A Guide to the Top Siesta Key Attractions for Your Beach Vacation Itinerary

A Siesta Key vacation is unlike any other ordinary beach getaway. Nestled on the Gulf of Mexico, off the coast of Sarasota, Siesta Key offers the best of a small beach town and a lively city with a great collection of delicious bars and restaurants, shopping, indoor attractions, and outdoor adventures

Relax On Siesta Key Beach 

Siesta Beach is the largest of the three beaches on Siesta Key and the most popular. With its white quartz sand and relaxing, warm turquoise waters, you can easily spend an entire day in the sun and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. Be sure to pack lots of sunscreen and your umbrella.

Kayak Through Mangroves 

There are a number of ideal shopping locations here in Sarasota, whether you are looking to get ahead and start on your holiday shopping, searching for unique souvenirs for friends and family, or hoping to enjoy some retail therapy. From Siesta Key Village to St. Armands Circle and UTC to the Sarasota Farmers Market, Siesta Key has no shortage of creative, beachy, stylish, or classic items to browse. Rain or shine, there is always time for a shopping spree during your visit to Siesta Key and Sarasota.

Siesta Key Village

For classic beachy souvenirs, Siesta Key Village is your go-to spot. The Village is located on the North end of Siesta Key and you can get there by traveling north on Beach Rd. to Ocean Blvd. The free Siesta Breeze Trolley will take you there too. Many shopping and dining options are available in Siesta Key Village such as Gidget’s Coastal Provisions, Beach Bazaar, Gilligan’s, Blasé Café and the Hub just to name a few.

On Midnight Pass and Stickney Point roads, near Public Beach Access 12 toward the south end of Siesta Key, you’ll find a variety of large souvenir shops and beachy boutiques that offer funky, hip, stylish, and essential beach accessories, clothes, and gifts. Eateries abound as well such as Clayton’s Siesta Grille and the Toasted Mango Café. Quirky Captain Curt’s outdoor tiki venue and their award winning Clam Chowder is available on this end of the island too. You are sure to find what you are looking for to take back home after visiting Siesta Key Village and South Siesta Key.

St. Armands Circle

Stylish boutiques, sophisticated shops, and specialty stores make up the large, colorful, and exciting St. Armands Circle. Unique boutiques like Apricot Lane Boutique, Foxy Lady, and Shore are mixed in among classic shops like Lilly Pulitzer, White House Black Market, and Soma. Whether clothing and accessories peak your interest or specialty stores and art galleries capture your attention, there are always beautiful, wonderful, and one-of-a-kind treasures hidden around St. Armands Circle.

The Shoppes at UTC

Classic and familiar stores like Target, Buff City Soap, Dick’s Sporting Goods, HomeSense, TJMaxx, Guitar Center, DogPerfect, and so many more are waiting for you at the Shoppes at University Town Center. Make a trip to UTC during the monthly Night Market, which features a wide variety of local vendors, crafters, boutiques, fresh-cut flowers, houseplants, delicious drinks, mouthwatering food, music, and games. Bring the family, plan a date night, or enjoy a girl’s night of local shopping and relaxation.