Guest Post: Guide to Key West & the Florida Keys, United States

Sunshine, Sea Turtles, and Seafood: A European Traveller’s Guide to Key West & the Florida Keys

If you are shivering somewhere in Paris, Berlin, or Copenhagen and daydreaming of somewhere warm, carefree, and deeply blue, hereby introduce to a sun-drenched sliver of paradise: the Florida Keys.

Just off the southern tip of Florida, this string of islands stretches into the Caribbean like a lazy, saltwater-soaked smile—and at its farthest edge lies Key West, a town that seems to exist purely to remind people how good life can be.

For travellers from Europe, the offer that rare mix of tropical escapism and cultural curiosity without the chaos of a mega-resort. Here, you’ll find coral reefs instead of concrete jungles, conch fritters instead of croissants, and sunsets so spectacular they draw nightly applause from strangers.

Getting There Is Half the Adventure

Most Europeans arrive in Florida via Miami, a gateway city that already feels like a holiday. From there, rent a car and follow the legendary Overseas Highway—a ribbon of road that skips across turquoise waters and palm-speckled islands for over 100 miles. The drive alone is worth the trip, with bridges so long and low they seem to skim the sea’s surface.

Keep your camera ready. You will pass iguanas sunbathing on the shoulder, rustic seafood shacks perched over the water, and diving pelicans that look like they’re auditioning for a wildlife documentary.

Dive Into the Coral Kingdom

If there is one thing the Florida Keys do better than just about anywhere in the U.S., it will be diving. The coral reef here is the third largest in the world and the only living barrier reef in North America. So yes, your snorkelling mask and dive certification will absolutely come in handy.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, you will find underwater experiences as vivid as anything you have seen on a BBC nature special. Swim alongside parrotfish in Technicolor, float past sea fans gently swaying like underwater lace curtains, or explore eerie wrecks where barracudas keep silent watch.

Key Largo, often called the “Diving Capital of the World,” is a must-stop for underwater enthusiasts, but the reefs around Key West hold their own with drop-offs, coral tunnels, and encounters with curious sea turtles. You don’t need to dive deep to be wowed—snorkelling here is like flipping through the pages of a living encyclopaedia of marine life.

Feast on the Freshest Seafood at Eaton Street

After surfacing from your aquatic adventures, there’s only one logical next step: food. Specifically, seafood. And if you are in Key West, there’s no better place to indulge than Eaton Street Seafood Market.

This local favourite is more than just a fish market—it is a flavour experience. The lobster roll is pillowy and rich, the fish tacos are spiced to perfection, and the stone crab claws might make you weep with joy. Everything is as fresh as if Poseidon himself had personally delivered it.

Dining is casual: outdoor picnic tables, sea breeze, and zero pretension. It’s the kind of place where you can show up straight from snorkelling with salt in your hair and still eat like royalty. Want a peek at what’s on offer? Just see their menu and start drooling.

Catch Your Own Dinner with Fish All In Charters

If eating seafood isn’t quite enough and you’d rather go full hunter-gatherer, head out on the water with Fish All In Charters. This is your chance to hook your own mahi-mahi, tuna, snapper, or grouper with the guidance of Captain Garret Frey, a seasoned local who’s as passionate about fishing as he is about making sure his guests have the time of their lives.

Set off early, feel the thrill of the open sea, and get ready to battle a fish with muscles you didn’t know you had. Don’t worry if you have never held a rod before—they will show you everything you need to know.

To check what’s biting this week and plan your trip, read more about the latest fishing reports. Whether you are a seasoned angler or just keen for a good story, it is an unforgettable way to spend a day.

Island Time: A Cure for European Overload

Key West does not believe in stress. Or rushing. Or alarm clocks. It is the kind of place where bars open before noon, and hammocks count as furniture. If your life back home is all meetings, schedules, and train platforms, this is the ideal reset.

Spend your days strolling pastel streets where Victorian homes are framed by tropical gardens. Rent a bike and explore the island’s quiet corners. Visit the southernmost point in the continental U.S.—just 90 miles from Cuba—and then swing by the Hemingway House to meet its famous six-toed cats.

By night, enjoy live music, tropical cocktails, and spontaneous dancing under the stars.

Why Europeans Love It Here

There is something delightfully un-European about the Florida Keys. It’s not trying to be polished or chic. It is raw, real, and rum-soaked. It’s about barefoot afternoons, grilled fish with lime, and the kind of sunsets that make you believe in magic again.

For those used to the formality of Paris, the busyness of Berlin, or the chilly charm of Amsterdam, Key West offers a kind of freedom that’s hard to explain but easy to feel. Come for the weather. Stay for the wonder.

Categories: America Region