a view of a beach with a city in the background

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is a beach city on Florida's southeast coast, known for its public beach, the shops and restaurants of Las Olas Boulevard, and canals lined with boat docks.

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Fort Lauderdale sits on Florida's southeast coast in Broward County, a short drive or train ride north of Miami. Visitors come for the wide public beach, the shops and restaurants on Las Olas Boulevard, and the canals, where many homes have their own boat docks. Port Everglades, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, is also in the city, so many travelers arrive here before or after a cruise.

Most trips are beach stays, boating holidays, or a few nights around a cruise. The climate is warm all year. Winter and spring, roughly December through April, are the drier months, while summer brings heat and afternoon storms. Plan at least three days to cover the beach, Las Olas and the canals, and add a day in Miami if you have time. Your base changes the trip: stay near the beach for sand, near Las Olas for shopping and dining, or near the port if you are sailing.

Fort Lauderdale in five

Choose a base by what you will doBeach hotels suit sun, Las Olas suits dinners and walks, and the port area suits a cruise morning. All three are a short ride from each other.
Compare FLL with MiamiFort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) is about 15 to 25 minutes from the beach and Port Everglades is minutes from the terminals. Compare fares into FLL and Miami before you book.Miami
Ride Brightline to MiamiBrightline links Fort Lauderdale and Miami in well under an hour, with stations in both downtowns. Check the schedule before you rent a car for a single day.Getting around the USA
Take the water, not just the roadWater taxis and boat tours run on the Intracoastal and the canals, and the city is nicknamed for its canals. Everglades airboat trips leave from the west side of town.Everglades National Park
Arrive a day early for a cruiseA flight delay on embarkation morning is a common way to miss a ship. Sleep near the port the night before and compare cover for missed departures.Travel insurance for the US

Things to do in Fort Lauderdale

See all attractions in Fort Lauderdale

Museum · Fort LauderdaleNSU Art Museum Fort LauderdaleCheck the museum’s current exhibition schedule before you go, since displays change.

Museum · Fort LauderdaleMuseum of Discovery and ScienceWeekdays, especially mornings, are suggested for a quieter visit.

Museum · Fort LauderdaleBonnet House Museum & GardensAllow about two hours to explore the house and grounds at a relaxed pace.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Fort LauderdalePut the places you like in Fort Lauderdale on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL), about 15 to 25 min from the beach
Getting there: Flights to FLL; Brightline or Tri-Rail from Miami
Getting around: Car, rideshare and water taxis; limited rail
Best base: Fort Lauderdale Beach or Las Olas
Time needed: 2 to 4 days; 1 night before a cruise

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Dry, mild
FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Peak, dry
MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°Spring break
AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Warm, dry
MayRain17 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Hot, humid
JuneRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Rainy season
JulyRain24 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low26°Hot, humid
AugustRain25 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh31°Low27°Hurricane risk
SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Hurricane risk
OctoberRain20 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Hurricane risk
NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh26°Low22°Dry season starts
DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh25°Low20°Holiday peak

Average daily high and low in Fort Lauderdale, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Fort Lauderdale

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 27°
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 24 km/h
Chance of rain: 48%

Fort Lauderdale

05:02 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today27°24°48%Monday: Rain. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 48%.
Tue27°23°59%Tuesday: Rain. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 59%.
Wed28°26°48%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 48%.
Thu28°26°33%Thursday: Rain. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 33%.
Fri30°25°6%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 6%.
Sat27°23°9%Saturday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 9%.
Sun28°24°10%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 10%.

Updated 01:10 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD

Amount

Converted to

USD · US Dollar

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Fort Lauderdale

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

MarUltra Music FestivalMiami, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Fort Lauderdale

Beach and Las Olas hotelsCompare bases before you bookCheck availability

Everglades airboat tourPickups from the beach hotelsCompare tours

eSIM for the USAData on landing, no SIM swapRead the guide

Travel insurance for the USMedical cover for visitorsRead the guide

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Rules for Fort Lauderdale, checked

Most visitors from visa-waiver countries need an ESTA before flying to the US. Apply only on the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov, and check your status before you book.
Check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection site (cbp.gov) for what you may bring in, including fresh food, plants and animal products.
Fort Lauderdale beaches have lifeguards. Swim only between the red and yellow flags, and check the flag before you enter the water.
Tipping is expected in restaurants, bars and for taxi and rideshare drivers. Check the menu or receipt for any service charge already added.

Plan around Fort Lauderdale

All of the USA

Parks, cities, entry rules and money for a US trip

Read the guide Miami

Art Deco, Little Havana and a Brightline ride away

Read the guide Florida Keys

The Overseas Highway, reefs and Key West

Read the guide Everglades National Park

Airboats and wildlife near the city

Read the guide Travel insurance for the US

Medical cover matters more here than in most countries

Read the guide Getting around the USA

Flights, trains, buses and rental cars compared

Read the guide

Fort Lauderdale FAQ

Is Fort Lauderdale worth visiting?

Yes, for beach time, boat trips and an easy base for Miami and the Keys. It is less about sights than about water and weather, so it suits relaxed trips and cruise add-ons.

Where should I stay in Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale Beach for sand and sea, Las Olas for dining and the Brightline station, and Harbor Beach for the port and early flights. Wilton Manors suits a quieter local scene.

Fort Lauderdale or Miami?

Fort Lauderdale is calmer and cheaper to base in, with wider beaches. Miami has more nightlife and neighborhoods. Brightline makes it easy to stay in one and day-trip to the other.

How far is the airport from the cruise port?

Port Everglades is minutes from FLL by taxi or rideshare, and many cruise lines sell transfers. Allow extra time on embarkation days, and book a hotel the night before if you can.

When is the best time to visit Fort Lauderdale?

November to April, with dry weather and highs in the mid-20s °C. Summer is hot and humid with afternoon storms, and hurricane season runs June to November.