10 Best Towns and Villages to Visit in the Florida Keys
Where to Stay on the Florida Keys?
The charming towns and villages in the Florida Keys showcase the best of this tropical island chain, known for its turquoise waters, laid-back atmosphere, and endless opportunities for adventure. Whether you want to snorkel vibrant coral reefs, paddle through mangrove forests, discover local history in museums, or browse galleries showcasing island-inspired art, you’ll be sure to find it.
From fresh seafood and waterfront restaurants to beautiful beaches, nature parks, and lively entertainment, the Keys offer experiences that range from relaxing to action-packed. Explore the best towns, resorts, and villages in the Florida Keys and find the perfect base for your island getaway.
10 best towns and villages to visit in the Florida Keys
- Islamorada
- Key Largo
- Dry Tortugas, Key West
- Calusa Beach
- Key Colony Beach
- Marathon
- Anne’s Beach
- Bahia Honda Key
- Long Key State Park
- Coco Plum Beach
1. Islamorada
Six islands, endless adventures
Ideal para: Aventura, Famílias, História
Set out on an island adventure in Islamorada, a village that stretches across six of the Florida Keys. Learn about the history of underwater exploration at the History of Diving Museum, where exhibits include a genuine 16th-century treasure chest, then discover historic ruins and fascinating geological features throughout the area.
Spend the afternoon browsing galleries, maritime-themed gift shops, and boutiques selling locally made art, jewelry, and home décor, then head to nearby parks to see fossilized coral formations or join a ranger-led walk through tropical landscapes. Set out on a boat tour to spot marine wildlife, or pack a picnic to enjoy on the area’s pristine white-sand beaches.
Islamorada
2. Key Largo
America’s first undersea park
Ideal para: Aventura, História, Foto
Key Largo is one of the best-known destinations in the Florida Keys and the gateway to the island chain. Once an important stop along Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad, it’s now famous for its crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. At John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, snorkelers and divers can explore the only living coral reef in the continental United States and visit the famous Christ of the Abyss statue resting beneath the water, while glass-bottomed boat tours offer a drier way to experience the waters.
Alternatively, spend your days following heritage trails, paddling through mangrove forests, or stepping aboard the historic African Queen steamboat, made famous by the classic Hollywood film.
Key Largo
3. Dry Tortugas, Key West
The Florida Keys’ most remote adventure
Ideal para: Aventura, Foto
Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most remote destinations in the Florida Keys and is typically visited as a day trip from Key West by ferry or seaplane. Spread across seven small islands and surrounded by turquoise waters, the park is best known for Fort Jefferson, one of the largest 19th-century forts in the United States, which dominates Garden Key. You can explore the vast brick fortress, snorkel around nearby reefs, and enjoy views that stretch for miles across the Gulf.
Beyond the fort, the park provides some of the Keys’ finest wildlife viewing opportunities. Explore Loggerhead Key to see a historic lighthouse, or venture to the surrounding islands that attract seabirds and other native wildlife.
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +1 305-242-7700
Dry Tortugas, Key West
4. Calusa Beach
One of the Keys’ most photographed beaches
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Aventura
Located within Bahia Honda State Park, Calusa Beach is one of the Florida Keys’ most celebrated stretches of sand. Calm turquoise waters lap the shore beneath the dramatic silhouette of the Old Bahia Honda Bridge, a striking remnant of Henry Flagler’s Overseas Railroad that has become one of the most photographed landmarks in the Keys.
When you’re ready to leave the beach, explore the rest of Bahia Honda State Park, where nature trails and scenic overlooks showcase the area’s natural beauty. Walk to the bridge overlook for panoramic views across the islands and surrounding waters, or follow the shoreline in search of secluded spots to relax away from the crowds.
Localização: 36850 Overseas Hwy, Big Pine Key, FL 33043, USA
Telefone: +1 305-872-2353
Calusa Beach
5. Key Colony Beach
A nautical neighborhood
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Foto
Key Colony Beach is a canal-lined community in the heart of the Florida Keys, known for its waterfront homes, marinas, and easy access to the surrounding waters. With boats moored outside many properties, it offers a distinctly nautical atmosphere that lends itself to some fantastic holiday photos.
Use the town as a base for snorkeling and diving trips to nearby reefs, shipwrecks, and underwater archeological sites, or launch a kayak and explore the waterways of the Middle Keys. In the evening, head to Sunset Park Beach to watch the sun sink below the Gulf horizon.
Key Colony Beach
6. Marathon
The heart of the Middle Keys
Ideal para: Aventura, História, Foto
Marathon is the largest community in the Middle Keys and a popular base for exploring the island chain. Spanning 13 islands, it combines natural beauty with some of the Florida Keys’ best-known attractions. Visit the Turtle Hospital to learn about sea turtle conservation, walk or cycle the historic Seven Mile Bridge, or take a trip to Pigeon Key, where historic buildings and exhibits bring the story of the Overseas Railroad to life.
With attractions spread across land and sea, Marathon offers one of the broadest ranges of experiences in the Florida Keys. Explore the trails and exhibits at Crane Point Museum and Nature Center, and enjoy the numerous opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, and sightseeing at the nearby beaches and reefs.
Marathon
7. Anne’s Beach
A shoreline made for wandering
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Foto
Anne’s Beach is one of Islamorada’s most beloved public beaches and one of the few natural sandy stretches in the Florida Keys. Named after environmentalist Anne Eaton, it’s known for its crystal-clear shallows and winding boardwalks that pass through coastal vegetation. The calm, knee-deep water extends far from shore, making it a popular spot for families looking to paddle with the kids.
Stretching for more than 1,000 feet (305 meters), the boardwalk links a series of picnic areas and scenic overlooks, making it easy to explore the shoreline from end to end. Take a leisurely stroll along the boardwalk, enjoy a picnic, and soak in the stunning ocean views.
Anne's Beach
8. Bahia Honda Key
The bridge between the Keys
Ideal para: Famílias, Aventura
Bahia Honda Key is best known for Bahia Honda State Park, one of the Florida Keys’ premier outdoor destinations. Home to several beaches, nature trails, and the iconic Old Bahia Honda Bridge, the park combines tropical scenery with a fascinating piece of railroad history. Climb to the bridge overlook for sweeping views across the islands and jewel-toned waters below, then follow the park’s trails to discover quiet stretches of shoreline and native coastal landscapes.
The key’s location between the Middle and Lower Keys also makes it a natural stopping point on a Florida Keys road trip. After exploring the park, continue along the Overseas Highway, where island communities, beaches, and scenic viewpoints are never far away.
Bahia Honda Key
9. Long Key State Park
A historic escape under the stars
Ideal para: Aventura, Foto
Long Key State Park traces its roots to the famed Long Key Fishing Camp, an exclusive resort that once attracted wealthy visitors, renowned anglers, and even US presidents. Today, little remains of the original resort, but its legacy lives on in one of the Florida Keys’ most scenic state parks. Visitors can learn about the area’s past while exploring a landscape shaped by mangroves, shoreline habitats, and open water.
Follow nature trails through the park, launch a kayak to explore the coastline, or spend the night at one of the oceanfront campsites. As evening falls, enjoy the shoreline’s excellent stargazing opportunities, thanks to the park’s dark skies and limited artificial light.
Localização: 67400 Overseas Hwy, Layton, FL 33001, USA
Abre: Hours vary by season
Telefone: +1 305-664-4815
Long Key State Park
10. Coco Plum Beach
The quieter side of Marathon
Ideal para: Aventura, Casais, Famílias
Coco Plum Beach offers a quieter side of Marathon, with a natural shoreline that feels far removed from the busier beaches of the Florida Keys. Known for its shallow waters and wide-open views, it’s a popular place for long walks, shell collecting, and spotting signs of the area’s protected coastal wildlife. During nesting season, parts of the beach are carefully managed to safeguard sea turtle nests.
Consistent coastal breezes have also made Coco Plum Beach a favorite with kiteboarders and windsurfers. After spending time on the shore, take advantage of Marathon’s restaurants, shops, museums, and attractions, all just a short drive away.
Coco Plum Beach
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