Visit Ernest Hemingway's home in the Old Town with its ornate architecture and well-preserved buildings. Duval Street has numerous bars and restaurants and in Mallory Square, sunset celebrations, and street entertainment takes place every night.
Key West offers a wealth of history and lively nightlife
Visit Ernest Hemingway's home in the Old Town with its ornate architecture and well-preserved buildings. Duval Street has numerous bars and restaurants and in Mallory Square, sunset celebrations, and street entertainment takes place every night.
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You can also fly from Aberdeen or Edinburgh on one of our partner airlines.
From the golden sands of Smathers Beach to the famous Sloppy Joe’s Bar, Key West, Florida is stuffed to the gills with surprises. Situated at the tip of the stunning, sun-soaked chain of islands known as the Florida Keys, Key West is an enchanting blend of gorgeous beaches and historic landmarks. Long thought of as a haven for lost souls and eccentric islanders, Key West has become a popular destination for families, couples, and those looking for some inspiration from one of America’s greatest writers.
If you love diving then you’ll be in heaven here, as Key West is one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world. If you’d rather stay on top of the water then there’s no better place to try your hand at other water sports, including sailing, water skiing and kayaking. If water sports aren’t for you, don’t worry - Key West has a lively and well-regarded restaurant and bar scene, so expect plenty of lively nights followed by lazy days on the beach recovering. This island has joy in its soul, and you’ll be treated to music, drinks, and some of the best seafood you’ll ever taste in your life
Key West is the southernmost tip of the continental USA, and there’s even a famous landmark to prove it. It’s pretty much mandatory to get a photo taken there on all holidays in Key West, so don’t forget your camera!
The famous novelist Ernest Hemingway lived in Key West for many years, and his house is one of the most popular attractions on the island. Grab yourself a copy of ‘The Old Man and the Sea,’ if you want to understand how Key West influenced the author. Apparently 60 six-toed cats that still roam in the premises!
The largest public beach in Key West, it's a 1-mile long stretch of white sand and palm trees - sounds idyllic right?! Sunbathe until your hearts content, join in a game of volleyball, or grab your snorkels and see what you can find in the calm ripples of the water.
The diversity of wildlife in the Florida Keys is breathtaking and remains one of its biggest attractions. The Eco-Discovery Center is a popular with families who want to take a little time out to learn about the area’s natural habitats and its precious wildlife. It’s free to enter and always goes down a storm with the kids.
With over 1,700 islands of varying shapes and sizes, there’s simply an incredible amount to see and do in the Florida Keys. Head to Dry Tortuga for wildlife, Islamorada for fishing, and Key Largo for diving.
There’s a huge variety of accommodation in Key West, so you’ll never struggle to find something suited to your needs. Here’s a few of our favourite Key West beach resorts...
The only hotel on Key West with its own natural beach, The Reach is the base from which intrepid adventurers can explore a whole range of watersports and activities. Whether it’s sailing, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, or kayaking, The Reach has all the facilities to keep you busy for weeks. Alternatively, you can relax by the pool or wander into town and grab a bite to eat on Duval Street.
Think infinity pools, spectacular sunsets, margaritas and massages – Ocean Key Resort is everything you want from a luxury beachfront hotel. Take a stroll along Mallory Square or have a lazy meal in the hotel’s Sunset Pier bar.
This is your ultimate Key West beach resort. It’s literally right on the beach and lined with palm trees, just a couple of steps from golden soft sand and the clear blue water of the Atlantic. Its famous Water Walk takes you to the largest private beach on the island. It’s also one of Key West’s oldest hotels, dating all the way back to 1920.
One of the best ways to discover Key West is by bicycle. The island is small enough to explore by bike and the sunny weather makes it perfect for a ride out.
Wait, trams? Yes, trams! This charming alternative to the bus provides access to various points around Key West and is a good way to get to know the island, and see the sights.
A useful way to move around Key West and to make the odd trip off the island too. It’s possible to purchase unlimited travel tickets that will cover the duration of your stay, a great travel-hack if you’re trying to keep to a budget.
If you’re planning on moving off Key West and exploring some of the other islands, renting a car is probably a good idea. We’ve teamed up with a number of providers to ensure the rental process is as quick and easy as possible.
Mallory Square sits at the heart of Key West’s Old Town, and is an incredibly popular place to watch the sunset. Lined with bars, restaurants and shops, and boasting an impressive array of street performers, it’s a great place to eat and drink as the sun goes down on another day in paradise.
A simple shack specialising in delicious seafood, cheap drinks and good vibes, BO’s Fish Wagon hosts live music on a Friday night and is a popular place to go for a fun-filled evening.
World-famous and known as the party epicentre of Key West, lined with bars, pubs, outdoor cafes, shops, galleries, restaurants. A particular favourite is Sloppy Joe's, which was known as Ernest Hemingway's preferred watering hole, and is still popular with speciality drinks, dancing and live music today.
In Key West, you’re only 90 miles from Cuba. It’s so close, it’s almost as if you can smell the fried plantain, black beans, and coconut shrimp… Actually, that’s just Pepe’s - the best Cuban restaurant in the Florida Keys. Brightly decorated, with a great band and even better food, Pepe’s is the place to go for a taste of the Caribbean.
Though eating out in someone’s backyard may not sound like a fine-dining experience, the food at Louie’s is almost universally respected as some of the best in the Florida Keys. Their shrimp and grits comes highly recommended.
The residents of the Florida Keys are known for being a delightfully eccentric bunch, and no restaurant is better proof of this than Blue Heaven. Its Caribbean-inspired cuisine is to die for, but the real attraction is the crazy décor, amazing art, and wonderfully wacky owners.
When booking Key West holidays, it’s a good idea to check the island’s social calendar so you don’t miss out on all the fun the island has to offer.
Get a nibble from January to August with regular fishing tournaments. With 40 species of fish on offer and classes for experienced anglers down to Pee Wees (under 10 years old), it’s bound to reel you in. (Sorry. Really. We couldn’t resist that…)
Lace up your running shoes and join in (or just watch) with thousands of joggers running over the longest bridge in the Florida Keys.
Dozens of Key West restaurants open their doors and celebrate local food, while raising money for charity.
Do you look like the Old Man himself? Over 100 Ernest Hemingway look alikes compete for prizes in a day of celebration for one of America’s greatest writers. You'll also get readings, exhibitions and plays to celebrate their favourite son.
The biggest event of the year and a great way to finish off the summer, October’s Fantasy Fest is 10 days of fabulous entertainment, starting off with the coronation of the King and Queen of the Festival and finishing with a parade and some amazing firework displays.
Key West is a unique Florida holiday destination that’ll leave you realising there’s more to the Sunshine State than you ever expected. Check out our Key West hotels and beach resorts to start getting excited for your next holiday.
Yes. You'll need to obtain approval no less than 72 hours prior to travel to the US via the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) scheme.
Find out more about Travel Visas here »
From Miami, Key Largo is 55 miles, Islamorada is 72 miles, Duck Key is 100 miles, Key Vaca is 104 miles and Key West is 160 miles. Locations in the Keys can be pinpointed by the use of 'mile markers', which denote the distance in miles from Key West.
Key West is popular all year round thanks to subtropical climate, but if you like it hot and dry then the best time to hit the beach is from November to May to soak up some winter sunshine.
