Panama City Beach, FL

Travel Guide

A beach with people, a sandy shore, and tall buildings in the background.
A sandy beach with beach chairs and umbrellas, a wooden structure, and a yellow building with balconies.
A pier extending into the ocean at sunset.
A colorful signpost with various restaurant names including 'Ibiza', 'Newby's Hunch Punch', and 'Stan's Airbrush'.
A bowl of fried calamari with lemon wedges and a side of dipping sauce.
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

Find the best Panama City Beach areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Panama City Beach
Learn more about Panama City Beach

Lower Grand Lagoon

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

Rosemary Beach

Rosemary Beach is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to Rosemary Beach and Alys Beach while you're in town.

Seacrest

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

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.

Seacrest Beach

When in Seacrest Beach, you can plan a visit to Alys Beach and Rosemary Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Chateau Beachfront Hotel, A By The Sea Resort

Chateau Beachfront Hotel, A By The Sea Resort

2.5 out of 5
12525 Front Beach Rd Panama City Beach FL
The price is ¥6,871 per night from Nov 20 to Nov 21
¥6,871
per night
Nov 20 - Nov 21
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 ...
7/10 Good! (2,318 reviews)
"Where do I start?!?! I can honestly say this was the worst place I have stayed in. The images online look NOTHING like the rooms. My friend arrived about an hour before I did and left the hotel to find another. She and her husband demanded their money back. When they told the lady that the rooms ..."

Reviewed on Oct 19, 2026

Chateau 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 ¥8,238 per night from Oct 21 to Oct 22
¥8,238
per night
Oct 21 - Oct 22
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
Beachside Resort Panama City Beach
The Palm & Tide Beachfront Hotel

The Palm & Tide Beachfront Hotel

2 out of 5
12001 Front Beach Rd Panama City Beach FL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥9,251 per night from Oct 27 to Oct 28
¥9,251
per night
Oct 27 - Oct 28
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Pier Park and Panama City Beaches ...
7/10 Good! (304 reviews)
"Very disappointed in the property all together, the elevators were broken, we could not go out on the balcony due to water coming from the balcony above the breakers kept throwing every time I tried to dry my hair so over all the visit was not good."

Reviewed on Oct 19, 2026

The Palm & Tide Beachfront Hotel
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.
Margaritaville Beach Cottage Resort PCB

Margaritaville Beach Cottage Resort PCB

4.5 out of 5
101 Banana Wind Way Panama City Beach FL
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Pier Park and Panama City ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (88 reviews)
"Property description/location is not accurate from the pictures on the website. BEAUTIFUL Place, but we were under the impression that we were on the water and had a hot tub. Did not realize our property did not have it. Would definitely visit again, but ask questions first. This was on me, not the ..."

Reviewed on Oct 19, 2026

Margaritaville Beach Cottage Resort PCB
Shores of Panama Beach Resort

Shores of Panama Beach Resort

3.5 out of 5
9900 South Thomas Drive Panama City Beach FL
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Pier Park and Thomas Drive ...
Shores of Panama Beach Resort
Marriott's Legends Edge at Bay Point

Marriott's Legends Edge at Bay Point

3 out of 5
4000 Marriott Dr Panama City Beach FL
Stay at this aparthotel in Panama City Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
Marriott's Legends Edge at Bay Point
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.

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