Welcome to the Rosemary Beach travel guide!
Rosemary Beach, Florida is one of the cutest towns I’ve visited in the United States.
It’s full of old-world European architecture, white sand beaches, and a bustling foodie scene.
I fell in love after spending a weekend here, so I put together this post to help you plan your own trip!
Let’s dive in to the Rosemary Beach travel guide.
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What Is Rosemary Beach?
You’ll find the peaceful town of Rosemary Beach nestled into Florida’s Emerald Coast.
It’s the perfect place to visit if you appreciate architecture, upscale dining and shopping, and an exclusive atmosphere.
With lush greenery lining cobblestone streets, this small town holds all the charm of a Caribbean getaway without having to leave the States.
I think all of these elements make it a wonderful destination for couples or a girls trip!
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Where Is Rosemary Beach?
Rosemary Beach is located in the part of Florida known as 30A.
30A is a collection of small, beautiful beach towns nestled quietly between the much busier areas of Panama City and Destin.
These towns include Rosemary Beach, Seaside, Aly Beach, and more. Each town has its own vibe and personality.
The 30A name comes from the actual County Road 30A that runs along the Panhandle’s coastline.
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When To Visit Rosemary Beach
June-August is considered the peak season in Rosemary Beach. This is when you’ll experience the highest prices and crowds.
The months just before and after this time are considered the shoulder season, and I think this is the perfect time to visit.
Make sure to check red tide conditions, which happened to be an issue during our visit.
How To Get To Rosemary Beach
The closest airport to Rosemary Beach is Panama City (ECP).
From there, it’s about a 30 minute drive to Rosemary Beach.
I highly recommend renting a car, so you have the freedom to explore.
Personally, I always book through RentalCars.com.
I LOVE that they compare prices across every company at once, which saves a ton of time hunting down the best deals.
There is Uber in the area, but Ubers can be scarce if you’re not visiting in the high season.
Another reason to have your own car is so you can visit cute neighboring towns, like Alys Beach.
Although, Rosemary Beach itself is very walkable.
You can easily walk to most restaurants and shops you want to visit.
Another popular way to get around is by bike!
I recommend renting a bike at least for a day, and having fun exploring that way.
Where To Stay In Rosemary Beach
You won’t find any high-rise condos or huge hotels in this exclusive town.
Vacation rentals are the main form of lodging here, along with a couple of boutique hotels.
You’ll find a selection for every budget on Airbnb or VRBO.
It won’t take long to notice that many of the homes look like they’re straight out of Architectural Digest!
One important thing to know: there is no public beach access in Rosemary Beach.
The beaches here are restricted to homeowners and guests only.
That means make sure wherever you’re staying has access to the beach.
When I visited, I booked an Airbnb at the Village of South Walton condos.
The condos were not located on the beach, but included beach access through another condo community.
I was slightly disappointed when I discovered the beach situation in person.
Condo guests were only allowed inside a roped off section of beach, because outside of that belonged to the adjacent homeowners.
The section was also pretty small, and crowded.
So if you really value having your own space (like I do), I recommend booking a house that has access to a more private part of beach.
There are so many adorable cottages and carriage houses to choose from!
Or, consider staying at one of the beautiful boutique hotels in town.
The most iconic of which is The Pearl hotel.
With its stunning views and gorgeous European architecture, The Pearl offers a truly luxurious travel experience.
It’s also located right in the center of town, just steps from all the best shops and restaurants.
The Pearl reservations here: thepearlrb.com
What To Do In Rosemary Beach
Beach
Of course, you should soak up as much of the sun, sugary-white sand, and emerald water as possible.
Related: 25 Beautiful White Sand Beaches In The United States
Shopping
Adorable boutiques line Rosemary’s streets, and you should definitely pop in and peruse.
Rosemary Beach Trading Co has the cutest souvenirs, and every Sunday you’ll catch the 30A Farmers’ Market.
Rent A Bike
Renting a bike is the most fun way to explore this charming beach town. Not only that, the bikes make a very pretty photo prop!
Visit Alys Beach
The neighboring town of Alys Beach is just a bike ride away, and full of its own wonderful attractions and charm.
Another exclusive community, the architecture here is reminiscent of Mykonos, Greece.
Nature
If you want to explore more of the area’s natural beauty, head to Eden Gardens State Park. Here, you find beautiful gardens and historic grounds, featuring Spanish moss-draped Live Oaks.
Or, check out the rare freshwater dune lake at Deer Lake State Park.
Where To Eat In Rosemary Beach
Pro tip: I recommend always making dinner reservations in Rosemary Beach, and well in advance of your stay.
Many of the most popular restaurants get booked out pretty far!
Here are the best restaurants in and near Rosemary Beach:
- La Crema Tapas & Chocolate
- George’s At Alys Beach
- Raw & Juicy
- Cowgirl Kitchen
- La Cocina
- Havana Beach Bar & Grill
- Summer Kitchen Cafe
- Pescado
- Amavida Coffee Roasters
- Restaurant Paradis
- Cuvee 30A
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Discover Experiences In Rosemary Beach
If you loved this Rosemary Beach travel guide, let me know in the comments! xo
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