11 Best Small Beach Towns in Florida

If one Southern state has cornered the market on beach towns, it's Florida. But even in the Sunshine State, not all coastal communities are created equal. These idyllic locales easily earn bragging rights as Florida's best small beach towns, thanks to their beautiful shorelines, fun food scenes, and win-you-over-for-a-lifetime character. Travel down to Seaside on Highway 30A, where the 1998 cult-classic movie The Truman Show was filmed, to watch a show at the local-favorite amphitheater or grab a beach read at Sundog Books. Or head over to Anna Maria Island and eat a crazy (but yummy) confection at The Donut Experiment, and layout on its pristine beach. Going to the beach in winter? See the lights on Captiva Island during the Sanibel/Captiva Luminary Festival in December, where miles of glowing candle lanterns are lit to kick off the holiday season. No matter where you go while traveling in the Sunshine State, make sure to plan a stop at one of these sunny and small coastal towns.