If you’re planning one week in South Beach, the biggest mistake is trying to cram too much into it. A full week gives you time to actually enjoy Miami — beach mornings, great restaurants, a possible day trip, and still plenty of time to sit by the pool and do absolutely nothing for a while.
This itinerary centers around The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach because the location makes everything incredibly easy. You’re steps from the beach, close to Lincoln Road, and within walking distance of a lot of the restaurants that make South Beach fun. If you’re planning your stay, you can find hotels in South Beach here to compare options and see what fits your trip best.
If you’d rather stay slightly north and want more of a full resort-style property, take a look at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. It’s bigger, more of a traditional Miami resort, and a little removed from the main South Beach strip. If you’re considering it, see my full review of Fontainebleau Miami Beach to understand what the experience is actually like.
Here’s exactly how I’d spend a full week.
Fly into Miami International Airport in the afternoon and head to your hotel. Once you check in, unpack, freshen up, and ease into the trip.
If you have some time before dinner, take a short walk through Lummus Park, stroll along the beach path, or sit by the pool for a bit. After a travel day, keeping it simple is the right move.
Dinner on night one is Prime 112.
It’s lively, a little flashy, and feels very Miami — exactly what you want for your first night in South Beach. Order either the filet or ribeye, then add a few sides for the table. The truffle mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and creamed spinach are all solid choices. Splitting a steak and ordering multiple sides is honestly the best way to do it. Steakhouses are one of the few places where extra sides feel completely justified.
Start the morning at Bacon Bitch. Bacon, fresh squeezed orange juice, and Cardi B is how I live my best Miami brunch life.
If you want quiet and peaceful — this is not it. If you want fun and memorable, this works. The Pink Passion Pancakes with passion fruit syrup were a special they were running and so so good, and a breakfast sandwich is a must. If you want the full breakdown of what to expect there, see my review of Bacon Bitch.
After breakfast, head back to the beach at the Ritz. The beach staff sets up chairs and umbrellas for you — just give them your room number and they take care of the rest.
Spend a few hours relaxing, swimming, and walking the shoreline. Mornings are usually the calmest time on South Beach before the heat and crowds pick up later in the afternoon. If you enjoy people watching, though, the afternoon energy can be part of the entertainment.
For lunch, walk over to La Sandwicherie. They’ve been serving sandwiches here since 1988 and it’s still a South Beach staple. The baguettes are fresh, the ingredients are simple, and their vinaigrette pulls everything together. The portions are big, the service is quick, and it’s an easy beach-day lunch.
Dinner is at Macchialina, one of the best Italian restaurants in Miami and well known for house-made pasta and a great wine list. Order at least one pasta dish and let the staff guide you on wine. If you want help deciding what to order, see my full review of Macchialina.
If you want to see more than South Beach itself, this is the day to do it.
Renting a car makes things much easier, especially if you’re planning to leave Miami Beach for the day. We rented our car here because they had the best prices.
One option is heading out to Everglades National Park for an airboat tour. The Everglades are about 45 minutes away, so it’s an easy half-day trip. You’ll skim across the marsh in a flat-bottom airboat and usually spot alligators, birds, and wildlife you won’t see anywhere else in Florida. If you want something organized ahead of time, you can book an Everglades airboat tour here.
Another option is driving down to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for snorkeling. The water is clear, the coral reefs are real, and it’s one of the best places in Florida to get in the water.
If you’re feeling ambitious, a day trip to Key West is technically possible, but it’s a long day — more than three hours each way. It’s a fun bucket-list trip if you’ve never been, but honestly another beach day in South Beach is also a great option. No wrong answer here.
Start the morning at The Local House.
It’s a reliable breakfast spot with good coffee and a calmer atmosphere than some of the louder brunch places around South Beach. Sometimes that’s exactly what you want after a few busy days.
After breakfast, spend the day at the pool at the Ritz. Grab a chair, order lunch poolside, and stay a few hours. Miami trips don’t always need a packed schedule — sometimes doing nothing is the plan.
Dinner tonight is Barton G. The Restaurant.
This place is dramatic, over-the-top, and very much an experience. The food presentations are huge and the dessert literally comes in a briefcase of fake money. If you’re going to go, lean into the whole concept. If you want to see exactly what the experience is like, read my review of Barton G. The Restaurant.
Start the morning at Limonada Bar + Brunch. During the week it’s a colorful breakfast spot with plenty of good options. On weekends it turns into more of a brunch party with DJs and cocktails.
Popular orders include the breakfast burrito, avocado toast with eggs, and pancakes. If you’re committing to the brunch experience, add a mimosa.
After breakfast, walk Lincoln Road. The pedestrian-only street is great for shopping and people watching and always has a lot going on.
For lunch, stop at Naked Taco and order the cowboy steak taco and the fried doughnuts. Tacos and doughnuts in the same meal may sound questionable, but it works.
Dinner is at Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza, where you should absolutely order the coffee pizza. Yes, it sounds weird. It not only works but will blow your mind. The crust is light, the toppings are balanced, and it’s one of those things you’ll talk about long after the trip. If you’re curious why it’s so famous, see my review of Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza.
Finish the night with ice cream from Salt & Straw, which rotates creative flavors constantly.
Take an Uber to the Miami Design District for the day. The area is known for luxury shopping, modern architecture, and a surprisingly strong food scene.
For breakfast, you can grab something quick from Zak the Baker, or sit down at Pura Vida Miami or Sadelle’s at Kith.
Lunch options nearby include Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Coyo Taco, or MIA Market if you want a food hall with multiple options.
For dinner head to Little Havana.
Or, Uber over to Little Havana and do a guided food tour. It’s a fun way to try several Cuban dishes while learning more about the neighborhood and its history. You can book a Little Havana food tour here, and if you want a deeper look at what to see and eat there, check out my full breakdown of Little Havana Miami.
Start the morning at Café Bastille. Order the pistachio pancakes and add one of their creative lattes. If you want a deeper look at the menu and experience, see my full review of Café Bastille Downtown Miami.
After brunch, head back toward the beach for one last swim or walk along the shoreline.
For lunch, stop at Taquiza, where the fresh tortillas and simple tacos make for an easy, satisfying meal. If you want a full breakdown of what to order, check out my review of Taquiza.
Dinner on your final night should be Carbone.
Order the spicy rigatoni vodka and the veal parm, and dress up a little for the night. It’s the perfect place to end a week in South Beach. If you want help navigating the menu, see my review of Carbone.
Before heading to the airport, grab breakfast at Rosetta Bakery. A croissant and cappuccino is the perfect simple ending to the trip.
Traffic leaving South Beach can be unpredictable, so give yourself plenty of extra time getting back to the airport.
A full one week in South Beach should feel relaxed, not rushed. Beach mornings, great restaurants, a little exploring, and plenty of time to just enjoy Miami.
Flying out of Frankfurt at the crack of dawn? Stay at the airport, not in the city!
The Hilton Frankfurt Airport is connected to Terminal 1 and the long-distance train station, so the walk to your gate takes a few minutes and no taxi. The rooms are soundproofed so well you barely hear the planes, some have runway views, there’s a sauna, and the bread and butter at Rise are dangerously good. It costs more than hotels farther out. On a budget, the Hilton Garden Inn next door gets you the same walk for less.
Save this for your next Frankfurt layover ✈️
No landmarks, no crowds, no souvenir shops. Otterberg is the everyday side of Germany 🇩🇪
It’s a small town just outside Kaiserslautern. Lunch at Putai inside the historic Das Blaue Haus means crispy chicken in coconut curry and spring rolls with homemade sweet chili sauce, then a slow walk past the old church and quiet streets. The Palatinate Forest and Humberg Tower views are close by. If you want a packed itinerary this isn’t your town, but if you like good food and nowhere to be, you’ll love it.
Save this for your Germany road trip!
Every 6 minutes a new round unlocks, and you can eat your way around the world for two hours. 🌍🍽️
Masons in Kaiserslautern: Korean BBQ, Jamaican jerk chicken, raclette potatoes, crispy baked ricotta from Monaco, and the Belgian cookie cheesecake you’ll still be talking about the next day. €39-45 per person. Bring a group and pace yourself, because they charge for leftovers.
Save this for your next trip to Germany
Sedona got me again 🌵
This was my second trip, and somehow I liked it even more. Every visit adds another trail, viewpoint, or restaurant to the list, and the list keeps getting longer. This time I stayed near Airport Mesa, with sunsets right outside my door and none of the crowds.
My Substack has everything I’d tell a first-time visitor: the lodge I’ve now stayed at twice, the experiences I’d do first, and the restaurants I’d plan my days around.
Subscribe for free so you don’t miss the next one. Link in bio ✨
YES is always the answer... ✈️
I’m Wendy, and yes, I travel for a living (still pinching myself). After 15 years teaching middle school math, I traded the whiteboard for a passport and never looked back. Knoxville is home base, but Arizona sunsets are on another level, and if it’s been sitting on your list, this is your sign to finally say yes and book it. City guides, hotel reviews, and foodie spots are all on the blog. So glad you’re here 🌵☀️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
