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Lido Beach

4.5 (176 reviews)

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Welcome
Michael C.

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.

Zacharias P.

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.

Darren N.

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.

Sanset
Cristi T.

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.

Astrida M.

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!

Sarah M.

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.

Dog friendly and no dogs allowed

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?

Boon C.

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.

Rose E.

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.

Sanjay G.

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

The beach
Suzanne A.

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.

Lido beach

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3 months ago

Great spacious beach! They were doing some work with a big pipe running through and the sand has a lot of shells. Lots of parking.

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2 years ago

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3 months ago

the sand felt very nice and the water was very shallow even like 30 feet out, not very busy but maybe it was because i was there at sunset

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4 years ago

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9 months ago

Absolutely beautiful beach and community. White sandy beaches and beautiful water along with very clean area.

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

Great place with a great beach but very pricey. Good service. Good site for weddings. Boring on rainy days.

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3 years ago

I loved the beach!! It is clean and I love how there are splash pads that you can spray off the sand prior to getting in your car!!

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Ask the Community - Lido Beach

What are the snacks stand hours on Sundays?

Is the snack stand open on the weekend like Sunday for lobster roll?

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Review Highlights - Lido Beach

It's still VERY beautiful, boasting white sands just like the Siesta Key, and turquoise-green colored water.

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Siesta Key Beach

Siesta Key Beach

4.6
(935 reviews)
3.8 mi

Siesta Beach Experience…read more Overview: Siesta Beach is widely recognized as the number one beach in the United States. During our visit, we found the beach area to be exceptionally clean, featuring powdery white sand that added to the overall appeal of the location. The unique sand texture and well-maintained environment contributed significantly to our enjoyable experience. Parking and Arrival Tips: We parked near the Snack Bar and Gift Shop at the northern end of Siesta Beach. Although there is a substantial amount of parking available, the spaces tend to fill up quickly, especially during peak times. It is advisable to arrive early to secure a parking spot, as finding a vacant space can become challenging later in the day. Water Quality and Shoreline Experience: The water at Siesta Beach was exceptionally clear, offering excellent visibility. Near the shore, the depth was shallow, making it easy and comfortable to relax in the low points. The waves were gentle and calm, creating an inviting environment for lounging and wading. During our stroll along the beach, we discovered several shells, adding an enjoyable element to the shoreline experience. Beach Access and Amenities: Reaching the water requires a lengthy walk across the beach. To assist visitors, mats are placed at certain locations on the beach, making the walk easier and more comfortable. The Snack Bar offers a variety of food and drinks, providing convenient options for refreshments. Adjacent to the Snack Bar is a Gift Shop, which sells a range of beach-themed items and clothing, enhancing the Siesta Beach Experience. They do have a QR code they you can order food, drinks, beach chairs and some other items to be delivered to you behind the life guard stands on the Beach in case you forget your own, kind of cool, I think. Overall Impression and Rating: Based on my experience at Siesta Beach, I confidently rate it 5 out of 5 stars. The exceptional cleanliness, powdery white sand, clear water, and convenient amenities all contributed to an outstanding visit. After seeing firsthand why Siesta Beach holds the distinction of being the number one beach in the United States, I wholeheartedly agree with its reputation. Gulf Coast Terry

Made it to the famous beach! Beautiful and beautiful what a hot day and props to all the people…read morethat can walk in the hot beautiful sand with no shoes. Water was gorgeous.

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Lido Beach - beaches - Updated July 2026

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