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Nice Beach. Good mixed crowd, mostly family oriented, not a bunch of wild party people running around. Flanked with plenty of hotels with beachfront views. The water was warm and not that clear. I didn't think the water would be that warm, I was expecting it to be nice, cool and refreshing ... not the case. Parking is very challenging. I entered the parking lot only to find a bunch of cars circling around and waiting for spots. I circled once and exited, didn't feel like battling for spots...which apparently was a great decision. I got lucky and found some parking on the street almost immediately. Very popular spot...be prepared to encounter crowds.
This is my favorite beach in Sarasota. It's far less touristy than its more famous neighbor Siesta Key. The south side of the beach is well maintained and family friendly. The north side of the beach seemed to have more boats, but was quieter. Water is beautifully clean and the sand is powdery white. Wish there were beach side shacks that sell drinks or food. But the walk to st. Armand's circle is not too horrible. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare sometimes especially in peak season or at peak times.
Love lido beach!! We didn't even make it to Seista key. It's not overly crowded, water is calm and the sand is nice. You will need some sort of shoes because some areas are really Shelly. We seen a lot of fish and also some sting rays. We also seen dolphins out in the distance. Parking was easy and enjoyed how uncrowded it was.
This is such a nice beach! It is easy to get here from St. Armand's Circle. Parking was easy also compared to Siesta Beach. This is just a little further down, but it's well worth it. We got a spot really close to the pathway into the beach. The sand is snow white and powdery. Great on the feet. The water is a turquoise blue-green. Blue skies complete the picture. Not too crowded is also a plus. The water is perfect. Now, relaxing. I'm so happy that we came here!
This beach is just as beautiful and less busy than Siesta Key. It has the same powdery white sand, although more shells (which we liked because we were looking for some tiny ones for our grid containers). The walk down to the beach front was much shorter compared to Siesta Key as well. The waves were a little more rough here too, which we liked because it was more fun to be out in the water bobbing along with them. We stayed until sunset and got some beautiful photos while walking along the water before heading out to go get some ice cream to wrap up our day.
This is family oriented beach. Dog is not allow. Beach parking is free. If you cannot find the lot parking, street parking is available. Very convenient beach facilities. They have restaurants, bar, restroom, and changing rooms. The shower is located at the beach walkway. It has shower head and led sprayer. The beach is very shallow and no wave. Perfect for kid. For many feet, the water just the knee high water elevation. The beach also have life guard. It is definitely the best for the family.
On our recent trip to Sarasota, we spent 2 full days at Lido Beach, as well as 2 full days at Siesta Key Beach...so by now, I can do a more thorough comparison of the 2 beaches. Since i'm reviewing both beaches, I'm sharing the same review for both beaches...just different pictures. Siesta Key Beach is the more prominent of the 2 beaches, having been voted #1 beach in U.S. in the past. It's also a longer stretch of beach...more expansive, and more manicured. However, the downside to that is that Siesta Key Beach has become quite popular over the years. For some reason, when we visited 3 years ago (around the same time in October), it was much quieter. Both days that we were there, the beach was packed. Still, the thing is this. This beach is SO expansive, you can always carve out a peaceful place for yourself... although that may mean a further walk up to the northern part of the beach. BTW, we saw 2-3 wedding parties and wedding photo sessions on both of the days there. With such amazing white sand, that was kind of predictable really. Outshined by the popularity of Siesta Key Beach, Lido Beach is less crowded, thus quieter, much more peaceful! It's still VERY beautiful, boasting white sands just like the Siesta Key, and turquoise-green colored water. Also, the walk-up to the beach is shorter and easier...given that Siesta has such an enormous body of white sand leading up to the beach. I guess the other difference is that Lido is a tad less manicured than the Siesta Key...but still, nicer and more polished than most beaches I've seen. My 2 boys actually preferred the convenience and the serenity of Lido Beach. Guess they didn't mind that it was a touch more rustic than Siesta Key or less expansive. I loved Lido Beach, and some of its upsides (especially the less crowded part!), but if I had to choose, it'd be Siesta Key Beach. The massive amount of white sands and the long stretch of beach seemed nearly magical! I've never been impressed with any of the beaches in the Carolinas (where I live), but these Sarasota beaches (and other beaches in Florida as well) are simply STUNNING! We also stayed on to catch the sunset at Siesta Key Beach for both nights (we missed sunsets at Lido...did that last time, 3 years ago). There was a crowd of sunset watchers on both nights...and with good reason! Again, their sunsets were STUNNING!! Unlike Carolina (and Californian) beaches, Sarasota beaches seemed much more serene and calming...since the waters aren't turbulent. In fact, there aren't any big waves at all...just softer waves near the shoreline. I guess this aspect would bum out the surfers out there. My boys are fans of bodysurfing, so they were probably a bit bummed. One more thing. On both of these beaches, SO many birds...much more so than I've ever seen in the Carolinas or in California. At times, I thought we were in the Hitchcock movie! I remember seeing a ton of birds at the Miami beach and Delray beach as well (in the past)...so I guess it's a thing in Florida? On one of these beach days, my son dropped threw a crumb of cracker at a bird, and Oh Boy, a flock swarmed over in a second...and they sort of kept their eye on us for the rest of the day lol! All I can say is BEWARE. Overall, I loved both beaches. Such sparkling white sands and turquoise-green waters!! They were both 5-star calibur for sure.
One of Florida's most pristine beaches, a picture of relaxation. I found this beach secluded, best for swimming, and shallow water even if you go 15-20 feet deep, you can see right down to your feet. It has 3,000 feet of soft white sand that meets the Gulf of Mexico's calm, warm water. The gorgeous blues and greens will have you swooning at first sight. Once you recover, you will notice fewer people here than on Siesta Key, which makes for a relaxing beach day. The amazing part was- when I was swimming, 5-6 fishes were playing around my feet, and I can clearly look at them. trust me, it brought the child out of me. For lunch, you can grab some food at the resident concession stand. Or embark on a brief walk to the shopping center at St. Armand's Circle. but hey, This is a great spot to watch the sunset too, and then walk to St. Armand's after for a nice dinner. The best part about Lido is that you can park in town, have lunch, and make your way to the beach for the rest of the afternoon to soak up the sun. When you need a refreshment, return to the circle for ice cream to cool off. Lido Beach is perfect for watching the sunset, collecting shells and sand dollars, and swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the gulf coast. You definitely do not want to miss this beach on your trip to Sarasota! they also have a heated pool, timing, and prices are mentioned on the board. $4/adult $2 under 12 monthly/Annual passes are available. Parking: Ample parking near the beach. Free !! Restroom: Yes. 4/5 Changing Room: yes, it's there and very well maintained. 5/5 Shower: 2 showers
Lido beach was beautiful. White sand that you can actually walk on without burning your feet. It's a long walk from the parking area to the water. The reason why? It's all beach! Amazing! This beach wasn't so crowded you had trouble finding a place to put your towel. The water was very warm. Very little seaweed and I didn't see any jellyfish. They said Siesta key was known for their shells. I didn't find many on Lido Beach...but if you make a left instead of a right and drive to the end which is only a few miles if that you will find many shells. I gathered a bag full within minutes. I hope you enjoy this area beaches as much as I did.
This has become our go to beach in Sarasota. We like it better than Turtle Beach, our other go-to beach. We don't love Siesta Key as well bc it's so crowded. This is always a chill gem of a beach. We find the same parking in a side lot or the street that are always free as well. This beach is on the way to and from St. Armand's Circle. We can also go to the restroom at the nearby Lido Beach Resort if we need to, plus they have a beach bar too. read more
1 month ago
Beautiful beach and great for shell hunting! We used the free breeze trolley to get here and that was a very quick and smooth ride. It dropped us right at the pavilion area that has tables and bathrooms. The back is very wide and has tons of shells. The water is calm and it's really overall relaxing. The sunset view here was gorgeous! If you plan to stay long, make sure to bring some sort of shade as, opposed to the beaches that I'm more used to on the east coast of the state, there's not really many trees or anything in the sand. read more
As of right now, there is a several million dollar federally funded Lido beach renourishment project that started in January 2026. It's stems from trying to repair the damage from the 2024 hurricane season. Their goal is to be done by early April 2026, right before sea turtle nesting season. I can't say I knew this when I went on my visit this time. While it was a bummer not to be able to walk the beach, I am happy to see the restoration being done. I can't wait to see the outcome. While there weren't a lot of people, there were a lot of birds out to play:) read more
11 months ago
Nice Beach. Good mixed crowd, mostly family oriented, not a bunch of wild party people running around. Flanked with plenty of hotels with beachfront views. The water was warm and not that clear. I didn't think the water would be that warm, I was expecting it to be nice, cool and refreshing ... not the case. Parking is very challenging. I entered the parking lot only to find a bunch of cars circling around and waiting for spots. I circled once and exited, didn't feel like battling for spots...which apparently was a great decision. I got lucky and found some parking on the street almost immediately. Very popular spot...be prepared to encounter crowds. read more
6 months ago
This is my favorite beach in Sarasota. It's far less touristy than its more famous neighbor Siesta Key. The south side of the beach is well maintained and family friendly. The north side of the beach seemed to have more boats, but was quieter. Water is beautifully clean and the sand is powdery white. Wish there were beach side shacks that sell drinks or food. But the walk to st. Armand's circle is not too horrible. Parking can be a bit of a nightmare sometimes especially in peak season or at peak times. read more
Love lido beach!! We didn't even make it to Seista key. It's not overly crowded, water is calm and the sand is nice. You will need some sort of shoes because some areas are really Shelly. We seen a lot of fish and also some sting rays. We also seen dolphins out in the distance. Parking was easy and enjoyed how uncrowded it was. read more
8 months ago
My favorite place We really love spending time on Lido Beach, enjoying the ocean in the summer and fishing in the fall, I highly recommend visiting this beach. read more
2 years ago
This is such a nice beach! It is easy to get here from St. Armand's Circle. Parking was easy also compared to Siesta Beach. This is just a little further down, but it's well worth it. We got a spot really close to the pathway into the beach. The sand is snow white and powdery. Great on the feet. The water is a turquoise blue-green. Blue skies complete the picture. Not too crowded is also a plus. The water is perfect. Now, relaxing. I'm so happy that we came here! read more
3 months ago
This beach is just as beautiful and less busy than Siesta Key. It has the same powdery white sand, although more shells (which we liked because we were looking for some tiny ones for our grid containers). The walk down to the beach front was much shorter compared to Siesta Key as well. The waves were a little more rough here too, which we liked because it was more fun to be out in the water bobbing along with them. We stayed until sunset and got some beautiful photos while walking along the water before heading out to go get some ice cream to wrap up our day. read more
1 year ago
6 months ago
Says this is a dog friendly beach but there are signs at every entrance that says no dogs $300 fine. Which info do you go with? read more
1 year ago
This is family oriented beach. Dog is not allow. Beach parking is free. If you cannot find the lot parking, street parking is available. Very convenient beach facilities. They have restaurants, bar, restroom, and changing rooms. The shower is located at the beach walkway. It has shower head and led sprayer. The beach is very shallow and no wave. Perfect for kid. For many feet, the water just the knee high water elevation. The beach also have life guard. It is definitely the best for the family. read more
1 year ago
On our recent trip to Sarasota, we spent 2 full days at Lido Beach, as well as 2 full days at Siesta Key Beach...so by now, I can do a more thorough comparison of the 2 beaches. Since i'm reviewing both beaches, I'm sharing the same review for both beaches...just different pictures. Siesta Key Beach is the more prominent of the 2 beaches, having been voted #1 beach in U.S. in the past. It's also a longer stretch of beach...more expansive, and more manicured. However, the downside to that is that Siesta Key Beach has become quite popular over the years. For some reason, when we visited 3 years ago (around the same time in October), it was much quieter. Both days that we were there, the beach was packed. Still, the thing is this. This beach is SO expansive, you can always carve out a peaceful place for yourself... although that may mean a further walk up to the northern part of the beach. BTW, we saw 2-3 wedding parties and wedding photo sessions on both of the days there. With such amazing white sand, that was kind of predictable really. Outshined by the popularity of Siesta Key Beach, Lido Beach is less crowded, thus quieter, much more peaceful! It's still VERY beautiful, boasting white sands just like the Siesta Key, and turquoise-green colored water. Also, the walk-up to the beach is shorter and easier...given that Siesta has such an enormous body of white sand leading up to the beach. I guess the other difference is that Lido is a tad less manicured than the Siesta Key...but still, nicer and more polished than most beaches I've seen. My 2 boys actually preferred the convenience and the serenity of Lido Beach. Guess they didn't mind that it was a touch more rustic than Siesta Key or less expansive. I loved Lido Beach, and some of its upsides (especially the less crowded part!), but if I had to choose, it'd be Siesta Key Beach. The massive amount of white sands and the long stretch of beach seemed nearly magical! I've never been impressed with any of the beaches in the Carolinas (where I live), but these Sarasota beaches (and other beaches in Florida as well) are simply STUNNING! We also stayed on to catch the sunset at Siesta Key Beach for both nights (we missed sunsets at Lido...did that last time, 3 years ago). There was a crowd of sunset watchers on both nights...and with good reason! Again, their sunsets were STUNNING!! Unlike Carolina (and Californian) beaches, Sarasota beaches seemed much more serene and calming...since the waters aren't turbulent. In fact, there aren't any big waves at all...just softer waves near the shoreline. I guess this aspect would bum out the surfers out there. My boys are fans of bodysurfing, so they were probably a bit bummed. One more thing. On both of these beaches, SO many birds...much more so than I've ever seen in the Carolinas or in California. At times, I thought we were in the Hitchcock movie! I remember seeing a ton of birds at the Miami beach and Delray beach as well (in the past)...so I guess it's a thing in Florida? On one of these beach days, my son dropped threw a crumb of cracker at a bird, and Oh Boy, a flock swarmed over in a second...and they sort of kept their eye on us for the rest of the day lol! All I can say is BEWARE. Overall, I loved both beaches. Such sparkling white sands and turquoise-green waters!! They were both 5-star calibur for sure. read more
One of Florida's most pristine beaches, a picture of relaxation. I found this beach secluded, best for swimming, and shallow water even if you go 15-20 feet deep, you can see right down to your feet. It has 3,000 feet of soft white sand that meets the Gulf of Mexico's calm, warm water. The gorgeous blues and greens will have you swooning at first sight. Once you recover, you will notice fewer people here than on Siesta Key, which makes for a relaxing beach day. The amazing part was- when I was swimming, 5-6 fishes were playing around my feet, and I can clearly look at them. trust me, it brought the child out of me. For lunch, you can grab some food at the resident concession stand. Or embark on a brief walk to the shopping center at St. Armand's Circle. but hey, This is a great spot to watch the sunset too, and then walk to St. Armand's after for a nice dinner. The best part about Lido is that you can park in town, have lunch, and make your way to the beach for the rest of the afternoon to soak up the sun. When you need a refreshment, return to the circle for ice cream to cool off. Lido Beach is perfect for watching the sunset, collecting shells and sand dollars, and swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the gulf coast. You definitely do not want to miss this beach on your trip to Sarasota! they also have a heated pool, timing, and prices are mentioned on the board. $4/adult $2 under 12 monthly/Annual passes are available. Parking: Ample parking near the beach. Free !! Restroom: Yes. 4/5 Changing Room: yes, it's there and very well maintained. 5/5 Shower: 2 showers read more
3 years ago
Lido beach was beautiful. White sand that you can actually walk on without burning your feet. It's a long walk from the parking area to the water. The reason why? It's all beach! Amazing! This beach wasn't so crowded you had trouble finding a place to put your towel. The water was very warm. Very little seaweed and I didn't see any jellyfish. They said Siesta key was known for their shells. I didn't find many on Lido Beach...but if you make a left instead of a right and drive to the end which is only a few miles if that you will find many shells. I gathered a bag full within minutes. I hope you enjoy this area beaches as much as I did. read more
2 years ago
This beach is beautiful and I like it more than the craziness of Siesta Key, also not quite the trek from the parking lot like Siesta is. Speaking of parking, it can be tough to find parking if you come during peak hours so come early or later in the day. There are a couple parking lots by the Lido Beach pavilion or there's street parking and parking spaces at North Lido by St Armand's. Definitely nice walking around the circle after the beach. read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
Great beach. white sand, pavilion , some parking.The parking lot is not very big. Not enough to accommodate all the people here. There is also paid parking along the road. I used to come here as a teenager. We would go back and forth between the beach and the pool. Most definitely a huge change. There seems to be many more "visitors" than any of our locals. There are locals, but many more "tourists". They have restrooms, along with a few changing rooms, but not enough ventilation in them. The restrooms are very hot, like a sauna during the summer. On this occasion I attended a Beach Baptism from First Sarasota. read more
9 months ago
3 years ago
My most visited Florida beach since the kids grew up. The area is busier in the afternoons. The mornings will attract the usual beach bums. I think slowly I am becoming one. Lifeguards on duty 10am-6pm only. Beware the rip currents this season. read more
5 years ago
We originally tried out Siesta Key, but couldn't find any parking and the crowd was crazy! We decided to head over to St. Armand Circle and realized Lido Beach was nearby! What a great find!!! The free parking near the beach entrances were plentiful (looks like this is still a well kept secret!) We were also happy to discover a beautiful powder white beach with amazing views of the crystal clear water! I'm looking forward to coming back when the weather warms up a bit so we can truly enjoy that beach experience. The beach was also clean and there was a shower and restrooms nearby. read more
11 months ago
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1 year ago
3 years ago
I read reviews for few beaches on the Gulf and this was one of them that I checked out. It was a great place with cleaned bathrooms and changing rooms. It also had shady area where you can sit while eating and drinking from the bar with foods. The beach was huge and it was popular place. Parking was a challenge at 11:30am as it was packed but we were lucky to find street parking and this was on a Sunday. read more
3 years ago
My new favorite beach. Super chill, less crowded than others. There seems to be only 1 restroom which is close to the free parking lot (small free lot). You can find free parking along the street in front of the beach as well but again, not many spots. All other spots close to Armand's Circle are pay spots. On a weekday, we paid $5.30 for 3 hours which was a great price, Shocking actually. If you are staying downtown Sarasota, you can catch the bay runner shuttle for FREE to and FROM Lido beach or Armand's circle. Stops are everywhere...Lemon & Main..Palm & Main. The beach is clean with clearer water (I mean it's not the Caribbean obviously) and soft white sand. I can't wait to return. read more
Lido beach is such a beautiful beach . To get to the shore line you do have to walk a distance but that means you have plenty of space to put down your blanket. The shore line is beautiful you have a large shallow area and then you get to the deep. No shark bites here in over 25 years. Shells are plentiful so bring your shovel and bucket. This beach has bathrooms, showers, and good parking. Down the road are restaurant on St Armands Circle and great stores to shop in. read more
6 years ago
Visited this beautiful beach on a weekday in August. There is a large parking lot with restrooms and showers. . There is also street parking along Benjamin Franklin drive... The sand is soft and white with the consistency of flour. The water is a nice shade of Turquoise. There are several lifeguard towers along the beach. The slope of the beach is gradual and does not get deep for a good distance from the shore. Good for children In the winter months this beach is crowded with snowbirds and parking fills up early. During the summer there are mostly tourists and locals. It is a short walk to St Armands Circle where you will find restaurants, bars, ice cream shoppes and specialty stores. read more
We arrived to Lido Beach around 1pm on a Wednesday. At this time this beach was super crowded. I thought we may not be able to park, as it seems the parking fills up early. Luckily we were able to find a spot in the lot. There is street parking as well. Shortly after we arrived the beach seemed to empty out. It seems like everyone arrived early and left by the early afternoon. Lido Beach is located in Sarasota and is a beautiful sugar white sand beach with clean beautiful water. This is a lovely beach for families and that was mostly who was there. There are lifeguards, and the restrooms and showers are a short walk off the parking lot. The one thing I will mention is that the birds are extremely aggressive at this beach!! They have no fear and will take your food right out of your hand if you aren't careful. I also saw pigeons on this beach along with the seagulls. A short walk or drive from Lido Beach is St. Armands Circle. It's a touristy but fun area to visit. There are restaurants, bars, gift shops, ice cream shops, jewelry shops, lots to see and do. It's convenient to have lunch or dinner after the beach. read more
I don't see how life could be any better; unicorn raft, sun and clear water. I'm not going to do the usual pros and cons list and it doesn't feel appropriate here. I love Lido beach as it's clean, the water is clear and it's not as busy as some of the other near by beaches. It's great for a day or weekend getaway with lots of good restaurants in the area (even within walking distance). In your in the mood for some fun in the sun, stop on by! read more
5 years ago
My fave beach! Convenient parking nearby, showers when you leave beach and before you go you can wash out allll salt from your body in a seconds if you are not comfortable with it. Staying here enjoying this beach is sooo relaxing and calming. Mostly not busy giving you a peaceful time. I always choose this beautiful beach to spend my day. It is near everything you need. There are some bars and restrooms towards the south. Love you Lido read more
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400 Ben Franklin Dr
Sarasota, FL 34236
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Lido Beach - beaches - Updated July 2026
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