It wouldn’t be a trip to Miami without spending at least one day on South Beach. It’s iconic around the world and it didn’t disappoint in person. For one of the most popular beaches in the world, South Beach was less touristy and cleaner than I expected.
Miami Beach is a strip of land that you get to by crossing a bridge from Downtown Miami. South Beach is found.. well in the south. If the beach is your thing and your budget allows try to stay in a hotel near South Beach. I was in Miami for work, and so stayed in Brickell and travelled over to Miami beach in an Uber for the day.
Here’s how I spent the perfect day at South Beach.
Walk The Boardwalk
Start your day where the Miami boardwalk begins. This is a peaceful wooden path where you can walk along the edge of sand. Unlike other boardwalks such as Santa Monica, Miami boardwalk is really just a pedestrianised area away from the shops on your left and the beach on your right. I highly recommend enjoying this peaceful walk as the perfect start to your day at South Beach.
Sunbathe In Quiet
Once you have made your way along the boardwalk, you will also have escaped the main crowds at the south end of Miami beach. Cross over onto the sand and marvel at the brightly coloured lifeguard huts. Then grab a spot on the sand and chill out, enjoying the Miami sun. Be careful to wear sunscreen- it’s VERY hot!
Lunch At Joe & The Juice
The Miami heat can be very tiring so be sure to hydrate and keep snacks with you throughout the day. Refresh yourself with lunch in the cool shade of Joe and The Juice. This smoothie and sandwich bar was the perfect lunchtime spot nearby South Beach.
Shopping On Lincoln Mall
To keep out the midday sun a little longer, and to let your lunch go down, stroll along Lincoln mall and enjoy some Miami retail therapy. Lincoln mall is a pedestrianised street offering many High Street brands and some higher end labels too. If you still have space after lunch, grab some frozen yoghurt here (my personal obsession).
Walk Ocean Drive
Stroll back down to the south end of South Beach and enjoyed the colours and lights of Ocean Drive. The buzz on street is like no other. With funky architecture and impressive retro cars, I felt like I had been transported back to the 50s. Ocean Drive is an absolute essential for any day at South Beach. If you are in the partying mood this is also the perfect place to start your evening. restaurants and bars come alive with DJs and music.
Sunset At The Pier
If a more chilled end to your day at South Beach is what you’re looking for, continue beyond Ocean Drive and head to the pier. If you time it right, watching sunset from the pier is perfection. You can look back over to brickle and downtown Miami and marvel at the beautiful boats on the water and by the docks.
Dinner at Call Me Gaby
After sunset, and as the temperature becomes a lot more manageable, finish your day at South Beach with a beautiful dinner at Call Me Gaby. I travelled to Miami with my best friend and she found this restaurant online with amazing recommendations. I wasn’t prepared for quite how perfect it would be. Book ahead and request to be seated outside for a peaceful atmosphere, wonderful Italian food and a refreshing cocktail. If you’ve still got room (and even if you had frozen yoghurt earlier) finish off with some Italian gelato and watch the world go by as you reflect on the perfect day at South Beach.
