Florida’s Gulf Coast is full of surprises and no, we’re not just talking about white sand beaches and palm trees (though there’s plenty of that too).
Located along this sunny stretch of coastline are tiny towns with big personalities, each one totally different from the next.
Some feel like colorful fishing villages straight out of a painting, while others serve up fresh seafood, live music, and history on every corner.
Whether you’re into seashell hunting, street art, or just want a quiet beach where you might spot a dolphin or two, these 8 spots seriously deliver.
Ready to meet the dreamiest towns on Florida’s Gulf Coast?
Let’s go.
1. Cedar Key
Cedar Key is a tiny island town off Florida’s Gulf Coast, about an hour southwest of Gainesville, and it feels like stepping into old-school Florida in the best way.
It’s known for its amazing seafood (hello, clam chowder!), laid-back vibes, and charming waterfront homes.
You can walk the entire historic downtown in under 10 minutes, popping into art galleries, unique shops, and cozy cafés.
Kayaking around the nearby Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge is a must, especially if you want to spot dolphins, pelicans, and maybe even a sea turtle.
2. Tarpon Springs
Just up the coast from Tampa, Tarpon Springs brings a whole different kind of charm with its Greek roots and sponge-diving history.
This town is famous for its sponge docks along Dodecanese Boulevard, where you can watch boats unload real sponges and snack on fresh-out-the-oven baklava at Hellas Bakery.
The streets smell like grilled octopus and garlic, and the shops are packed with handmade soaps, loofahs, and souvenirs you’ll actually want to bring home.
Hop on a short boat tour for a quick trip out to Anclote Key Preserve State Park, where white sand beaches and a 138-year-old lighthouse are just waiting to be explored.
3. Dunedin
Next up is Dunedin, a super walkable little town with serious local flavor and one of the best waterfront sunsets on the Gulf.
It’s got a strong Scottish vibe (yes, there are kilts involved) and is packed with breweries like Dunedin Brewery, the oldest microbrewery in Florida.
You can ride the Pinellas Trail straight through town or hop on the ferry to Caladesi Island State Park, where the beaches are so quiet you might feel like you’ve got the place to yourself.
Downtown is full of indie shops, colorful murals, and live music pouring out of open-air patios pretty much every weekend.
4. Anna Maria Island
If you’re craving pure beach bliss, Anna Maria Island totally delivers with its sugar-white sand, teal water, and zero high-rises in sight.
This 7-mile barrier island near Sarasota feels frozen in time, with old-school beach cottages, mom-and-pop shops, and a free trolley that’ll take you from one end to the other.
Stop by the Sandbar Seafood + Spirits for fresh grouper sandwiches and epic views, or bike to Bean Point at the island’s northern tip for seriously dreamy sunsets.
The vibe here is slow, sandy, and all about flip-flops, fresh seafood, and catching the sunset like it’s a daily holiday.
5. Venice
Just a bit farther down the coast, Venice brings a totally different kind of beach town energy—it’s classy, chill, and just the tiniest bit quirky.
Known as the “Shark Tooth Capital of the World,” this is the spot to hunt for prehistoric shark teeth right on the sand at Venice Beach or Caspersen Beach.
Downtown Venice has major Mediterranean vibes, with palm-lined streets, Italian-style architecture, and vintage shops tucked between cafés and ice cream spots.
Grab a bike and cruise the Venetian Waterway Trail, then swing by Sharky’s On the Pier for fresh seafood and live music by the beach.
6. Boca Grande
Then there’s Boca Grande, a peaceful little slice of Old Florida on Gasparilla Island where everything moves a little slower and that’s exactly the point.
This place is all about golf carts, banyan trees, and pastel cottages that look straight out of a postcard.
Boca Grande is famous for tarpon fishing, but even if you’re not casting a line, the beaches at Gasparilla Island State Park are ridiculously pretty and way less crowded than other Gulf spots.
Don’t miss the Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum at the island’s southern tip, which has been standing since 1890 and comes with bonus sea turtle sightings in nesting season.
7. Matlacha
Just when you think these towns can’t get any quirkier, Matlacha shows up with its colorful buildings, funky art galleries, and straight-up weird charm.
This tiny island between Cape Coral and Pine Island is packed with personality, from hand-painted mailboxes to quirky metal sculptures.
Fishing is huge here (like, really huge), and you can cast a line right from the Matlacha Bridge, nicknamed “The Fishingest Bridge in the World.”
Grab some shrimp tacos at Blue Dog Bar & Grill, then wander through Leoma Lovegrove’s wild and wonderful art studio that feels more like a tropical fever dream than a gallery.
8. Naples
And finally, we land in Naples—a fancy Gulf Coast gem that feels like a classic beach town.
Think palm-lined streets, art galleries galore, and some seriously good food (don’t skip the stone crab claws at Truluck’s).
You’ve got miles of soft sand at Naples Beach, plus the iconic Naples Pier where you can catch sunset with dolphins doing backflips in the distance.
For a little adventure, head northeast to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and walk the 2.25-mile boardwalk through towering cypress trees and gator-friendly swampland.
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