Anna Maria Island vs. Siesta Key: Which Island Is Right for You?

Old Florida charm and a free trolley, or famous white sand and a lively village? An honest comparison of two Gulf Coast favorites.

Anna Maria Island and Siesta Key are two of the most loved islands on Florida's Gulf Coast, and they are only about an hour apart. They feel surprisingly different.

Anna Maria Island, north of Longboat Key, is made up of three small cities: Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach. It is known for its Old Florida feel, low-rise buildings, quiet streets lined with beach cottages and a free island trolley that runs up and down the island. Evenings are calm, and many visitors love that it feels like stepping back in time.

Siesta Key is famous for its sand. Siesta Beach's powdery, nearly pure quartz shoreline has been named the best beach in America, and it stays cool underfoot. The island also has more going on: Siesta Key Village has restaurants, shops and live music every night, and downtown Sarasota, the theaters and the museums are only minutes away.

Choose Anna Maria for a slower, small-town escape. Choose Siesta Key for world-class sand plus easy access to dining, nightlife and Sarasota's culture. Or stay on Siesta Key and make Anna Maria a lovely day trip.

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