Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Virginia Beach?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Virginia Beach?

Most people spend at least 5 or as many as 7 days in Virginia Beach during their visit. The fun-filled coastal city offers amazing highlights such as the beaches, the nightlife scene, and the gorgeous scenery.

Virginia Beach is a popular beach destination in southeastern Virginia. It has a family-friendly atmosphere and a fun boardwalk. The beach is lined with hotels and condos and it can get a bit crowded during the peak summer months. If you come later in the season you'll find the water is still warm and the crowds are less.

Do you have one or two days to visit Virginia Beach? 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 Virginia Beach?

As a small coastal city, Virginia Beach offers plenty of activities and attractions for visitors. Given only one day, you will likely be rushed to swim at the beach, grab some drinks at a bar, and take in the beautiful scenery. 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 five to seven 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.

How to spend a day in Virginia Beach

Don't miss its Beachfront Boardwalk during your trip to Virginia Beach, 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. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

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

With only a weekend, you might feel a bit pressed for time to enjoy the beach and the other activities in this coastal city. After all, Virginia Beach is popular with tourists and offers some fun sights and attractions. To fully embrace Virginia Beach, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate five to seven days to swim at the beach, grab some drinks at a bar, and take in the beautiful scenery. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

Virginia Beach

How to spend 2 days in Virginia Beach

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

The beautiful beaches await you in Virginia Beach, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

A few tour suggestions include:

Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tours ($68)
Small Group Dolphin Kayak Eco-Tour ($68)
Scavenger Hunt Virginia Beach: Surf, Sand and Sculptures! ($12)

Virginia Beach 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. As a developed beach town, the city has its share of hotels along the beach, but it is still a beautiful setting to explore.