Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring 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 among the most popular tourist destinations 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 neighbourhood with the most restaurants in Sarasota. These include popular favourites 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 September
Estimated hotel price
$278
1 night at 3-star hotel
Sarasota in September
Estimated hotel price
$278
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Sarasota in July, when the average temperature is 28 °C, and the highest can go up to 33 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 9 °C, with an average temperature of 16 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in June, when precipitation is around 246 mm. In contrast, November is usually the driest month of the year in Sarasota, with an average rainfall of 56 mm.

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 centre.

Car

Another option to get to Sarasota is to pick up a car hire from Orlando, which is about 109 miles from Sarasota. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Blue Auto Trading, 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 centre.

Car

Another option to get to Sarasota is to pick up a car hire from Orlando, which is about 109 miles from Sarasota. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Blue Auto Trading, among others, in Orlando.

Airports near Sarasota

SRQSarasota Bradenton Intl
TPATampa
RSWFort Myers SW Florida Intl

Airlines serving Sarasota

Lufthansa
Good (8,016 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,518 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,990 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,452 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,381 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,952 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,220 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,589 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (916 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,744 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,574 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,729 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,783 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,193 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (11,066 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (410 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,398 reviews)
TAP AIR PORTUGAL
Good (2,257 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Good (12,387 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,438 reviews)
Show more

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 $426 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $643 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Magnolia Pointe, BW Signature Collection and Regency Inn & Suites Sarasota. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Sarasota, with prices from $91 to $3,190 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Sarasota are about 6% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Sarasota

Most booked hotels in Sarasota

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Tropical Beach Resorts - Sarasota
3 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
$354+
View
Siesta Key Palms Resort
3 stars
Excellent (9, Excellent reviews)
$311+
View
Lido Beach Resort
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, Excellent reviews)
$653+
View
The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota
5 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
$980+
View
Spark by Hilton Sarasota Siesta Key Gateway
3 stars
Good (7.6, Good reviews)
$228+
View

Hiring a car in Sarasota

Alamo, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Budget are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to hire a car in Sarasota is the Hertz branch at 6000 Airport Circle, which is 3 miles from the city centre.

Expect to pay $2.18 per litre in Sarasota (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $26.06 and $34.74. The most frequently booked car type in Sarasota is Full-size (Chevrolet Tahoe or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Ford Focus or similar) is, on average, 49% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Alamo, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Budget are the agencies with the best reviews in the city. The most popular location to hire a car in Sarasota is the Hertz branch at 6000 Airport Circle, which is 3 miles from the city centre.

Expect to pay $2.18 per litre in Sarasota (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $26.06 and $34.74. The most frequently booked car type in Sarasota is Full-size (Chevrolet Tahoe or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Ford Focus or similar) is, on average, 49% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Best car hire deals in Sarasota

Supplier choice

5 Adults, 5 Bags

$79/day

Supplier choice

Standard

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$86/day

Standard
Find car hire in Sarasota