Florida Keys Done Right: A 6 Day Itinerary
By Libby Austin
The Florida Keys are an incredible collection of over 800 islands, stretching more than 10 miles long off of the tip of southern Florida. Known for the beautiful waters and key lime pie, The Keys offer a unique blend of tropical beauty, vibrant culture, and endless adventure. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or thrill, this 6-day itinerary will guide you through the best experiences The Keys have to offer.
At the end of last year, I was so blessed to spend a little over 2 weeks in The Florida Keys. This was my first time going, and I had no idea what to expect! I really got into a routine and started to fall in love with the area a few days before departing. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, and want to help you do the same! If you’re looking for the best way to spend your time in the southern most part of the country, keep reading.
How to get to The Florida Keys
Fly into Miami International Airport and rent a car for the scenic route down US-1. I highly recommend flying into and out of Miami rather than the Key West airport. You will drive for 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach The Keys.
Though you can ride a shuttle from the Miami airport to The Keys, renting a car will be the best way to get around the islands. The drive from down US-1 has a ton of amazing views and stop points along the way.
How long you should stay in The Keys
There are over 800 islands in The Keys, so you could stay forever if you wanted to. I stayed for 2 weeks, and had plenty to do everyday, but I suggest you stay at least 6 days. This 6 day long itinerary is very diverse, so you can make adjustments to it as you would like.
Where to stay in The Keys
When staying in The Keys, you have your pick of accommodations. I stayed in Key Largo, Marathon, and Key West. Each area is very different, but I loved them all because of that! Finding the right hotel to stay in is very important when having a getaway to The Keys.
My fiancé and I are die-hard Marriott fans and 9 times out of 10 will not stay anywhere else. All of my hotel suggestions will be Marriotts, but I have personally stayed in all three of these, and would absolutely recommend them!
Key Largo-
Playa Largo Resort & Spa
Playa Largo Resort & Spa is positioned on 4.5 acres of private beachfront in Key Largo. Equipped with bars, a gym, pools, and a lovely spa. The rooms are comfortable and clean, and the employees are helpful and personable. I seriously enjoyed all of the outdoor options when staying here. In addition to the normal rooms, the resort has 10 bungalows and a beach house for large groups or families. The pool is absolutely gorgeous, and the floating cabanas are a nice option when staying here.
Marathon-
Courtyard Faro Blanco Resort
The majority of my time in The Keys were spent at the Courtyard Faro Blanco Resort in Marathon. I have to say Marathon is mostly an island filled with commercial buildings and businesses, so when picking a place to stay here, it is really important to find a hotel that is separate from that.
I loved the Faro Blanco. I became very close with a few of the employees, and spent many days hanging out by the pool. Yoga is offered every weekend morning, and is done facing the gorgeous crystal blue water. There are 2 pools on the property, each on a different side of the building, offering an option to be in the sun most of the day.
The Courtyard Faro Blanco Resort is gorgeous and a must stay if you find yourself on Marathon Key.
Key West-
The Saint Hotel Key West
The Saint Hotel in Key West is a 4.6 star resort, and it is rated that high for a reason! Though the hotel itself is small, it is in a fantastic location and very convenient to walk into town. The pool is small, and was not my favorite pool of the trip. To make up for that, they do have free use bicycles! The level of service here is unbeatable. If you stay here, it will definitely be somewhere you would want to return.
Day One: Arrive in Miami & Drive to Key Largo
We flew from Boston to Miami on a quick 3 and a half hour flight. We then picked up our rental car and drove down one of the most scenic highways in the United States, US-1, until we arrived in Key Largo, just before sunset.
We checked in our hotel, Playa Largo Resort & Spa, and were both greeted with drink tickets at their onsite bar. We enjoyed dinner at the Mediterranean cuisine restaurant, La Maera, and then settled into the hotel for a comfortable night of sleep.
Day Two: Exploring the Key Largo Mangroves & Sushi in Islamorada
Starting the day off by getting breakfast and coffee at the resort is great! After being properly fed, it is time to set out for the adventure of the day.
I highly suggest kayaking through the mangroves while in Key Largo. Key Largo is known for its beautiful water and pristine coral reefs, and there is no better way to explore the natural beauty.
I am linking the tour I did below. There is also the option to snorkel on this tour as well. This is about a 3 hour long excursion.
https://www.viator.com/tours/Key-Largo/Mangrove-Tunnel-Kayak-Adventure/d23475-300461P1
After exploring the charming waters of Key Largo, you’re likely going to want a bite to eat!
If you’re looking for “island food” there are a ton of options in Key Largo. Most of the island themed restaurants serve very similar food. On this day, I opted to drive the 25 minutes to Islamorada. I heard great things about SHIMA, a sushi place. It was absolutely fantastic! If you are up for the drive, and like sushi, this is a great place to try out.
SHIMA is a fine dining experience that also offers cooking classes. If you add another night in Key Largo that could be a good addition to your trip.
Alternatively, heading back to the hotel for a swim and a bite to eat is a great option as well.
Day Three: Travel, Tofu Tacos & Turtles
On the third day you might want to venture out to a cafe for breakfast! I suggest visiting the Grati Cafe while in Key Largo. They offer an assortment of options, including coffee, smoothies, smoothie bowls, sandwiches and more!
Today is a travel day! Though Key Largo is gorgeous, it is time to move deeper into the Keys. The third day is a great day to drive an hour south to Marathon Key. The drive is gorgeous and certainly can be treated as an activity itself.
Once arriving, it is time to go check into your hotel! We stayed at the Courtyard Faro Blanco Resort. I do highly recommend staying here. The staff is awesome, the rooms are clean, the food is good, and the amenities are great! You could stay at this resort for several days, and be happy the whole time.
Many times I’ve heard people say to skip Marathon, but I totally disagree. There are so many hidden gems on this particular key.
After getting comfortable in the hotel, you’re either hungry or ready to explore!
My absolute favorite keys restaurant is in Marathon. La Isla Taco Grill is a food truck with amazing food and a beautiful covered patio to dine.
I went to La Isla Taco Grill while in The Keys at least 5 times. I am vegetarian, but eat a mostly vegan diet, so their tofu tacos and burritos were a life saver for me. One thing to note when traveling to The Keys is that there is not a ton of vegetarian/vegan options.
(I also ate pub-subs from Publix a few times too. That is another option if you have dietary restrictions.)
If you do stay at The Courtyard Faro Blanco, the turtle hospital is right next door.
I personally missed out on the turtle hospital, but did hear really good things about it. You can make a reservation, $35 per adult, to join a guided educational program of the hospital facilities and rehabilitation area. It typically lasts between an hour and an hour and a half.
https://www.turtlehospital.org/visit-us/
This would be a great opportunity to learn more about the local wildlife.
Day Four: Sightsee in Marathon & Head to Key West
Waking up on day four calls for a little relaxation by the pool. The weather is nice almost year round, and the pools at the Courtyard Faro Blanco are stunning.
Depending on the time, you should consider getting breakfast at The Bistro. I really enjoyed the farmstead breakfast bowl without eggs and cheese. There is also Starbucks onsite, but the menu is limited.
If you’re more into lunch this day- Irie Island Eats is just a couple of minutes away. This was another restaurant I returned to a few times. It is also a food truck but has an amazing garden full of lively plants, making you feel like you are in a jungle while you enjoy your fresh island food. They are also open for dinner.
After lunch, it is time to make your way further south again. The Seven Mile Bridge connects the middle of The Keys to the lower Keys. As if driving over it isn’t already enough, there is also a second bridge that is just for pedestrians and bicycles.
I saw some of the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises over this bridge.
It takes a little over an hour to drive from Marathon to Key West. You can head straight there, but I suggest stopping at Horseshoe beach along the way!
The address is 1969 Overseas Hwy, on Big Pine Key. The signs aren’t large, and you could certainly miss it if you weren’t looking for it. It is a locals beach, so it tends to be pretty quiet.
Certainly by now you are ready to be on the way to Key West! Check into the hotel, my suggestion is The Saint Hotel Key West. Take some time to settle in! The next two days will take place in Key West, so there is time to explore.
You absolutely could have dinner at The Saint Hotel, or you could borrow one of their complementary bicycles and ride down to Mangia Mangia, a pasta cafe.
It is only a 3 minute bike ride from The Saint Hotel to Mangia Mangia. The pasta cafe offers an array of options, and is not difficult to eat at if you have dietary restrictions. Their back patio is absolutely to die for!
After dinner you should take your time strolling around downtown Key West. There is so much to see!
Day Five: Bicycles, Butterflies, and Boats
This morning should be relaxing as you wake up in the most luxurious hotel of the trip, The Saint Hotel Key West. There are a ton of cafes and coffee shops in Key West to check out, but depending on your mood, you might want to grab your first bite of the day at this heavenly hotel.
We enjoyed our first morning in Key West around the hotel. The environment and ambiance is great, and it is nice to be slow moving on vacation. You should totally check out the on-site restaurants, the pool, and other amenities.
A day in Key West can go a million ways because there are unlimited options!
I recommend going to The Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory. Voted as the “Best Attraction in Key West,” it is definitely worth the visit if you have any interest in it at all. Again, it is a short bike ride or walk from The Saint Hotel, and positions you a little closer to the water. So after you talk a walk through the tropical glass-home butterfly habitat, full of butterflies birds and flamingos, you can go check out the beautiful crystal clear water Key West has to offer!
At this point you could also go see the iconic southern most point buoy. Though this is a “must-see” for some, I ultimately decided to just ride past, and to not get out. It is definitely a sight to see, but the line was incredibly long.
Those early afternoon adventures were great! Now it’s time to check out Key West from the water. Let’s go on a sunset cruise!
There is no shortage of choices when booking a sunset cruise in Key West. There are some that offer champagne, some with an open bar, and some with food. There is also a glass bottom boat cruise that you can book too! I can’t recommend going on some short of cruise in Key West enough! It really helps you enjoy the natural beauty The Keys most definitely have. Enjoy your time on the water!
You also must make time to try out some Key Lime Pie while in Key West. They are known for it! I had the best Key Lime Pie of my life on this trip. That’s a great stop to make after a sunset cruise, on the way back to the hotel for the night.
Day Six: Morning then Miami
This is the last morning in Key West before driving to Miami for the flight back home!
It is necessary to get out on those bicycles one more time to go check out a breakfast place.
I love the Garden Cafe. The menu is big and there place is picture worthy! It is once again in a food truck, but the garden outside of the food truck is perfectly done. This is a great place to check out for breakfast or lunch.
Before departing to Miami, now is a great time to walk around town and maybe buy a souvenir! I live a more minimalistic lifestyle, so I didn’t buy the most touristy item I could find, but I did buy a tacky swim suit for $10 and I wear it all the time.
Once you’re done spending the last few hours in Key West, it’s time to head back to Miami! You absolutely could add on to your trip with extra days to check out Miami. So whether that’s your plan, or just hopping on your flight back home, the 3 and half hour ride from Key West to Miami is gorgeous, and a perfect way to end your trip.
Florida Keys Overview
I do believe The Keys may be the most beautiful area of Florida! And is definitely one of the most beautiful parts of the country. It is so tropical, and there is so much to see and do! If you came to The Keys every year, you could do something new each time and never get bored.