A beach getaway is inherently romantic, and Sarasota has some of the best beaches in the world. Add to that beautiful hotels, excellent dining and plenty of things to do and you’ve got a recipe for a lovey-dovey 48 hours.

Where to Stay 

Book a room with a Gulf view at Zota Beach Resort on Longboat Key, where you and your partner can watch the sun rise and set from your balcony and toast to 
your love.

Day One

Say “so long” to the stress of everyday life and book a private cabana at Zota’s infinity pool. Spend the morning alternating between snuggling up together and taking dips in the pool or the calm waters of the Gulf.

Some say that orchids—with their sinuous shapes, mesmerizing colors and delicate fragrance—have aphrodisiac properties. Whether that’s true or not, spending a day holding hands among the flowers at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ downtown Sarasota campus is perfectly romantic. If you’re at Selby during the holiday season, bundle up and explore Lights in Bloom, the gardens’ stunning light display, which is open most nights throughout November and December. Write down a shared secret hope to hang on the gardens’ Wishing Tree, then fantasize about it coming true.

After a few hours at Selby, walk over to nearby Burns Court and meander through the historic neighborhood, which is home to Burns Court Cinemas, a hot-pink building that screens indie and arthouse films. Share a bucket of popcorn while catching a flick—a classic date activity—or just stroll the quaint streets, which are home to independent boutiques, antique stores and historic bungalows. You’ll feel like you’re in your own little world.

French food is synonymous with romance, and Maison Blanche on Longboat Key is one of the most special spots in town for romantic fine dining. Order a bottle of Champagne and the three-course prix fixe menu and indulge in Chef José Martinez’s delicious, meticulously composed fare. The rich, textural chocolate soufflé with crème anglaise is a must for dessert. After dinner, head back to your hotel, sit on your private balcony together and listen to the sound of the waves rolling onto the shore.

Day Two

Sleep in and then—if you’re here on a Saturday or Sunday—zip up Longboat Key to Whitney’s, a charming restaurant in a converted gas station that’s bright and airy. The brunch menu includes classics like eggs and bacon, avocado toast and an egg sandwich, but we also love the lemon-ricotta pancakes and the banana French toast. Bonus points if you add a Mimosa Meets Bellini, made with orange juice, peach and sparkling wine. After you’ve filled up on breakfast, dash across Gulf of Mexico Drive to the public beach access and take a long, leisurely stroll along the shore.

We wouldn’t blame you for wanting to lounge for the rest of the day—but push through and head to The Ringling for an afternoon of art. You’ll feel a sense of wonder standing next to the larger-than-life Rubens paintings in the main gallery, and the courtyard—where weddings are often held—is romantic in its own right. Don’t miss a tour of Ca’ d’Zan, either: John and Mable Ringling’s Mediterranean Revival mansion will transport you to the 1920s and all its glamour. Before you leave, wander through Mable’s rose garden—if it’s springtime, it will be filled with beautiful blooms and an intoxicating scent.

You’d be remiss to go on a romantic Sarasota getaway without having dinner at Ophelia’s on the Bay, which is consistently voted by our readers as one of the most romantic restaurants in town—and by OpenTable users as one of the most scenic restaurants in America. Ask for a table on the deck, which offers sweeping views of Sarasota Bay, and start with an order of oysters stuffed with blue crab and bacon. For dinner, we love the fish options, which include snapper, halibut and yellowfin tuna. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with crème brûlée or Key lime panna cotta, a tropical twist on a classic. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a dolphin or a manatee swimming next to you while you dine.