Where to Stay in Tampa Bay: A Visitors Guide
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Where to Stay When Flying Into Tampa Bay: A Visitor's Guide
Flying into Tampa International Airport (TPA) is just the first step of your Florida getaway. Deciding where to stay in Tampa or the neighboring city of St. Petersburg depends entirely on what you want from your trip.
Whether you want to be steps away from a rooftop bar downtown or wake up to ocean waves, here is a quick guide to the best neighborhoods on both sides of the bay for your next visit.
The Tampa Side: Urban Luxury & Historic Charm
If you want to stay close to the airport, elite dining, and sports entertainment, sticking to the Tampa side of the bay is your best bet.
Downtown / Water Street
Modern, luxurious, and highly walkable
This is Tampa’s most upscale and rapidly growing district. It features high-end dining, trendy rooftop bars, and seamless pedestrian access to the scenic Tampa Riverwalk and Amalie Arena.
Hyde Park / SoHo
Chic, tree-lined, historic, and local.
Located just south of downtown, this is one of Tampa's most historic, affluent, and picturesque neighborhoods. It centers around Hyde Park Village, a beautifully manicured, open-air shopping and dining district.
The St. Pete Side: Artsy Downtowns & White Sand Beaches
Just across the bridge lies St. Petersburg, offering a distinct blend of cultural institutions and world-class coastlines.
Downtown St. Pete
Urban, artsy, eccentric, and lively.
The ultimate hub for walkability, craft breweries, and world-renowned museums (like the Dalí Museum). It boasts a vibrant waterfront park system and leads directly out to the magnificent St. Pete Pier.
St. Pete Beach / Pass-a-Grille
Relaxed, classic coastal, and laid-back.
If your absolute top priority is soft white sand and stunning Gulf Coast sunset views, head straight for the beach. Pass-a-Grille offers quieter, more historic beachside residential charm at the southern tip of the island.
Pro-Tip: Getting Around Tampa Bay
The beautiful Tampa Bay separates Tampa and St. Pete. Because these incredible cities are spread out across the region, getting around is an important part of your trip planning. Depending on traffic, the drive between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Pete typically takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
To explore both sides of the bay on your own schedule, renting a vehicle is highly recommended. TPA makes this incredibly easy with its world-class Rental Car Center, which houses all major rental companies in one convenient hub. Once you land and grab your bags, hop on the free, automated SkyConnect train from the Main Terminal, and you will be at the rental counters in just a few minutes.
Ready to plan the ultimate Florida road trip? Make Tampa International Airport your airport of choice, and explore all of Florida’s West coast. You can even work in a few amusement parks and Central Florida attractions as part of your visit as part of a convenient “loop”.