Ultimate World Cup weekend in Miami

There’s no shortage of reasons to visit in the summer. Beach? Check. Delicious food? Check. Parties? Check. Take all of that, add the largest World Cup in history on top, and you’re destined for a good time. 

If you’re here when there isn't a game physically in the city, fear not. I went over Juneteenth weekend to see what they had going on, and there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate with fans. Follow this itinerary to make the most out of your World Cup weekend in Miami. 

• When to arrive: For a long weekend, arrive on a Thursday afternoon or evening. Take these first few hours to settle in, and then hit the ground running on Friday.

• How to get from the airport: You can easily grab a rideshare at Miami International Airport. The Metrobus and MetroRail are also accessible public transport options. 

• Getting around town: Depending on where you stay, you might be able to walk to your daily stops. Rideshares are plentiful, and I found them to be cheaper than in cities like NYC. When it comes to getting to the stadium, whether you're taking a rideshare or driving, expect traffic and long lines.

• Where to stay: I stayed at the Gale Miami in Downtown Miami, which is a quick walk from the FIFA Fan Festival and has a lovely rooftop pool that’s a great place to hide from the crowds. If you’d prefer to be close to the beach, the Betsy South Beach is a great option. There are pools, direct beach access, and you get to be right in the heart of one of Miami’s most buzzy areas.

• What to pack: Miami brings the heat, so expect the sun to be beating down on you all day. Bring clothes that you won’t overheat in, lots of sunscreen, and a couple of items to keep you covered, like a hat. Oh, and a swimsuit!

Day 1 

Morning

Your first day exploring Miami Beach and soaking up the sun. Hit up Shepard Artisan Coffee in South Beach for your morning brew. If you want something light, opt for a pastry like their buttery croissant. If you want something more substantial, they also serve all-day breakfast. Try an acai bowl or BLT on a bagel to fill you up. 

How to spend the day

South Beach is perfect for people watching, one of my favorite activities while in a new place. Take a stroll through South Beach’s Lummus Park, one of the liveliest stretches of this area. Studded with palm trees, it’s home to sunbathers, joggers, and skaters. Walk along the Beach Walk, a paved pathway, or grab a Citi Bike to enjoy the views. Lummus Park also runs alongside the famous Ocean Drive, where you can find plenty of art deco buildings to gawk at. 

Keep an eye out on the beach and pick your preferred spot in the sand. Settle down for a few hours of sunbathing, swimming, and of course, more people watching. Bring your own beach necessities, or rent a chair and umbrella once you arrive.

When you need a break from the sun and some food in your stomach, head back to Ocean Drive and walk south for 15 minutes. Pop into Kalamata Mediterranean Cuisine for some Turkish food, then dig into a mezze platter of hummus, tzatziki, shakshuka, babaganoush, tabouli and carrot tarator. For something a bit quicker, and perhaps more appropriate if you're feeling sandy and sticky with sunscreen, drop by La Sandwicherie. Customize your own sandwich, or get one of their signatures like the Tropical with avocado, mozzarella, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, papaya, mango and pineapple.

To catch an afternoon game, check out South Pointe Tavern. They’ve got lots of TVs, indoor and outdoor dining, and plenty of beer. They also serve food, if you’d rather combine lunch and soccer!

Dinner

For dinner, try CVI.CHE 105. This lively Peruvian spot is known for its fresh ceviche, but it also offers dishes like lomo saltado and seafood rice. The portions are generous, and it’s a great spot for family-style dining so you can try a bit of everything. I recommend the El Del Barrio ceviche and Taco Tartar Nikkei. 

After dark

If you’re in the mood to dance until the wee hours of the morning, or even the afternoon if you’ve got the stamina, then try Club Space in Downtown. This massive venue, complete with an open-air terrace, is perfect for catching the sunrise and is known for marathon house and techno sets. Be sure to check their events calendar before going and purchase a ticket in advance. 

Day 2 

Morning

No trip to Miami is complete without some Cuban food, and today you’re heading to my favorite stop of the trip. Take your time getting ready, then make your way to Tinta y Cafe. This neighborhood cafe has cozy mid-century modern decor, perfect cortaditos, and mouthwatering Cuban sandwiches. I got the Tinta y Cafe, which has pork, prosciutto, manchego cheese, roasted red peppers, and caramelized onions (and have thought about it every day since). The original location is in Coral Gables, but they also have a branch in Miami Shores.

How to spend the day

Now that you’ve filled up and are probably buzzing from some strong Cuban coffee, it’s time to hit up the FIFA Fan Festival. Located at Bayfront Park, this watch zone is free and open to the public with no reservations required. When you’re ready, just walk on in! But be sure to double-check what’s allowed in so you don’t have to turn around like I did (large professional cameras are not allowed, oops).

Once you’re in, spend the next few hours soaking up the energy. They have a large viewing area with a massive screen to watch the games, and then plenty of shaded areas to hang out away from the sun. Pro tip: make your way to the back of the fest, where you’ll find a large fountain; if there’s enough wind, you’ll get the most delightful (and needed) misty breeze. 

Dinner

After a day in the sun, a hearty meal is needed. Enter 1-800-Lucky. This Asian food hall in Wynwood has six different restaurants to choose from, so you can have anything from Mongolian steak to soup dumplings to crab fried rice. With a full bar and lots of indoor and outdoor seating,  it’s a fun, unpretentious atmosphere. They even have nightly DJ sets and are open until 3am Friday through Sunday, so it's a great spot to spend your evening.

After dark

If you still have some energy, there are plenty of options near 1-800-Lucky for a nightcap. Try Dante’s HiFi for a stylish lounge with a vinyl listening system, or make your way to Dirty Rabbit for a more dance-centered evening with live performances and DJs. They’re also screening every World Cup match, so it’s worth checking out for a fun watch party, too!

Day 3 

Morning

Head to Panther Coffee in Wynwood for your morning brew. Take it to go, wander the neighborhood and stop by Wynwood Walls, which is filled with huge, colorful murals.  Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a bite to eat from Zak the Baker, an artisan kosher bakery known for its pastries. 

Sadly, you have to say goodbye to Miami today. There’s still so much to see, but that just means you have to come back, right?

Rhianydd traveled to Miami at the invitation of the Gale Miami. Lonely Planet does not accept freebies in exchange for positive coverage.