OVERVIEW 

Found in Central West Florida, Sarasota is the perfect vacation spot for families, snowbirds, golfers, fishermen, beachgoers, with world-class arts, culture, dining and shopping. 

Sarasota is a vibrant destination location south of Tampa on Florida's west coast. With a population of 56,000, the Sarasota boundary also includes Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bird Key, Otter Key, Coon Key and some of Siesta Key. These keys give access to white sandy beaches and clear water, complimented by the prosperity and culture of the city.

CITY

SARASOTA

The City of Sarasota boasts its beautiful beaches, diverse dining, and arts & culture. There is not many cities in Florida comparable to the cultural and artistic offerings Sarasota provides. The city was formerly the winter home for the Ringling Brothers Circus and built up profoundly by Charles Ringling, which is still evident today. It was also home to acclaimed author Stephen King. Without the inconveniences of a big city, there are great beaches, stores, restaurants, golfing and fishing. There is never an idle moment in this paradise!

HIGHLIGHTS OF SARASOTA

• Pristine white sandy beaches: Lido Key Beach and Siesta Beach, voted best beach in America 
• Kayak through the Sarasota mangroves
• Cultural attractions including Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Opera, and Asolo Repertory Theatre
• Myakka River State Park

THINGS TO DO IN SARASOTA

Sarasota is one of the most popular vacation destinations on Florida's Gulf Coast, the perfect Florida getaway for relaxed beach escapes as well as sophisticated snowbirds. Here’s a great list of things to do to help you find out if it’s the perfect fit for your next vacation. 

• Visit the Mote Aquarium (marine laboratory) to see some of Florida's rescued wildlife including manatees, turtles, and dolphins
• Big cat habitat
• Visit the John and Marble Ringling Museum of Art 
• Take a walk in the Sarasota Jungle Gardens to feed flamingos
• Water Activities: boat rentals, parasailing, beaching, swimming, shelling
• Visit St. Armands Circle for shopping, restaurants, and beach access
• Fishing & charter boat tours
• Golfing
• Shopping (University Town Centre)
• Fine dining and casual restaurants

ANNUAL EVENTS

Be sure to book your vacation during one of these fun and exciting events.

• Sarasota County Fair; great for all ages (March)
• Sarasota Jazz Festival (March)
• Florida International Air Show (April)
• The Sarasota Music Festival hosted by the Florida West Coast Symphony
• Sarasota Film Festival
• Sarasota Chalk Festival (the first international street painting festival in the US)
• The Sarasota Marathon

EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL VACATION RENTALS IN SARASOTA

Search, find and book your Sarasota, Florida vacation rental on Florida Rental By Owners website (FLARBO). Exclusively for travelers wishing to communicate and book directly with the owner. There are no traveler fees for using Florida Rental By Owners website. Owners are screened and verified for ownership. All transactions occur directly with the owner. Read reviews and guest experiences to ensure your vacation rental will meet your goals.  We have many homes to meet the demands of over a million travelers and you can find accommodations of every kind to suit many visitor types. Singles, couples, small and large families, reunions, sports groups and business visitors. Bring Fido too, we have lots of pet-friendly homes to offer in addition to other niche vacation types such as boat-friendly, large groups, budget-friendly and more!

Do you have questions about the Sarasota, Florida area? 

Join our Local Facebook Travel Group and ask one of the local experts.

Travelling to Sarasota

Sarasota has a major airport within 30 minutes of the downtown core as well as other larger airports close by. Whether you live in the United States, Canada, Europe and beyond you are sure to find a final destination close by. 

CAR

For those driving in, Hwy. I-75 is a direct route to Sarasota, but the I-10 or Hwy. 20 can be taken westbound to Hwys. 77, 79, 231. Consider driving these distances from major cities to Sarasota;

• Birmingham, AL - 624 miles

• Atlanta, GA - 509 miles

• New Orleans, LA - 711 miles

• Nashville, TN - 758 miles

• Little Rock, AR - 984 miles

• Louisville, KY - 930 miles

Sarasota - Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)

The Sarasota - Bradenton International Airport is the closest airport to the city, approximately 3 miles. This airport is serviced by seven major carriers - 2 Canadian: Air Canada & West Jet. U.S. carriers: United, American, Delta, Elite, and Jet Blue Flights (not offered year round since it is considered a tourist destination check with each carrier)

St Petersburg-Clearwater Airport (PIE)

St. Pete-Clearwater Airport is located approximately an hours drive from Sarasota. It is a destination for low-cost carriers. The main airline carrier is Allegiant Air. PIE is less busy than Tampa International Airport and is frequently used by pilots of private planes and executive jets.

Southwest Florida Airport (RSW)

Southwest Florida Airport is located in Fort Myers, Florida. A little over an hour's drive from Sarasota, it's also a great choice for flying into to get to this vacation destination

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Tampa International Airport is also approximately an hours drive from Sarasota (56 miles). This airport is served by over 20 major airline carriers.

Transportation in Sarasota

There is an abundance of transportation options at the major airports including Uber, taxis, shuttles and limousine services. Most are open 24 hours a day but we highly suggest booking transportation in advance.  There are lots of transportation shuttles available, but your own vehicle will give you much more freedom to come and go as you please. There are also lots of local restaurants to explore, not to mention the endless attractions and shopping! 

Sarasota Monthly Average Weather Chart