MIAMI OR MIAMI BEACH: WHERE SHOULD YOU STAY?

Trying to decide between Miami or Miami Beach for your trip? You’re not alone! 

A lot of people assume they’re the same place, but Miami and Miami Beach offer very different experiences, and where you stay can make a big difference to your trip. We’ve stayed on Miami Beach and spent plenty of time exploring Miami, so in this guide I’ll compare the two based on location, beaches, things to do, accommodation, prices, nightlife, and how easy they are to get around.

I’ll also tell you which one I personally prefer and who I think each one is best for, so you can decide where to stay in Miami based on the type of trip you’re planning!

MIAMI VS MIAMI BEACH: WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

If you want…	Stay in…
Beautiful beaches	Miami Beach
Art Deco & Ocean Drive	Miami Beach
Nightlife	Miami Beach
Walking to restaurants and attractions	Miami Beach
Little Havana & Wynwood	Miami
Brickell & city views	Miami
A more urban experience	Miami
Easy access to mainland attractions	Miami
A beach holiday	Miami Beach
A city break	Miami

For most first-time visitors who want the classic Miami experience, I personally prefer staying on Miami Beach. You’re close to the beach, Ocean Drive, restaurants, nightlife and many of the places you’ll probably want to visit. Miami is a better choice if your trip is more focused on Little Havana, Wynwood, Brickell, shopping, restaurants, or exploring mainland Miami. Of course, you can easily visit both in one trip, so you don’t necessarily have to choose just one!

MIAMI OR MIAMI BEACH: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Miami and Miami Beach are two separate cities, which is something many first-time visitors don’t realise. Miami is on the mainland, while Miami Beach sits across Biscayne Bay on barrier islands. Miami is where you’ll find areas like Downtown, Brickell, Little Havana, Wynwood and the Design District.

Miami Beach is where you’ll find South Beach, Ocean Drive, the Art Deco Historic District and the famous Miami Beach coastline. They’re close to each other, so you can easily visit both during the same trip, but choosing where to stay can make your itinerary much easier. I’m very openly a Miami Beach fan, and I definitely prefer it over Downtown Miami!

MIAMI OR MIAMI BEACH: WHERE TO STAY?

Miami is a huge city, so choosing where to stay can drastically affect your budget and flexibility during your holiday. If you’re travelling on a smaller budget, the city of Miami might have more options for you because it offers more variety when it comes to accommodation. Keep in mind that Miami is already very expensive, so it will put a dent in your pocket regardless of where you stay. Miami is perfect for you if you like a modern city feel, lots of restaurants, and shopping.

If your budget is a bit more flexible, I’d recommend staying on Miami Beach because I just think it’s a nicer location. Hotels closer to the beach will be more expensive, but if you’re okay with being a few minutes away from the beach, you’ll find more affordable options. We stayed at quite a few budget-friendly hotels there, like The Fritz, Kenmore Village Hotel, and The Fairwind Hotel, and they were all decent and good for the price! I have a whole blog post on the best hotels and where to stay in Miami, so check it out. It covers every budget and all types of trips!

MIAMI OR MIAMI BEACH: WHICH HAS BETTER BEACHES?

If the beach is an important part of your Miami holiday, I’d definitely stay on Miami Beach. The biggest advantage is simply that you can walk from your hotel to the beach instead of having to drive or take an Uber every time you want to swim.

Miami itself is on the mainland, so it doesn’t have the same classic beach-holiday feel as Miami Beach. You can easily visit Miami Beach from the mainland, but I personally prefer waking up and already being right by the ocean. We always stay on Miami Beach when we visit, and being able to walk to the beach is one of the main reasons I keep choosing it.

MIAMI OR MIAMI BEACH: WHAT TO DO AND SEE

The main thing that will help you decide where to stay is your itinerary. If you think you’ll spend most of your time at the beach, it makes sense to stay on Miami Beach. If you’re more interested in luxury shopping, skyscrapers, restaurants, and the city atmosphere, you’ll probably prefer staying in Downtown Miami.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN MIAMI

Visit Bayside Market Place

Located along Biscayne Bay, you’ll find Bayside Marketplace, a lively waterfront destination that really captures the feel of Miami. It’s a great place to walk around, do some shopping, grab a bite to eat, or just enjoy the views. It’s also one of the best attractions in Downtown Miami. We loved walking through the many shops and stopping for lunch at Bayside Marketplace.

See a Miami Heat basketball game

If you want a really special experience, check out if Miami Heat are playing any games at home at the Kaseya Center. Grab some tickets online and enjoy cheering on one of the most popular NBA teams! We really wanted to experience an American basketball match, but unfortunately there were none in Miami while we were there.

Visit Little Havana

Another place in Miami you can’t miss is Little Havana. Walk its colorful streets, feel the Cuban vibe, and enjoy the main street, Calle Ocho, where you’ll find upbeat salsa music and tasty Cuban food. It’s a must-visit for a true Miami experience, and you will easily reach it if you’re staying in Miami.

Shop at the Dolphin Mall

Dolphin Mall is a popular shopping and entertainment destination located in Miami. With over 240 retail outlets, Dolphin Mall has some of the best outlet and discounted prices in Miami, so if you love shopping, you’ll have the time of your life there. It’s located close to the Miami Airport, so you’ll need a car or a taxi to get there.

Visit Wynwood

Wynwood is located in the heart of Miami and it has transformed into a lively and eclectic neighborhood known for its art, culture, and hip atmosphere. It’s got plenty of outdoor street art and murals, making it one of the world’s largest open-air street art installations. It’s a fun place for great Instagram pictures, so give it a shot if that’s something you like!

BEST THINGS TO DO IN MIAMI BEACH

Relax on South Beach

Miami Beach is just perfect, and I can’t recommend anything more than simply relaxing on South Beach. Whether you choose to swim, sunbathe, or just relax while watching the ocean, I’m sure you’ll love this part of Miami as well. Being by the beach instantly makes me feel so much better, which is why we choose to stay on Miami Beach every time. We’ve also had some of the most relaxing times playing pickleball on South Beach!

Cycle to the South Pointe Pier

If you’re staying on South Beach, or Miami Beach in general, make sure you rent a bike and cycle to the South Pointe Park and Pier. The ride will be nice and relaxing, and at the end you’ll get some of the most stunning views of Miami Beach and the Miami skyscrapers as well. You can rent a CitiBike easily just with your credit card at many locations on the beach.

Visit Espanola Way

Espanola Way is a street located in the heart of Miami Beach’s Art Deco Historic District, and it’s one of the most charming places there, in my opinion! It gives you a feel of the Mediterranean and has a great variety of dining options. It’s one of the most interesting streets in South Beach and a perfect place for dinner, so make sure you visit it even if you choose to stay in Miami and only visit Miami Beach for a day trip.

Shop at Lincoln Road

If you’re a shopper, Lincoln Road is a location you’ll love. The road spans over a few blocks and has some of the best shops on Miami Beach. From luxury stores to those more affordable, everyone will find something for themselves. We had a wonderful time just window-shopping, so you don’t even need to spend any money to enjoy it. If you get tired, you can always sit down for a drink or lunch, since there are many fun restaurants and bars on Lincoln Road as well.

Have a drink at Ocean Drive

While Ocean Drive looks stunning during the day, it completely transforms in the evening. The buildings light up in various colours and invite you to enjoy the night in one of the many bars on the famous street. There’s lots of people drinking and dining, and the overall atmosphere is exciting and lively. Sit down for a drink or a bite and immerse yourself in South Beach nightlife at least once!

Eat tacos at Dulce Vida

Some of the best birria tacos we’ve had were from Dulce Vida. This small restaurant is on 6^th Street and it will be a staple restaurant for you if you like Mexican food. We’ve gone to Dulce Vida at least 3 times during our first week in South Beach, and now each time we return it’s the first place we visit as soon as we arrive!

MIAMI OR MIAMI BEACH: WHICH IS BETTER WITHOUT A CAR?

If you’re not planning to rent a car, I’d definitely recommend staying on Miami Beach. Especially if you stay around South Beach, you can easily walk to the beach, restaurants, shops, bars, and many of the main attractions. You can also use Uber or Lyft when you want to visit other parts of Miami, so you really don’t need a car for most trips.

Miami is much more spread out, so getting around without a car can be a bit more complicated, especially if you want to visit places like Little Havana, Wynwood, or different neighbourhoods around the city. Public transport is available, but for a short holiday, I personally find staying on Miami Beach much more convenient if you don’t have a car.

HOW FAR IS MIAMI FROM MIAMI BEACH?

Miami and Miami Beach are very close to each other, even though they are two separate cities. Miami Beach is located across Biscayne Bay from Downtown Miami, and the drive from Downtown Miami to South Beach usually takes around 15–20 minutes without heavy traffic.

However, Miami traffic can be pretty bad, especially during rush hour, so the journey can easily take longer. You can drive, take an Uber or Lyft, or use public transport to get between the two. We always stay on Miami Beach when we visit Miami, and it’s very easy for us to head into Downtown Miami or other parts of the city whenever we want to explore.

MIAMI VS MIAMI BEACH: WHICH IS BETTER FOR…?

If you’re looking for…	Miami	Miami Beach
First-time visitors	Great for exploring the city, Little Havana, Wynwood and Brickell	Best for the classic Miami experience, with beaches, Ocean Drive and Art Deco
Beaches	Beaches are further away and you’ll need to travel to them	Definitely better for beaches, with South Beach and other beaches right on your doorstep
Nightlife	Great restaurants, bars and nightlife in areas like Brickell	Better for beach clubs, bars and nightlife, especially around South Beach
Families	Good choice if you prefer attractions, museums and city activities	Great for families who want easy beach access and plenty of things within walking distance
Budget	Usually more accommodation options at different price points	Can be more expensive, especially close to the beach
Without a car	More difficult, depending on where you stay and what you want to visit	Much easier, especially around South Beach, where you can walk to the beach, restaurants and shops
Couples	Great for restaurants, nightlife and exploring different neighbourhoods	My pick for couples, especially if you want beaches, sunset walks, restaurants and a more relaxed holiday atmosphere

MIAMI VS MIAMI BEACH FAQ

Is Miami Beach the same as Miami?

No, Miami and Miami Beach are two separate cities. Miami is located on the mainland, while Miami Beach sits across Biscayne Bay on a series of barrier islands. They’re very close to each other, so it’s easy to visit both during the same trip.

Is it better to stay in Miami or Miami Beach?

It depends on what you want from your trip. If you want easy access to the beach, restaurants, nightlife, Ocean Drive, and the classic Miami atmosphere, I’d personally choose Miami Beach. Miami is a better option if you’re more interested in places like Little Havana, Wynwood, Brickell, and exploring the city itself.

Is Miami Beach cheaper than Miami?

Usually, Miami Beach can be more expensive, especially if you want to stay right by the beach or around South Beach. Miami has a much larger selection of accommodation, so you may find more budget-friendly options. However, prices vary a lot depending on the neighbourhood and time of year.

Which is better for first-time visitors, Miami or Miami Beach?

I’d personally recommend Miami Beach for first-time visitors. You get the beautiful beaches, Ocean Drive, Art Deco buildings, restaurants, nightlife, and plenty of things to do within a relatively small area. You can then easily visit Downtown Miami and other parts of the city during your stay.

Can you stay in Miami and visit Miami Beach?

Absolutely! Miami Beach is very close to Downtown Miami, so you can easily visit for the day. You can drive, take an Uber or Lyft, or use public transport. However, I personally prefer staying on Miami Beach because I love being so close to the beach and being able to walk to so many places.

How far is Miami Beach from Downtown Miami?

South Beach is roughly 4–5 miles (6–8 km) from Downtown Miami, depending on exactly where you’re staying. The drive can take around 15–20 minutes without heavy traffic, but Miami traffic can make the journey considerably longer.

Can you visit Miami without a car?

Yes, you can visit Miami without a car, especially if you stay on Miami Beach. Around South Beach, you can walk to the beach, restaurants, shops, and many attractions, while Uber and Lyft are convenient for longer journeys. If you want to explore lots of different parts of Miami, though, having a car can make things much easier.

Is Miami Beach worth staying in?

Yes, I definitely think Miami Beach is worth staying in! I’m very openly a Miami Beach fan, and we stay there every time we visit Miami. I love being close to the beach, having so many restaurants and shops within walking distance, and being able to enjoy the lively atmosphere while still having easy access to the rest of Miami.

CONCLUSION: MIAMI OR MIAMI BEACH

Hopefully, by now you have a better idea of whether Miami or Miami Beach is the right choice for your trip. While both have plenty to offer, I’m a Miami Beach fan, and I definitely prefer it over Downtown Miami!

If you’re visiting Miami for the first time, I’d personally choose Miami Beach, especially if you want to enjoy the beach, walk around South Beach, explore the Art Deco District, have dinner on Espanola Way, and have plenty of restaurants and shops within walking distance.

However, Miami is a great choice if you’re more interested in exploring places like Little Havana, Wynwood, Brickell, and the more modern side of the city. And the good thing is that you don’t really have to choose between the two. They’re close enough that you can easily visit both during your trip!

We always stay on Miami Beach when we visit, and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. I love being close to the beach and having so many things to do within walking distance, while still being able to head into Miami whenever we want to explore something different!