Sarasota holidays

From art museums to farmer’s markets, aquariums to river kayaking, holidays in Sarasota are never dull. Get a true sense of Florida’s incredible wildlife as you head out on a nature trail in the Myakka State Park. Here you can see deer, raccoon, lizards, and birds of prey roaming around their natural habitat.

For those looking for something a little more cultured, head to the Ringling Museum – a beautiful mansion house on the coast that’s home to an array of contemporary art. Meanwhile, sport enthusiasts the Bobby Jones Golf Club is open to everyone, with no membership required.

Elsewhere, historic Downtown Venice is a breath of fresh air. Browse its unique collection of boutiques and independent shops, and dine in great restaurants – all while admiring the Mediterranean-inspired backdrop.

Sarasota is one of the best places to visit in Florida for a beach break. There are six islands lining the Sarasota coastline, each offering something different.  Siesta Key is a firm favorite as its sand is 99 per cent quartz – the finest and whitest you’ll ever see. Once you dig your toes into the soft powder, you’ll understand why people travel from all over the world to relax and play on these shores. Plus, you’ll often catch a glimpse of dolphins, manatees, egrets, and pelicans.

Families love Nokomis Beach, where you can spend the day trawling through the pretty shells in search of the best ones to take home. Or head to Caspersen Beach and Venice Beach. The latter is known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World” – so if you bring a sieve and a little patience, you might be rewarded with a prehistoric shark’s tooth of your own. Now that’s a souvenir!

Meanwhile, if you’re searching for crowd-free sands, make tracks for Longboat Key. You’ll be rewarded with 10 miles of uninterrupted beach, where the white sands are brushed by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  

Once you’ve re-charged your batteries from the day's activities, why not head out for some dining delights? Sarasota’s vibe feels very similar to Miami, but it’s just a little more laidback.

The dining scene showcases the freshest seafood and produce from Florida, as well as all sorts of international cuisines. Head to St Armands Circle where you can feast on island-inspired food at the famous Tommy Bahama restaurant. Or, for waterfront dining, try one of the many tiki huts dotted along the coastline. Want to satisfy your sweet tooth? Finish your meal with a slice of Florida’s world-famous key lime pie.

After dinner, you’ll find plenty of places to go dancing. Sarasota has all sorts of nightlife options, from island-style acoustic acts, to live jazz, to DJs playing a mix of today’s top hits. Alternatively, if music isn’t your thing, enjoy a live comedy show or and artistic performance. There's a lot more to Sarasota nightlife than meets the eye.

Sarasota holidays are great all year round as, even in winter, temperatures hover in the twenties. But the best time to either between March and May, or September and November. The temperature is perfect for sightseeing and sunbathing alike, as the mercury hovers between 26°C and 32°C – and you’ll be able to dodge the summer crowds.

Between June and August, Sarasota can get quite humid – so this isn’t a great time to travel if you’re planning an active holiday. You can expect a few afternoon thunderstorms, too. But they tend to be short and, an hour after the rain has stopped, it’s like it never happened.