Miami in one Week: the best itinerary

During a week you have time to see and do many things in Miami. Of course, its beaches are essential destinations, but I also recommend strolling through its streets and getting to know the different neighbourhoods, which make up small cities, to understand the multiculturalism of this place.

Little Havana, Little Haiti, South Beach... Each district is like a small treasure of Miami. If you follow my advice and organise your trip well, you can be sure that you'll be able to get to know every corner and enjoy your trip to the full. Take note of all my suggestions and get ready to discover the art, culture, gastronomy and history of this city.

For your first day in Miami, I suggest you get to know the city centre, the Downtown district. During the tour you'll pass under tall skyscrapers but you'll also have the opportunity to visit more cultural sites, such as the Freedom Tower. Finally, there's nothing like an NBA game.

Start the day with a visit to the Downtown business district

There is no better place to start your trip than Downtown Miami, specifically Brickell Avenue. This street is right on the bay and can be easily reached by the Metromover, a free train that runs throughout the area.

The Downtown business district was the setting for scenes in the series Miami Vice, so be prepared for a jungle of glass and metal buildings, like New York's Wall Street. For a panoramic view of the area, head to Brickell Key Bridge.

Take a stroll through Bayfront Park

Just a 20-minute walk from Brickell Avenue, also in Downtown, is one of Miami's best parks: Bayfront Park.

Your second destination of the day is perfect for strolling through the greenery of the park while looking out to the blue sea in the distance. Along the way, you'll cross the Miami River at the Brickell Ave Drawbridge; take the opportunity to snap a photo of the mouth of the river in the bay.

Bayfront Park is also full of monuments, as well as large trees and tropical plants. On your walk, I recommend a visit to the Torch of Friendship in the northeast corner of the park, which is always lit to commemorate the brotherhood between various Spanish-American countries.

Stop for lunch (and some shopping) at Bayside Marketplace

Hungry? Just take a 5-minute walk from the north gate of Bayfront Park to Bayside Marketplace.

This shopping precinct is not only a good place to do some shopping, but also to eat at one of its terrace restaurants; the views of the marina and the bay from here are unbeatable.

When you're done, don't leave without taking a stroll around the more than 150 shops there. Don't think it's all big clothing chains, as these are mixed with artisan shops.

Get to know the influence of Cuban culture in Miami through the Freedom Tower

After lunch I recommend you to go to the Freedom Tower.

You'll get there in about 5 minutes from Bayside Marketplace and there you'll find a yellowish-coloured building. Its design is a bit different, as it has a Mediterranean style, not at all similar to the skyscrapers around it.

Before it was a government building, it was home to the Miami News newspaper and now houses the Cuban Legacy Gallery. I recommend you go inside (about €10) to see how the Cuban people and culture have influenced South Florida.

Experience the NBA atmosphere at a Miami Heat game

There's nothing better than ending your first day in Miami by buying tickets to a game of the Miami Heat (about 150€), the city's basketball team.

They play at the FTX Arena, which is just 5 minutes from the Freedom Tower. The experience of watching a live NBA game is unique and quite a spectacle.

The FTX Arena has three floors and, when full, can hold almost 20,000 people. Basketball is one of the biggest sports in the country (and the Miami Heat are one of the best teams), so be prepared to see big plays and experience the thrill of the event first hand.

Your second day in Miami will be all about art. You'll start with the more alternative and end with the more eclectic, each in its own way representing the culture of the city.

Stroll among the buildings of the Design District

Start your second day in Miami's Design District, a neighbourhood located between Biscayne Boulevard and Florida Road. What you'll see during your visit: an area with buildings designed by top international architects.

A good way to get from one to the other is to rent a bike (approximately €25) in the morning and explore the Design District at your leisure.

Stroll through Miami's Design District and be amazed not only by the shops, but also by the art galleries and creative studios. All are housed in buildings of great architectural and creative value, such as the famous Moore Building.

Check out the graffiti and murals in Wynwood Walls

A must-see stop in Miami's Design District is Wynwood Walls, the birthplace of street art. Less than a 10-minute bike ride down NW 2nd Ave, you'll find this neighbourhood filled with murals and graffiti by local and international artists.

Art is the main protagonist on the walls of Wynwood, which has been a great alternative street gallery since its founding in 2009. The best part is that it's constantly being renewed, as the graffiti changes every 6 months, like collections in a museum.

Cross over to South Beach and discover its beaches

There's always something to see or do in South Beach, so it's your next stop. To get there you'll need to take the car across MacArthur Causeway or take the 120 bus from Wynwood.

It's an area that looks like something out of a movie but where you can also take one of the best food tours in Miami and get to know the cultures that live here through your palate.

When you arrive in South Beach you'll see that it's one of the most visited (and trendiest) places in the city and you'll see a lot of people. It's also perhaps the most representative of the Miami you have in mind: white sand and colourful lifeguard booths.

Enjoy Miami's best Art Deco in South Beach

At the southern end of South Beach is the famous Art Deco district, perfect for continuing your artistic tour of Miami. All the buildings in this area were designed between the 1920s and 1940s, so they have a very geometric and ornate style.

In addition to their bright, pastel colours, the many neon lights will catch your eye. To make sure you don't miss anything, my advice is to take a good tour to discover the best Art Deco in Miami.

Stroll along the Ocean Drive boardwalk to end the day

Before ending the day and going back to your hotel to rest, take advantage of the fact that you are in South Beach to go to Ocean Drive, the promenade.

It's always lively, the restaurants are packed and Latin music plays in the clubs at night. It's the perfect place to have dinner and a drink afterwards.

If the sun hasn't set by the time you get there you'll see a lot of people skating or strolling, but when night falls the coloured lights come on and the party starts.

The third day will start with a trip to the Everglades, where you will get in touch with Florida's wildest nature. On your return to Miami, you will have the whole afternoon to explore one of the most charming neighbourhoods: Coconut Grove.

Take a trip to the Everglades

One of the best recommendations I can make is to take a trip from Miami to the Everglades in South Florida. Discovering this National Park for half a day is almost essential. In total there are more than six thousand square kilometres full of swamps, vegetation and exotic animals. Admission is about €25.

Upon arrival you'll be greeted by a vast expanse of tall grasses swaying in the wind. When strolling through the area, remember to wear mosquito cream and keep your eyes peeled for flamingos and other subtropical species.

Hop on a hovercraft to see the alligators of the Everglades

Everglades Park is known for its wildlife, especially the number of American crocodiles. The best way to see them, and to tour the swampy terrain of the park, is aboard a hovercraft. I highly recommend booking an organised tour that includes this activity (total cost approximately €29), as it is a unique experience.

The hovercraft allow you to enter the park completely. Without them, some areas are inaccessible by water, and it's difficult to see alligators and crocodiles. The best thing is that the tour is with a specialised guide who will explain everything about the fauna and flora.

Stroll through the streets of Coconut Grove and break for lunch

On your way back from the Everglades I suggest you go to Coconut Grove, a very quiet neighbourhood perfect for relaxing after such an exciting morning. It is located in the south of Miami, next to the bay.

Once there, your first stop will be the Coco Walk, an open-air shopping mall full of shops and restaurants.

You could say that Coconut Grove started out as a hippie neighbourhood and still maintains some of that character, although it has been modernised. After lunch I encourage you to take a stroll, do some vintage shopping or go upstairs to Coco Walk, where there are often buskers.

Visit the oldest house in Coconut Grove: The Barnacle

Coconut Grove also has room for history and art; I encourage you to take a 10-minute walk to The Barnacle, the oldest house in the neighbourhood, which is famous for being surrounded by greenery and blending in with nature. You can visit the whole complex for about €2.

This place is a state park in its own right and is the work of architect and botanist Ralph Monroe, who always championed the environment. The interior is also interesting, with a collection of everyday objects from the 19th century.

Cruise the Miami Bay at sunset

After a busy day, how about a cruise around Miami? Several boats leave from Coconut Grove and sail around Biscayne Bay. And at sunset, watching the sun set over the city makes the experience even more special. The trip costs approximately 30€.

From Biscayne Bay you'll be able to see several of Miami's important buildings, such as its mansions in that characteristic coral tone. Don't worry because on board you'll be able to listen to commentary explaining what each place is all about.

After three days in Miami, you're sure to have noticed the influence of Cuban culture. This will be even more evident after getting to know Little Havana, the city's quintessential Hispanic neighbourhood between the river and Brickell.

Learn about Cuba's history on 13th Avenue

On 13th Avenue, one of the main arteries of the neighbourhood, you'll find the Cuban Memorial Plaza, where you can see different monuments commemorating Cuban heroes. It's a peaceful area and the perfect place to start your tour of Little Havana.

In Cuban Memorial Plaza there are several monuments paying homage to different Cuban personalities, such as the poet José Martí, and historical events such as the Bay of Pigs invasion. I recommend taking a stroll along the entire avenue as you make your way up to your next destination: Domino Park.

Play dominoes in Domino Park

Domino Park, a 10-minute walk from the Memorial, is the meeting place for older Cubans, the first ones to arrive in Miami. They usually meet here to play dominoes, an activity they imported along with many other cultural elements.

Beyond the always crowded gaming tables, Domino Park, which is actually called Máximo Gómez Park, always hosts interesting debates and discussions about the current situation in Cuba.

Taste the Cuban food on Calle Ocho

Domino Park is located on Calle Ocho, the nerve centre of Little Havana and the street that crosses the neighbourhood from end to end. It is a wide avenue where the atmosphere is always lively, demonstrating the open and optimistic character of the Cubans. Its buildings are full of colourful tiles and street art.

In Calle Ocho there are places that maintain the Cuban culture through gastronomy, so I recommend you to go into one of them to try the famous recipe of moros y cristianos (rice with beans). Of course, finish the menu with a Cuban coffee, which will give you the energy you need to carry on with your day.

Discover the stars of Miami's Walk of Fame

Also on Calle Ocho, right in front of Domino Park, is the Walk of Fame. Like Hollywood, stars have been placed on the ground, but here you will only find the names of Latin American singers or actors.

Some of the names that will appear under your feet are those of Thalia or Celia Cruz. The tile design features palm trees to emphasise pride in the artists' origins.

End the day at a Miami Marlins baseball game

One of the most successful sports in the United States is baseball, which is also part of Cuban tradition. In fact, some of the greatest players in the league have been and still are of Cuban origin, so I suggest you end your day by buying tickets to see the Miami Marlins, the state team.

The Miami Marlins play in the stadium of the same name. It's only a 20-minute walk from Calle Ocho, so it's easy to get there. To complete the experience, grab a hot dog at one of the stands and dine while you watch a few home runs.

Your fifth day in Miami includes some of the most exotic visits but also allows you to discover famous places such as Key Biscayne or Little Haiti. Of course, the distances to be covered are a bit long, so I recommend renting a car or taking public transport.

Visit the Little Haiti district

North of Miami is Little Haiti, a district full of colour thanks to the immigrants from this island. When you arrive you'll feel like you've entered a different world, as they've managed to preserve their local traditions very well. The good thing about going there in the morning is that you might be able to enter a church where they celebrate mass with Caribbean rhythms.

One of the churches I recommend you go to is the Church of Notre-Dame, which is a bit small but gathers a lot of people during mass. After mass, head to the Caribbean market on Second Avenue and 60th Street.

Venture into the rainforest on Jungle Island

It's more than an hour's walk from Little Haiti to Jungle Island, your next destination, so I recommend driving (15 minutes along Second Avenue) or taking public transport (buses 9 and 10 make the journey in just 40 minutes).

To enter Jungle Island, which is like a large tropical rainforest, costs approximately 45€.

Jungle Island was the brainchild of Austrian Franz Scherr, who focused on bird shows. Over time, the zoo has expanded and now houses such curious animals as the offspring of a tiger and a lion and twin orangutans.

Organise a picnic at Crandon Park

When you leave Jungle Island you'll need to take a 25-minute drive to Crandon Park, which is located on the island of Key Biscayne, or you can take the Biscayne Line bus, although it will take you over an hour. Once at the park, which is actually a beach, sit down for a picnic under the palm trees.

When you're done, take the opportunity to relax for a while and take a dip in the crystal-clear waters. I especially recommend the southern part, as the northern part has stronger waves and is where the surfers go.

Take a hike in Bear Cut Nature Preserve

There are two very interesting natural sites in Crandon Park. One of them is Biscayne Nature Center, an interpretive centre where you can learn about the flora and fauna of the island, and the other is Bear Cut Nature Preserve, where I suggest you take a short hike before the end of the day.

A walk through Bear Cut Nature Preserve is close to the sea but through lush vegetation, so it's a perfect setting. The route is fairly flat, so it's not a difficult walk. My advice is to start at the visitor centre and continue along Crandon Boulevard to the end (it's just over half an hour in total), right where the big lighthouse is.

Climb to the top of Biscayne Lighthouse

The Key Biscayne Lighthouse, called the Cape Florida Lighthouse, is the oldest lighthouse in South Florida. You can climb its more than 100 steps to see Miami from the top. The climb is free but you will have to pay for access to Bill Baggs Park (approximately €8).

From the nearly 100-metre-high Cape Florida Lighthouse, you can take amazing pictures of Miami, especially of the bay and its buildings, and the greenery of Biscayne Island.

One of the best excursions you can take from Miami is to Key West, a small island just south of Florida and close to Cuba. It's about a four-hour drive from the capital and, although you can go on your own, it's advisable to book an organised tour (approximately €100) to include all the activities and travel.

Make a first stop at Southernmost Point

Key West is where Florida ends and the Caribbean begins. Southernmost Point is where the waves hit the hardest.

If you go as soon as you arrive on the island you'll find fewer people, as it's the most photographed spot in the area. Nearby you will also see that there is a hut where, years ago, the telephone cable used to connect Key West with Havana by telegraph.

Visit Ernest Hemingway's House-Museum

From Southernmost Point you can walk 7 minutes to the Ernest Hemingway House-Museum. I'm sure you've noticed how relaxing and special Key West is, well, the famous writer felt exactly the same way, which is why he spent so much time there. Today you can visit his former home (admission is approximately €14).

Key West is where Ernest Hemingway wrote some of his most famous works. The building looks like it was built of colonial stone and has an amazing outdoor garden.

Eat the best seafood on the Key West Pier

Leave Hemingway's house behind and walk 20 minutes to the other end of the island, further north, just the closest point to Cuba. This area is where the Key West docks are located, which have been converted into leisure areas and restaurants where you can eat good seafood.

If seafood is not your favourite dish, you have other options, although I always recommend ordering fresh fish. In any case, you can also find other types of food with a marked Caribbean flavour. One of my recommendations is Garbo's Grill, which is a very famous food truck.

Dive into the waters of Key West

One of the activities I recommend you do on your trip to Key West from Miami is snorkelling. Boats usually leave from the docks to take you to the best spots and lend you snorkelling equipment so you can see the coral reefs and other underwater life in the area. The cost is approximately €50.

Diving in Key West is a unique experience that brings you closer to a world we often don't know about: the world beneath the water. The tropical flora and fauna in this part of the world are unique, so don't miss the opportunity to get close to them in a safe and respectful way.

End the day with a party in Mallory Square

When you return from snorkelling, you're sure to want to sit back, relax and take it all in. One of the best places to do this is Mallory Square, Key West's most famous and busiest pier. Here you can enjoy a drink while watching the sunset.

After the sun has gone down, musicians, jugglers and other street performers will arrive to liven up the atmosphere. Join this daily "Sunset Celebration", which started in 1960 and is still going on today, it's amazing!

Your last day in Miami still has many surprises in store for you: you will discover one of the most luxurious and well-kept neighbourhoods and you will also be able to relax in one of the most spectacular swimming pools in the world. Finally, there's nothing like saying goodbye to the city with a helicopter ride.

Discover the Mediterranean architecture of Coral Gables and the famous Biltmore Hotel

South of Miami, on Anastasia Avenue, is the Biltmore Hotel. Think of this neighbourhood as being born with the idea of being 'beautiful', so all the houses here are Mediterranean-style mansions and The Biltmore acts as the ultimate exponent of this style.

Although staying at the Biltmore Hotel is not an option (a night costs approximately €800), you can stroll around the resort, full of lush, manicured tropical vegetation, and observe its tower, which mimics Seville's Giralda.

Visit the Coral Gables Museum

Just under half an hour's walk from The Biltmore is the Coral Gables Museum, your next stop. The building is made of coral stone on the outside and inside it houses collections on architecture and decorative arts. Admission is free.

The Coral Gables Museum is a large complex consisting of the former Police and Fire Department building and other outdoor spaces. In addition to viewing the temporary exhibits, I recommend visiting the old jail cells and taking a closer look at the decor throughout the interior.

Take a dip in the impressive Venetian Pool

Fancy a little rest? There's nothing better than the Venetian Pool, a large pool of waterfalls, palm trees and coral rock formations just a 20-minute walk from the Coral Gables Museum. Admission is approximately €13; it's well worth it to enter this oasis in the middle of Miami.

Venetian Pool is the only pool in the world that is also a World Heritage Site. Not surprisingly, it dates back to the early 20th century and is built on top of a quarry. Take a dip in the pool and grab a slice of pizza in the cafeteria before heading out for the day.

Head to the Lowe Art Museum and discover art from around the world

When you've finished enjoying the Venetian Pool I suggest you head to the Lowe Art Museum, which takes you on a world tour of art from Roman times to the present day.

To get there, I recommend driving (approximately 7 minutes along Granada Boulevard) or taking the bus (line 56 takes about half an hour), as it's almost an hour's walk. The best thing is that access is free.

The Lowe Art Museum, which is part of the University of Miami, aims to show the creativity of humans through centuries and centuries of history. There are pieces from pre-Columbian, Greek and modern times, including some signed by great artists such as Picasso, Tintoretto and Gauguin.

End your trip with a helicopter ride over Miami

For your last day, what better way to say goodbye to the city than in style? You'll end your trip with a helicopter ride over Miami. For approximately 200€ you'll be able to see the bay from above, as well as the entire skyline and the neighbourhoods you've walked through all week.

After seven days in Miami, you've probably realised how huge it is, but when you're in the helicopter you'll be able to see for yourself. From the heights you can say goodbye to South Beach, Key Biskayne or Bayfront Park.

Miami is a very large city, so much so that you could say it is made up of small cities (its neighbourhoods). Getting around the city can be complex, although you have different options.

• On foot: especially during the day to get from one place to another within the same neighbourhood.
• By public transport: there are several options, although only the bus and the elevated metro run throughout the city. A single ticket costs around €2, although there are daily passes for around €5 and weekly passes for €25.
• Renting a car for the whole week costs about €900, although you have to add petrol (about €900) and parking fees (about €4). Another option is to rent a car only on the days you need it for excursions; the price is lower (about €100).
• On the Big Bus: you can get off at any stop you like, get to know the area, and then get back on again.

A week in Miami goes a long way, so make sure you make the most of it - let me know how it goes when you get back!