Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Key West?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Key West?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Key West, Florida? Most people spend at least 5 or as many as 7 days in Key West during their visit. After all, the active town will let you swim at the beach, learn about the history of the town, admire the quaint setting, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant.
Key West has long been known for its quirky personality and its welcoming atmosphere for all personalities. It is at the southernmost point of the Florida Keys, and for many, this is their top pick for a Florida Keys vacation. The town has both charm and personality, with pastel houses and a beach town atmosphere. There are also many opportunities to experience wildlife and beautiful beaches.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Key West? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Key West?
Three days is usually not enough time to experience the active town of Key West, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the chance to swim at the beach, learn about the history of the town, admire the quaint setting, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant. So, you'll likely want more than three days, as many tourists set aside around five to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
How to spend 3 days in Key West
Don't miss Duval Street during your trip to Key West, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Head to town for local restaurants with quirky atmospheres. There are many local dishes to sample, but the town is most known for its stone crabs, conch fritters, and Mahi Mahi sandwiches. You'll also find cold drinks and waterfront dining areas.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours ($90)
- Key West Sunset Sail: Dolphin Watching, Wine, and Tapas ($89)
The beautiful beaches await you in Key West, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. One of the best beaches in the area is Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. The beach has soft sand and stunning turquoise water. As is typical in the Keys, the water stays shallow for great distances.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Sunset Cruise ($85)
- The Original Key West Island Jet Ski Tour from the Casa Marina ($150)
- Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour ($70)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. This area has some of the most lively nightlife in the Florida Keys. There are quirky bars and fun hangouts where you can spend the evening. The party starts at Mallory Square around sunset and many bars stay open well into the early hours. You can also enjoy sunset cruises or pass your time at one of the many tiki bars.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour with Free T-Shirt ($32)
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour ($35)
- Key West Bar Crawl ($15)
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The town has the most charming Old Town areas in the Florida Keys. Head to Mallory Square for the sunset street performers and explore the historic streets around Duval Street.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Mallory Square. It's a nice activity for families and couples and is known for its lively nightly Sunset Celebration with street performers and spectacular sunset views over the harbor. It's free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Southernmost Key West History and Culture Small-Group Walking Tour ($40)
- Key Lime Pie Walking Tour of Key West Historic Seaport ($63)
- Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours ($90)
Key West is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. There are blue waters as far as the eye can see. It doesn't get much more beautiful than this.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Southernmost Key West History and Culture Small-Group Walking Tour ($40)
- Key Lime Pie Walking Tour of Key West Historic Seaport ($63)
- Sunset Cruise ($85)
Is 4 days enough time in Key West?
Key West is home to a multitude of sights and attractions, making it an extremely popular destination for tourists. So with four days, you'll probably feel rushed to see the main attractions. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the active town has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have at least 5 or as many as 7 days to fully enjoy the town. If you have four days or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
Key West
How to spend 4 days in Key West
Having 4 days in Key West will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.
Key West offers a charming atmosphere that's hard to find anywhere else. Spend part of the day exploring the scenery. This island is probably the quaintest of all of the Florida Keys. Head to Duval Street to see the charming history of the area.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for Mallory Square. It's a nice activity for families and couples and is known for its lively nightly Sunset Celebration with street performers and spectacular sunset views over the harbor. It's free.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Southernmost Key West History and Culture Small-Group Walking Tour ($40)
- Key Lime Pie Walking Tour of Key West Historic Seaport ($63)
- Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours ($90)
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Key West?
Five days is generally not enough time to swim at the beach, learn about the history of the town, admire the quaint setting, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant in Key West. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy popular activities such as the beaches, the historic old town, the quaint atmosphere, and the cuisine. To genuinely appreciate the highlights of the active town, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for at least 5 or as many as 7 days here. After all, Key West is a small town that is extremely popular with tourists due to the many sights and attractions. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend 5 days in Key West
With 5 days in Key West, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.
The surrounding waters are great for scuba diving and snorkeing, so spend some time in the water to see nature up close. There are a number of dive shops and snorkeling excursions that leave from Key West. Like many tourist areas these days, the coral shows its damage from the crowds, but you'll likely see some barracuda or a Grouper.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset ($105)
- Key West Full-Day Ocean Adventure: Kayak, Snorkel, Sail ($145)
- Biologist Owned & Operated: Dolphin Watching & Guided Snorkeling ($143)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Key West.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Key West, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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