Where to Stay in St. Petersburg, Florida: 5 Top Areas (2024)

Aerial view of a coastal city with a mix of high-rise buildings, residential areas, and green spaces, along with a marina and water bodies in the background.

Hop on everyone and let’s start this guide on where to stay in St. Petersburg, FL!

I’ve done all the research and I’m more than ready to update you on the best areas and hotels here! You’ll find options for all interests and budgets!

In short, Treasure Island is the best place to stay in St. Petersburg, as that’s where you’ll find some of the greatest attractions, beaches and accommodations, but fear not, if that’s not your favorite spot you’ll find 4 more areas below.

I recommend booking your hotels here in advance! As with most cities in the Sunshine State, this place gets packed with tourists and all the good accommodations sell out fast!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Are you in a hurry to book your accommodation? Then check this list with the best hotels in Saint Petersburg, Florida:

Contents

Quick Picks for Your Stay
1. Treasure Island – where to stay for the first time
2. St. Pete Beach – best area in St. Petersburg, Fl for luxury
3. Downtown – where to stay in Saint Petersburg for culture
4. North Redington Beach – best area for families
5. Madeira Beach & John’s Pass Village – for nightlife
FAQs about hotels in St. Petersburg
Final thoughts on where to stay in St. Petersburg

Check out this map that will help you visualize all the best places to stay in St. Petersburg, Florida:

1. Treasure Island – where to stay for the first time

Aerial view of a coastal city with sandy beaches, buildings, and a clear blue sky. The beach is lined with umbrellas and buildings are visible near the shore.

Welcome to St. Petersburg in Florida! Not to be confused with the famous St. Petersburg in Russia!

If this is your first time traveling here, Treasure Island is the best area to stay since it offers beachy spots and plenty of fun attractions.

This area will offer you a little bit of everything: super long white sand beaches, exciting watersports and boat tours, and an incredible choice of oceanfront restaurants and bars!

Right in this area you’ll actually find the “world’s longest waterfront bar” called Crabby’s On The Pass (map), so make sure you check it out!

Enjoy your days here by chilling on Treasure Island Beach (map) and Sunset Beach Place Beach (map) and swimming all day long!

If you’re on Treasure Island on a Sunday you can join the drum circle (map) festivities which are super fun! Lots of people gather around to dance and listen to drum music, right on the beach! It’s such a blast!

There’s never a dull moment here!

NOTE: You can rent a car to get around St. Petersburg, or drive your own, just bear in mind that it might be difficult to find parking in places like the beach where the parking lots are always crowded. If you’re looking for other ways to get around St. Petersburg, that doesn’t include driving or public transport you can try renting a bike! You can check out Coast Bike Share and you’ll easily find convenient bike hubs around the city.

Other accommodation options in Treasure Island

Things to do in Treasure Island

Enjoy a drink at Crabby’s On The Pass bar
Relax all day on the sandy shores on Sunset Beach Pavilions beach
Eat some seafood with ocean views at Caddy’s Treasure Island (map)
Engage in some cool watersports like jet skiing or diving
Go on a romantic sunset sailing boat trip

2. St. Pete Beach – best area in St. Petersburg, Fl for luxury

People relax and gather on a sandy beach near several large buildings on a sunny day. Blue tents and chairs are scattered across the beach.

St. Pete Beach town, located south of Treasure Island (only a 5 minute drive) is the best place to stay St. Petersburg, Florida for those who want to lay on the sandy shores all day long.

In fact, the town is home to award-winning beaches, like the stunning Pass-a-Grille Beach (map), as well as unique boutiques and galleries, seafood restaurants, and countless luxury hotels!

You’re going to love the white sugary sands of the beaches in this area and want to spend all day long chilling under the sun!

Luckily, St. Pete Beach is lively from day to the late hours of the night, which sounds perfect for those of you who want a taste of the town’s nightlife.

Here you’ll find countless spots where you can have a chill happy hour with sunset views or tiki bars to grab a cocktail when the sun goes down!

Jimmy B’s Beach Bar (map) and Bongos Beach Bar and Grille (map) are some great spots to start the night!

Although beaches and water sports take the front stage in this area, you’ll also find some small attractions that you should check out like Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, where you can learn more about the local history.

Other accommodation options in St. Pete Beach

The Don CeSar – here’s another amazing hotel which is also known as the Pink Hotel! This is one of the best historic hotels in the city and it boasts a pool, a spa and other luxurious facilities.

A beachside cart with a BouYah Watersports sign holds blue and green stand-up paddleboards stacked and ready for use.

Things to do in St. Pete Beach

Grab some food and enjoy a sunset picnic on St. Pete Beach
Relax and soak up some sun at Pass-a-Grille Beach
Head out on a beautiful dolphin-watching cruise from St. Pete Beach
Spend some time playing sports or relaxing at Egan Park (map)
Have a drink with live music at Jimmy B’s Beach Bar
Play mini golf at the Polynesian Putter golf course (map)

3. Downtown – where to stay in Saint Petersburg for culture

Aerial view of a cityscape featuring tall modern buildings, parking lots, and tree-lined streets. Residential and commercial structures are visible, with a mix of high-rises and smaller buildings.

Downtown Saint Petersburg, also known as Saint Petersburg city center, is the real heart of the city, perfect for art and culture lovers!

In fact, St. Petersburg’s city center is named “One of the Best Street Art Cities in the World,” thanks to its colorful graffiti and creative vibe.

While here you can immerse yourself in all the art and culture by exploring the inspiring Waterfront Arts District! This area is home to many art galleries and museums, including the famous Dali Museum plus some fine eateries and some shopping malls.

Its location is a little further from the ocean compared to the other neighborhoods. But it’s perfect if you want to stay on a budget, as there are a wider range of affordable hotels!

NOTE: For those wondering how to get to the beach without a car, you can use the SunRunner – Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which offers a train-like transit line that connects Downtown St. Pete to St. Pete Beach. The journey can take around 45 min. Check this website for more info and download the Transit app to check real-time schedules.

Alternatively, you could also go by Uber or Lyft.

And for those of you who want to get around Downtown easily, you can use the Central Avenue Trolley, for free, which runs from St. Pete Pier (map) to Grand Central Station (map).

Some other places that you should check out while here are the Chihuly Collection art gallery, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art and definitely attend the Saturday Market (map) if you’re around on that weekend!

Other accommodation options in Downtown Saint Petersburg

Things to do in Downtown St. Petersburg

Try the best Cuban sandwiches in Florida at Bodega (map)
Visit the amazing and inspiring Salvador Dali Museum
Eat yummy food at St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market
Experience the city’s art history at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art
Check out the super interesting Museum of Fine Arts
Have an amazing deep sea fishing experience with Reel Coquina Fishing

4. North Redington Beach – best area for families

A beachfront hotel with blue balconies overlooks a sandy beach lined with blue umbrellas and lounge chairs, set against a calm sea and partly cloudy sky.

North Redington Beach is a small beach town located a 10 min drive away from Treasure Island, that offers a super relaxing and friendly vibe, with long beaches perfect for a family vacation!

You’re going to love this place if you’re traveling with kids, as you can enjoy your beachy holiday without being overwhelmed by tourist crowds!

Who’s ready to swim, fish, and just chill in complete peacefulness? I’m sure the answer is, everyone!

Gulf Boulevard (map) is the main avenue that passes through the city and the place where you’ll find most of the restaurants and cafes! You can start your mornings with some coffee or tea for the little ones at the Sweet Sage Cafe (map).

Afterwards you can hit the beach and spend a fun day there!

Other accommodation in North Redington Beach

Things to do in North Redington Beach

Grab a coffee at Sweet Sage Cafe
Enjoy a yummy meal at The Conch Republic Grill (map)
Check out the stores on Gulf Boulevard
Spend a fun day with the kids at North Redington Beach

5. Madeira Beach & John’s Pass Village – for nightlife

A coastal town is shown with a mixture of buildings, a main street, parked vehicles, and a body of water in the background under a clear blue sky.

Located a short 10-minute drive North of Treasure Island, Madeira Beach offers the perfect combination between lively nightlife and a chill beach vibe.

For this reason, it attracts many young visitors from nearby Florida towns, like Tampa or Orlando.

And once here you won’t wonder why: Madeira Beach (locally known as Mad Beach) is home to countless bars and restaurants, most of them concentrated in the super popular 1,100-foot John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk (map)

The Boardwalk is perfect for spending a chill evening strolling around, browsing the beautiful shops, and eating a yummy dinner in one of the many restaurants. The Boardwalk Grill (map) is a fab place for dinner!

You could even spot some dolphins, if you’re lucky!

When the sun goes down, get ready to hit the cool clubs of the area.

Bamboo Beach Bar (map) and Mad Pub (map) are some great places to start the night and then, just go on a bar crawl from there!

Other accommodation options in Madeira Beach

Things to do in Madeira Beach

Check out the shops, bars, and restaurants of John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk
Enjoy a picnic at Archibald Beach Park (map)
Buy some of the freshest seafood at the Seafood Market (map)
Grab some pre-party cocktails at Bamboo Beach Bar
Enjoy a great night out at the Mad Pub
Go on an evening cruise

👑 Luxury price:	US$400
💵 Mid-range:	US$250
🛏️ Budget:	US$180
📍 Best area:	Treasure Island
🛎️ Best luxury hotel:	Fusion Resort Suites
🧳 Best mid-range hotel:	Silver Sands
👛 Best budget hotel:	Sea Jay Motel and Marina

FAQs about hotels in St. Petersburg

A modern building with glass dome structures and a unique, artistic bench in front, set in a landscaped garden.

📍 Which is the best area to stay in, St. Petersburg, Fl?

Treasure Island is one of the top areas to stay in St. Petersburg, Fl for your first time, as that’s where you’ll find the main attractions and some of the best hotels like Fusion Resort Suites and Silver Sands.

🏖️ Which is the best area where to stay on the beach in St. Petersburg, Fl?

The best place to stay for a beach holiday in St. Petersburg is St. Pete Beach where you can chill on the sandy shores and try lots of water sports.

👪 Which is the best area where to stay in St. Petersburg, Fl for families?

The best area to stay in St. Petersburg, Fl for families is North Redington Beach, which is super tranquil and peaceful and not crowded with tourists.

💵 Where to stay in St. Petersburg, Fl on a budget?

The best area to stay in St. Petersburg, Fl on a budget is the cultural hub Downtown, where you’ll find a wider range of affordable hotels like Hollander Hotel – Downtown.

🚶‍♀️ Is St. Petersburg, FL a walkable city?

Each area in the city is pretty walkable however you will need a car, or to use public transport if you want to get to the beach or travel between neighborhoods.

🔝 What is the safest neighborhood in St. Petersburg?

Historic Old Northeast and Downtown are some of the safest areas in St. Petersburg.

🤔 How far is Downtown St. Petersburg from the beach?

Downtown is located 20 min away from St. Petersburg beach by car and 40 min by public transport.

Final thoughts on where to stay in St. Petersburg

City skyline at dusk reflected in calm waters, with illuminated buildings and construction cranes, colorful evening sky, and boats docked in the harbor in the foreground.

Ready to start your adventures in the Sunshine State?

I hope that this post on where to stay in St. Petersburg. FL helped you decide which area and hotel to pick!

I’d recommend booking your hotels in advance, if you want to get your hands on the best deals! Especially for those hotels on the beach as this is a super popular holiday destination for beach lovers.

If you’re still not sure, which one to pick, check out these 2 top-rated hotels which are my personal favorites:

Treasure Island Beach Resort – a stunning place on the beach with an outdoor pool
Silver Sands – this hotel boasts a pool and free parking

If you’ve any other questions about St. Petersburg, you can drop them in the section below and I’ll make sure to answer them!

Have a great holiday!

Elena

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A waterside view with palm trees and a lit-up skyline at dusk in St. Petersburg, USA; text overlay: "Top 5 Areas to Stay in St. Petersburg, USA" with website www.misstouristcom.bigscoots-staging.com.