Florida travel guideFort Lauderdale, the Venice of AmericaFlorida

Last updated on 10/31/2025 at 06:41 PM
Located just 28 miles north of Miami, the city of Fort Lauderdale is a chic yet laid-back destination, nicknamed the « Venice of America » thanks to its 310 miles of navigable canals. This coastal city, long overshadowed by its southern neighbor, is now emerging as a must-visit spot in South Florida, combining white-sand beaches, refined lifestyle and lush natural surroundings.
An urban beach with laid-back charm
The Fort Lauderdale Beach waterfront is a true invitation to relax: soft sand, clear waters and a wide palm-lined promenade filled with restaurants, hotels and shops. Quieter than South Beach, the beach is perfect for families, couples, or solo travelers looking for peace and sunshine.
The beaches of Fort Lauderdale, especially Las Olas Beach with its white sand, palm trees and colorful lifeguard towers
The beaches of Fort Lauderdale, especially Las Olas Beach with its white sand, palm trees and colorful lifeguard towers
The boulevard that runs along the beaches of Fort Lauderdale, with its shops and hotels like the Ritz-Carlton
The boulevard that runs along the beaches of Fort Lauderdale, with its shops and hotels like the Ritz-Carlton
Colorful lifeguard huts dot the beach, while joggers and cyclists pass along the promenade, all in a chic yet laid-back seaside atmosphere.
Las Olas Boulevard, the vibrant heart of the city
No visit to Fort Lauderdale is complete without strolling along Las Olas Boulevard, the city's iconic artery. This lively boulevard is packed with art galleries, stylish cafés, boutique shops and fine dining restaurants. At nightfall, the terraces fill up and the atmosphere turns festive yet still intimate.
A must-see
A cruise on the canals
To discover the city from a different perspective, embark on a cruise along the canals. These tours allow you to explore the most prestigious residential neighborhoods and admire luxury yachts moored in front of stunning villas.
The city of Fort Lauderdale is often called the Venice of America
The city of Fort Lauderdale is often called the Venice of America
The city of Fort Lauderdale is crisscrossed by canals lined with luxurious villas and their moored yachts
The city of Fort Lauderdale is crisscrossed by canals lined with luxurious villas and their moored yachts
It's one of the best ways to understand why the city of Fort Lauderdale is often called the « Venice of America » !
The Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
A peaceful oasis in the heart of the city, this historic estate combines Caribbean colonial architecture, art and tropical gardens. A visit to the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens lets you step back into early 20th-century Fort Lauderdale and stroll among orchids, palm trees and mangroves.
In the surrounding area
Hollywood and Dania Beach just steps away
South of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood Beach charms visitors with its lively oceanfront boardwalk, retro bars and vintage atmosphere. Just nearby, Dania Beach offers a quieter alternative, perfect for kiteboarding enthusiasts or those seeking an unspoiled beach.
A guitar-shaped hotel
Located in Hollywood, Florida, about 7.5 miles from Fort Lauderdale and 22 miles from Miami, the Guitar Hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino complex is an iconic destination combining luxury, entertainment and spectacular architecture. Opened in 2019, this 36-story guitar-shaped hotel stands 463 feet tall and is truly one of a kind !
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino resort
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino resort
The iconic guitar-shaped hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino resort
The iconic guitar-shaped hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino resort
The resort offers upscale rooms and suites with views of the city or the pool. It features a large spa, three outdoor pools with a water slide and a spacious casino with slot machines and gaming tables. It also houses the famous Hard Rock Cafe.
In the evening, a light show synchronized to music illuminates the hotel's façade, with beams of light projected into the sky, mimicking the strings of a giant guitar.
Shopping at Sawgrass Mills
Located in the city of Sunrise, about 30 minutes west of Fort Lauderdale and bordering the Everglades National Park, « Sawgrass Mills » is one of the largest outlet malls in the United States, featuring over 350 factory stores. This outlet offers a wide selection of brands, ranging from luxury labels to popular names like Abercrombie & Fitch, Aéropostale and Hollister. Its shopping mall stretches for over half a mile, providing visitors with a unique shopping experience.
The map of Sawgrass Mills with its different zones and their associated colors
The map of Sawgrass Mills with its different zones and their associated colors
Avenue One takes you shopping through the factory stores of Sawgrass Mills
Avenue One takes you shopping through the factory stores of Sawgrass Mills
A getaway to the Everglades
Less than an hour's drive to the west, set off to explore the wild nature of Everglades National Park. Airboat tours take you deep into the wetlands to spot alligators, rare birds and lush vegetation. It's a must-do experience for any trip to Florida.
A meeting with a resident of the Everglades, the American alligator !
A meeting with a resident of the Everglades the American alligator !
The airboat ride is an unforgettable attraction for exploring the Everglades National Park !
The airboat ride is an unforgettable attraction for exploring the Everglades National Park !
Comment s'y rendre ?
The city of Fort Lauderdale is served from Paris and other major French cities by several airlines offering connecting flights to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, located just a few miles from downtown. The journey typically takes between 12 and 18 hours, depending on the layovers.
If you're starting your Florida trip from Miami, Fort Lauderdale is just a one-hour drive north via the I-95 highway. It's also connected to Miami by train or bus, with services offered by Brightline and FlixBus.
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The Everglades National Park
The Everglades National Park
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Best things to do in Miami
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Miami Beach
A walk down Ocean Drive
A walk down Ocean Drive
The best of outlets and malls
The best of outlets and malls
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Alcatraz island
Alcatraz island
A visit to the Getty Center
A visit to the Getty Center
The Getty Center with its ponds
The Getty Center with its ponds
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