Where to Stay in Tampa

a beach filled with palm trees and palm trees

The Best Areas to Stay in Tampa Region

TheTampa Area covers a vast portion of Florida’s beach-abundant Gulf coast, comprising Tampa itself, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and a long string of coastal communities from Pass-a-Grille Beach to Tarpon Springs.

The primary tourist attractions generally tend to be concentrated in Downtown Tampa and Downtown St. Petersburg, though some of the best lodging lies along the coast. We’ve covered our favorite neighborhoods below.

While exploring the Downtown regions on foot is fairly straightforward, using a vehicle is quite convenient for traversing between the different parts of Tampa (taxis/Uber can be pricey over long distances). In Tampa itself, the handy TECO Streetcar connects Downtown with Ybor City – it`s free of charge. There`s also no fee for the similarly useful Looper Trolley in downtown St. Pete.

Best Places to Stay in Tampa

a city with tall buildings next to a river

Best Neighborhoods in Tampa for…

    • Best Neighborhood for Art & Culture: Downtown St. Petersburg
      St. Petersburg is a compact city that packs a substantial artistic punch. Downtown flaunts the outstanding Chihuly Collection of glasswork, the Dalí, housing the most expansive collection of Salvador Dalí’s work outside of Spain, the Imagine Museum’s collection of contemporary glass, and the relatively new James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art. There’s also the Museum of Fine Arts and the Florida CraftArt Gallery. Most Romantic Neighborhood: Hyde Park/SoHo
      In addition to its strategic location, the resort is readily recognizable thanks to its replica of the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas, which sparkles during its nightly light performance. Watching the light show is not the only attraction, as visitors can also ascend to the top and take in the scenic views. It is considered one of the best activities in Las Vegas for couples, so book a front-of-the-line ticket or make use of your Las Vegas City Pass.

      Best Neighborhood for Nightlife: Ybor City
      Tampa’s historic Latin Quarter, Ybor City began life as a cigar-manufacturing hub in the early 20th century, with an especially strong Cuban influence. Though it’s the home of excellent museums and famous Cuban restaurants such as Columbia, it’s equally known for its nightlife today, especially along 7th Avenue. Columbia itself hosts flamenco dance shows most nights, while GameTime is a sports bar crammed with arcade games, and Improv Comedy Theater is Tampa’s live comedy hub. Also there are major dance clubs like Prana and Czar, hip live venue Orpheum, college student haunts like Gaspar’s Grotto, and a thriving LGBT scene (see the Honey Pot). Ybor City lies just a mile or so northeast of Downtown Tampa and there are only a handful of hotels in the neighborhood – the three best (within stumbling distance of the bars) are Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City/Downtown; Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District; and Hotel Haya.

    • Best Neighborhood for Food and Restaurants: Dunedin
      There is plenty to eat throughout the Tampa area, but Dunedin in particular is an appealing, convenient choice for food lovers. Situated around five miles north of Clearwater and 25 miles west of Downtown Tampa, Dunedin is packed with highly rated restaurants. Within walking distance of local hotels (and each other) are acclaimed fine dining spot Black Pearl of Dunedin, family-friendly Cafe Alfresco, brewery Dunedin Brewery, seafood focused Lucky Lobster Co, and no-frills places like Eli’s Bar-B-Que and Hot Dogs on Main.
    • Best Areas for Shopping: Madeira Beach; Hyde Park; Westshore This is a complex choice, but our favorite areas include Hyde Park Village and Downtown St. Petersburg for higher-end shopping, John’s Pass Village at Madeira Beach for a relaxed, family-friendly experience near the ocean, or Westshore for the largest malls (International Plaza and Bay Street; and WestShore Plaza). There is plentiful lodging in Downtown St. Pete’s, Madeira Beach and Westshore (see below), but not many options are available in Hyde Park (see above) a large swimming pool in the middle of a city
    • Best (non-beach) Neighborhood for families: North Tampa
      The Tampa region’s beaches which attract families most clearly, however utilizing North Tampa as a base for at least some of the time makes sense. Busch Gardens, the state’s premier theme park outside of Orlando, will occupy at minimum a full day, while neighboring waterpark Adventure Island is an immense hit in the summer. Kids also adore the Museum of Science and Industry (and its IMAX theater), Big Cat Rescue and ZooTampa at Lowry Park; and there’s an enormous number of choices in relation to hotel and motel lodging (a vehicle is essential here).
    • Most Popular Neighborhood for small accommodations: Treasure Island
    • Old Kastoria: Kastoria’s Old Town is focussed on the Doltso neighborhood, a convoluted collection of winding paths and imposing merchant mansions. Exploring this compact area, you will admire some very impressive old structures, several of which have been turned into lodgings for visitors. Map

Best Neighborhood for Local Atmosphere: Gulfport
Gulfport is situated a little off the major tourist route, lining the bay midway between St. Pete Beach (4 miles) and Downtown St. Petersburg (5 miles), but it’s an artsy, eccentric community filled with character. Best known for its yearly GeckoFest in the fall (with street performers, arts and crafts stalls, and a parade), it also hosts regular Art Walks and a farmers’ market, as well as several relaxed bars and restaurants. Our favorites include Salty’s Gulfport Bar,Low Tide Kava Bar, and Little Tommies Tiki Bar & Grill. There isn’t much selection when it comes to lodging, however; the best options are the Historic Peninsula Inn and Sea Breeze Manor Inn. For a taste of Old Florida, it’s also worth checking out Pass-a-Grille Beach (see below).

  • Best Neighborhood for beach holidays: Clearwater Beach
    The Tampa region boasts some of Florida`s finest beaches, but Clearwater Beach stands out for exceptional coastal family entertainment. The beautiful white-sand strip offers various activities from volleyball and rollerblading to parasailing and stand-up paddleboarding, while Pier 60 hosts an evening sunset celebration with vendors and performers. To the south, Sand Key Park provides a less commercialized beach experience, while Clearwater Marine Aquarium is home to Winter (star of the Dolphin Tale movie)
  • Unsafe Areas of Tampa
    Most regions of Tampa are usually quite safe, though normal precautions should be taken at night, especially in Ybor City. The most hazardous neighborhoods lie north and east of Downtown Tampa (locations like Live Oaks Square, Highland Pines, and Woodland Terrace), plus sections of inland Largo and Clearwater (Wyatt Street) – but these are all easily avoided.

The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Tampa for Tourists

a beach filled with lots of colorful umbrellas

1. Downtown & Channel District

Downtown Tampa and the adjacent Channel District jointly anchor the whole Tampa region, serving as its premier commercial heart, as well as containing the Tampa Convention Center, the Amalie Arena (home of the Tampa Bay Lightning ice hockey team), and several theaters. Primary tourist attractions involve the Tampa Museum of Art,Glazer Children’s Museum,Florida Aquarium,Tampa Bay History Center, and the American Victory Ship & Museum. The Henry B. Plant Museum of the University of Tampa lies simply across the Hillsborough River. Downtown lies some 25 miles east of Clearwater Beach (around 40 minutes by car).

2. North Tampa

Roughly covering the section of Tampa north of the Hillsborough River (for the purposes of this survey), North Tampa is generally residential, though it also encompasses the huge University of South Florida campus and several major family-friendly attractions: the Busch Gardens theme park, Adventure Island waterpark, the Museum of Science and Industry, and ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Attractions and restaurants are spread out here along the main avenues, so a vehicle is essential. It’s important to note that it’s around a one-hour drive from here to the Gulf beaches.

3. Westshore/Airport

A few miles west of Downtown Tampa, Westshore is generally a calm residential area, primarily noteworthy to travelers due to Tampa International Airport, a couple significant shopping centers, and a cluster of affordable hotels, restaurants, and motels. Convenient access to I-275 means it’s suitable for motorists traveling west to St. Petersburg and the beaches, as well as Downtown Tampa and the airport. The two malls – International Plaza and Bay Street and Westshore Plaza – are just 1.5 miles apart. Also nearby, the George M. Steinbrenner Field baseball arena, the Spring Training base of the New York Yankees. Another highlight for craft beer enthusiasts: regarded Cigar City Brewing Co has its primary brewery and tasting room here.

4. Downtown St. Petersburg

Located some 23 miles southwest of downtown Tampa, on the opposite side of the bay, downtown St. Petersburg acts as the cultural hub of the region, home to an array of world-class museums and galleries. Topping the list are the Dalí, the Museum of Fine Arts and Chihuly Collection, but St. Pete also hosts the newer James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art and the Imagine Museum of glasswork. Central Avenue features independent galleries, upscale boutiques, eateries, and bars. The heart-wrenching Florida Holocaust Museum can also be found here, as well as the recently rebuilt St. Pete Pier, the busy center for waterfront dining, shopping, and entertainment.

5. St. Pete Beach

The easiest way to arrange a private transfer from the Santorini airport to your lodging is to pre-book with Welcome Pickups. The cost is about the same as a pre-booked taxi and someone will await you at the airport with a greeting sign. (The photo shown is from the Athens airport but the one at Santorini looks similar.) When booking, you`ll receive an email confirmation with a picture of your driver so you know exactly whom to look for

6. Treasure Island

Just north of St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island is a traditionally beach-oriented community renowned for its independently-owned motels directly fronting the shoreline – delivering excellent value and immediate access to an exceptionally broad, beautiful ivory-colored beach. The section called “Sunshine Beach” provides the extra attraction of grassy dunes and pathways to the beach.

a beach filled with lots of beach umbrellas

7. Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach, some 25 miles west of Downtown Tampa, is the community`s most lively seaside location. In addition to a wide range of lodging, there’s volleyball, parasailing, and jet-skiing, as well as the nightly Pier 60 sunset festivities. For all-around entertainment – and a beautiful white-sand beach – it’s difficult to surpass. Just to the south, Sand Key Park offers a less developed coastal experience, while Clearwater Marine Aquarium is noted especially for its dolphin program (featuring Winter, star of A Dolphin’s Tale).

8. Dunedin

The small community of Dunedin Florida lies along the Gulf Coast, approximately 25 miles west of downtown Tampa. It is renowned for its beaches such as those found at nearby Honeymoon Island State Park. However, Dunedin is also distinguished by the quality restaurants, bars, coffee shops and craft breweries concentrated in the area unlike other parts of the Tampa region. The Pinellas Trail, a multi-use path for cycling and biking stretching from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs, can easily be explored from Dunedin. Caladesi Island State Park with its mangrove forests is another local attraction best experienced by kayak. Dunedin proudly displays its Scottish heritage evident for example at the Celtic Shop of Dunedin or the annual Highland Games and Military Tattoo festival. Dunedin is also home to TD Ballpark, where the Toronto Blue Jays hold their Spring Training baseball games.

Highly Rated Accommodations:Beso Del Sol Resort

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Beyond The Wall Bed and Breakfast

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Fenway Hotel

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Clearwater North/Dunedin

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Meranova Bed & Breakfast

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Palm Court Motel

9. Madeira Beach

“Mad Beach” – five miles north of St. Pete Beach and 14 miles south of Clearwater Beach – is one of our favorite Gulf Coast communities in the Tampa area. Low-key and relaxed, the lodgings and hotels here provide good value, and there’s always a friendly local clientele frequenting the beach bars and eateries along Gulf Boulevard. The beach, as always, is the main attraction, but there’s also Johns Pass Village and Boardwalk at the southern end, a family-friendly collection of shops and restaurants overlooking the water. From here fishing excursions depart from the “ Grouper Capital of the World”.

10. Pass-a-Grille Beach

The far southern end of St. Pete Beach is known as Pass-a-Grille Beach, a quiet, colorful Old Florida neighborhood known for its historic Cracker cottages, dune-lined coastfront, and relaxed restaurant and bar scene. Other than the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum there`s not much in the way of attractions – the undeveloped seafront (and boat trips to Shell Key) provides the allure. The tiny main avenue is 8th Avenue, home to a cluster of galleries, bars, and restaurants.

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Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

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