The Sunshine State of Florida is one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the U.S., especially for couples who like beaches and outdoor activities. Since there are a ton of spots in Florida that are beautiful and fun, it can be hard to choose the best one for your honeymoon.
We’re here to help with our list of the 5 best honeymoon destinations in Florida.
Best Florida Honeymoon Destinations Quick Picks:
Best Florida Honeymoon Destination for a Tropical Island Vibe: Key West
Best City Honeymoon Destination in Florida: Miami
Best Florida Honeymoon Destination for History Buffs: St. Augustine
Best Luxury Florida Honeymoon Destination: Little Palm Island
Key West
For an exotic tropical honeymoon without needing a passport or long flight, honeymoon in Key West. This vibrant yet laidback island feels like another country, but it’s just a few hours by air from most major airports. You can also take a scenic and fun 166-mile road trip from Miami to get here.
While Key West is known for its lively nightlife and all the bars on Duval Street, there’s so much more to it. Head off that main drag to wander through more peaceful areas and enjoy the brightly colored architecture, tropical foliage, and funky vibe.
Other Key West must-dos include visiting the Southernmost Point in the United States for a picture next to the giant buoy, touring the Ernest Hemingway House (look for the 6-toed cats, descendants of his cat), and exploring President Truman’s Little White House, as well as climbing to the top of the Key West Lighthouse.
After all the walking around, you’ll need a break. Head toward the waterfront and have a refreshing cocktail as you gaze south toward Cuba, just a few hundred miles away, or lounge on the sand at Smathers Beach. For stunning ocean views and a lovely beach plus some history, check out Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park at the southern end of the key.
Watersports abound here. Scuba diving and snorkeling is very popular in Key West due to the offshore reefs and wrecks. You can even snorkel off the shore at the Key West Marine Park, on the southern side. You can also go deep sea fishing; rent jet skis, paddleboards, and kayaks; charter a boat to explore the surrounding water; or relax on a sunset sail.
Be sure to feast on some Cuban food while you’re in Key West. Some of the best Cuban restaurants are El Siboney, El Meson de Pepe’s, The Original Sandy’s Café, Ana’s Cuban Café, Frita’s Cuban Burgers, Five Brothers Grocery and Sandwich Shop, and Amigo’s Tortilla Bar for fusion Cuban and Mexican.
Schooner Wharf serves a huge selection of delicious fresh seafood plus all sorts of specialty cocktails in its casual open-air, waterfront setting at the foot of William Street.
Blue Heaven is a whimsical restaurant that offers al fresco breakfast, lunch and dinner in a courtyard filled with tropical foliage, as well as indoor dining. There’s live entertainment on the weekends, and while the setting is casual, the food is sophisticated and top notch.
For a romantic and elegant dinner, go to Latitudes. Take a short boat ride from the Opal Key Resort & Marina to get to this fine dining restaurant, set on the water on the island of Sunset Key. Be sure to make a reservation and dress up a bit.
Other excellent restaurants in Key West for dinner include Louie’s Backyard, Dinner Bel Mare, Nine One Five, and Santiagos Bodega. Great breakfast and lunch spots include Moondog Café and Breakfast Club Too; Hogfish on Stock Island; Sandy’s Café; and The Café (also serves dinner).
Another romantic thing to do on a Key West honeymoon is go to the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square. This daily party features all sorts of activities and performers entertaining the crowds who gather to watch the glorious sunsets and watch for the elusive green flash as the sun sinks into the sea.
After sunset, there is plenty of nightlife in Key West. You can bar hop along Duval Street, stopping at the famous Sloppy Joe’s where Ernest Hemingway liked to hang out. This bar is also known for its excellent and creative house cocktails and good food, as well as live local music every day (and dancing at night).
For something different on Duval, head to the Little Room Jazz Club and enjoy the romantic atmosphere and sophisticated music. You can also see live music at laidback places like the Green Parrot.
The Sunset Tiki Bar at The Galleon gives you front-row seats to Key West’s famous sunsets in addition to delicious drinks and live music. For a classic local dive bar with live music, be sure to visit The Chart Room, the site of Jimmy Buffett’s first gig.
A peaceful and luxurious honeymoon resort is the waterfront Pier House Resort & Spa. Centrally located at the foot of Duval Street, this tranquil oasis features a private white sand beach, posh accommodations, and a swanky spa (the only full-service spa in Key West), as well as a pool overlooking the water, a fitness center, and 3 restaurants and bars (including The Chart Room mentioned above).
Lounge on the beach, swim in the ocean, relax at the beach bar, and dine overlooking the water at the outstanding One Duval restaurant for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Oceanview Suites have separate living rooms with sofabeds plus excellent water views from private furnished balconies. The unique Dockside Suite is located on the edge of the building for incredible sunset views from the expanded infinity balcony.
For a B&B feel, The Gardens Hotel is an adults-only resort that offers rooms and suites in a historic home plus cottages with private pools on the lushly landscaped grounds. Luxurious and charming accommodations feature private decks or balconies, marble bathrooms (most with whirlpool tubs), minifridges, Keurig coffeemakers, luxe linens, and robes. This boutique hotel often features live jazz in the gardens and has two heated pools, a pool bar, complimentary breakfast and Wifi, and a self-serve wine gallery,
Set on a private island just minutes away from Key West by boat, Sunset Key Cottages is family-friendly but still romantic. It features the famous waterfront restaurant Latitudes, as well as a pool (with bar), spa, and beautiful white-sand beach. Spacious and airy cottages range from 1 to 4 bedrooms and offer separate living areas, kitchens, and private outdoor spaces. One-bedroom cottages only have garden views; you’ll have to upgrade to a 2-bedroom or higher for oceanview and oceanfront options. Boat transfers are included.
Little Palm Island
How about a complete private island experience, again without needing a passport? For the best luxury honeymoon destination in Florida, check out Little Palm Island.
The only private island resort in the United States, it delivers barefoot luxury in a breathtaking setting. Just off the coast of the Florida Keys, Little Palm Island features thatched roof bungalows, lush tropical landscaping, and an indoor-outdoor Balinese-inspired spa.
Your island beach vacation begins at the Shore Station, where you enjoy a cocktail, then board the classic speedboat for a short ride over sparkling water. Each romantic bungalow is furnished in British West Indies décor and features ocean views, private furnished deck, separate living area, soaking tub, and indoor and outdoor showers. Island Romance Suites also offer outdoor soaking tubs and an exclusive sand beach with fire pit, for the ultimate privacy.
Savor water views along with delicious fresh cuisine at the beautiful restaurant, then head to one of the waterfront lounge areas to enjoy a peaceful evening by a fire and under the stars. You won’t be surprised that Little Palm Island was named one of the best new hotels in the world and one of the top ten resort hotels in Florida.
You can choose all-inclusive packages here with a 2-night minimum stay; the Culinary Paradise Package includes a bottle of champagne and a $100 spa credit per person per night, plus daily breakfast, 3-course lunch, and a 4-course dinner for two.
Destin
One of the best beach honeymoon destinations in the U.S., Destin is known for its soft white sands and vividly colored blue, turquoise, and aqua water. It’s also one of the top spots for fishing of all kinds.
In addition to fishing, you can parasail, paddleboard, snorkel, windsurf, and more. You can also go boating and jetskiing. A unique thing to do in Destin is to go to Crab Island, a sandbar in the pass where boaters like to hang out and enjoy the gorgeous weather. There’s even a floating bar. The water is shallow here, so you can get out and walk around.
For couples who love to golf, there are several nice golf courses in the area. There’s also excellent shopping (both high-end and discount) as well as soothing day spas.
You’ll have your choice of delicious seafood restaurants, most offering gorgeous Gulf views. Top restaurants include Cap’n Dave’s, The Back Porch, Dewey Destin’s, and Harbor Docks.
Enjoy privacy and luxury at the Henderson Park Inn, a gorgeous adults-only beach honeymoon resort nestled next to pristine Henderson Beach State Park on the stunning sugar-white sands of the Gulf of Mexico.
This uber-romantic, sophisticated sanctuary is the only all-inclusive resort in Destin and is only open to guests 25 and older, making it perfect for romantic honeymoons. Charming rooms and suites in the intimate inn feature ocean views, balconies, whirlpool tubs, and plush furnishings.
The award-winning fine dining restaurant has Gulf views from tables inside or on the veranda—or reserve the VIP Toes in the Sand candlelight dinner on the beach. There’s also a beachfront grill that serves lunch and cocktails.
Your stay at Henderson Park Inn includes breakfast and lunch, snacks and nonalcoholic beverages, daily happy hour, beach cruiser bicycles, beach chairs and umbrella, and access to the amenities at neighboring Henderson Beach Resort including an adults-only pool, a fitness center, and a spa. You can also add extras with the Romance or Celebrate by the Sea Package.
Destin is just an hour away from charming historic Pensacola, which makes for a fun day trip or add-on to your Florida honeymoon.
St. Augustine
This is one of the best honeymoon destinations in the U.S. for couples who like history and food. Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously settled city in the U.S., and it has a very European feel. Easily walkable with beautiful architecture and fascinating historic sites, St. Augustine also has a waterfront and is close to beaches.
Stay at a charming bed and breakfast like the Bayfront Marin House or St. Francis Inn, or book a room in the elegant and historic Casa Monica Hotel. No matter which one you choose, you’ll be centrally located.
Rated the #1 waterfront hotel in St. Augustine, Bayfront Marin House is gorgeous, sophisticated, and romantic. It’s also a popular site for weddings. Set in a quiet section of the historic district within easy walking distance of everything, this elegant bed-and-breakfast on the bay offers rooms and suites in several buildings—most with outdoor space and amazing views of Matanzas Bay, the Bridge of Lions, and the St. Augustine Lighthouse.
The tastefully decorated rooms and suites are light, bright, and spacious. Each room’s décor is different, with some feeling more modern and some more traditional. All offer private entrances and individual thermostats; some have fantastic extras like fireplaces, oversized jetted or soaking tubs, rain showers with body jets, dual showers, mini refrigerators, and private porches or patios. Some of the rooms are pet-friendly, and there’s an accessible room as well.
No matter where they’re staying, all guests are welcome to sit in the beautiful courtyard and enjoy the breezes off the water as they take in the calming bay views. Amenities include a gourmet hot Southern breakfast delivered each morning to your door, luxury bath products, WiFi, cruiser bikes, and free off-street parking. Happy hour is held in the courtyard each day.
St. Francis Inn offers rooms in several historic buildings that are set in the oldest part of the city, within easy walking distance of everything but in a quiet neighborhood. The grounds feel serene, private, and romantic, with multiple lovely spaces to hang out in. There’s a heated pool tucked behind the main building and a shady courtyard with tropical plants and a fish pond.
More than your typical bed and breakfast, St. Francis Inn includes so many amenities you’ll feel completely spoiled. In addition to a full breakfast with a menu that changes daily, you also get access to coffee, tea, hot chocolate, water, and sodas all day long; sweet treats like cookies; a happy hour; an evening dessert; evening s’mores around the firepit in the courtyard; bicycles; pool towels; WiFi; TV with Hulu; toiletries; off-street parking (with charging stations for electric vehicles); and sherry.
St. Francis Inn offers a variety of rooms and suites in 4 buildings, including a 2-bedroom/2-bath cottage; 2 suites in the 1894 House; and 2 suites plus 1 room in the Wilson House. Each room is unique and furnished with antiques or reproductions; some have fireplaces, some have whirlpool tubs, and most have outdoor spaces.
Both Bayfront Marin Inn and St. Francis Inn also have rentals available on the beach, if you prefer a waterfront retreat.
Charming historic St. Augustine is not very big so it’s easy to explore on foot or by bike. St. George Street is one of the main streets, and it’s full of shops, historic sites, restaurants, and art galleries. You can also take a trolley tour or a themed walking tour.
Stroll along the waterfront, visit the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, tour the Lightner Museum and Flagler College, go for a sail or paddleboard excursion in the bay, or head to the beach for some sun and sand.
After all that exploring, take a break with a magical spa experience. One of the most unique things to do in St. Augustine is also one of the most restorative and romantic things to do in St. Augustine. Salt Spa St. Augustine offers a wide range of services for couples, including massages and facials for two, but its most distinctive offerings are the Himalayan salt cave and float tank salt therapy. These salt treatments reduce stress, decrease pain and inflammation, improve mood, boost your immune system, and increase energy.
In the evening, take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride as the sun sets, then head to one of the many fantastic restaurants in St. Augustine.
A few of the most romantic restaurants in St. Augustine are the award-winning Collage, a gourmet global fine dining restaurant with a great wine list; the casually elegant Michael’s, which serves inventive dishes featuring steak and seafood with a Spanish influence in a charming historic home with outdoor seating; and Sainte-George Restaurant, a tiny bistro. For authentic Spanish cuisine in a gorgeous setting, don’t miss Columbia Restaurant.
If you’re in the mood for drinks, locals love the craft cocktails, delicious food, and romantic ambiance at the hip lounge Forgotten Tonic, tucked away on Aviles Street, as well as the wide selection of wines, cheeses, and charcuteries at Casa de Vino 57.
Miami
The best honeymoon destination in Florida for foodies, Miami is a vibrant city with cool architecture, hip hot spots, amazing shopping, beautiful beaches, an incredible foodie scene, and beauty around every corner. Great things to do in Miami include exploring historic neighborhoods like Coral Gables, browsing galleries and shops in the Design District, cruising Ocean Drive on South Beach with its stretch of pastel-colored Art Deco hotels, and checking out the nightlife.
Tour the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, which features a restored Gilded Age mansion and breathtaking formal gardens on the 10-acre estate set along Biscayne Bay. This is one of the most romantic things to do in Miami. The Italian- inspired villa was built in 1916, and construction of the surrounding gardens was completed in 1920. The villa is filled with antique treasures and rare artworks, while the European-style pleasure gardens are home to peacocks and rare breeds of plants.
When you’re hungry, head to Little Havana for some fantastic Cuban food. One of the best Cuban restaurants in Miami is Versailles Restaurant. Be sure to get a café con leche and some flan for dessert. You can also sample Cuban burgers at El Rey de las Fritas.
Speaking of restaurants, Miami is a foodie favorite. The restaurant scene is lively, with new hot spots popping up constantly and plenty of Michelin-starred eateries offering innovative cuisine. Some top restaurants in Miami include The Surf Club Restaurant by Thomas Keller, Boia De, Cote Miami, Amara at Paraiso, Zuma Miami, Stubborn Seed, Carbone, and Joe’s Stone Crab.
If you like nature, take a day trip from Miami to Everglades National Park for a wildlife tour. Keep your eyes peeled for alligators, dolphins, and the sleek Florida panther as you cruise along the waterways of this remarkable nature preserve in either an airboat or kayak. For a quick visit, just go to the visitor center and walk the short Anhinga Trail boardwalk through the marsh. Be sure to wear plenty of mosquito repellant!
The Fontainebleau in Miami Beach offers sleek modern accommodations in a glamorous oceanfront setting. A celebrity favorite when it opened in the 1950s, the building’s unique curved design set the standard for the “Miami Modern” look. The hotel has been updated and features a gorgeous freeform pool; 12 restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Hakkasan; a spa with steam baths; a gym; and the hip nightclub LIV.
The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables opened in 1926 and is set in an ornate Mediterranean building that was renovated in 2018 but keeps its elegant, luxurious feel. Surrounded by 150 acres of lush landscaping, the resort offers plush accommodations, a spa, tennis courts, an 18-hole championship golf course, 4 restaurants, and one of the largest pools in the United States.
The Faena Hotel Miami Beach is a romantic and swanky oasis with a glamorous pool and gorgeous beach, as well as unique amenities like a breathtaking gilded theater that offers original productions and cabaret shows. The 22,000-square-foot Tierra Santa Healing House offers unique restorative treatments, there are live DJs in The Living Room cocktail bar, and there’s a full fitness center. Oceanfront rooms and suites have private balconies, elegant furnishings, marble bathrooms, and walk-in showers.
Now that you’ve read our picks for the 5 best honeymoon destinations in Florida, what do you think? Which one would be your choice? Let us know in the comments!
Ashley has always loved to explore new places and indulges her passion for travel whenever she can. She has been to 12 countries and 32 states so far.
Ashley has worked as a freelance writer for more than 20 years, specializing in the areas of travel, marketing, personal development, and the pursuit of happiness.
Favorite destinations include Sorrento and Capri, Italy; Haarlem, Netherlands; Paris; Sydney and K’gari, Australia; Rotorua and Waiheke Island, New Zealand; the American West; Palm Beach; the Florida Keys; and her hometown of New Orleans. Ashley has a goal of visiting every state plus many more international destinations.