Panama City Beach Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach is known for its soft white sand and sparkling waters, and thriving surf culture and stunning beaches.

Panama City Beach, along Florida’s Emerald Coast, has 27 miles (43.5 kilometers) of beautiful green water, crystal-quartz beaches, abundant sea life and many family-oriented attractions.

Walk along one of America’s most picturesque beaches or hang out in a local café. While it has undergone a period of rapid development in recent years, and high rises now dot the skyline, Panama City Beach still retains a laid-back atmosphere.

Surfers and sunbathers alike will find top spots to do their thing. If you’re not content to simply hit the surf, there are plenty of places to organize extreme sports excursions or rent a boat. Go parasailing, ride a Jet Ski or board a sailing boat.

Kids will love the many fun and water parks in town. Play golf and navigate the maze at Coconut Creek Family Fun Park or zoom down a slide at Shipwreck Island Water Park. To see some wildlife, take a trip to the ZooWorld Zoological Conservatory. If you’re in the town center and want a place to relax or kick a ball, check out Frank Brown Park. There are baseball and soccer fields, plenty of spaces for picnics, and the Panama City Beach Aquatic Center.

To explore less-developed parts of the shoreline, head to St. Andrews State Park. There are trails through the dunes, plenty of near-deserted beaches, the Grand Lagoon, and even camping grounds. For something a little more relaxed, hop on a tour boat to see some of the area’s famous sites. Spot dolphins as you head over to Shell Island. Small and deserted, it’s a place to collect shells, swim and fish. You can even renr a pontoon for the day.

Panama City Beach attracts thousands of vacationers every year. With a beach to match any other in the country, activities for leisure and thrill seekers alike, and an addictive beach-bum vibe, there’s no reason to wonder why.

Where to stay in Panama City Beach

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Rosemary Beach

Rosemary Beach is popular for its beaches, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Rosemary Beach or Alys Beach.

Rosemary Beach
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Inlet Beach

Inlet Beach is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Rosemary Beach and Camp Helen State Park.

Inlet Beach
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Seacrest Beach

While there might not be top attractions in Seacrest Beach, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach.

Seacrest Beach
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WaterSound Beach

While visiting WaterSound Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Seacrest Beach and South Walton Beaches.

WaterSound Beach
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Alys Beach

While visiting Alys Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach.

Alys Beach
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Long Beach

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Long Beach and surrounding area, you can visit WonderWorks and Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Long Beach
Beachside Resort Panama City Beach
Beachside Resort Panama City Beach
2 out of 5
21905 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
The price is £157 per night from 12 Jun to 13 Jun
£157
per night
12 Jun - 13 Jun
Stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,578 reviews)
"A four star"

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2024

Beachside Resort Panama City Beach
Boardwalk Beach Hotel
Boardwalk Beach Hotel
2.5 out of 5
9600 S Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach, FL
The price is £190 per night from 15 Jun to 16 Jun
£190
per night
15 Jun - 16 Jun
Stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free parking, 2 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value ...
6/10 (1,709 reviews)
"The room had two huge water bugs"

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2024

Boardwalk Beach Hotel
Seahaven Beach Hotel
Seahaven Beach Hotel
2 out of 5
15285 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
The price is £168 per night from 17 Jun to 18 Jun
£168
per night
17 Jun - 18 Jun
Stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
5.4/10 (1,361 reviews)
"Great stay right on the ocean. It's not a 5 star hotel but good for two nights. The walls are very thin, you pretty much can hear all your neighbors. For $200 a night you can't bet the price and location!"

Reviewed on 6 Jun 2024

Seahaven Beach Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Origin at Seahaven
Origin at Seahaven
4 out of 5
15100 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Pier Park and Panama City Beaches ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (19 reviews)
"The room was spacious, clean and had everything need for our stay."

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2024

Origin at Seahaven
"Seahorse" Large Family Beachfront Home w/ Private Pool & Game Room
"Seahorse" Large Family Beachfront Home w/ Private Pool & Game Room
Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this beach holiday home in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a beach locale. Popular attractions Pier Park and Carillon Beach are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (28 reviews)
Perfect for our large group
"We had 4 generations (ages 1- 68) stay at the house. 16 people in total. We had the best time. The location is perfect. Being right on the beach with 6 kids under 8 was perfect. The photos don't do the home justice. We felt it was even more beautiful in person. There was room for everyone to be together ..."

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2024

"Seahorse" Large Family Beachfront Home w/ Private Pool & Game Room
Laketown Wharf Resort by Aneliya's Rentals
Laketown Wharf Resort by Aneliya's Rentals
3.5 out of 5
9902 S. Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star holiday home in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 5 outdoor pools and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (142 reviews)
"The property was very nice location was great for us we had a great time"

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2024

Laketown Wharf Resort by Aneliya's Rentals
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Panama City Beach

3.3
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
" "5 - Excellent 14.285714285714286%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 28.571428571428573%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 42.857142857142854%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 14.285714285714286%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
12 Feb 2020

Wollten Minigolf spielen, das war so teuer, dass wir es sein liessen. Für eine 4-köpfige Familie 60 Dollar. Etwas zum Essen zu finden ist nicht ganz einfach. Es wimmelt von Hamburger-Schuppen, aber als Westeuropäer hat man das irgendwann gesehen

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
8 May 2019

Lovely beaches, lots of hotels and restaurants, St Andrews State Park was amazing, good base for exploring further east down the coast.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
21 Apr 2019

Looks like the ideal beach and location for teenagers/young adults. There are so many buildings right up along the beach. We prefer the other beaches in the area for our young family.

Cities near Panama City Beach