South Beach: Tours and Guided Visits

Miami’s glamorous South Beach is one of the most popular spots in the city. It’s like you've pictured it — beautiful girls in bikinis on roller skates and muscular gym-toned hunks with a picture-perfect blue sea in the background.

There’s so much to do in South Beach, or SoBe. Dance the night away at anything from salsa clubs and relaxed beach bars to jazz bars and ultra-hip clubs with the latest hot DJ. In the morning, have breakfast at a fashionable spot before strolling around the fantastic Art Deco district, where you can get a close-up view of the gorgeous buildings. Or go celebrity house spotting on a South Beach tour that will show you to the homes of the rich and famous.

Check out our helpful tips about South Beach, one of the most glamorous Miami sightseeing tours.

Which part of Miami is known as South Beach?

South Beach is located east of Miami between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It is on the southernmost 6.5-kilometer square stretch of Miami Beach.

If you're driving, the easiest way to get to get to South Beach is via the General Douglas MacArthur Causeway. This six-lane causeway connects downtown Miami to South Beach via Biscayne.

Get on to Interstate 95 heading north, and after about a kilometer, exit onto the MacArthur Causeway. Roughly 10 minutes later, you'll get to 11th Street in Miami Beach. You can follow 11th St to Pennsylvania Ave for about 800 meters, and you'll hit South Beach.

There are various affordable and accessible public transportation options to downtown Miami and South Beach. The South Beach trolley service connects the city to hundreds of destinations in the South Beach area, and it's free. The trolley service runs daily from about 8 AM to 11 PM with 30-minute intervals.

What can you do in South Beach?

South Beach is the place to be and be seen, while it's a party capital heaving with trendy bars and countless nightclubs, there’s so much more to explore.

See the Art Deco District

No visit to Miami is complete without a stroll through the historic Art Deco district. The area is home to hundreds of beautiful old art deco homes. The buildings are a charming mix of bold, bright-colored homes or pastel-colored beauties with ornate carvings, sculptures and mosaics.

Wander around the buildings, do some retail therapy at the trendy stores, and indulge in icy cocktails and delectable dishes in restaurants, all while taking in the mesmerizing ocean views.

Check out Millionaire’s Row

See how the other half lives and explore the ultimate in luxury living in South Beach with a visit to Millionaire's Row. This exclusive stretch of prime real estate is home to some of Miami's most extravagant and unbelievable homes.

Located between South Beach and North Beach, the area is home to the rich and famous. Celebrities like Shaquille O'Neal, Gloria Estefan and Julio Iglesias have all lived in Millionaire's Row. Various tours go to Millionaires Row, and some operators tour the area on land and from the water so you can get the complete picture.

Explore Ocean Drive

Get a taste of Miami's delicious flavors at Ocean Drive, where you’ll find some of the best bars and restaurants. Ocean Drive, a popular hotspot, crosses into South Beach and Miami Beach and has a delightful street party atmosphere.

Walk along the promenade, check out the white sandy beaches, dance to the pulsating Latin music and sip on a refreshing cocktail as you take in the sights. In the morning, the area is crammed with beachgoers, and in the evening, it offers excellent dining opportunities and the perfect spot to party.

Which South Beach tour should you take?

Duck Tour of South Beach, Miami and Biscayne Bay

This 90-minute-long, fun-filled tour on an amphibious vehicle is quite the experience, as you'll take in the wonders of South Beach from the road and the water.

Cruise down the streets of South Beach in the quirky tour bus. Learn more about South Beach from your tour guide as you check out some local highlights.

Visit the historic Art Deco district to check out the many unique buildings. The district is famous for having hundreds of art deco structures in various styles. Marvel at the bold lines, vibrant color palettes, whimsical tropical motifs and retro stylings.

The last part of the tour starts with a dramatic splashdown into Biscayne Bay. Soak up a different perspective of Miami from the shoreline. Get a closer look at Fisher Island and see Millionaire's Row, which is made up of luxuriant and extravagant celebrity mansions.

Food and Walking Tour

One of the best ways to immerse yourself in a new place is with a food tour. Enjoy a 3-hour-long South Beach food and walking tour that provides a taste of a diverse range of cuisines. Choose between an 11 AM lunch tour or a later 5 PM tour.

Learn more about South Beach's culture, architecture and history as you walk towards delectable samples of Cuban, European, American, Mediterranean and Latin American dishes at some of the top local restaurants.

This walking tour starts in Ocean Drive’s Lummus Park, where you can see Miami's electrifying nightlife. Stroll down to Lincoln Road, a pedestrian mall that offers scrumptious dining choices as you continue your tasting.

Build up your appetite as you wander through the city's beautiful and historic art deco district – checking out some famous buildings. The last stop on the tour is Española Way, a pedestrian street in the heart of South Beach that boasts stunning Mediterranean Revival architecture and delicious dining options.

Private Airplane Tour

Overlook all of South Beach and Miami on this thrilling airplane ride. Delight in a bird’s eye view of the city’s iconic beaches and landmarks on your private flight. Enjoy every second of flight time above the city as you soak up aerial views of extravagant mansions and huge skyscrapers of South Beach.

These tours run throughout the day, from 7 AM until 3 PM, so you can opt for a time that best suits you. The tour starts at the Miami Executive Airport and continues to South Beach.

Indulge in drinks in the sky as you soak up panoramic views of the Miami Seaport, the Miami Seaquarium and Star Island.

Your private flight and aerial views of South Beach will add a new dimension to your trip and promise to be an unforgettable experience.

This experience is limited to three people and has a combined passenger weight of no more than 226 kilograms.

How much do South Beach tours cost?

Choose between various South Beach tour options ranging in price from US$20 to US$300 per person. Longer and more extravagant tous with more stops will cost more.

A land and water duck tour of South Beach and Miami costs US$50 per person. Children between the ages of 4 and 12 will pay US$30 each, while infants aged 3 and under are charged US$10 each.

A South Beach food tour is US$70 per person. The tour price includes all food tastings, beverages and local taxes. This wheelchair and stroller-friendly tour takes a maximum of 12 travelers.

Taking to the sky with a South Beach private airplane tour costs US$160 per person. This activity requires a minimum of 2 people per tour.

Where do South Beach tours start?

South Beach tours start at convenient and easy-to-find meeting spots close to the first attraction on the tour. Lincoln Road, a pedestrian-only street in South Beach, is a popular meeting spot. The duck tour of South Beach, Miami and Biscayne Bay, and the South Beach Food Tour start on this street.

You can email the tour operator for more information if you need clarity on the meeting spot.

Are South Beach tours wheelchair friendly?

Numerous South Beach tours are wheelchair friendly; however, not all tours offer wheelchair accessibility. If you are interested in a particular tour, you can check with the tour operator to ensure it is wheelchair friendly.

What's the best time of year to go to South Beach?

The best time to visit South Beach in Miami is typically from February to May, when the weather is comfortably warm and humidity is low, making it ideal for beach activities and outdoor exploration.

This period also coincides with several notable events like the South Beach Wine & Food Festival and Miami Music Week. While winter offers cooler and pleasant temperatures, it also brings larger crowds and higher accommodation prices, especially around spring break.

Travel tips

• Tipping Culture. Understand the local tipping culture. 15-20% is standard in restaurants and for services.
• Stay Informed About Weather. Check the weather forecast regularly, especially during hurricane season (June to November).
• Beware of Rip Currents. Learn about rip current safety, a common hazard on Florida beaches.