Best Small Beach Towns in Florida, Panhandle

Best Small Beach Towns in Florida, Panhandle

By

–> Updated:

You all know New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and Miami very well.

You have definitely heard about Niagara Falls, Yellowstone Park, and the Grand Canyon.

All this (and, of course, much more) is the hallmark of the United States, which attracts a considerable number of tourists from all over the world.

But the most remarkable thing, which I will never cease to be amazed at, is the sheer number of places that are hidden from tourists.

Everyone talks about the Florida Panhandle.

But what do you know about this place?

The Florida Panhandle is a narrow area near the northern border of Florida between the states of Alabama and Georgia and the Gulf of Mexico in the south: a strip of land about 199 miles long and from 49 to 99 miles wide.

The territory was ceded to the United States in 1821; the Americans replaced the British and Spaniards here.

Why is Panhandle so Popular?

The Panhandle is filled with unspoiled natural beauty that you simply won’t find anywhere else in the state.

With a combination of charming white sand beaches, emerald waters, and tranquil barrier islands, visitors can come and immerse themselves in the laid-back atmosphere of the small fishing towns of the Panhandle and quaint coastal towns.

It is a perfect place for visitors looking to get away from the tourist crowds.

The Panhandle offers a range of picturesque scenery perfect for a day of outdoor adventure where visitors can swim, snorkel, kayak, fish, or go diving.

Best Small Beach Towns in Florida, Panhandle
Best Small Beach Towns in Florida, Panhandle

Top 10 Small Beach Towns in the Florida Panhandle

The Panhandle does not seek to change its traditions.

People here love peace and quietness. Now this coast is especially appreciated, but it was not always so. The forest has always been of great importance to the Panhandle. Now the forests also remain in the spotlight, but not the quality of logging.

The Panhandle is made up of sleepy towns, quiet parks, and dazzling white sand beaches where a fresh breeze blows even in midsummer.

Endless dune-lined sandy beaches are unique to Florida, but the Panhandle isn’t just a beach getaway in the quiet of small towns; it’s full of opportunities for hiking, cycling, and boating on the region’s many rivers and lakes.

Grayton Beach

Grayton Beach has Hemingway-style wooden houses lined with picturesque lanes paved with crushed oyster shells, and Grayton Beach has perfected the balance of history and culture.

The colorful cottages are nestled among local boutiques and art galleries, and the atmosphere is calm and unpretentious.

You must definitely visit Grayton Beach State Park and soak up 400 acres of sugar-sand beaches, nature trails, and a unique coastal dune lake.

Apalachicola

The city of Apalachicola, located on the Gulf of Mexico, is considered the heart of the forgotten coast of Florida (Florida Forgotten Coast).

This, at first glance, not a pretty name was dubbed by several quiet towns, a relatively undeveloped and mostly uninhabited stretch of coastline in Appalachian Bay.

Indeed, this part of the famous coast is located far from the main and most common resorts—Miami, Orlando, and Key West—which is why not many vacationers get here.

For some, this may be a minus, but for curious independent travelers, it is an incomparable plus. Naturally, going so far just for the sake of visiting Apalachicola makes sense only for the very brave.

But if your path lies further along the coast, I advise you to stop by a cozy town. For example, we were heading towards New Orleans, and a pleasant walk helped to dilute the tiring road.

Apalachicola just belongs to this type of city, where it is always quiet and calm, where nothing ever happens, where it is not scary to let children go for a walk, and where strangers on the streets greet, smile, and wish their friend a good day. The town is quite interesting and not only attractive with its funny name; it also has its own spirit and unique aura.

Downtown Apalachicola, also known as the historical center, is quite small, and you can’t get lost here.

You can navigate to the main street, Market Street, and visit the Visitors Center if necessary. As for the rest, I would just advise you to take a walk without haste, look into unusual shops and art galleries (of which there are quite a few here), be sure to walk to the port, and, if you have time, visit one of the local fish restaurants.

Indeed, despite its modest size and unfamiliar name, Apalachicola is one of the world’s oyster capitals and is famous for its excellent-quality seafood. Every year, even the corresponding festival takes place here: the Florida Seafood Festival (usually in early November).

Best Small Beach Towns in Florida, Panhandle
Best Small Beach Towns in Florida, Panhandle

Perdido Key

Perdido Key, which means “lost key” in Spanish, is a narrow strip of white-sand beaches among azure waters, where beach walks, fishing, and sailing are not a way of spending leisure time but a way of life.

It is the virgin beaches that attract tourists to this island. Here the wind has raised dunes, on which sea oats and sandworms grow.

If scuba diving, fishing, boating, bird watching, and hiking are your thing, head to the east side of the island. For golf lovers.

St. George’s Island

St. George’s Island, a beach and bird lover’s dream, is located on the Gulf of Mexico in northwest Florida.

Claiming to host over 300 species of birds, this 1,962-acre site bordering Apalachicola Bay is a unique place to spot them.

Nature lovers aside, 28 miles of white sand and pristine water provide some of the best pristine beaches in Florida for sunbathing and swimming.

Consistently occupying a spot on one of the best beaches in the US, you won’t find a single high-rise building or chain store in the area.

Destin

Destin is an American city on the Gulf of Mexico, located on the Emerald Coast in Florida.

Its highlight is the incomparable white sandy beaches with emerald green, clear water.

Once upon a time, there was a small fishing village in these territories. Then the settlement received the status of a city and was named after Captain Leonard, who settled here in the 19th century and became engaged in fishing.

The sand on the local beaches is not ordinary; it is extremely soft and fine, and it descends from the Appalachian Mountains with the help of the river current.

The resort is ideal for families with children who like to build sand castles and spend hours barefoot on the beach. Opposite Destin, on the other side of the bay, is the Mexican city of Cancun. Locals joke that the local seagulls understand two languages: English and Spanish.

Fort Walton Beach

This is the perfect place to spend a day trip for families with children. When you’re not at one of the award-winning beaches, learn about the region’s history at the Mountain Indian Temple Museum and the Armed Forces, learn about science at the Emerald Coast Science Center, or peek into the large aquariums at Gulfarium Marine Adventure.

Pensacola

The city is known not only as a resort with a beautiful deep-water harbor but also as a witness to turbulent historical events and changes.

No wonder Pensacola was called the “city of five flags.” At one time, the settlement that arose in its place and the city itself managed to be ruled by Spain, France, Great Britain, the USA, and the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.

Today in the city, you can have a good rest, swim, sunbathe, eat seafood, and try other delicious treats in numerous restaurants. You can go to the nearby Gulfarium to watch a show program here—a performance in which the main roles are “played” by dolphins and fur seals.

What Beachfront Town in Florida Was Voted the Best Small Town?

Recently, a Florida beachfront community voted Anna Maria Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast the best small town, which was included in a list of the 150 Best Small Towns in America recently published by the travel website Family Destinations Guide.

I was convinced that these small towns with friendly residents personify the main essence of the country and not the financial centers of high-rise megacities. So, I drove past the beaches and past the cute houses, watching the unhurried everyday life, and it became so pleasant from all this that it was so warm in our hearts that nothing could destroy this magical atmosphere.

Best Small Beach Towns in Florida, Panhandle
Best Small Beach Towns in Florida, Panhandle

What is The Most Affordable Place to Live in the Panhandle of Florida?

Pensacola.

On the Florida coast, Pensacola offers housing that is reasonably priced. Take advantage of bright beaches and a cost of living that is 11% lower than the national average.

Pensacola is known for its white sand beaches and clear waters, endless cafes with a huge selection of seafood, souvenir shops, and numerous hotels.

What is the Quietest Beach on the Florida Panhandle?

Perdido Key is known for its calmness.

It is also known for its gulf views and sand dunes. This barrier island is part of the majestic Gulf Island National Coast. Lost Key is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in the area. For many years, this island has attracted visitors with its balanced combination of Southern charm, coastal life, and natural beauty.

In addition, this beach is a haven for a wide variety of fauna and flora.

What is the Clearest Beach in the Panhandle?

Navarre Beach is the clearest beach in the Panhandle.

People call this place Florida’s  the most cleanest place. There are roughly 7 miles of beaches in Navarre.

The beaches on the panhandle are typically stunning, with fine white sand and crystal-clear water.


By

->Last Updated:

ABOUT ME

I’m Jeff – I’m like a human GPS, but instead of giving you directions, I give you the inside scoop on how to have the time of your life on your next holiday.

As a born & raised Floridian, I know my home state like the back of my hand.

From the excitement of Orlando’s theme parks to the natural beauty of the Everglades, I’ve explored it all.

About Us Jeff from TravelMagma

But Florida is just the beginning of my adventures.

I’ve traveled across the US, from the red rocks of Sedona to the lively streets of New York City.

Overseas, I’ve marveled at the Eiffel Tower in Paris and tasted gelato in the piazzas of Rome.

My most unforgettable trip was a safari in Kenya.

Seeing elephants, lions and zebras in their natural habitat was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I even wrote a Book!

So come along for the ride and let me help curate your next epic getaway!

Let’s connect on My FB – and share our stories together!