Forming the sunny southern tip of the Florida peninsula, Miami is a coastal city at the most southeasterly point of the mainland United States, closer to the Cuban capital Havana than the neighbouring state of Georgia to the north. The city is also a gateway to the tropical islands of Key West and the dense mangroves of the Florida Everglades. Pastel-accented Art Deco buildings are framed by swaying palms, while glittering high-rises and glamorous marinas look out towards the warm waters of the Atlantic.

People come here to soak up the sun in buzzing South Beach, admire contemporary artwork and open-air installations in the city’s Design District, and head out to sea in search of sailfish and marlin. The city is also home to a wealth of museums, including the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens with its turn-of-the-century architecture and lush manicured landscaping, and bayfront Deering Estate, which offers a host of concerts and performances and over 400 acres of nature walks. Foodies are well served by a blend of fresh seafood — don’t miss the soft-shell crab — and Cuban dishes. Little Havana is the core of the city’s Cuban-American population, home to domino players in the park, crisp empanadas, and coffee shops serving cortadito.

Miami is a popular place to visit all year round, although if you come in the summer, prepare for heat — sun protection is a must — and regular afternoon thunderstorms that roll in from the Everglades. For those wanting to make the most of the lush nature and beaches, the drier season between December and February will allow you to get the most sun-soaking hours out of each day. Sea temperatures are comfortable at any time of year, so taking a dip in the ocean is always an option. A three-day weekend festival lights up South Beach with fashion shows, classic cars, and jazz in mid-January, while a music festival in March has been bringing together song, dance, and comedy performances for decades to showcase Miami’s Caribbean and Cuban communities.

Street art in Wynwood

Around 10 minutes north of Downtown Miami, the Wynwood neighbourhood is famed for an abundance of galleries and murals spread over 50 blocks. The Wynwood Walls are a constantly changing open-air exhibition of vibrant pieces, from work by graffiti legends to geometric trompe-l’oeil patterns. You’ll also find the Museum of Graffiti and small breweries where you can grab a craft beer to sip in the sun.

Key West

Take your rental car or book a day trip to visit this tropical oasis island city at the end of the Florida Keys Archipelago. The white sands offer a Caribbean escape just a couple hours’ drive from the city. You can snorkel, swim, lounge on the beach, and have a fresh lunch in this peaceful point out in the sea before heading back to your rental spot.

Miami Beach

While it can get quite busy during March break, Miami Beach is vast, so if you’re there at any other time of the year, you’re sure to find some space to stretch out under the sun. If you’re looking to explore, stroll along the boardwalk and grab lunch, a tropical cocktail, or some ice cream and watch the waves come in. At night, head to the iconic Ocean Drive to see the lights of bars that come alive for the evening.