Sarasota travel guide
Sarasota Tourism | Sarasota Guide
You're Going to Love Sarasota
With a population of 51,917, Sarasota is a must-see destination in Florida, United States. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Sarasota has to offer.
Activities & attractions in Sarasota
Tours
Nature & Outdoor Activities
Activities
Where to Eat in Sarasota
Downtown is the neighborhood with the most restaurants in Sarasota. These include popular favorites such as Indigenous (239 S Links Ave), Lila (1576 Main St) and Marcel DW (1568 Main St). If you’re looking for affordable options, Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota (411 Saint Armands Circle) and Ocean Prime - Sarasota (501 Quay Commons) are great picks.
When to visit Sarasota
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Sarasota in July, when the average temperature is 82.4 °F, and the highest can go up to 91.4 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 48.2 °F, with an average temperature of 60.8 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in June, when precipitation is around 9.7″. In contrast, November is usually the driest month of the year in Sarasota, with an average rainfall of 2.2″.
How to Get to Sarasota
Plane
When flying to Sarasota, you’ll arrive at Sarasota Bradenton Intl (SRQ), which is located 4 miles from the city center. Airlines that fly from the United States to Sarasota include Southwest, Allegiant Air and American Airlines. The shortest domestic flight to Sarasota departs from Asheville and takes around 1h 40m.
Car
Another option to get to Sarasota is to pick up a car rental from Orlando, which is about 109 miles from Sarasota. You’ll find branches of Rent-A-Wreck and Advantage, among others, in Orlando.
Airlines serving Sarasota
Where to stay in Sarasota
From 5-star hotels such as the The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota to great affordable options like the Twin Palms at Siesta, Sarasota offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $208 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $310 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Comfort Inn & Suites Sarasota I75 and Super 8 by Wyndham Sarasota Near Siesta Key. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Sarasota, with prices from $53 to $1,866 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Sarasota are about 10% cheaper than a hotel room in the city.
Where to stay in popular areas of Sarasota
Most booked hotels in Sarasota
Renting a car in Sarasota
Renting a car in Sarasota costs $46 per day, on average, or $139 if you want to rent if for 3 days. Alamo, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Budget are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to rent a car in Sarasota is the Hertz branch at 6000 Airport Circle, which is 3 miles from the city center.
You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 5% more expensive than at Sarasota Bradenton Intl.
Expect to pay $4.81 per gallon in Sarasota (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $57.69 and $76.92. The most frequently booked car type in Sarasota is Premium (BMW X3 or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Full-size rental cars (Ford F-150 or similar) are, on average, 32% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.
Best car rental deals in Sarasota
Compact SUV
4 Adults, 2 Bags
$27/day
Supplier choice
5 Adults, 5 Bags
$28/day