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7 of the cozy cities of Florida

Florida with the nickname “The Sunshine State” is the perfect example of warmth and relaxation. With a sunny sky, warm golf water and tropical resorts, it is no wonder that visitors return year after year. While many traveling places like Miami or Orlando visit, Floridians know that some of the most cozy destinations are the quieter cities in which often only a few thousand residents live. Regardless of whether you dream of swimming with sea keys, drinking coffee on a wooden pier or enjoying a fresh plate with scallops, these cozy cities belong to your travel route from 2025.

Crystal river

Tourists worldwide travel to three sisters Springs in Crystal River, Florida. Photo credits Nicole Glass Photography about Shutterstock.com

When swimming with nautical bodies is on your 2025 -Bucket list, Crystal Rivers warm water offers the perfect opportunity. As the only national wildlife of the country to protect the nautical corner, the National Wildlife Refuge of Crystal River is a must for this seafaring experience. Within refuge, travelers can paddle, swim or snorkel in three sister sources to see the world of the Seekuhs under water. In the meantime, travelers can take over in the summer after the legendary scallops that live in the Gulf of Mexico. If you prefer a guided experience, you can register for a charter with a local captain like Captain Katie Jo, who will lead you through the hunting process! A stay in a local inn is a must for a cozy weekend. Crystal River Lullaby Bed & Breakfast is a perfect choice and offers a picturesque view of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve every morning and a free breakfast.

Cedar key

The Tiki -Bar behind the low -Key -hideaway in Cedar Key is open for business activities
The Tiki -Bar behind the low -Key -hideaway in Cedar Key is open via Leigh Trail / Shutterstock.com.

There is a small fishing village in Cedar Key and offer a relaxing weekend with fishing and wild animals. Book a charter with a local outfitter for a guided fishing trip like in the slot fishing chart. With years of experience in the Big Bend region, captain Jason and his wife Amber provide all the equipment and specialist knowledge that are needed for a great day on the water. If you enjoy bird watching, the National Wildlife Refuge of Cedar Keys should also be on your list. With around 20,000 birds in the reserve, visitors can look for night herons, herons, herons, white ibis, pelicans, rose at be spoons and reddish interventions. If you want to be comfortably located in the city center, you should use your stay at the Cedar Key Bed & Breakfast, a historical home from the 1880s, in which guests serve a home style breakfast and other personal details such as homemade cookies and tea in the afternoon.

Islamorada

The Big Betsy Spiny Lobster Sculpture in the Rain Barrel Shop in Islamorada, Florida
The Big Betsy Spiny Lobster sculpture in the Rain Barrel Shop in Islamorada, Florida. Editorial Credit: Gagliardiphotography / Shutterstock.com.

The Islamorada consists of six islands, each full of family -friendly activities and attractions. For a weekend with kayaking, fishing, swimming, hiking or camping, the Long Key State Park is the right place. Once a coconut plantation, it has since become a peaceful nature reserve with mangroves. In Robbies marina, children and adults can feed the massive tarpons of the region by hand. Travelers feel on the beach all weekend by staying in one of the Islamorada sea front. The Breezy Palms Resort offers apartments, beach houses and bungalows by the sea so that they are never far from the water.

Berg Dora

Downtown of Mount Dora, Florida
Downtown Mount Dora, Florida. Editorial Credit: Nigel Jarvis / Shutterstock.com

If you dream of a lake excursion instead of a beach trip in 2025, Mount Dora is the perfect destination. The Dora lake is the perfect lake for booting, bird watching or fishing. The city has a flourishing art scene in which annual events such as the Mount Dora Arts Festival organizes and cultural places such as the Modernnnism Museum Mount Dora are presented, which shows rotating modern exhibits and live music representations. The city houses many charming inns, including the award -winning Magnolia Inn Bed & Breakfast. This picturesque house from 1926 has many inviting common areas, such as: B. an outdoor terrace and a lounge that is shaded by high -towering oaks.

Santa Rosa Beach

Low height on the beach in Ed Walline Park, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.
Low height on the beach in Ed Walline Park, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Santa Rosa Beach is surrounded by emerald green water and white sandy beaches and is one of the most beautiful beach destinations in Florida. Travelers find some of the most flawless beaches in the Grayton Beach State Park, which extend almost 2,000 acres and are often classified as one of the best beach destinations in the country. If you want to appreciate some of the wildly living animals in the region, spend an afternoon in the Point Washington State Forest, in which endangered species such as the American Kestrel, Flatwoods Salamander and the Gopher Tortoise are located. For a nostalgic night, travelers can spend the night in the Hibiscus Coffee & Guesthouse, an Inn of the 1950s, which has been family -owned since 1994, and offers a variety of accommodation opportunities.

Anna Maria

Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island in Florida.
Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island in Florida. Editorial Credit: Dennis MacDonald / Shutterstock.com

Anna Maria is located south of Tampa and is one of the best kept secrets in Florida. As part of the seven miles long Anna Maria Island, it offers many sandy shores and emerald water for the perfect beach day. Travelers can take a walk along the historic Anna Maria Pier, a wooden marker brand that has greeted visitors for decades and offers a picturesque view of the surrounding waters. After visiting the pier, be sure to set up in cool beans Ami, a local café with a view of the pier and served organically cultivated coffee. Those who want to step down into the past can visit the historic Green Village, in which a mixture of historical huts, houses and shops, some over a century old, now organizes a bakery, an art gallery, jewelry shop and gift business. In order to insert directly in front of the beach, you should make your accommodation reservations in the Rod and Reel Resort, an all-inclusive resort in which the city's largest private pool and the heated spa are also located.

Naples

Buildings along the 5th Avenue in Naples, Florida.
Buildings along the 5th Avenue in Naples, Florida. Editorial Credit: Mihai_andritoiu / Shutterstock.com

Naples is known nationwide for its refined culinary and art scene. The Naples Art Institute is a great place to see rotating art exhibitions, take part in a painting class or to go outdoors at one of its regular art fairs. There are also so many highly rated restaurants in the city to choose from. The Sails Restaurant is located in the heart of Naples and is a popular option and offers beautiful dishes such as Shark Bay Jakobs, tuna tartar and wild Australian tiger shrimp. If you are interested in seeing some of the different habitats that surround Naples, you can plan a morning in the Naples Preserve that contains OAK Rosemary Scrub and Pine Flatwoods. Happiness travelers may also recognize a Gopher turtle! After a long day, travelers in the Cove Inn can relax in their cozy Bayside room and drink wine from their private terrace as they look over the bay.

Last thoughts

With the spring break right around the corner, you may be looking for your next holiday destination. Fortunately, there are several small and cozy cities across the state that offer a more relaxed escape. Regardless of whether you spend your vacation on the coast, read a book in a 19th century inn or spend bird watching in a nature reserve, these cities can be relaxed and refreshed at the end of your vacation!