Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Sarasota?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Sarasota?

Since it's a good-sized city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Sarasota. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great museums and landmarks and fun beaches, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, shopping, and local culture by staying for a weekend.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Sarasota?

Most people spend two to five days in Sarasota during their visit. The entertaining city offers amazing highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the beaches, the cuisine, and the nightlife scene.

Sarasota is located south of Tampa in Florida. It has many great beaches, the Mote Marine Lab, and a museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus. While it's often overlooked by visitors to Florida, this makes a fun vacation destination for people of all ages.

Do you have one or two days to visit Sarasota? 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 Sarasota?

The popular city of Sarasota has many activities and attractions for visitors. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the beaches, and the cuisine. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is probably needed even though it's not a huge city. Many travelers opt for two to five days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Sarasota

Don't miss the John and Mable Ringling Museum during your trip to Sarasota, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

A few tour suggestions include:

Downtown Walking Food Tour in Sarasota ($110)
Sarasota Street Food Tour ($85)

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Sarasota?

Since it's a good-sized city, you'll probably need more than a weekend to take advantage of everything to do in Sarasota. Two or three days still gives you a good amount of time to explore, though, as you'll have a chance to experience at least some of the major attractions. In addition to the great museums and landmarks and fun beaches, visitors can enjoy the nightlife, shopping, and local culture by staying for a weekend.

Sarasota, Florida

How to spend 2 days in Sarasota

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Sarasota will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Sarasota, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Sarasota, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.