St. Petersburg, Florida

Glorious sunshine, some of the world’s best beaches and pristine islands surrounded by warm, gentle surf. It’s no wonder the St. Petersburg/Clearwater region is so popular. With 56 kilometers of coastline and an average temperature of 23°C, this holiday wonderland offers year-round swimming, boating, fishing, shelling and relaxing in the sun. But the beach is just the beginning. You will also find great golf courses, gardens, theatres, shopping, dining, nightlife and some of the world’s most important museums.

Cultural Attractions

According to answermba, St. Petersburg is also known as the cultural capital of Florida. Here, art lovers of all ages will find famous museums as well as numerous art galleries. The best known is probably the Salvador Dalí Museum with the world’s largest collection outside of Spain. Some of his most famous works as well as over 100 oil paintings are housed in a newly erected futuristic building and constantly changing traveling exhibitions make every visit a special experience.

A select mix of art and sculpture, as well as permanent exhibitions about the Tudors, Elizabethans and more can be found at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts . And across the street is another “treat”: The Chihuly Collection , a stunning glass art exhibition by Dale Chihuly. The Florida International Museum features the world’s largest collection of Russian art, while the Great Explorations Children’s Museum offers hands-on science and art for all ages.

Visiting the historical exhibits and buildings at the Heritage Village in Largo will help you understand how Florida lifestyles have changed since the turn of the century. Nearby Tarpon Springs is a small Greek fishing village with historic sponge boats and authentic Greek restaurants. The community celebrates its Greek heritage throughout the year with religious, musical and culinary festivals. Dunedin is a small city with a Scottish flair and dozens of shops and restaurants on the old-fashioned Main Street.

When the sun goes down, the stars step out at Palladium Theater , Ruth Eckerd Hall and the magnificent Mahaffey Theater , where a wide range of genres are on offer. St. Petersburg invites you to enjoy ballet, opera, symphonies, Broadway shows, as well as comedy, music and dance in its nightclubs and lounges.

St. Petersburg/Clearwater information

Location and size
St. Petersburg is located about 50 km southwest of Tampa on a peninsula in western Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. St. Petersburg has approximately 350 km of coastline along Tampa Bay, Boga Ciega Bay, the Gulf of Mexico and inland built waterways. The area covers an area of ​​344 km², 55% of which is water surface. Clearwater is located on the Gulf of Mexico about 14 miles north of St. Petersburg. The urban area covers about 100 km².

Inhabitants
About 245,000 people live in St. Petersburg, Clearwater has about 108,000 inhabitants

Arriving by air
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is 28 miles from St. Petersburg Beach and 20 miles from Clearwater Beach. From Orlando International Airport (MCO), it is 187 km to St. Petersburg Beach and 176 km to Clearwater Beach (approx. 2 hours drive).

Climate
Summers are hot with temperatures up to 32°C. Winters are mild with temperatures around 20°C. There is little temperature variation between day and night throughout the year. The summer months are usually rainier than the winter months, the rainiest month of the year is August with an average rainfall of 200mm.

VUSA Tips: Highlights in St. Petersburg / Clearwater

Outdoor Adventures
If golf is your game, play it here. There are nearly 50 public golf courses as well as the famous courses at Belleview Biltmore, the Renaissance Vinoy and the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club – all world class courses. Boat lovers will enjoy the more than 60 marinas and clubs offering sightseeing, dinner and deep sea diving trips. StarLite Cruises and Yacht Starship offer sunset cruises with dinner, music and dancing.

The sun-drenched beaches are among the most beautiful in the country. The offshore island beaches range from pristine island hideaways to long, wide stretches of white sand; from wild, natural and secluded areas to bustling areas with all amenities. Many offer showers, restaurants, gift shops and water sports equipment rentals. Two of the area’s best beaches are Caladesi Island, a secluded beach known for its natural resources, and Fort de Soto Park, a popular beach that offers a variety of amenities and activities.

Shopping, Dining and More
You could spend your entire vacation shopping here and still not have seen it all. There are more than 70 shopping centers and malls here alone and many cute waterfront villages where you can find antiques, specialty boutiques and local artwork. You are also in good hands when it comes to culinary delights, because you will find every type of cuisine. Dine indoors or al fresco, on the water, in town or in one of the most charming seaside towns. John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk in Madeira Beach is a colorful mix of unique shops, galleries and restaurants. BayWalk, an outdoor entertainment complex in downtown St. Petersburg, includes boutiques, specialty shops, restaurants, bars and a movie theater.

Or visit one of the coastal towns with their smaller boulevards and local eateries, galleries, shops, fishing decks, boat tours and nightly entertainment programs into the night. Even Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball team, offers a real celebration during baseball season. The facility has a number of eateries for hungry fans and even a very unusual aquarium with a fish-touch tank. If you crave the adventures of Orlando’s theme parks – they are only 90 minutes away. Stay in a historic resort, luxury hotel, cozy inn or oceanfront motel. There really is something for everyone here. Whatever you desire, you will find it in St. Pete/Clearwater.

5 must-see beaches

Natural beauty and quiet seclusion can be found on Caladesi Island, which is only accessible by boat. The island is ideal for swimming, shelling, fishing, picnicking, diving and wildlife viewing. Every year this beach wins several awards and has been crowned as the best beach in the USA by Professor Stephan Leatherman, also as “Dr. Beach”, one of the leading experts on the quality of beaches.

Fort de Soto Park was also named the best beach in the country by “Dr. Beach” appointed. Here you can fish, camp, boat, hike nature trails and much more. The fort for which the park is named was built during the Spanish-American War in the late 1890’s and is open to the public.

Year-round fun and action awaits at Clearwater Beach. Be sure to take a break from surfing and volleyball to enjoy the fresh fish over lunch at Frenchy’s. The nightlife here is laid back and energetic.

St. Pete Beach offers a variety of great activities and accommodations. The city is home to the Don CeSar Beach Resort, famous for its luxury, prime beachfront location and amazing architecture. The historic structure is known locally as Florida’s Pink Palace.

Charming bungalows in the quaint historic district and a beautiful shoreline, Pass-A-Grille Beach is ideal for a quiet, relaxing beach getaway.