Panama City Beach Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach
Panama City Beach showing signage
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 kilometres) 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 organise 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 centre 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 Centre.

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 holiday makers 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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Seacrest

Seacrest is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Alys Beach and Seacrest Beach.

Seacrest
St. Andrews State Park which includes tranquil scenes and forest scenes

Lower Grand Lagoon

While visiting Lower Grand Lagoon, you might make a stop by sights like St. Andrews State Park and Thomas Drive.

Lower Grand Lagoon
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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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Alys Beach

While visiting Alys Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach.

Alys 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
Stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,457 reviews)
"My reservation was for 2 nights but after I arrived and saw how lovely it was I booked an additional 2 nights. I was very disappointed that the Tiki Bar was not open. That was one of the things I was looking forward to. Also I would have liked for there to have been an onsite restaurant. That would ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Palmetto Beachfront Hotel, a By the Sea Resort
Boardwalk Beach Hotel
Boardwalk Beach Hotel
2.5 out of 5
9600 S Thomas Dr, Panama City Beach, FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹16,037 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
₹16,037
₹18,651 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free parking, 2 outdoor pools and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value ...
6.4/10 (1,868 reviews)
"Checkin is beyond pathetic, took over 2 hrs standing in line to get checked in to only go standbi"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Boardwalk Beach Hotel
Radisson Beachfront Hotel - Panama City Beach
Radisson Beachfront Hotel - Panama City Beach
3 out of 5
15325 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL
The price is ₹12,077 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹12,077
₹15,494 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7/10 Good! (2,183 reviews)
"Great view comfy bed friendly staff room was a little dirty especially the floor"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Radisson Beachfront Hotel - Panama City Beach
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.
Tidewater Beach Resort
Tidewater Beach Resort
3.5 out of 5
16819 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Pier Park and Frank Brown Park ...
8/10 Very Good! (698 reviews)
"The resort was Awesome lots of room loved the Balcony facing the ocean. The pools and hot tubs were clean and Cool. Everyone was very helpful and nice. If I must leave a complaint it would be the slow elevators."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Tidewater Beach Resort
Calypso Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways
Calypso Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways
3.5 out of 5
15817 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a beach locale. Popular attractions Pier Park and Frank Brown Park ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (153 reviews)
"I liked it a lot because everything was very clean, the beds were comfortable, the kitchen was complete, and the view was beautiful. I only had a problem upon arrival with the parking. My reservation included only one car and I had two. I handed it to her when I checked in,i don't remenber her name,She ..."

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Calypso Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways
Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort by Southern Vacation Rentals VI
Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort by Southern Vacation Rentals VI
4 out of 5
Panama City Beach, FL
Stay at this 4-star condo in Panama City Beach. Enjoy a beach locale, parking (surcharge) and patios. Popular attractions Pier Park and Shipwreck Island Waterpark ...
7.8/10 Good! (48 reviews)
"Property was clean and nicely decorated."

Reviewed on 27 May 2025

Edgewater Beach and Golf Resort by Southern Vacation Rentals VI
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

Reviews of Panama City Beach

3.3
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
5 - Excellent 14%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 29%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 43%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 14%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

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

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

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.

Cities near Panama City Beach