Vacation rentals in Ybor City

Ybor City rests just northeast of downtown Tampa, Florida. The neighborhood is also known as “cigar city” and is considered the historic district of Tampa. It was founded in the 1880s and is home to the first Cuban community in the United States. It is known today for its lively atmosphere, vintage shops, vibrant Cuban culture, and Latin American restaurants. Come explore the vibrant culture and historical attractions in Ybor City! It’s the perfect destination for families, couples, and curious travelers seeking something unique.

Choose from a variety of vacation rentals in Ybor City, where there’s a rental for every type of traveler. The majority of rentals in this area reflect the vibrant mix of cultures here: colorful rentals with a Spanish-inspired flare, modern rentals with sleek appliances and decor, and sunny beach rentals inspired by this coastal-Florida region. Large groups and families can choose from several oversized accommodations, with enough bedrooms and facilities to comfortably house everyone. Book a rental with a private pool or garden area. Pet-friendly rentals are available for people traveling with pets.

If you’ll be flying into Ybor City, the closest airport is Tampa Airport, which is just a 13-minute drive away. There is also a direct bus between the airport and Ybor City. Taking a taxi, Uber, or Lyft are also options. Car rental companies are available at the airport and in Tampa if you plan on renting a car during your stay.

Ybor City is a wonderfully walkable, quiet neighborhood with all the main attractions reachable on foot. There’s truly no better way to discover the city than by spending a few days walking around at a relaxed pace. You can even book a historic walking tour of the city where you can walk around to see all the main sites and attractions with a local guide.

Ybor City is an excellent destination for couples with plenty of fun cultural activities to do and sites to see. It is known for its abundance of breweries and taprooms. For something a bit unique, stop by Cigar City Cider and Mead, which offers a lengthy menu of unique ciders made from unexpected ingredients like cactus, elderberry, strawberry, and açaí. You can also try the mead, which is a type of wine made from honey instead of grapes. They also come in a variety of fun flavors like pepper, currants, pineapple, and habanero. All the ingredients are 100% natural and sourced from Florida. If you’re craving an actual beer, head to Coppertail Brewing Company for delicious local brews. The brewery has a wonderful menu of food items too.

With its wide variety of unique cultural and historical offerings, Ybor City is a great destination for families of all ages. Families with children should head to the Glazer Children’s Museum where kids can enjoy a variety of interactive educational activities. There’s also Tampa Waterworks Park where kids can splash around in the summer months. A visit to the Florida Aquarium makes a wonderful afternoon outing. The 250,000-square-foot aquarium houses a variety of marine life exhibits, including a 4-D theater and an outdoor plaza with live events.

This museum is a good first stop during your trip to Ybor City, as it will give you a good foundation for exploring the rest of the neighborhood. There’s a 20-minute introductory video which explains the history of Ybor City. At the museum you can also learn about the various immigrant groups, the founders of Ybor City, the cigar factories, and the ethnic social clubs throughout the neighborhood.

Columbia Restaurant is Florida’s oldest restaurant, dating back to 1905. It is regarded as one of the top restaurants in the entire state and has earned a variety of awards for its excellent food and service. Enjoy a delicious meal here and choose from a lengthy menu of mouthwatering Spanish and Cuban style dishes. The colorful Spanish-style interior design of the restaurant is quite the experience on its own!

Friends of Jose Marti Park, on the corner of 8th Avenue and 13th Street, is technically the property of the Cuban government. Walk through the iron gates of the park, and you’ve stepped into Cuban territory! The park is named after Jose Marti, who was a journalist, soldier, professor, and poet who died fighting for Cuban independence in 1895. No need for a passport to walk inside the park!

Ybor City is known as “cigar city” for a reason. The city was born from the booming cigar industry which was brought over from Cuba. The cigar industry is less prominent than it once was, but you can still see its iconic presence throughout the neighborhood with an abundance of cigar shops lined along Seventh Avenue. Pop into any of them, but Tananero Cigars is one of the most popular. You can watch the cigar makers at work here as they hand-roll each cigar with speed and precision. If you’re feeling brave, you can even try a puff of one!

The first electric streetcar in Tampa was built in 1892 and its inhabitants relied on these to get around until relatively recent years. The streetcars are cute and practical, since they offer transportation to downtown Tampa. Take a ride on one just for the sheer experience of it!