Tampa Bay travel guide for British visitors — Clearwater Beach, Ybor City, craft breweries, Busch Gardens, St. Pete arts scene, and Gulf Coast dining.
Most British visitors come for four or five days, often as the second half of an Orlando trip. Tampa International Airport has direct flights from the UK, so an open-jaw ticket (into Orlando, home from Tampa) saves a long drive back. This page covers each city, the beaches, day trips and where to eat.
Tampa's historic Latin quarter, founded by cigar manufacturers in the 1880s. It's now a nightlife and dining district, and the brick cigar factories and social clubs from its heyday still line the streets.
A 2.6-mile paved path along the Hillsborough River connecting parks, museums, restaurants, and public art. Excellent for a morning walk or an evening stroll.
Along the Riverwalk:
Africa-themed park combining big roller coasters with animal exhibits. Part zoo, part thrill park:
About an hour from Orlando — many visitors combine a Tampa Bay trip with an Orlando stay.
Excellent aquarium in the Channel District near downtown. Touch tanks, penguin habitat, and outdoor splash zones for children. Weather-proof entertainment on a rare rainy day.
"St. Pete" was once known mainly as a retirement town. It's now younger and busier, with a lively arts district, breweries and a long public waterfront of parks and marinas along Tampa Bay.
The Dalí Museum holds one of the largest collections of Salvador Dalí's work outside Spain, including several of his large "masterworks", in a building with a glass bubble bulging from its concrete walls. Book a timed ticket online, and allow a couple of hours.
Central Avenue and the surrounding blocks host dozens of galleries, murals, independent shops, and restaurants. The arts scene is large for a city of St. Pete's size:
Tampa and St. Pete have dozens of breweries, many with family-friendly taprooms:
Most taprooms sell small tasting glasses or flights, which is the sensible way to try strong American IPAs. Florida's drink-driving limit is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%, the same as in England, so use a ride-share between breweries.
Clearwater regularly features near the top of US beach rankings. Wide, white, powdery sand, calm Gulf waters, and a family-friendly atmosphere. The Pier 60 area has nightly sunset celebrations.
St. Pete Beach is a long, wide beach south of Clearwater. The landmark Don CeSar (a pink Art Deco hotel) anchors the beach. More relaxed than Clearwater and equally beautiful.
A barrier island state park accessible by causeway from Dunedin. Natural beach, walking trails, osprey nesting platforms. One of the best shelling beaches on the Gulf Coast. From Honeymoon Island, a ferry runs to Caladesi Island — an unspoiled barrier island only accessible by boat.
Quieter and more residential than Clearwater or St. Pete Beach. Feels more like a local beach than a tourist one. Excellent for visitors wanting a more authentic experience.
Gulf Coast beaches differ from Atlantic (Miami) beaches:
A Greek community 30 minutes north of Tampa. Famous for its sponge docks — a waterfront lined with Greek restaurants, bakeries, and sponge shops. Natural sponge diving was the industry here, and the Greek heritage remains strong. The Greek bakeries and tavernas along Dodecanese Boulevard are the reason to go.
A Florida original: live mermaid shows performed underwater in a crystal-clear natural spring. It has run since 1947, and the old-fashioned theatre is a large part of the appeal. Also has a water park and kayak rentals on the spring-fed river.
An hour south of Tampa. The Ringling Museum (art museum, circus museum, and a Venetian-style mansion), Siesta Key's beach (almost pure quartz sand, very white and fine), and an upscale dining and arts scene.
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