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
Palmetto Beachfront Hotel, a By the Sea Resort
Palmetto Beachfront Hotel, a By the Sea Resort
2 out of 5
17255 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$109 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
AU$109
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,009 reviews)
"Very nice property with full kitchen, 2 queen beds, pristine sugar white beaches, amazing pool and hot tub area, we stayed in Oceanside room and loved it"

Reviewed on 19 Apr. 2024

Palmetto Beachfront Hotel, a By the Sea Resort
Beachside Resort Panama City Beach
Beachside Resort Panama City Beach
2 out of 5
21905 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
Fully refundable
The price is AU$115 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
AU$115
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,322 reviews)
We enjoyed our stay!! Affordable and on the beach!
"The staff is super friendly! We stayed in a large room that came with a full sized refrigerator, sink and microwave. We also had a beach view! The pool and hot tub are awesome and we noticed that new umbrellas and tables on the outlook deck! This is our second stay. If you don’t mind a little dated, ..."

Reviewed on 17 Apr. 2024

Beachside Resort Panama City Beach
Bikini Beach Resort
Bikini Beach Resort
2.5 out of 5
11001 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
The price is AU$147 per night from 2 May to 3 May
AU$147
per night
2 May - 3 May
Stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,586 reviews)
"We had a comfortable stay. Thank you."

Reviewed on 19 Apr. 2024

Bikini Beach Resort
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
4.5 out of 5
15100 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a refrigerator. Popular attractions Pier Park and Panama City ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (12 reviews)
Spring break
"Wasn’t notified that there wouldn’t be toilet paper or beach towels on condo. It was comfortable place to stay with very easy access to beach."

Reviewed on 30 Mar. 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
Stay at this beach vacation home in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Pier Park and Carillon Beach are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (27 reviews)
Saving Spring Break
"Originally planned a trip to Jamaica for spring break but had to cancel last minute. Found this gem and so glad we did! We packed up the car and took the trip 8 hours from home in NC to Panama City Beach. With friends and teens in tow, had the best week. Seahorse is beautiful, in the perfect location ..."

Reviewed on 7 Apr. 2024

"Seahorse" Large Family Beachfront Home w/ Private Pool & Game Room
Shores of Panama Beach Resort
Shores of Panama Beach Resort
3.5 out of 5
9900 South Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Pier Park and Shipwreck Island ...
5.8/10 (767 reviews)
"The property was okay It’s started off shaky because our rooms was not ready but after that everything was great! The staff is friendly, it’s close to everything and the beach was just steps away! I would visit again"

Reviewed on 11 Apr. 2024

Shores of Panama Beach Resort
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.

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Cities near Panama City Beach