- Have Dinner at The Drexel on Española Way
Day 2
- Visit Everglades National Park
- Have Lunch at Bayside Marketplace
- Take a Boat Tour of Biscayne Bay
- Grab Cocktails with Live Music in Little Havana
- Go for Dinner and Dancing in Downtown Miami
Day 3
- Go Sculpture Hopping in the Design District
- See the Iconic Murals in Wynwood on a Street Food Tour
- Visit The Museum of Ice Cream or Hit the Beach
- See the Sunset at South Pointe or Take a Sunset City Flight
- Have Dinner in Downtown Brickell
Where to Stay for this Miami 3-Day Itinerary
If it’s your first time in Miami, I recommend staying in South Beach – it’s the perfect location for this 3-day itinerary, within walking distance of all the activities on day 1.
In South Beach, Ocean Drive buzzes with bars and is perfect for people watching, while you’ve got a smorgasbord of beautiful Art Deco hotels to choose from.
I have a soft spot for The Betsy, a historic, Florida-Georgian hotel with a to-die-for courtyard pool and laidback luxury service.
Book it here, or read my full guide on where to stay in Miami, complete with stylish hotel recommendations for every budget.
Full 3-Day Miami Itinerary
Day 1
See the Sunrise on South Beach
Getting up in time for sunrise is (of course) optional, but definitely recommended! As an East Coast city, the sun rises over the ocean and sets behind the city, so it’s worth getting up early to see the show.
If you’re coming from the UK, you’ll likely naturally wake up early anyway, due to the jet lag!
Choose a hotel right in the heart of Miami Beach, and all you need to do is stroll over to reach the sand.
The lighting is fantastic at this time of day for photos, and you can get some great pictures by the famous lifeguard towers before they arrive for their shift.
If you prefer to sleep in on vacation – no problem! You can simply head out for breakfast when you first wake up (see below) and then spend some time on South Beach afterwards to work on your tan.
Have Brunch at Pura Vida
Once you’ve had your fill of dreamy sunrise scenes at the beach, head back inland for breakfast at one of Miami’s iconic institutions.
Pura Vida is the brunch spot of dreams, with a healthy-but-aesthetic menu and top-notch coffee. There are a couple of locations to choose from – one South of Fifth and the other near Lincoln Road, so you can choose the branch closest to your accommodation.
If you prefer something a little more indulgent, Bacon B!tch is another option for breakfast, offering an All-American menu with everything from fried chicken waffles to loaded hash browns.
Walk, Bike or Rollerblade Along Ocean Drive
One of the first things you’ll want to do in Miami is check out all the eye-candy architecture along Ocean Drive.
This is the Art Deco epicentre of the universe. Think pastel accents and geometric shapes, all lit up by neon lights after dark. It’s an explosion of colour and creativity, with photo opportunities around every corner.
A stroll along the beach promenade on Ocean Drive will take you past some of the most famous examples, including Park Central Hotel, Colony Hotel, Breakwater, Carlyle, Avalon, and the Crescent Hotel.
If you really want to lean into the fun, retro vibes, you can also rent rollerblades to whizz along the promenade instead. It’s a great way to see more of the area in a shorter time and have a bit of fun at the same time.
If you’re more comfortable on two wheels, Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue have multiple CitiBike stations where you can easily rent bikes, too.
Go Shopping on Lincoln Road
Once you’ve spent some time on South Beach and explored the iconic architecture of Ocean Drive, you can head to nearby Lincoln Road for a spot of shopping. It’s famous for its arty sculptures, striking architecture and leafy avenues.
This wide, pedestrianised road is filled with all your favourite brands, plus American icons like Macy’s Department Store.
And if you need to grab a bite to eat, you can head to Lincoln Eatery, a cool food hall, where you can grab everything from a slice of pizza to sweet treats from The Cheesecake Factory. Or, head up to Mila’s rooftop for upscale asian-fusion bites with a view.
If shopping is not your thing, you can spend the afternoon soaking up the sun on South Beach, or head to The Bass Contemporary Art Museum instead.
Have Dinner at The Drexel on Española Way
After a busy first day, I recommend heading to a restaurant on Española Way for dinner.
Located in the heart of South Beach, Española Way is a famous dining and entertainment hub that looks like lost property of the Mediterranean.
The cobblestone street is home to cafes spilling out onto the sidewalk, lively Cuban restaurants, and regular events like salsa dancing and farmer’s markets. It’s particularly vibrant and atmospheric in the evenings.
You’ve got lots of options for dining and people-watching here. We love The Drexel, which is a gorgeous Italian restaurant with an outdoor terrace, located right on the Plaza de Espana.
Here you can tuck into top-tier pasta, pizza and risotto under twinkling string lights and toast to a successful first day in Miami.
Plus, if you want a drink after dinner, there are dozens of bars and late-night cafes just a few steps away to keep the party going.
Day 2
Visit Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park deserves a spot on any 3-day Miami itinerary, especially for first-timers.
This wildlife-filled warren of wetlands and waterways is a vast tropical wilderness, a World Heritage Site, and a Biosphere reserve – so it’s definitely worth planning some time to go and see it.
The easiest way to get to the Everglades from Miami (unless you have your own car), is via an organised tour that will pick you up and drop you off from your hotel.
This four-hour tour includes transport to and from hotels in Miami Beach, plus a 50-minute airboat tour of the Everglades.
You’ll have a professional guide to point out all the unusual flora and fauna, like alligators, crocodiles and manatees, with more time allocated on the water than with most other tours.
It usually sets off early in the morning around 8:00am, so you’ll be back in Miami by lunchtime.
Have Lunch at Bayside Marketplace
You can ask your tour guide to drop you off at Holiday Inn Port of Miami as you arrive back in the city, which is right next door to Bayside Marketplace.
This waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment complex is the perfect place for a casual lunch in the sunshine.
It has everything from American institutions like the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., to casual take-out spots and more unique sit-down options like Kuba on the Bay, a highly rated Cuban restaurant right on the water.
There are also vintage ice cream parlours and a candy emporium to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Take a Boat Tour of Biscayne Bay
A boat tour of Biscayne Bay is a popular way to see Miami from the water and get a glimpse of famous celebrity homes like Al Capone’s mansion and the mega yachts that bob in the marina.
Plus, if you plan to take one of Miami’s famous Millionaire’s boat tours, many of them depart right from the waterfront by Bayside Marketplace.
You can either opt for a leisurely cruise on a large boat like this one, or charter a private boat for a more relaxed experience (surprisingly affordable for larger groups!).
Time it just right, and you could even catch the sunset from the water, which sounds pretty magical, right?!
See prices and availability here.
Grab Cocktails with Live Music in Little Havana
After a long day of sightseeing, some live music in Little Havana is the perfect way to keep the energy high.
You can easily get a taxi from Bayside or Riverside, depending on where your cruise drops you off; it takes around 15 minutes.
When you arrive, head straight for Ball and Chain bar, one of Little Havana’s live music institutions. Here you can tap your toes along to the lively Cuban band, grab a famous mojito, and watch the locals as they jump up to dance.
Of course, there are endless options for dinner in Little Havana, particularly if you love Cuban food!
We really enjoyed Cafe la Trova for its authentic vibe and menu – try the Lechon, you won’t regret it. The restaurant also regularly lays on live music and has a small dancefloor for later on in the evening.
Day 3
Go Sculpture Hopping in the Design District
On your third day in Miami, you might be pretty tired, so you can start the final day with an easy breakfast at or near your accommodation. There are plenty of cafes and brunch spots to choose from in South Beach, but if you’re feeling indulgent, I recommend Bacon B!tch.
Next up, hop in a taxi to the Design District; it takes about 25 minutes.
Miami’s Design District is full of all the iconic high-end boutiques from Gucci to Yves Saint Laurent, so it’s a gorgeous place to shop if your pockets are deep enough.
If not, it’s also home to some of the city’s coolest sculptures, including a whole outdoor space dedicated to 3D art called Nadar Sculpture Park.
You can also grab a coffee at the Dior Cafe by Palm Court’s famous bubble dome, poke your head into the (free) Institute of Contemporary Art, or check out the Museum Garage – a futuristic parking garage with optical stairwells and a sculptured facade.
See the Iconic Murals in Wynwood on a Street Food Tour
After a morning spent strolling the palm-shaded streets of the Design District, head to its famous next-door neighbour – Wynwood. It’s a 25-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi ride away.
Possibly one of the most famous areas in the city, this street art mecca is awash with murals with an eccentric, industrial edge.
I believe the best way to see them is on a guided tour, which includes entrance to the hallowed Wynwood Walls, plus street food stops along the way.
This way, you’ll get to hunt out some of the most famous, hidden murals with the help of a guide, and get the inside scoop on the meanings and reasons behind them along the way.
It includes multiple street food stops, with everything from tacos to New York-style pizza and guava cookie dough on the menu.
The whole tour lasts for about 3 hours and takes place over lunchtime, saving you the additional cost of grabbing a bite to eat.
Visit The Museum of Ice Cream or Hit the Beach
By the time the tour finishes in Wynwood, you might not have much time left before sunset. So, depending on your preference, you can either head back to South Beach to enjoy a couple of hours on the beach or swing by the Ice Cream Museum on your way back through the city.
Particularly popular for those with kids, this colour-splashed museum is full of quirky, interactive backdrops for unique photo opportunities, and even comes with ice cream samples along the way.
It really captures the vibrant, colourful spirit of the city, and it’s a fab rainy day activity too, since it’s all indoors.
Get tickets for the Ice Cream Museum here.
See the Sunset at South Pointe or Take a Sunset City Flight
Since it’s your final day in Miami, it makes sense that you might want to try and catch the sunset. But that can be tricky in a city where the beach faces East.
So, you’ve got a couple of options. The first is a famous one: South Pointe Park.
Located right at the southern tip of South Beach, this is easy to get to and offers pretty sunset views over the channel, where you can also watch the mammoth cruise ships depart on their way to the Caribbean.
There are plenty of benches along the pier and the promenade to help you enjoy the show.
Alternatively, if you’d rather stay in Downtown Miami, you can head to one of the rooftop bars for an elegant sundowner. I recommend Rosa Sky or Sugar.
If you’re after something a little more luxurious, then a sunset city flight is the way to go.
There’s nothing quite like seeing the city from a bird’s eye view as the sun paints the sky pink, and it’s the perfect way to round off an unforgettable 3-day Miami itinerary.
Have Dinner in Downtown Brickell
After dark, it’s time to head Downtown to the city’s buzzing Brickell district, where colourful billboards and elegant skyscrapers are the frontage for a thriving nightlife scene.
This is a fantastic spot for your final night in Miami, especially if you’re looking for a party vibe after dinner. Claudie is a classy French spot, or you’ve got the famous Sexy Fish, which is a chic Asian restaurant with it’s cool, underwater decor.
You’ve also got the ever-popular Amazónico, which turns into a club after the Latin American and sushi small plates are served.
After dinner, iconic spots like CLUB SPACE and E11EVEN are only a short taxi ride away.
If you’d rather keep things low-key, you can always stay in Miami Beach for dinner and check out iconic local cuisine at Joe’s Stone Crab instead.
How to Spend 2 Days In Miami
If you only have 2 days in Miami, I recommend spending them as follows:
Day 1
- See the Sunrise on South Beach
- Walk or Rollerblade Along Ocean Drive to Check Out Iconic Art Deco Buildings
- Have lunch at Bayside Marketplace
- Take a boat tour of Biscayne Bay
- Have Dinner at The Drexel on Española Way
Day 2
- Visit Everglades National Park
- Stop in Little Havana for lunch
- Stroll around and spot street art in Wynwood
- See the Sunset at South Pointe or Take a Sunset City Flight
- Have Dinner in Downtown Brickell
If You Have Extra Time in Miami
If you have more than 3 days in Miami, there’s plenty more to see and do! I recommend:
- Spending the day exploring the beautiful green spaces on Key Biscayne
- Visiting other cultural neighbourhoods like Little Haiti
- Visiting the Italy-coded Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
- Taking a swim in the Venetian pool – a historic public pool in Coral Gables.
- Taking a kayaking or SUP tour to Racoon Island
- Visiting other art galleries and museums, like the Super Blue Interactive Art Museum, the Pérez Art Museum Miami, or the Frost Science Museum.
- Catching a Miami HEAT basketball game at the Kaseya Center
- Going on a road trip to Key West and the Florida Keys
Where to Stay for 3 Days in Miami, Florida
I strongly recommend staying in South Beach for this 3-day Miami itinerary (or any Miami itinerary, for that matter).
Not only is it visually the prettiest district in the city, but you’re also steps from the sand whenever you get some spare time, and there are hundreds of lovely bars, restaurants and hotels at your fingertips.
I usually stay at The Betsy, which is a beautiful Art Deco number on Ocean Drive, but other hotels I recommend are:
Avalon – Retro-cool Art Deco icon on Ocean Drive with a vibey restaurant and cocktail bar, perfect for people watching.
Tropics Hotel – Cosy and cost-effective spot, one block from the beach with a communal pool, BBQ area and kitchen facilities.
Esme – Gorgeous maximalist design hotel on Española Way, with a dreamy rooftop bar, plunge pool, and restaurants.
**Read my full guide on where to stay in Miami here.**
3-Day Miami Itinerary: FAQs
Where to Eat in Miami?
For me, a big part of a good vacation is going out to eat, so I always spend a lot of time looking up and researching the best spots. I’ve whittled them down to my favourites below, each with a slightly different vibe, but always top-tier food!
Be sure to book well in advance as lots of the popular spots get full early.
For brunch/lunch
- Pura Vida
- Bacon B!tch
- Dior Cafe
- Little Hen
- Bayshore Club
- Lido Bayside
- Club Gianni’s at Versace Mansion
For dinner
- The Drexel
- KYU
- Joe’s Stone Crab
- Zuma
- Milos
- Carbone
- Astra
For dinner and a party
- Cafe la Trova
- Sexy Fish
- KiKi on the River
- MILA
- The Marion
- Amazónico
Best Time to Visit Miami?
The best time to visit Miami is from December to April, when the weather is warm, dry, and comfortable, with low humidity and plenty of sunshine. This is peak season, so prices are higher, but it’s ideal for beach days, outdoor dining, and major events like Art Basel and Miami Music Week.
We’ve visited in November before and had mixed weather – sometimes it can be dry and warm, while other times it poured with rain, so the shoulder seasons can be a bit more risky weather-wise.
How to Get to Miami?
Most travellers fly into Miami International Airport (MIA), located just a 20-25 minute taxi ride from Miami Beach and Downtown. Ubers are available and plentiful, and you can grab one right outside the airport.
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is a popular alternative, around 45 minutes away, sometimes offering more flight options and better value fares.
How to Get Around Miami?
Miami is a spread-out city, so rideshares like Uber and taxis are the easiest way to get around for short distances. We found they were usually affordable, too.
South Beach is pretty walkable, or you can use the CitiBike rentals to get around quicker. They have stations all over the city, and you can use an app to pay or just pay at the station kiosk.
Is 3 Days in Miami Enough?
I would say 3 days is enough for a great introduction to Miami, covering the beaches, a few neighbourhoods, and a trip to the Everglades, but it will feel fast-paced.
For a more relaxed experience that includes longer beach days, more nightlife, and day trips, 4-5 days is ideal.
Have more questions about visiting Miami? Drop them in the comments below!
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