There is probably no beach in the world that represents the idea of a “cool beach” better than South Beach in Miami. It is the worldly coast par excellence, where movie stars with big sunglasses to avoid being recognized walk among very blond girls and muscular lifeguards. South Beach is almost 5 kilometers long and runs along the entire side of the island of Miami Beach facing the Atlantic Ocean. This means that when you are lying on its sand you will see in front of you only the infinite beauty of the ocean, of a wonderful turquoise color, which merges with the blue of the sky. Behind you, however, skyscrapers and palm trees rise towards the (few) clouds, giving South Beach the skyline that made it famous. And of course, along the beach you will see the iconic rescue towers, colored and all different from each other, from which the lifeguards, that is, the lifeguards, scan the horizon. The watchtowers, as these structures now known everywhere are called, each have their own history: some are historical, and have been looking at the ocean for decades, while others are newly built. There is even one with stars and stripes, at 13th Street! They were largely designed by architect William Lane, or were born out of artistic competitions. One thing is certain: seeing them makes us instantly think of the Miami atmosphere.
1-Miami Beach
Let’s start with a clarification: Miami Beach is not Miami. Yes, because the second is located on the mainland of Florida, while Miami Beach is an island, or rather a set of natural and artificial islands, which divide the Atlantic Ocean from Biscayne Bay, which also overlooks Miami. Miami Beach is connected to the mainland by several bridges.
Every year, many tourists choose Miami Beach as a destination for their holidays, thanks to the tropical climate, the sparkling social life and its wonderful beaches full of surfers on the Atlantic. The city has also become famous thanks to movies such as “Scarface” and the television series “Miami Vice”, which have made it an icon all over the world. Arriving here on your Costa cruise, you will instantly feel on the set of an American movie! South Beach and Ocean Drive are just two of the most famous attractions in Miami Beach, which in the late 1980s became the home of numerous fashion professionals and large modeling agencies, which you can still see today in the Art Deco Historic District. Here you will also find the famous Villa Versace, the last home of the designer Versace.
2-Ocean Drive
Is Miami in your imagination a continuous parade of rollerblading kids and convertible cars? You will surely see them on Ocean Drive, the most famous and lively street in all of Florida, among the stops of your Costa excursion to Miami Beach. Behind the southernmost stretch of South Beach, separated from the beach by a pedestrian promenade, green flower beds and the inevitable palm trees, Ocean Drive is a long walkway of exclusive shops, clubs and hotels facing the Atlantic Ocean.
Ocean Drive is an integral part of the Art Déco Historic District, a succession of artistic movement-style buildings from the early decades of the twentieth century that represent the historic face of Miami Beach, now converted into accommodation and tourist facilities. And of course Ocean Drive is famous for its sparkling nightlife: after sunset, the street lights up with the signs of clubs and night clubs, which host transgressive shows, alternative DJ sets and all kinds of fun. There are also those who love to walk along it simply for the pleasure of seeing the view, but in principle it is really difficult to resist the call of its infinite possibilities, even since this stretch of road is alive at all times.
3-Lincoln Road
Whatever time of day or night, something exciting always happens on Lincoln Road – the mecca for shopping lovers. Over ten blocks of shops, restaurants and entertainment await you on this street of unmistakable energy, constantly animated by a mix of tourists and locals. During the day you can relax at a table with a coffee or a cocktail and immerse yourself in the “real” South Beach lifestyle. In the evening, the music of restaurants and bars spreads and the street performers show off their talents.
But the real attraction of the place is the shopping! You will find national and international shops with unique offers that are not found in other cities! H&M, Forever 21, lululemon, Scotch & Soda, Madewell, Ted Bake … and there’s even a giant Nike Store, where shoppers can literally try on their potential new shoes, taking two shots at a basketball court or running. on a treadmill.
4-Art Decò District
A very glamorous and lively tourist destination is the Art Decò district of Miami, very special with its numerous buildings erected since 1920. Over the course of 100 years they have undergone numerous renovations and have become some of the official and best known symbols of this fantastic metropolis. These buildings were created to “raise” the mood of Americans during the Great Depression of ’29 with their bright colors and geometric shapes of all kinds (straight lines, cubes and spheres), porcelain floors, bas-reliefs, signs with lights neon. The most interesting route to visit it is the one that crosses streets 6 and 7 where you will find Park Central Hotel, Colony Hotel, Waldorf Towers Hotel, Breakwater Hotel etc.
5-Miami Seaquarium
Located in Virginia Key, the Miami Seaquarium is a unique place in the world and is known as the largest aquarium in the United States. It hosts numerous species of fish, sharks, reptiles and sea turtles and many marine shows are organized every day. Among the most interesting performances are the killer whale and Dolphin Show, in which Lolita “the killer whale” plays with her instructor, the Flipper Dolphin Show, where the famous dolphin from the TV series plays and jumps on the tail, and the Manatee Presentation with the very nice manatees. Each year this attraction attracts more than 600,000 people.
