Panama City Beach – a Gem among High-Rise Hotels
Here in Panama City Beach, Florido feels right at home! Turquoise water, finest sandy beach, and a bit of action – exactly my thing! Whether you’re shopping at Pier Park, diving into Gulf World Marine Park or just relaxing on the beach – there’s always something going on. So, put on your sunglasses and dive into the fun!
Panama City Beach – the most Important Facts at a Glance
- Dream beaches – 27 miles of powder-white sand and turquoise water on the Gulf of Mexico
- Best travel time – March to October for sun, warm water & lively atmosphere
- Top attractions – Pier Park (shopping & entertainment), St. Andrews State Park, Gulf World Marine Park.
- Action & adventure – Jet skiing, dolphin tours, parasailing & deep-sea fishing
- Family-friendly – Water parks, mini-golf & relaxed beach resorts
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, Dinner Local Specialties
Information Route Planner
| Size | 18.6 sq mi |
| Population | 19,393 (2023 estimate) |
| County | Bay County |
| Coordinates | 30° 11 “N 85° 48” W |
| Area code | +1 805 |
| Tourist Info | PCB Visitor Information Center |
The Perfect Day in Panama City Beach
You either hate it or love it: Panama City Beach is demonized in travel guides, which must ask themselves why so many vacationers come here from all over the world. The perfect day also begins on the beach – simply by walking out of our hotel. We enjoy the super crystal-clear water and the white quartz sand and let the sea breeze wake us up.
While during the summer holidays, the numerous families create something of an overcrowded “beach-Mediterranean” atmosphere, we drive to St. Andrew Park at the eastern tip of Panama City Beach. The nature park opposite Panama City Bay invites you to relax and unwind. If we’re here outside the season, we don’t even move our car and build a wonderful sandcastle with or without children right in front of our hotel.
Before we catch a sunburn in the dangerous Florida sun, we visit one of the numerous leisure hot spots in the afternoon, such as the Circus by the Sea, Pier Park or the Gulf World Marine Park. A delicious fish dish in the evening can surely be found quickly in one of the numerous restaurants, so that we can end the day with a small walk on the beach at sunset.
Activities Highlights around Panama City Beach
Nature Parks Beaches
No post found!
Attractions
No post found!
Events
Panama City Beach 2.0: more Style, less Noise
Panama City Beach has transformed. Once infamous as a party hotspot for Spring Breakers, the city now shows a different side: open, sunny, and surprisingly versatile. Those who come here aren’t looking for a polished resort experience, but for this exact mix of down-to-earth coastal flair, family-friendly hospitality, and genuine nature contact.
Change after the Spring Break Era
Panama City Beach was once the undisputed capital of Spring Break. Thousands of college students turned the beach strip into one big party area. But that’s over now: Since the city banned alcohol consumption on the beach in March 2015, the image has changed significantly. Today it’s quieter, more mature, and family-friendly – without losing the charm of the place.
The hotels now focus on quality instead of raucousness, many landlords no longer accept Spring Break groups. The result: More relaxation, more real life, less state of emergency. And those who still want to party will find plenty of bars and live locations in the evening – just with good manners and a relaxed atmosphere.
Between Sugar Beaches and Turquoise Gulf
The fine, light sand stretches for miles along the coast – the water so clear that even in calm seas you can still see the shells on the bottom. It’s no wonder that Panama City Beach is regularly voted one of the best beaches in the USA. And yet: The place has never put itself too much in the spotlight. There are no overpriced promenades, but honest beach bars, grilled seafood, and enough space for everyone who prefers to walk barefoot through the day.
Those looking to unwind won’t have to search for long: Whether kayaking through the quiet bays of St. Andrews State Park, taking a boat to the untouched Shell Island, or watching pelicans in the early morning – Panama City Beach is a place that lives with nature, not against it. There are no neon signs on the beach, but sunsets that impress anew every day.
Between Family Picnics and Coastal Adventures
The recreational value is high – and pleasantly uncomplicated. In Pier Park, shopping and street food meet street music and small fairs. A meeting point for families during the day, a stage for spontaneous live gigs in the evening. Children never get bored either: water slides, Ferris wheels, glass-bottom boat trips – Panama City Beach is so child-friendly that you don’t even miss the word ‘animation’.
And yes, they exist – the high-rises. But in between, something authentic still lives: fish restaurants with history, family businesses that greet every regular customer by name, street art, and simple motels with sea views. Not everything is polished. But that’s exactly what makes the difference: Instead of artificial charm, you meet people who have stayed – because they wanted to. And vacationers who come back – because it’s worth it.
Beyond the Dream Beaches of Panama City Beach
That the beaches in the Panhandle are dreamy, unique, breathtaking, etc., is nothing new. How Panama City Beach looks behind the Emerald Coast is shown in this short drive through the accommodation hub. Many rooms offered here certainly provide a dream view of the sea.
History of Panama City Beach
Civilian life in St. Andrew Bay began with the settlement of pirates and Spanish conquerors as early as 1500. The latter gave St. Andrew Bay its name. Buccaneers lurked in abundance in the bays, waiting for richly laden ships on their way between Mexico and Europe. This is why even today, numerous hobby divers search for hidden treasures of sunken ships and occasionally even find some.
The railroad era in Panama City began in 1908 with the construction of the railway line to Dothan, Alabama via Cottondale by the Atlanta and St. Andrews Bay Railroad (ASAB). Since then, there has been a junction in Cottondale with the former Louisville and Nashville Railroad.
In 1929, the St. Andrews Bay Bridge was built, connecting the offshore island to the mainland. On May 2, 1936, the city of Panama City Beach was founded. The name is explained by the fact that with the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, the city was the closest port in the USA and thus the shortest destination of the waterway between the Pacific and Atlantic.
Around the new city, there were still other small towns like West Panama City Beach, Long Beach, and Edgewater. A few years later, they all formed an economic region under the common name of Panama City Beach.
In 1935, Gideon Thomas bought 104 acres and built the Panama City Hotel. It had two floors and 12 rooms. Thomas saw great potential in the region for the development of tourism and tried to aggressively stimulate the business. This was at a time when most people were concerned about their harvest and had no sense for this kind of luxury. In the 30s and 40s, the beach and dance bar “The Hangout” became famous until it was completely destroyed by Hurricane Eloise in 1975.
Over the years, many criticized Thomas’ vision of Panama City Beach for fun-loving travelers. Nevertheless, the beach remains a popular destination, especially for young people and families.