How many days · Key West · United States
How many days do you need in Key West?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Radomianin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Key West, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers Old Town, the Hemingway Home, a sunset at Mallory Square and one reef trip. Four days leaves room for Dry Tortugas, a beach day at Fort Zachary Taylor and a slower pace; if driving down from Miami, add stops in the Middle and Lower Keys.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 10.6 h (Dec) to 13.6 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, Duval Street and Southernmost Point buoy |
| 2 days | Good | Southernmost Point buoy, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park and Snorkelling and diving on the Florida Reef |
| 3 days | Good | Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters, Harry S. Truman Little White House and Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Dry Tortugas National Park and Bahia Honda State Park |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Key West add up to roughly 15–18 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park (Half a day), Snorkelling and diving on the Florida Reef (Half a day) and Duval Street (1–2 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum | 1 hour | Old Town and Duval Street |
| Mallory Square Sunset Celebration | 1–1.5 hours | Old Town and Duval Street |
| Duval Street | 1–2 hours | Old Town and Duval Street |
| Southernmost Point buoy | 15–30 minutes | Old Town and Duval Street |
| Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park | Half a day | Truman Annex |
| Snorkelling and diving on the Florida Reef | Half a day | Historic Seaport |
| Key West Lighthouse and Keeper's Quarters | 45 minutes | Bahama Village |
| Harry S. Truman Little White House | 1 hour | Truman Annex |
| Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory | 45 minutes | Old Town and Duval Street |
| Key West Cemetery | 45 minutes | Old Town and Duval Street |
| Mel Fisher Maritime Museum | 1 hour | Old Town and Duval Street |
| Fort East Martello Museum | 1 hour | Casa Marina and South Roosevelt |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and Mallory Square Sunset Celebration |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Dry Tortugas National Park and Bahia Honda State Park |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.6 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.6 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Key West with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Key West?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. Two days covers Old Town, the Hemingway Home, a sunset at Mallory Square and one reef trip. Four days leaves room for Dry Tortugas, a beach day at Fort Zachary Taylor and a slower pace; if driving down from Miami, add stops in the Middle and Lower Keys.
+Is a week too long in Key West?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Dry Tortugas National Park and Bahia Honda State Park.