Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Clearwater?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Clearwater?
Most visitors spend three to five days in Clearwater when visiting. The beautiful coastal city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.
It's located in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area and it has some of the best beaches in Florida. The blue waters of the Gulf Coast combined with the parks and outdoor activities make this a wonderful destination.
Do you have one or two days to visit Clearwater? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Clearwater?
One day is generally not enough time to experience the beach and other activities of Clearwater. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy the most popular activities such as the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. To genuinely appreciate the beautiful coastal city, a longer visit is recommended so that you can have more time to relax at the beach. Many tourists opt for at least 3 or as many as 5 days here, after all. After all, Clearwater, renowned for its numerous sights and attractions, is a major draw for tourists. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend a day in Clearwater
The beautiful beaches await you in Clearwater, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. Clearwater Beach is on many lists as one of the best beaches in America. It's the most popular beach in the area and it spreads out over 2.5 miles. Sand Key Beach is another popular destination as is the pristine Caladesi Island State Park.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Electric Bike Wildlife & History Tour along Fort De Soto's Beaches ($79)
- Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area ($79)
- Small Group Kayak Tour of the Shell Key Preserve ($64)
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 the waterfront for some of the best seafood. Unfortunately this is also where you'll find the highest prices. Shrimp, crab, and a fresh catch of the day are common on many menus.
A few tour suggestions include:
- The Tour and Wine Tasting Experience at Aspirations Winery ($20)
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Clearwater?
Clearwater, a small coastal city brimming with sights and attractions, holds immense popularity among tourists. Given only a weekend, you will likely be rushed to lounge on the beach, browse through museums, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and explore the underwater world. To truly savor all that the coastal city offers along with the beach, a more generous amount of time is usually needed. Many travelers opt for three to five days to relax and explore here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.
Clearwater Beach, Florida
How to spend 2 days in Clearwater
If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Clearwater, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the coastal city has to offer.
Don't miss Clearwater Beach during your trip to Clearwater, 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 nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. You'll find laid back beach clubs, glitzy wine bars, and relaxed bars where you can spend a nice night out.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Clearwater, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.