Where to Stay: Best Areas in Pensacola

Pensacola is the Florida Panhandle’s westernmost city, and it’s a popular vacation destination thanks to its bustling city center and beautiful beaches. It’s also considered the ‘Cradle of Naval Aviation’, and its popular Naval Air Station is home to the Blue Angels Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron.

Tourists flock to Pensacola for plenty of things to do, with its awesome restaurants, arts events, festivals, and parades — if you’re planning on doing the same and are wondering where to stay, check out this travel guide to discover the top neighborhoods for tourists, plus some of the best hotels in the region.

Pensacola Beach for Beach Holidays

Highlights: Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Pickens, Pensacola Beach Ball Tower, Little Sabine Bay, Quietwater Beach, Park West

Pensacola Beach is situated on Santa Rosa Island and is connected to Pensacola Downtown by a long bridge that passes over Pensacola Bay. It’s nine miles away from the bustle of the city center and is the perfect base for those who plan on spending as much time as possible swimming, surfing, and lounging on the sands.

There’s a charming pier to walk along, and plenty of restaurants, bars, and cafes to enjoy, such as the popular Casino Beach Bar and Laguna’s Beach Bar & Grill. The beach itself has crystal clear waters and white sands, making it an idyllic place to while away the day under the sun.

Pensacola Beach offers handy proximity to the Gulf Islands National Seashore and Fort Pickens, both of which are popular attractions. It’s also close to the Downtown region so you can easily explore the city’s historic district.

Keep in mind that this is one of the most popular parts of Pensacola to stay in, so accommodation is on the expensive side. However, if you’ve got the budget, you’ll find some excellent hotels and vacation rentals right along the beachfront in Pensacola Beach. A few of our favorites include:

• Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach offers incredible views of the Gulf of Mexico, free WiFi and breakfast, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and air conditioning in its pet-friendly rooms.
• SpringHill Suites Pensacola Beach is a contemporary hotel with a business center, a fitness center, three outdoor pools, and free breakfast for all guests.

Gulf Breeze for Budget Travel

Highlights: Gulf Breeze Zoo, Naval Live Oaks Nature Preserve, Oriole Beach

Situated between Downtown and Pensacola Beach, Gulf Breeze is a convenient and affordable neighborhood for those who don’t mind a little travel to see the sights. The area is surrounded by Pensacola Bay, which makes it very scenic, but since there are few attractions in the neighborhood itself, it tends to remain fairly quiet. This is great for those who want to avoid crowds, and it’s also a great spot for families to stay in who want plenty of peace and quiet at night.

A popular attraction in the area is Gulf Breeze Zoo, which is home to a wide variety of animals, including giraffes, alligators, and zebras. You can also embrace the great outdoors when you head to Live Oaks Nature Preserve or enjoy a round of golf at Tiger Point Golf Club. You’ll need a car or bike to reach the beach or to explore Pensacola Downtown, both of which are too far away to reach on foot.

There are a few hotel apartment complexes in Gulf Breeze, or you could look for a private vacation rental. The latter is a great option if you’re looking for a large home to rent for a family trip or a getaway with friends — particularly if you’re on a budget.

Ferry Pass for Peace and Quiet

Highlights: Cross Creek Public Boat Ramp, Bay Bluffs Park, University Town Plaza, Roger Scott Dog Park

Ferry Pass is north of Pensacola city center and is one of the city’s most modern parts. It has some gorgeous natural spaces to explore, such as Bay Bluffs Park which is a 42-acre reserve with boardwalks and pavilions. Head to Cross Creek Public Boat Ramp to try wakeboarding and other watersports, or Splash City Adventures, which offers go-karting, laser tag, and arcade games in addition to its waterpark.

If you want to avoid Pensacola’s crowds, Ferry Pass is a great neighborhood to stay in. It’s fairly quiet and family-friendly and offers convenient access by car to downtown Pensacola for sightseeing.

There are lots of affordable hotel deals on offer in Ferry Pass. A few of our most recommended places to stay in Ferry Pass are:

• Country Inn & Suites By Radisson in Pensacola West is conveniently located just off the I-10, and it boasts an indoor pool, a hot tub, a business center, free WiFi, and complimentary hot breakfasts.
• Home2 Suites by Hilton Pensacola at North Davis Highway is just five minutes away from Cordova Mall and 10 minutes away from the airport, and guests can enjoy free WiFi and breakfast.
• Quality Inn & Suites Pensacola Bayview is an affordable, comfortable hotel with a seasonal outdoor pool, a fitness center, and an on-site bar and bistro.
• Best Western Plus Blue Angel Inn is a friendly hotel that has free high-speed WiFi, a 24-hour business center, and free parking, which makes it ideal for business travelers.

Warrington for Family Vacations

Highlights: Pensacola Naval Complex Beach, Naval Aviation Museum, Fort Barrancas, Pensacola Country Club

Warrington is south of Pensacola and it’s known for its military history, so if you love learning about the fascinating past of your vacation destinations, be sure to visit this area. Head to the hilltop Fort Barrancas to learn about its various occupiers over the years, then check out the Naval Aviation Museum to see more than 250 restored military aircraft, try a flight simulator, and learn about the US Navy via educational films in an IMAX theater.

The Naval Air Station Pensacola Corry Station is situated near Warrington, so this is a good neighborhood to stay in if you’ll be visiting it.

There aren’t many hotels in the area, but you might find some private vacation rentals if you’re looking for an entire home to rent. You’ll find some affordable hotels north of Warrington in nearby Corry Heights and Pinehurst.

Downtown & Waterfront for First-Time Visits

Highlights: St. Michael’s Cemetery, Plaza de Luna, Veterans Memorial Park, Seville Square, Palafox Market, Pensacola Museum of Art

If it will be your first visit to Pensacola and you want to be where the action is, the Downtown and Waterfront area is the perfect neighborhood to stay in. Historic Pensacola Village, an 8.5-acre area, is the most historic part of the city with 28 attractive heritage buildings that date as far back as colonial times.

This area is home to some of the best attractions in Pensacola and a few of the hidden gems, too. Head to St. Michael’s Cemetery, one of the oldest sites in the city, to see impressive 18th-century structures. Then, go to Plaza de Luna to see the monument and fountain dedicated to Don Tristan de Luna, a Spanish nobleman, before visiting Veterans Memorial Park to see a variety of war monuments and pay your respects to American heroes.

The Waterfront region of Downtown Pensacola is where you can enjoy wonderful views of Pensacola Bay. Seville Square and Bartram Park are at the heart of the Waterfront, and these are charming green spaces dotted with mature oak trees. Look out for fairs and festivals that take place here on the weekends, with the most renowned being the Pensacola JazzFest in spring and the Pensacola Seafood Festival in autumn. You’ll also find some of Pensacola’s best restaurants, cafes, and bars in the Downtown and Waterfront areas. Highlights include Dharma Blue and Restaurant Iron.

Some of the best Pensacola Hotels are in the historic Downtown area. We recommend you consider booking your stay at:

• Days Inn by Wyndham Pensacola is a popular pet-friendly hotel with an outdoor pool, a picnic and barbecue area, and a free continental breakfast.
• Courtyard by Marriott Pensacola Downtown is a chic hotel within walking distance of the city’s best restaurants, and it boasts its own bistro where breakfast and dinner are served.
• The Holiday Inn Express Pensacola Downtown is an IHG hotel that offers free breakfast and WiFi, a 24-hour business center, free parking, and complimentary coffee in the lobby.
• Sole Inn and Suites is a modern, affordable hotel near the Waterfront with a 24-hour front desk, making it easy to check in as you please.

Northeast Pensacola for Short Stays

Highlights: Cordova Mall, Cordova Lanes Bowling Center

Northeast Pensacola is close to the airport, making it a great area to stay in if you’ll be in the city for a short trip or a layover. It’s not a touristic neighborhood and there aren’t many attractions to keep you busy, but you’re only a 10-minute drive away from the city center and 15 to 30 minutes away from the beach depending on traffic. You could rent a car to get around, but many hotels in the Northeast area offer shuttle services to help guests reach nearby attractions.

Cordova Mall is the Northeast’s main attraction and is the biggest shopping center on the northwest Gulf Coast. It has over 140 stores including popular brands such as H&M, Victoria’s Secret, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

You have plenty of choices when it comes to accommodation in Northeast Pensacola. Don’t miss your chance to stay at:

• Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola Airport/Medical Center is just five minutes away from the airport and offers a free shuttle service for convenient access.
• Homewood Suites by Hilton Pensacola-Airport also provides a free airport shuttle, and it hosts a complimentary social event every Wednesday evening.
• Residence Inn By Marriott Pensacola Airport/Medical Center offers spacious suites with living, cooking, dining, and working areas, making it perfect for those looking for an extended stay.
• Hyatt Place Pensacola Airport is perfect for business travelers thanks to its meeting facilities, sound-proofed rooms, and convenient on-site restaurant.

Perdido Key for Nature and Wildlife

Highlights: Johnson Beach, Perdido State Park, Big Lagoon State Park

Perdido Key, meaning ‘lost island’ in Spanish, is a sanctuary for those who want to escape into nature on their vacation. It stretches along the westernmost shores of Florida and into the easternmost shores of Alabama. On its northern border are wetlands and estuaries where wildlife thrives, and on its southern edge are rolling sand dunes and incredible views of the Gulf of Mexico.

The atmosphere here is incredibly relaxing, and you can expect to receive Florida’s trademark southern charm from locals.

60% of Perdido Key is comprised of federal or state parks, so if you want to stay somewhere surrounded by nature, then this is the place to be. Some of the best parks in Perdido Key include Johnson Beach National Seashore and Perdido State Park. The latter is open from 8 am until sunset and has eight covered pavilions and plenty of parking, making it the perfect spot for a picnic or a family celebration. Big Lagoon State Park is a popular green space for hiking and camping if you’re looking for outdoor adventure.

There are several beachside resorts to choose from in Perdido Key, some of which are incredibly luxurious. You can enjoy fabulous views of the Gulf of Mexico when you stay in a hotel or apartment here.

Navarre Beach for Romantic Getaways

Highlights: Sea Turtles Conservation Center, Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary

If you’re planning a romantic vacation in Florida’s Panhandle, Navarre Beach is an excellent base. This quiet, somewhat remote area has just a handful of restaurants and beach bars, and there’s a long pier to wander along to watch the sunset and spot sea turtles and dolphins. You can also take a dolphin cruise to get some gorgeous views of the coastline while looking for wildlife. Visitors should also explore the Navarre Beach Marine Sanctuary to see the marine life that thrives in the artificial reefs that have been created here.

There are even more opportunities to see local wildlife when you snorkel in the reefs surrounding Navarre Beach. Equipment is available to rent from local vendors, and you can also hire kayaks and paddleboards to explore the coastline.

You’ll find just a few resorts and hotels on Navarre Beach since it’s such a small community, but there are also a few condo rentals available. All accommodation is within walking distance of the main Navarre Beach sights, but you’ll need a car to visit other neighborhoods.

Book Your Pensacola Vacation Rental

Now that you’re familiar with Pensacola’s best neighborhoods for visitors, you can get started planning your trip to this attractive region of the Gulf Coast.