Discover Miami’s hidden side: culture, cuisine and cool experiences
When the Irish skies turn steely and the radiators clank back into action, the thought of sun-drenched streets, Latin music and iced cortados starts to sound like a fantasy. Our direct flights from Dublin to Miami turn fantasy into reality, bringing you straight to this incredible destination in hours. But don’t confine yourself to the city’s popular beachfront; step away from the sand to really understand the character of Miami.
Journey in to the city to discover a different kind of excitement: dramatic murals that stretch across buildings, local neighbourhoods vibrating with music and flavour and independent design hubs that make the city feel like an open-air gallery. There’s so much to do in Miami besides the beach; this is our a celebration of the city’s hidden corners, local culture and incredible one-of-a-kind experiences. Book your Miami flight today to start your adventure.
Ocean Drive in Miami
Step into the world of Little Havana
The neighbourhoods are where it’s all happening. Little Havana is as close to Havana as you can get without actually going to Cuba. As you stroll down Calle Ocho, you’ll get a chance to try a cafecito (strong, sweet Cuban espresso) at one of the walk-up windows, witness roosters mingling with domino tables in Maximo Gomez Park, and hear live salsa at the door of Ball & Chain. Drop into Sanguich for an authentic Cuban sandwich, or book onto a food tour to explore local bakeries and ventanitas (small counter-service coffee windows) you wouldn’t find alone.
Little Havana, Miami
Witness Wynwood’s colour and creativity
North of downtown, Wynwood is a former warehouse district that now hosts a globally celebrated street art scene, with Wynwood Walls at its centre. Wander at will and let the vibrant colours guide you. You’ll find pop-up galleries, record shops, Venezuelan arepas (flat, savoury bread), cold-pressed juice bars and a secret rooftop bar or two.
Don’t miss Panther Coffee, a local place where the baristas take their single-origin beans seriously. Wynwood also offers regular art walks and live events, the perfect way to deepen your understanding of the neighbourhood. It’s the kind of place where creativity sparks on every corner and that entire days goes by in a whirl of colour and excitement.
Wynwood Walls, north of downtown Miami
Explore Miami’s art and design scene
Miami’s museums are first-rate, though some of them still fly well under the radar. The Rubell Museum, for example, is a contemporary art landmark housed in a converted industrial space, with work on show from Basquiat to Kehinde Wiley. A short drive away, the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) sits on Biscayne Bay and offers a global and experimental collection. Spend some time browsing the immersive installations or sip coffee in the sculpture garden as you watch the boats glide past.
The Miami Design District is perfect for committed shoppers and design lovers alike. The architecture is sleek and Instagrammable but there are also public art installations, boutique galleries and cafés (that double as exhibition spaces). Even the car parks are stylish.
Bayside Marketplace, Miami
Taste the real Miami through its neighbourhoods
Miami might be one of the best food cities in the US right now, and not in a fancy, five-star way. This is a city that understands flavour; in Little Haiti, for example, you’ll find fried pork griot with pikliz (a spicy slaw) that sends your taste buds into overdrive. In Overtown, Red Rooster offers mouthwatering Southern dishes with serious soul. And in leafy Coconut Grove, Chug’s Diner puts a modern twist on Cuban comfort food. For something totally different, try Itamae for Nikkei cuisine, a Japanese-Peruvian combo that matches Miami’s electric energy perfectly.
Electric vibes of Miami
Find nature in unexpected places
When you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Miami, nature is never too far away. Head south to the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and you’ll find lush trails, rare orchids and Wings of the Tropics, a spectacular butterfly enclosures. Or stay close to the city with a paddleboarding session through mangroves at Oleta River State Park. Even the suburb of Coral Gables offers a surprise: a 1920s Venetian Pool, carved from a coral rock quarry, where locals swim beneath waterfalls and swaying palms.
Miami’s outdoor spaces are lush and green
Discover Miami’s LGBTQ+ culture and nightlife
Miami’s LGBTQ+ culture is a huge part of what makes this city so dynamic. South Beach is the traditional heart, with drag brunches, queer bars and inclusive events like Miami Beach Pride. But there’s more beyond the rainbow flags. Check out Gramps in Wynwood for live music and LGBTQ+ nights, or head to Palace Bar for legendary performances with ocean views. The city also has a thriving arts scene shaped by queer creators; you’ll find their work in galleries and local festivals year-round.
Stay somewhere with character
Accommodation-wise, the big beachfront resorts are popular but there are other options too. Some of Miami’s most interesting places to stay are tucked into its neighbourhoods. Choose from design-led boutique hotels with rooftop bars, retro motels with restored mid-century flair, or guesthouses that feel quiet and private. Try Life House in Little Havana, Esmé Miami Beach, or the Vagabond Hotel for style with a story.
The retro designs of a Miami streetscape
Miami: a direct flight away
Miami’s beaches are legendary but if you never leave the shoreline, you’ll miss what really makes the city different: its people and unique blend of cultures. With our direct flights from Dublin to Miami, the only thing standing between you and your dream holiday is the click of a button.
This autumn and winter, escape the grey to discover the technicolour personality of Miami, as well as the hidden gems that exist beyond the beach. Are you ready to book?
