Tampa

Tampa suits a few city days built around the Riverwalk and Ybor City, with Gulf beaches within driving distance.

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Tampa is a city on Florida's Gulf coast, set on Tampa Bay in Hillsborough County. Its best-known sights are the Riverwalk, a path along the Hillsborough River, and Ybor City, a historic district where cigar makers worked in the late 1800s. Many of its old factory buildings now hold restaurants, bars and shops. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, a theme park, is the other major draw for families.

A city stay usually runs two or three days, or you can add Tampa as a stop before or after a beach trip. The cooler, drier months from about November to April are the most comfortable. Atlantic hurricane season runs through summer and fall and brings heavy rain and storm risk. Your main choice is where to sleep: downtown for walkable sights and nightlife, or on the coast for beaches and a slower pace.

Tampa in five

Walk the Riverwalk for a first lookThe Riverwalk links downtown parks, museums and restaurants along the Hillsborough River. It is easy to walk in the cooler months, and shade is scarce in summer.
Spend an evening in Ybor CityYbor City is the historic cigar district, with brick streets, restaurants and nightlife. Go for dinner rather than a long day, and take a rideshare back late at night.
Book theme park tickets before you goBusch Gardens is one of the area's big draws. Compare dates and pass options online, and avoid peak holidays if you dislike crowds.Tours and tickets
Choose the beaches by side of the bayThe Gulf beaches are across Tampa Bay on the Pinellas side. Plan a full day, and check weather and tides, since afternoon storms are common in summer.St Petersburg
Expect afternoon storms in summerFrom June to September a daily thunderstorm can close beaches and slow traffic around TPA. Do outdoor stops in the morning and keep a museum as the fallback.Insurance for the USA

Things to do in Tampa

See all attractions in Tampa

Museum · TampaHenry B. Plant MuseumWatch the short introductory film before exploring the exhibits.

Museum · TampaMuseum of Science & Innovation - MOSIChoose a weekday to reduce the chance of school-trip crowds.

a body of water with a building in the background

Museum · TampaThe Florida Museum of Photographic ArtsWeekdays or quieter periods can make for a more private visit.

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

Need to know

Airport: Tampa International (TPA), the main gateway for the Gulf coast
Getting there: Fly to TPA, or drive I-4 from Orlando and I-75 from the north
Getting around: A car or rideshare; the Riverwalk and downtown are walkable
Best base: Downtown or Channelside for the riverfront; Hyde Park for a leafy feel
Time needed: 2 to 3 days; 4 with Gulf beaches and a day in St Petersburg

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Mild, dry
FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh24°Low15°Mild, dry
MarchClear8 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm, ideal
AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Warm, dry
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Hot, humid
JuneRain22 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, storms
JulyRain26 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Hot, storms
AugustRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low26°Hot, storms
SeptemberRain21 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Hurricane risk
OctoberRain10 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Warm, calmer
NovemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Mild, dry
DecemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh23°Low15°Mild, holidays

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

Right now in Tampa

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

Feels like: 21°
Humidity: 80%
Wind: 28 km/h
Chance of rain: 63%

Tampa

06:23 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-5

Today24°21°63%Monday: Rain. High 24°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 63%.
Tue27°22°60%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 60%.
Wed30°22°41%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 41%.
Thu30°22°14%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 14%.
Fri28°21°3%Friday: Clear. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 3%.
Sat26°17°4%Saturday: Clear. High 26°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 4%.
Sun25°17°8%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 25°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 8%.

Updated 03:17 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 Tampa

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Day trips by train

St Petersburga drive across Tampa BayMuseums, murals and a waterfront, plus access to the Gulf beaches.Read the guide
Gulf beachesa drive across the bayWide beaches west of St Petersburg; arrive early on weekends.
Naplesa long Gulf coast drive southA Gulf coast resort town, better as an overnight than a day trip.Read the guide

Before you go to Tampa

Hotels downtown or by the riverCompare bases by walkabilityCheck availability

Theme park and museum ticketsCompare dates and pass optionsBook timed entry

eSIM for FloridaMaps and rideshare on arrivalRead the guide

Insurance for a Tampa stayMedical and delay coverRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for Tampa, checked

Visa Waiver travelers need an approved ESTA before flying to the US; apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and check travel.state.gov for other visa rules.
Declare food, plant and animal products on arrival; the rules are set by US Customs and Border Protection at cbp.gov.
Open alcohol containers are not allowed in vehicles under Florida law; check the Florida Statutes or ask your rental company before you drive.
Many Tampa-area toll roads are cashless; ask your rental company about its toll device and daily fees, and see sunpass.com for tolls.
Hurricane season runs through summer and fall; check the National Hurricane Center at nhc.noaa.gov and your airline's notices before you travel.

Plan around Tampa

St Petersburg

The Gulf coast city across Tampa Bay

Read the guide Naples

A resort town on the Gulf coast, further south

Read the guide Miami

Florida's Atlantic metropolis

Read the guide Southern USA

How Florida fits into a Southern road trip

Read the guide Getting around the USA

Car rental and road-trip planning for visitors

Read the guide Orlando

East along I-4 by car

Read the guide All of the USA

Parks, cities and trip planning for visitors

Read the guide

Tampa FAQ

Is Tampa worth visiting?

Yes for a mild-winter city break with a riverwalk, history in Ybor City and easy beach add-ons. It is less suited to travelers wanting a walkable beach town.

How many days do you need in Tampa?

Two days cover the Riverwalk, Ybor City and a theme park or museum. Three days add a beach day on the Gulf side. A fourth works if you also visit St Petersburg.

What is the best time to visit Tampa?

Winter and early spring are the sweet spot: dry, sunny and mild enough for the Riverwalk and a beach day. Summer brings daily storms and heavy humidity, so go then only for indoor attractions and early mornings.

Do you need a car in Tampa?

Usually yes. Downtown and the Riverwalk are walkable, but beaches, theme parks and neighborhoods are spread out. A rental car or rideshare covers most trips.

Should you stay in Tampa or St Petersburg?

Tampa suits a larger city stay with attractions, and St Petersburg suits a slower waterfront and museum trip. They are a short drive apart, so you can base in one and visit the other.