Key West – Conch Republic Island of Free Spirits
Key West is different – a bit crazy, a bit Caribbean, and above all, free! Florido shows you the Conch Republic, where every day feels like a vacation. Whether you (don’t) take a photo at the Southernmost Point, celebrate the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square or say hello to Hemingway’s cats – it’s all about the sweet life here. So put on your flip-flops, grab a mojito, and just go with the flow!
Key West – the most Important at a Glance
- Conch Republic – Jokingly declared an “independent republic” in 1982, with its own free spirit and charm
- Best travel time – December to May, warm and dry with a Caribbean feeling
- Top attractions – Southernmost Point, Mallory Square, Hemingway House, Fort Zachary Taylor Beach
- Vibrant Duval Street – Bars, live music & Caribbean vibes around Sloppy Joe’s & Green Parrot
- Nature & adventure – Sailing & boat trips to Dry Tortugas National Park
Climate and Weather
Florida Car Rental Guide & Offers
All information about booking, insurance & providers – with direct comparison at the end.
Restaurants near You
Culinary tips for breakfast, lunch, dinner local specialties
Information Route Planner
| Size | 7.4 mi², of which 1.5 mi² is water |
| Population | 25,103 (2023 estimate) |
| County | Monroe County |
| Coordinates | 24° 34 “N 81° 47” W |
| Area code | +1 305 |
| Tourist Info | Key West Visit |
The Perfect Day in Key West
On the perfect day in Key West, one must embrace the island’s uniqueness. Right as we leave the house, a pink pig-colored taxi drives by, and a street over, we encounter a horde of long-haired, graying hippies on their Harleys in 60s style. By now, we know we’re in Key West. During our walk to the Southernmost Point, we delight in this terribly beautiful, colorful city of the Florida Keys.
We’re amused by houses and places of superlatives like the Southernmost House or the Southernmost Hotel, until we finally stand at the Southernmost Point and get a whiff of Cuban air. Our walk continues to the Hemingway Museum, which we can visit or just admire from the outside, depending on our mood. Alternatively or additionally, we can dive into America’s history while visiting the Little White House. Eccentric people, oddballs, and youths from the past line our path. They’re all lovable and by no means dangerous.
Lunch Break at the Bar
At lunchtime, we treat ourselves to a small snack in one of the endless bars and enjoy a whiskey at Sloppy Joe’s Bar. Then we delight in the Old Town’s fantastic colonial architecture, which reaches its peak with the Oldest House. We continue to Duval Street, where we encounter art, funky fashion, T-shirts galore, and countless bars and pubs. The gay scene is at home here, and pure tourism awaits us. No matter – life is beautiful.
After a short break, we look for a cozy restaurant to enjoy fresh fish. Afterwards, we celebrate – how could it be otherwise – the sunset at Mallory Square. Fire-eaters, artists, guitar players, and many other street performers entertain on land. Jet skiers, kayakers, and other water sports enthusiasts adorn the water, while the sun sets above all. It’s truly celebrated here. If you look at the natural spectacle itself, it’s no better or worse than elsewhere on the islands – simply grandiose.
Activities Highlights around Key West
Attractions
Southernmost Point? You Can Do it, but You Don’t Have to!
Harry S Truman Little White House: a Winter Residence
Events
Key West – Life at the End of the Road
Key West – it sounds like Caribbean flair, sunsets by the sea, and a touch of eccentricity. And that’s exactly what the southernmost city of the continental USA offers: A place where life is a bit more colorful, relaxed, and quirky.
Located in the Florida Keys, just about 90 miles from Cuba, the city is literally the last stretch of the famous Overseas Highway road trip route. Here, the road ends – but the way of life is just beginning.
Caribbean Flair Conch Lifestyle
Key West is a melting pot of tropical island feeling, colonial architecture, and a liberal, cosmopolitan community. The famous Conch Houses in pastel colors, with their verandas and lush gardens, shape the cityscape just as much as palm trees, chickens on the street, and the scent of salt air and mojitos.
Duval Street forms the vibrant center of the island: cafes, bars, boutiques, and art galleries line up one after another. In the evenings, life pulsates here – from relaxed live music to the legendary Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square.
Key West was home to famous writers like Ernest Hemingway and continues to attract creatives and dropouts. The Hemingway Home, the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum, or the Shipwreck Museum show that the island is more than just parties and palm trees.
Those seeking nature will find it in the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park – with one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, old fortifications, and turquoise water. A boat trip to the nearby Dry Tortugas National Park is also worthwhile – crystal clear water, coral reefs, and the historic Fort Jefferson included.
A Place to Stay?
Key West is not a place for mass tourism. The island deliberately focuses on quality over quantity. Many visitors opt for charming guesthouses or private accommodations. Those who live here or stay longer experience a way of life far from the everyday – cycling to work, going barefoot to the market, and watching the sunset as a daily ritual.
In short: This city is not a place you just visit – it’s a place you feel. Once you’ve felt the “Conch Spirit”, you often don’t want to leave.
History of Key West
Key West came to the USA in 1819 along with the Florida Territory. In 1845, the US Army built Fort Zachary Taylor, creating an important base for the Union Navy during the Civil War. The fort continued to serve as coastal fortification until 1947. The city at the end of the Keys was connected to the railroad network in 1912, as the final island. The city’s inhabitants earned extremely well. Key West had the highest per capita income in Florida, generated through the exploitation of shipwrecks, sponge trade, and cigar production.
When the railroad connection over many bridges was completed by Henry M. Flagler, Key West developed into an important port for Cuba, 145 km away. However, a hurricane destroyed the railroad line in 1935, which was not rebuilt. This was the birth of the Overseas Highway spanning 42 bridges. Parts of it ran over the remaining old railroad bridges, which were largely replaced by new constructions in the 1980s. Today, you can see many anglers on the old unused bridge ruins.
Since Key West became accessible by land, the southernmost point of the island is considered the southernmost point of the mainland USA, marked with the mile marker 90 miles to Cuba and is now a tourist attraction. In 1927, the airline Pan American World Airways was founded in Key West. The small store office can still be visited today. One of Key West’s most famous citizens is Ernest Hemingway, who lived here for several years starting in 1928. His former residence is now a museum.
The stock market crash of 1929 and the relocation of the cigar production to Tampa plunged Key West into a deep crisis in 1930. This was further exacerbated by the hurricane of 1935 and the subsequent destruction of the railroad bridges. Then came the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, and thanks to the US Navy, money flowed back into Key West. Dilapidated buildings could be restored, and the island spruced itself up for tourism, which remains the main source of income to this day.
On April 23, 1982, due to increased road traffic controls by US authorities, the Florida Keys symbolically declared their independence from the USA for a short time and proclaimed the Conch Republic. They did this by declaring war armed with dry breadsticks. The official secession failed, but the checkpoints disappeared. Even today, you can see the flags flying everywhere.