Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

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 4 days in order to fully appreciate everything Sarasota has to offer.

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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

Sarasota in August
Estimated package price
$145
2 travelers
Flight to Sarasota
3 nights at hotel
Sarasota in August
Estimated package price
$145
2 travelers
Flight to Sarasota
3 nights at hotel

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″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

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 American Airlines, Southwest and Allegiant Air. The shortest domestic flight to Sarasota departs from Louisville and takes around 2h 07m.

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 Routes Car & Truck Rentals, among others, in Orlando.

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 American Airlines, Southwest and Allegiant Air. The shortest domestic flight to Sarasota departs from Louisville and takes around 2h 07m.

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 Routes Car & Truck Rentals, among others, in Orlando.

Airports near Sarasota

SRQSarasota Bradenton Intl
TPATampa
RSWFort Myers SW Florida Intl

Airlines serving Sarasota

KLM
Good (1,599 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (8,295 reviews)
British Airways
Good (8,283 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,467 reviews)
SWISS
Good (2,118 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,227 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,719 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,648 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,690 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,697 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (982 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (10,490 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,555 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (2,034 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (11,899 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,545 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,192 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,410 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,633 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (438 reviews)
Show more
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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 $212 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $339 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 9% cheaper than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Sarasota

Most booked hotels in Sarasota

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Carlisle Inn
3 stars
Excellent (9.6, 3178 reviews)
$156+
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Captiva Beach Resort
3 stars
Excellent (9.2, 1263 reviews)
$176+
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Tropical Beach Resorts
3 stars
Excellent (9, 2833 reviews)
$176+
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Seaspray Resort
4 stars
Excellent (9, 328 reviews)
$226+
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Kompose Boutique Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 3409 reviews)
$80+
View
Siesta Key Beachside Villas
0 stars
Excellent (8.7, 901 reviews)
$218+
View

Renting a car in Sarasota

Renting a car in Sarasota costs $51 per day, on average, or $205 if you want to rent if for 4 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.

Expect to pay $4.47 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 $53.60 and $71.47. Full-size (Toyota Camry or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Sarasota, while also 35% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Sarasota costs $51 per day, on average, or $205 if you want to rent if for 4 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.

Expect to pay $4.47 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 $53.60 and $71.47. Full-size (Toyota Camry or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Sarasota, while also 35% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Sarasota

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$28/day

Economy

Compact SUV

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$28/day

Compact SUV
Find car rentals in Sarasota