About Tampa
Tampa is a major city on the Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Hillsborough County. Tampa's borders include the north shore of Tampa Bay and the east shore of Old Tampa Bay. It is the third-most-populous city in Florida, 13th-most-populous in the Southeast, and 49th-most-populous city in the country, with a population of 403,364 at the 2020 census. The Tampa Bay metropolitan area, at over 3.42 million residents, is the second-largest metropolitan area in Florida and 17th-largest in the United States. The Greater Tampa Bay area has over 4 million residents and generally includes the Tampa and Sarasota metro areas.
Cheap flights to Tampa
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $563 from New York, travelling 26 Nov – 30 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
Airlines travellers compared most often: United Airlines.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to TampaPlaces to visit in Tampa
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Tampa Riverwalk
LandmarkA waterfront path along the Hillsborough River linking parks, museums, restaurants and the convention center, ideal for walking, biking or renting a kayak, and particularly pleasant around sunset.
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Ybor City
Historic · 1 mi from centreA historic district founded by cigar makers, where brick streets, wrought-iron balconies and social clubs reflect Cuban, Spanish and Italian heritage, and hand-rolled cigars are still made.
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The Florida Aquarium
ZooLocated on the Channelside waterfront, this aquarium focuses on Florida habitats from wetlands to coral reefs, and includes penguins, sea turtles and a large shark tank.
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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Entertainment · 7 mi from centreA large theme park known for its roller coasters, combined with extensive animal habitats including an open savanna where giraffes and zebras roam, which you can view from a safari truck.
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Henry B. Plant Museum
MuseumHoused in the minaret-topped former Tampa Bay Hotel at the University of Tampa, this museum shows off Gilded Age furnishings and the history of the grand hotel.
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ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Zoo · 5 mi from centreA family-friendly zoo with a strong focus on Florida wildlife, including a manatee rehabilitation center where injured animals are cared for, plus animals from Africa, Asia and Australia.
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Bayshore Boulevard
Viewpoint · 2 mi from centreA long waterfront promenade along Hillsborough Bay lined with historic homes and palm trees, popular with joggers and cyclists and for watching the sunset over the water.
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Tampa Bay History Center
MuseumA museum on the Riverwalk covering the region's history from early Native peoples and Spanish explorers to the cigar factories, with an engaging exhibit on pirates and shipwrecks.
Top experiences in Tampa
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 10 available.
Tampa Bay CityPASS® - Access to 5 Attractions
From $132 per adult
ZooQuarium Ticket
From $73 per adult
Clearwater Marine Aquarium - Ticket
From $46 per adult
National Hockey League: Tampa Bay Lightning Ice Hockey Game at Amalie Arena - Ticket
From $174 per adult
ADVENTURE ISLAND TAMPA BAY
From $47 per adult
BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA
From $33 per adult
The Florida Aquarium: Entry Ticket
From $37 per adult
Glazer Children's Museum: Play All-Day Admission
From $26 per adult
Where to stay in Tampa
Popular hotels in Tampa, out of 207 properties you can book.
The Westshore Grand Tampa Tribute Portfolio Hotel
From $155 per night
Hotel Flor Tampa Downtown Tapestry Collection
From $162 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Tampa North
From $103 per night
Four Points by Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Wests
From $128 per night
Sailport Resort Waterfront Suites on Tampa Bay
From $150 per night
Hilton Tampa Downtown
From $225 per night
Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City/Downtown
From $176 per night
Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention
From $210 per night
Hampton Inn Tampa-International Airport/Westshore
From $176 per night
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa-I-75
From $104 per night
Hotel Alba Tampa, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
From $139 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel
From $129 per night
Best time to visit Tampa
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Tampa is February and November to December, when average daytime highs are around 73–79°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Tampa weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 79° 57° 7%
- Thu 22 Oct 81° 64° 1%
- Fri 23 Oct 82° 62° 3%
- Sat 24 Oct 83° 63° 6%
- Sun 25 Oct 79° 69° 2%
- Mon 26 Oct 84° 69° 5%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Tampa
These are the airports closest to central Tampa. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- TPA Tampa International Airport5 mi (8 km) from the city centre
Getting around Tampa
Car rentals are the most convenient form of transportation for visitors, with local companies offering better prices but national chains offering more convenience vis-a-vis return policies and times.
By bus
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) provides extensive bus service throughout Hillsborough County. There are four types of routes offered: "local", "Commuter Express", "MetroRapid" (Bus Rapid Transit), and trolleys (see below). Local routes are ones which have many stops in a small region. Commuter Express lines are long-distance lines namely providing service from suburbs into Tampa. Only local to local & commuter express to local transfers are allowed.
By streetcar
Tampa's TECO Line Streetcar runs from Whiting and Franklin Streets downtown to Centennial Park in Ybor City with 9 stops along the way (11 total stops). The line is useful for tourists and convention-goers. The line runs by many local shops, restaurants, and attractions including the convention center, Embassy Suites, the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Channelside, the Florida Aquarium, and through Ybor City.
By trolley
Tampa also a rubber-wheel trolley system serving the Central Business District. Unlike the streetcars, which are electric and run on a fixed track, the trollies are simply small, diesel buses styled to look like a streetcar. The In-Towner Trolley (Route 96) runs north-south from I-275, through downtown to the northern end of Harbor Island. It has service every 15 minutes at 17 stops .mw-parser-output .error-deadlink{color:red;background:yellow;display:none;white-space:nowrap}[dead link], M-F 6-8:30AM and 3:30-6PM.
Tampa travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Tampa?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Tampa is February and November to December, when average daytime highs are around 73–79°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
What is the weather like in Tampa?
July is usually the warmest month in Tampa, with average highs of 91°F (33°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 50°F (10°C). The wettest month is typically August, with about 217 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Tampa?
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the closest airport, about 5 miles (8 km) from the centre of Tampa.
How much are flights to Tampa?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Tampa in the last 30 days was $563 from New York, travelling 26 Nov – 30 Nov.
What time zone is Tampa in?
Tampa uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Tampa?
Car rentals are the most convenient form of transportation for visitors, with local companies offering better prices but national chains offering more convenience vis-a-vis return policies and times.
What are the best places to visit in Tampa?
Top sights in Tampa include Tampa Riverwalk, Ybor City, The Florida Aquarium and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. A waterfront path along the Hillsborough River linking parks, museums, restaurants and the convention center, ideal for walking, biking or renting a kayak, and particularly pleasant around sunset.
What are the top things to do in Tampa?
Popular experiences you can book in Tampa include Tampa Bay CityPASS® - Access to 5 Attractions, ZooQuarium Ticket and Clearwater Marine Aquarium - Ticket. Destina Holidays offers 10 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Tampa?
The most popular types of experiences in Tampa are shows, sports and special events (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Tampa?
Popular areas for hotels in Tampa include Airport Area, City Area and Busch Gardens Area. Well-reviewed options include The Westshore Grand Tampa Tribute Portfolio Hotel and Hotel Flor Tampa Downtown Tapestry Collection.
How many hotels can I book in Tampa?
Destina Holidays currently lists 207 properties in and around Tampa, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
