Florida Panhandle Holidays from £653

Florida Panhandle Holiday Packages

With miles of beaches, a state capital, fascinating history, great fishing and friendly people, this Gulf Coast region offers a great holiday location.

The Florida Panhandle is the narrow western slice of this southern state stretching along the Gulf Coast. Find your favourite spot for sunning, swimming and relaxing along its nearly 230 miles (370 kilometres) of glorious white-sand beaches. Visit the state capital and learn about the history of an area that was among the earliest European settlements in the United States. Kayak, explore the dunes and tour old forts in the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Visit more than a dozen museums in PensacolaOpens in a new window. This far western city has evidence of Spanish, British and American settlement from 1752 along the Colonial Archaeological Trail. See the historic evolution of aircraft at the National Naval Aviation Museum. Appreciate the sounds of the Pensacola Jazzfest in April or eat fresh ocean bounty at the Pensacola Seafood Festival in September.

Nearby, compete for prizes with your angling skills at the Destin Fishing Rodeo in October. The stretch of beach from DestinOpens in a new window to Fort WaltonOpens in a new window and Okaloosa IslandOpens in a new window is known as the Emerald Coast for the beautiful waters lapping fine sand. See tortoises and other marine wildlife and shore birds.

View the Old Capitol, a gleaming white Federal-style structure built in TallahasseeOpens in a new window in 1845. Beside it stands the New Capitol high-rise building constructed more than 100 years later and housing the state’s modern government offices. The Springtime Tallahassee festival starts warm-weather activities with a parade, music and arts and crafts.

Travel east toward Saint George Island to watch oystermen bringing in their catch. Relax in the quiet of small-town Apalachicola.

Dive along the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail with 12 sites between Pensacola and Port St. Joe. The sunken ships range from barges to a minesweeper and the very large USS Oriskany aircraft carrier. The wrecks are interesting in their own rights and also attract colourful fish.

For the warmest beach holiday, visit the Florida Panhandle between Memorial Day and Labour Day. Enjoy the sites with fewer fellow visitors than during other seasons.