Quick Summary:

  • Florida often brings to mind the bustling cities of Miami and Orlando, but the state also features many other amazing destinations.
  • Florida is home to a number of small, welcoming towns that are perfect for anyone looking to kick back, relax, and escape the fast pace of everyday life.
  • Many of these towns have interesting histories, superb shopping opportunities, and are not far from a beach.
  • If you're looking to soak up some sun, reconnect with nature, or immerse yourself in a friendly new atmosphere, these small towns in Florida are well worth exploring.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Atlantic Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Beaches
Atlantic Beach | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Kenneth Keifer - Fotolia.com

2. DeFuniak Springs, Florida ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
DeFuniak Springs, Florida | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of renamarie - Fotolia.com

3. St. Pete Beach

Category: Beaches
St. Pete Beach | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Jeff Kinsey - Fotolia.com

4. Apalachicola

Apalachicola | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Jo¨rg Hackemann - Fotolia.com

5. Cedar Key

Cedar Key | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Earl Robbins - Fotolia.com

6. Fernandina Beach

Category: Beaches
Fernandina Beach | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Nickolay Khoroshkov - Fotolia.com

7. Deerfield Beach

Category: Beaches
Deerfield Beach | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Peter - Fotolia.com

8. Anna Maria Island

Romantic Islands
Anna Maria Island  | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of EyeMark - Fotolia.com

9. Tarpon Springs

Category: Activities
Tarpon Springs | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of NSight Images - Fotolia.com

10. Stuart

Category: Museums & Culture
Stuart | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of doncon402 - Fotolia.com

11. Pass-a-Grille

Category: Food & Drink
Pass-a-Grille | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Jeff Kinsey - Fotolia.com

12. Mount Dora, Florida

Category: Activities
Mount Dora, Florida | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Linda Grevera - Fotolia.com

13. New Smyrna Beach

Category: Beaches
New Smyrna Beach | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of bethany12 - Fotolia.com

14. Dunedin

Dunedin | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Erin Cadigan - Fotolia.com

15. Vilano Beach

Category: Beaches
Vilano Beach  | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of jonbilous - Fotolia.com

16. Islamorada

Islamorada | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of jovannig - Fotolia.com

17. Everglades City

Everglades City | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Fotoluminate LLC - Fotolia.com

18. Safety Harbor

Category: Activities
Safety Harbor | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Amanda Mortimer - Fotolia.com

19. Destin

Destin | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Paul Hakimata - Fotolia.com

20. DeLand

DeLand | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Gregory Johnston - Fotolia.com

21. Fort Pierce

Category: Activities
Fort Pierce | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of iofoto - Fotolia.com

22. Captiva, Florida

Captiva, Florida | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Sheri Armstrong - Fotolia.com

23. Seaside

Seaside | Small Towns in Florida
© Seaside

24. Winter Park

Category: Activities
Winter Park | Small Towns in Florida
© Winter Park

25. Matlacha, Florida

Matlacha, Florida | Small Towns in Florida
© Courtesy of Suzana - Fotolia.com

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