Tampa and the Gulf Coast holidays
Introducing Tampa: an up-and-coming-city set on the waterside. A few days here will reveal its historic centre, newly-invigorated Riverwalk and growing gastronomic scene. If you’re looking for that authentic Florida beach holiday, head out of Tampa to discover the Gulf Coast, where you can get down on the sand for front-row seats to the area’s phenomenal sunsets.
Our cheapest Tampa holidays
Front row seats on Florida’s best beaches
The Gulf Coast is calmer than Florida’s Atlantic coast, with safe, family-friendly water. The beaches are stand-out beauties, with their trademark white quartz sand, and troves of shells sprinkled on the shore.
Before you set off on the hunt for Florida’s fastest thrills and biggest beaches, stop and appreciate Tampa. Florida’s third- largest city has a lot going on. Visit the historic district of Ybor City. It’s famous for former cigar manufacturers and is now fit to bursting with local breweries. In fact, the whole Tampa Bay area is becoming more foodie-friendly than ever – a walk, Segway or cycle down the Riverwalk will reveal some lovely places to stop, eat, and drink in the scenery.
Then hire a car and be free to explore more of Florida’s warmth on a fly-drive holiday. Soar down south from Tampa and you’ll reach the shell-strewn islands at Sarasota and the charming waterside restaurants in Naples. You can also explore Bradenton, with its history, culture, enticing RiverWalkRiverwalk and Village of the Arts.
This coast might be well-trodden, but you’ll still tread on virgin sands and feel as though every sunset has been personally painted for you. Plus, you can reach Orlando’s famous parks in under three hours. However, if you’re strapped for time and prefer to stay local, kids will love the rides at Busch Gardens, Tampa’s own thrilling theme park. Alternatively venture north of Tampa and discover Crystal River with its spring-fed rivers, gentle manatees, great fishing and bountiful lakes.
Enjoy the relaxing side of Florida. Book flights to Tampa for a Gulf Coast holiday – they’ve made the water just the way you like it.
Carefully selected Tampa hotels
Best hotels in Tampa for all types of traveller
There are several distinct areas of the Gulf Coast around Tampa, each with fantastic hotels. You can stay in the Tampa Bay area, in Tampa, Clearwater or St Petersburg. Travel a little further south and you’ll wash up on the arty, beautiful shores of Sarasota and then arrive in upmarket Naples. Wherever you roam, British Airways has the Gulf Coast covered: our carefully selected hotels suit every traveller.
For a mid-range beach hotel, stay at Sheraton Sand Key Resort. If you’re looking for a glamorous spa hotel, you’ll adore Don CeSar in St Pete’s. Near Bradenton check out the Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club, Autograph Collection, a stylish boutique condo-style hotel inspired by the sea. In Sarasota stay at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota to enjoy a private beach resort with award-winning dining and a superior spa. In Crystal River book The Plantation Resort on Crystal River for its fitness centres and outdoor pool.
Tampa Fly-drive holidays
Cruise the Sunshine State with the top down. You'll catch a breeze as you scout subtropical scenery, endemic wildlife and sultry Miami nights during your time on the open road. You'll even collect Avios rewards - and have time to explore hidden gems. Just be aware of the toll roads and highways as you navigate your way.
Tampa, and the twin cities of Clearwater and St Petersburg sit on the northern end of Florida’s popular Gulf Coast region. Drive south from here, crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to reach Bradenton and Sarasota next, then Fort Myers, and finally the so-called ‘Paradise Coast’ around Naples. Don’t forget to look inland from the beaches when you travel. You can find plenty of Florida’s signature wildlife, from gators to egrets, just off the back roads. Why not drive to Cape Coral, near Fort Myers, to look out for Florida’s unique Burrowing Owls?
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Tampa holiday FAQs
- If you’re staying in Tampa city to explore the local sights, Downtown Tampa and the Channel District are popular places to stay. From here it’s just a short bus ride to Ybor City, Tampa’s most historic area, and one of the most characterful parts of town.
- In the wider Tampa Bay area, check out Gulfport for a touch of Florida Keys weirdness on the mainland.
- If you stay in nearby Clearwater, you can also visit Caladesi Island State Park, a beautiful barrier island only accessible by boat. St Pete’s Beach and St Petersburg are also popular areas to visit, thanks to a Dali Museum, a Chihuly museum, and yet more fantastic beaches. Just north of Tampa sits Crystal River, the manatee capital of the world that’s also renowned for its first-rate water sports.
- Sarasota is a short hop across the bay from St Petersburg. Here you can enjoy The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, beautiful local keys and the lush Sarasota Jungle Gardens.
- In nearby Bradenton you can check out such attractions as Anna Maria Island, Lido Key and Longboat Key.
- Stay near Bradenton Beach and Anna Maria Island for the most stupendous sunsets from City Pier. Stay near St Armand’s Circle for charming restaurants. Further out, the city of Fort Myers is known for its water sports. Stay on Fort Myers Beach to try them out.
- Naples is a small and elegant city with an abundance of beautiful, but challenging, golf courses. Look for Naples hotels near Fifth Avenue South if you’re planning to spend time sampling the city’s famous shopping district. Below Naples, Marco Island is considered the gateway to the Everglades. Luxury resorts have sprouted all along the fantastically long beach on the west coast of the barrier island. With the nearby nature reserves, it’s a great place to watch and photograph wildlife.
- Party during sunset at Pier 60
- Dine al fresco at Tampa Riverwalk
- Get back to nature at the Hillsborough River State Park
- Catch a streetcar to the Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Ybor City
- Visit The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
With so many beaches nearby, you can afford to be choosy. From north to south, try out these blonde beauties:
- Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin – accessible by ferry – or even by kayak rental, this quiet beach is very beautiful.
- Clearwater Beach – right in front of the town, this lively beach hosts daily sunset celebrations at Pier 60.
- Fort De Soto Park, Tierra Verde – set in a county park, this beach has a safe tidal pool that’s perfect for kids.
- Siesta Key Beach – one of the whitest beaches around, thanks to the high quartz content in the sand. This quartz also helps keep the sand cool even in hot weather.
- Sanibel Island – famous, alongside its sister island, Captiva, for being the best place in Florida for shelling.
- Fort Myers Beach – a popular area with a set of great hotels, Fort Myers Beach is famous for water sports and presents an annual sand sculpture competition.
- Naples Beach – this seven-mile beach in Naples resort is absolutely beautiful. Take a fantastic sunset photograph of Naples Pier at the southern end of the beach.
Find inspiration in our travel articles...
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Pick the perfect hotel for your Orlando visit, with options to suit all budgets and needs
Our guide of where to stay in Orlando, highlights hotels to suit your unique holiday needs. Whether you are looking for family-friendly hotel in the centre of it all, a luxurious sanctuary, or a resort with the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure – discover it with us.
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Orlando is not only the theme park capital of the world, it’s also the ultimate villa destination. Take a break with a home away from home. See our selection of beautiful Florida villas in perfect Orlando locations, including luxurious stays and budget retreats on the doorstep theme park rides and family thrills. Pick the villa for you.
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A guide to Walt Disney World Resort
Get up to four nights free
Book a stay in a participating Disney Resorts Collection hotel by 31 March 2025, and you’ll get up to four nights free on a two-week stay. You can also save up to 15% when you purchase a Disney 14-Day Magic Ticket on selected travel dates. Terms and conditions apply.
Universal Orlando: Inside guide
It's happening... Universal Epic Universe is opening 22 May 2025.
Introducing a brand-new theme park – featuring five immersive worlds – don’t just have a ‘vacation’, have an adventure. Get the lowdown on the best places to stay, the craziest rides and the wettest water slides, with our insider guide. At Universal Orlando Resort, holidays are blockbuster proportions of epic, flled with cinematic rides and experiences.
Why choose British Airways Holidays?
The British Airways experience is more than a flight.
We’re one of the UK’s largest vacation companies offering carefully chosen hotels and resorts in the most amazing places, and car rental with no hidden extras. Our access to the extensive British Airways global network and oneworld® alliance puts us in a unique position to create vacation packages with convenient flights across the globe. From start to finish consider your vacation taken care of.
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Terms and Conditions
- Flight only prices are updated every 24 hours and are accurate when published. Flights at these prices are limited and may sell out quickly.
- Package holiday prices (flight + hotel or flight + car) prices are updated every 24 to 48 hours and are accurate when published and may vary upon reaching subsequent pages. Availability may be extremely limited particularly during peak periods.
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- Combine and save on Holidays: Guaranteed savings are only available when booking a Flight + Hotel or Flight + Car booking including one land product, it does not apply to a ‘Customise your trip’ holiday including more than one hotel and / or car.
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