3 Days in Miami Itinerary - The Best Art, Beaches, & Things to Do

Planning your Miami itinerary and not sure where to start?

I recently went to Miami, and I finally understood why people fall in love with this city. It’s colorful, full of loud, vibrant energy, and the nature is absolutely gorgeous with beaches, sunsets, and plenty of things to do.

We wanted to see as much as we could in just a few days, so we packed our schedule with everything from historical sites that are unique to Miami to spending time relaxing on the beach and taking in that famous Miami nightlife.

Miami is a city I would come back to again and again, so if you’re planning a short trip, here’s exactly how we did it so we fit in a lot of fun, unique-to-Miami activities along with chilling on the beach. Keep reading for my ultimate 3-day Miami itinerary!

Short on Time?

Make the most of your Miami trip with these highlights:

Day 1: Little Havana Food & Walking Tour (explore Cuban culture, cigars, and local eats)
Day 2: Clear Kayak Tour through the Mangrove Tunnels (paddle through a living aquarium)
Day 3: Art Deco Walking Tour in South Beach (discover the stories behind Miami’s iconic pastel architecture)

Where to Stay in Miami

A wet hotel room window with a view of Miami outside.

Miami has a lot of great options when it comes to where to stay. If you can, I highly recommend staying near the beach! Here are a few picks that stood out to me, in a range of budgets:

Luxury: InterContinental Miami – If you’re going to treat yourself anywhere, make it here. The hotel has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Biscayne Bay, the staff is incredibly attentive, and the location is perfect for exploring nearby spots like Brickell and the waterfront. Book your stay.
Mid-Range: citizenM Miami Worldcenter – This one has a very “Miami cool” vibe with colorful art, self-check-in kiosks, and a rooftop pool with city views that are worth every penny. The hotel is trendy but not pretentious, and it’s walking distance from Bayside Marketplace. There are also tons of great restaurants nearby. Book your stay.
Budget: Tru By Hilton Miami West Brickell – Clean, modern, and surprisingly stylish for the price. Tru by Hilton Miami West Brickell has a solid breakfast, easy Uber access, and is great value overall. Book your stay.
Also Worth Checking Out: Upsun Hotel – If you’re looking for something with a little more boutique personality, Upsun Hotel is right on the border of the South of Fifth neighborhood, one of South Beach’s most charming and low-key pockets. We stayed here, and we had a great time! We were only about a five-minute walk from South Beach, we had private beach access because we were staying at the hotel, and the hotel also offers free bikes for cruising down South Beach. The Editor Rooftop bar on-site also has sweeping views of 5th Street and the surrounding neighborhood, so it’s honestly worth a visit even if you’re not staying there, plus there’s a cool rooftop pool worth checking out! Book your stay.

How Many Days Do You Need in Miami?

The beach in Miami with people and sun beds.

Before jumping into this Miami itinerary, it’s worth figuring out how much time you actually have to spend in the city. Miami can be enjoyed on almost any timeline, but you do need to plan your trip according to what matters to you the most. .

1 day in Miami: A one-day Miami itinerary is totally doable if you stick to the highlights. Focus on exploring South Beach, grab a Cuban sandwich in Little Havana, and catch a sunset on Ocean Drive. It can feel like a pretty jam-packed day, so just keep that in mind, but in one day in Miami, you can still get a real feel for the city.
2 days in Miami: A 2-day Miami itinerary gives you enough time to deep dive into specific neighborhoods. Check out Wynwood for the art (although I recommend visiting during the day, since nighttime can feel a little sketchy), Brickell for the skyline views, or spend a half-day on the water. Two days is a great long-weekend option if you’re flying in from nearby.
3 days in Miami: This is the sweet spot, and exactly what this guide covers. A 3-day itinerary for Miami lets you hit all of the iconic Miami spots, lets you relax in nature and chill on the beach without feeling rushed.
4 days in Miami: Spending 4-days in Miami gives you a little more time for day trips to places like the Everglades, enjoying a slower beach morning, or spending more time exploring neighborhoods like Coconut Grove or Coral Gables.
5 days in Miami: A 5-day Miami itinerary is perfect if you want to really relax, slow down, and explore. You can add a boat day, spend more time in each neighborhood, or even squeeze in a quick trip down to Key West (which is what we did!).
7 days in Miami: If you have 7 days to spend in Miami, you really have time to do it all, and you can definitely squeeze in a proper Miami to Key West itinerary. The drive down the Overseas Highway is one of the most scenic road trips in the US, and Key West is absolutely worth at least one night. A Miami and Key West itinerary over 7 days is honestly a dream trip, and one everyone should do at least once in their lifetime, if you have the time.

Day 1: History, Culture & Exploring the City

Day 1 for us was all about exploring the local flavor and walking through local neighborhoods, trying local food.

Morning

A fancy outdoor bar of a restaurant in Miami.

Sandwiches, fries, and meat on plates on a table at a restaurant.

First stop: Versailles Restaurant, which is kind of like a Miami landmark on its own that’s been serving authentic Cuban food since 1971. We saw the 5-star review on Google, decided to check it out, and I did not expect to love it as much as I did.

The prices are absolutely unbeatable, and their Cuban coffee is excellent and they also serve fresh-squeezed juice. I ordered a café con leche and a Cuban sandwich for brunch, and both lived up to every glowing review I’d read.

After breakfast, check out the famous Little Havana. I recommend doing a Little Havana food and walking tour, where you actually meet locals, stop by cigar shops, and taste empanadas and guarapo (fresh sugarcane juice, which is incredible, by the way).

The tour does an amazing job explaining the Cuban community and culture, and how deeply their traditions are woven into the city’s identity.

➡️ Click here to book the Little Havana food and walking tour!

Afternoon

A street of Miami with wet sidewalks on a gloomy day.

If you’re hungry, I recommend Ossobuco Miami (the ribeye and truffle mashed potatoes are insane, especially if you’re looking for something a little bit more filling). CRAFT Midtown is another good choice for casual, laid-back lunches. They have great flatbreads!

I recommend wrapping up the history of the city with a tour at Wynnwood. A fun way to explore the neighborhood is with a Wynwood graffiti golf cart tour.

Wynwood is full of massive murals and street art, and having a guide explain the story and meaning behind each one is really interesting. It’s colorful, creative, and I highly recommend doing this one before you wander Wynwood on your own!

➡️ Book your Wynwood graffiti golf cart tour here!

Evening

A wet street of Miami with by palm trees and buildings with neon lights at night.

The inside of a restaurant with dark lighting and neon lights.

As the sun starts to set, head to Mango’s Tropical Café on Ocean Drive for dinner and a show. The live music and salsa dancing is really fun and loud, and you’ll have a good time. The jerk chicken with rice and beans is a great pick, and every day of the week has good energy, but for the best energy, be sure to stop by on a Friday night.

After dinner, walk along Ocean Drive, and soak in the neon lights, palm trees, and Art Deco buildings lining the street. The whole area feels alive at night, with music spilling out of every bar and people strolling by the beach. This is a great way to wrap up Day 1.

➡️ Get your Mango’s tickets here!

Day 1 – Quick Summary:

Breakfast at Versailles Restaurant, café con leche, and a Cuban sandwich
Little Havana Food and Walking Tour, empanadas, guarapo, and local history
Lunch at CRAFT Midtown or Ossobuco Miami if you’re hungry
Wynwood Graffiti Golf Cart Tour, street art and murals
Dinner and live entertainment at Mango’s Tropical Café
Evening stroll along Ocean Drive