Panama City Beach

Travel 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 South Walton Beaches and Seacrest Beach.

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 €103 per night from 15 May to 16 May
€103
per night
15 May - 16 May
Book a 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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,015 reviews)
"Friendly staff, older facility (needs updating) limited parking , room was clean and well stocked. Over all very happy with my stay , I would stay again in the future beautiful beach front room view"

Reviewed on 5 May 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
The price is €137 per night from 20 May to 21 May
€137
per night
20 May - 21 May
Book a 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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,425 reviews)
"We enjoyed our visit"

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Beachside Resort Panama City Beach
Radisson Panama City Beach - Oceanfront
Radisson Panama City Beach - Oceanfront
3 out of 5
15325 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL
The price is €138 per night from 16 May to 17 May
€138
per night
16 May - 17 May
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,497 reviews)
"Great location and service"

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Radisson Panama City Beach - Oceanfront
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 an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Pier Park and Panama City ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (11 reviews)
"The property is a VBRO not a hotel like we thought, so no room service or supplies like coffee or TP. While at the pool someone stoled our Oakley sunglasses. So watch your stuff and bring your coffee our room only had a keurig pot. Luckily Wal Mart is close."

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Origin at Seahaven
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 (774 reviews)
"Very good customer service!"

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Shores of Panama Beach Resort
Shores of Panama by Blue Swell
Shores of Panama by Blue Swell
4 out of 5
9900 S Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 4-star beach condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy a beach locale, a furnished balcony, and a flat-screen TV. Popular attractions Pier Park and Shipwreck ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (3 reviews)
"I loved the view of the beach and pool area! Everything was really nice."

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Shores of Panama by Blue Swell
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.