Why Miami is the ultimate warm weather getaway this winter
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Oh, winter, we meet again. Faced with increasingly short, cold days, we’re feeling that familiar itch to pack a suitcase and soak up the sun somewhere else.
This chilly season, the antidote to your winter blues lies in Florida — specifically, Miami. Spoiled with year-round warm weather, beautiful beaches, and a vibrant city life, here’s why a Miami getaway is the ultimate cure for all your winter feels.
1. Warmth, sweet warmth
Even in December and January (the heart of the northern hemisphere’s winter), Miami enjoys average daytime temperatures in the low-to-mid 20’s Celsius. Balmy! This is more than enough to shed the chunky knits, leave all coats at home, and ensure that anything pumpkin-spiced is also iced.
2. Long, lazy (if you want) days
Thanks to its proximity to the equator, Miami enjoys longer days in winter compared to much of the U.S. and Europe. The sun sets late and rises early, giving you maximum opportunity to visit every beach, tour the street art, and top up your Vitamin D.
3. Spectacular sunrises
The Florida peninsula stretches south from the bulk of the United States into the Gulf of Mexico, and Miami’s east coast position makes its beaches some of the best to watch the sun rising over the Atlantic Ocean. We can think of worse ways to start your day.
4. Did we mention the beaches?
With 17 miles of beach to choose from, each with a different vibe and amenities, the golden sands of Miami get a special mention. Head to South Beach for Art Deco backdrops, and Mid-Beach for upscale hotels and eateries. Or, enjoy the slower pace of life at Key Biscayne and get your nature fix at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
5. International cuisine
Miami is home to a thriving, multi-generational Latino and Hispanic community, resulting in one of the best Latin American foodie scenes in the United States. Here you’ll find an endless choice of restaurants and food trucks celebrating authentic and fusion Cuban, Colombian, Puerto Rican, and Argentinian cuisine — and so much more besides.
6. World-class sport
Sporting fanatics take note — Miami’s home teams play in the big leagues. For an iconic American experience, soak up the electric atmosphere at a Miami Heat basketball game or a Miami Dolphins soccer match. If you’re in town for a while, lace up your trainers (sorry, sneakers) and join a running club to make friends as you dash along the boardwalks, or find a local volleyball league to try one of the city’s much-loved recreational pursuits.
7. Winter surf
Miami is blessed with a range of surf spots to suit all abilities. Even in winter months, regular “northeasters” (winds blowing from the northeast) often drive decent swells to the beaches, making it a great time to hit the waves.
8. There’s always something going on
There’s no “quiet” season in visiting Miami — even between December and March, the city’s calendar is packed with events. Experience light shows in Fairfield Tropical Botanical Garden, the Beaux Arts Festival, and Art Basel Miami Beach art fair. For more Miami culture, explore the city’s wide range of lively street parades, music festivals celebrating jazz, funk, or salsa, and culinary events that worship food and wine. You can even attend car and luxury boat shows — there’s always something interesting to do.
9. Unrivaled people watching
Don’t give us that look — we all love to watch the world (and the people in it) go by. Miami’s vibrant arts scene, cultural diversity, and exclusive luxury hotspots mean you’ll find fashion inspiration and fresh creative influences, and you might even spot a celeb or two.
10. Miami oozes design
Miami Beach Architectural District feels like a movie set. Between 5th Street and 23rd Street over 800 Art Deco-style buildings are packed into one square mile. Everywhere, bold colors and block pastel paintwork, curved and geometric architecture, and ornate fountains abound — you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into a Hollywood film lot.