Siesta Beach (940 Beach Rd), located on Siesta Key in Sarasota County, was just named one of the best beaches in the world for 2025. Ranked the 12th best beach in North America and 42nd globally by The World’s 50 Best Beaches, this coastal gem is less than 90 minutes from Tampa Bay — and absolutely worth the drive.
World-class beaches in Florida’s backyard
Siesta Beach isn’t new to the spotlight. It’s consistently ranked as one of the top beaches in Florida by Dr. Beach, TripAdvisor, USA Today, and U.S. News & World Report. But this latest honor puts Siesta Beach on the global stage as a must-visit destination for beach lovers worldwide.
ADVERTISEMENT
So what makes it so special? Start with the sand — fine, white, and cool to the touch. Made of 99% pure quartz from the Appalachian Mountains, Siesta’s sugar-soft shoreline sparkles under the sun and stays refreshingly cool, even on the hottest days. It’s this rare composition that sets it apart from other beaches near Tampa or anywhere else in the U.S.
More than just a pretty shoreline
But the beach itself is just the beginning. Siesta Beach offers a full vacation experience: massive public parking, renovated restrooms and pavilions, raised concession stands, a beautiful pedestrian esplanade, and plenty of shaded picnic areas. A free trolley makes it easy to explore the rest of Siesta Key, including the vibrant Siesta Key Village, packed with beach bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and local boutiques.
The calm, turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico are perfect for families with kids, couples seeking a romantic retreat, or solo travelers in need of a reset. Snorkeling, paddleboarding, and casual floating are all part of the experience — and the beach is fully staffed with lifeguards for added peace of mind.
A laid-back beach town
What really makes Siesta Beach shine is the vibe. According to Haley Covel of Cove Travels, a Condé Nast Traveler specialist and one of the beach’s 2025 World’s 50 Best Ambassadors, “It’s an incredibly chill — and walkable — beach town. You can stroll from the sand to a taco stand, sip a frozen daiquiri, and never leave your flip-flops behind.”
While many top beaches in Florida can feel crowded or overly commercial, Siesta Key keeps things low-key and charming. It’s ideal for a relaxing weekend getaway, a spontaneous road trip from Tampa, or a longer beach vacation where you unplug and soak up the sunshine.
The only U.S. beach to make the list
Each year, The World’s 50 Best Beaches list is compiled by more than 1,000 travel professionals, including photographers, bloggers, and beach experts. These experts evaluate beaches across the globe based on criteria like natural beauty, cleanliness, water quality, and the overall experience. In 2025, Siesta Beach was the only beach in the United States to make the cut — beating out tropical paradises in Hawaii, California, and the Caribbean.
The drive from Tampa to Siesta Beach takes about an hour and a half, depending on traffic and bridge tolls, and offers a straight shot to sun-soaked serenity.
