Panama City Beach, FL

Travel Guide

Panama City Beach featuring a sandy beach, general coastal views and a coastal town
Panama City Beach which includes general coastal views, a coastal town and a sandy beach
Florida featuring general coastal views and a sunset
Panama City Beach which includes signage
Florida Panhandle featuring a coastal town, a sandy beach and general coastal views
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

4.5/5(40 area reviews)

Experience European Colonial charm in this Gulf Coast community, offering warm waters, beach activities, and a mixed-use town center with shops, restaurants, and live music at Peddler's Pavilion. Explore nearby parks and trails for a dose of nature.

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 showing 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
Camp Helen State Park featuring general coastal views

Inlet Beach

Located in south Walton and Bay Counties, Florida, this beach neighborhood is named after Phillips Inlet and offers a serene coastal experience. Enjoy the picturesque shoreline and explore the nearby state park.

Inlet Beach
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Seacrest Beach

Located along scenic highway 30A, this beach community offers fishing, kayaking, swimming, golfing, and beachgoing. Explore the nearby coastal dune lake, Camp Creek, for hiking and bird watching.

Seacrest Beach
If you love great coffee and pastries and want to support local business, this beautiful spot is for you. Really good.

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
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 ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,464 reviews)
"Nice place to stay."

Reviewed on Jul 2, 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 ¥32,623 per night from Jul 11 to Jul 12
¥32,623
¥37,764 total
Jul 11 - Jul 12
includes taxes & fees
Book a 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 ...
6.4/10 (1,869 reviews)
"It was great"

Reviewed on Jul 4, 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 ¥20,450 per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
¥20,450
¥26,236 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
includes taxes & fees
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 ...
7/10 Good! (2,186 reviews)
"Bed bugs mold and weed over powers building BUT the location is great"

Reviewed on Jul 4, 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 WiFi, 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 Jun 23, 2025

Tidewater Beach Resort
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 (844 reviews)
"Our reservations a suite got lost and Expedia called Shores of Panama and they gave us a large condo on the beach immediately and welcomed us in. Clean, nice personal. One complaint is the parking deck, it was not designed for southern big travel vehicles. Like full size trucks and SUV, but for foreign ..."

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025

Shores of Panama 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 WiFi, 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 Jun 14, 2025

Calypso Beach Resort by Panhandle Getaways
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

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1651
5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
1199
4 - Good 36%
3 - Okay
331
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
65
2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
39
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I come to P.C atleast twice a year and i usually stay at lakewarf but this is a nice area more quite

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

The beach is very good. The water is clean and clear. In the early morning at around 7am you can watch the dolphins go after fish near the shore. Overall very beautiful beach and would recommend.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

good beach overall but definitely has a shady element - it aint kansas!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

I love PCB, have been going there my whole life.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Exelente playa

4/5 - Good

DawnH

They are doing road work on Thomas Drive but it didn't really affect us where our condo was

Cities near Panama City Beach