Holiday rentals and lettings in Key West

If you're looking for a place to get away from the cold and cloudy weather, Key West is the place to go! The island is famous for its sunny, cloudless days and warm tropical climate. The Conch Republic (self-described as such) offers interesting things to do and a great stay with unique holiday rentals near the white sandy beaches and nightlife, perfect for those looking for relaxation and fun!

With facades ranging from pastel colours to bolder hues such as turquoise, butter yellow and magenta, Key West's rentals have a Spanish colonial style with Caribbean flair and lots of nautical details such as wooden planks from boats. Outside the residences you'll find swimming pools, terraces overlooking the turquoise waters, hot tubs and tropical gardens with palm trees that give the residences a southern flair. However, despite the traditional architecture, the interiors of the houses are completely renovated with modern elements.

Undoubtedly, the most popular historic landmark on the island is the home of the renowned writer Ernest Hemingway. Built in 1851, the Spanish Colonial-style house is located at 907 Whitehead Street near the Key West lighthouse. Here you can stroll through the lush tropical garden, visit the unusual saltwater swimming pool (the only one within 100 miles in the 1930s) and meet the more than 40 descendants of Hemingway's original six-toed cat, named Snow White. In addition to this, the house still has other objects such as the typewriter with which the Nobel Prize-winning author wrote his famous novels.

With restaurants and shops, Duval Street is the main tourist strip on the island and stretches from Mallory Square, located just west of the northern end of Duval Street, to Southernmost Point. Along the street you'll find historic homes and some of the most popular attractions such as Kermit's Key Lime Pie Shop, the lime mecca and Key West's favourite bar, Sloppy Joe's, known for its generous drinks. Duval Street also houses events such as the Hemingway Days Festival, as well as the Key West Sunset Celebration where you can watch the glowing sun set over the horizon of the Gulf of Mexico.

If you're on holiday with the kids we suggest a trip to the island's first attraction founded in 1932, the Key West Aquarium. The place is home to the area's marine life including turtles, tropical fish, sharks and more. Kids can get up close to creatures like starfish, giant hermit crabs and seashells in the touch tanks. But if you want to see these creatures in their natural habitat, a glass-bottom boat tour is ideal. The family can enjoy a relaxing trip on the open sea where they will discover more than 300 species of fish! Another suggestion, if you want to stay on land, is to take a Conch Tour Train ride through Old Town Key West. During the tour the little ones can learn about the history of the island and stop at various points for refreshments such as ice cream.

Popular for its sunny days and beautiful coral reefs, Key West offers some of the best beaches in Florida. Often considered Key West's best beach, Fort Zachary Taylor offers wonderful sunsets, turquoise waters, white sands and amenities such as public toilets, barbecues, and chair rentals. Smathers, on the other hand, is the largest beach on the island. With a half-mile stretch of sand, the beach is free to enter and also has chair rentals and places to eat. Another suggestion is Higgs Beach, which has a variety of shops, as well as free admission and a wooden bridge where visitors often see stingrays. North of Key West, Bahia Honda State Park has pine trees, white sand and shallow, crystal-clear water that's perfect for children and is home to the endangered Miami blue butterfly. However, Key West also has plenty of other great beaches to visit.

Take a ferry to the remote beaches of Dry Tortugas National Park! This island paradise west of Key West is home to the most spectacular beaches in the Florida Keys, and is one of the world's unique ecological attractions. The trip lasts about two hours and includes breakfast and lunch, plus snorkelling equipment. Explore historic Fort Jefferson, used as a prison during the Civil War, and discover the large coral heads, tropical fish and sea grasses that give the water its turquoise colour. The Dry Tortugas is home to some of the most vibrant coral reefs in the United States and is definitely an attraction not to be missed.

Located on Duval Street, the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a must-see tropical paradise. See over 50 different species of butterflies and discover the wide variety of exotic birds. The crystal conservatory is a climate-controlled place with lush tropical vegetation and beautiful waterfalls that will envelop you in a magical world. You will witness the transformation process of butterflies and hundreds of colours flying above you!

The museum houses valuable artefacts from shipwrecks discovered by diver Mel Fisher. You can see Spanish gold and silver coins and jewellery in the New World, The Real Pirates of the Caribbean and The Science of Shipwrecks exhibitions. You'll also get to admire 77.76-carat emerald and see artefacts that tell the story of the maritime slave trade. With a wonderful array of artefacts and treasures, the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum is a place that is sure to give you plenty to talk about when you return home.

Fantasy Fest is a wild 10-day costume party that you can't miss. The celebration takes place at the end of October and is described as a party that combines Mardi Gras, Halloween, and Burning Man all together in a tropical setting. You can see hyper-realistic body painting, bikers, pirates, performers, strippers, drag queens and have fun with special events at the venues. Wear your best costume every night during the 10 days and bring out your creative side!

Key West offers several Dolphin Safaris where you can watch them play in the open water. Climb aboard a boat and get ready to be greeted by an adorable pod of dolphins. On the boat trip you will not only see these friendly creatures but also other marine animals such as manatees, tropical fish, rays, and turtles! Best of all, the tour includes snorkelling equipment to swim close to them on the reefs. Dolphin Safari is a great experience for both children and adults who love marine wildlife.