Why Tampa, Florida is the blazing beach-and-city break you’ve never thought of

You’ve probably distantly heard about Tampa, Florida ‒ but mainly in the context of huge sporting events, stadium gigs or even business conferences.

But Florida’s third city (from a holiday perspective, after established favourites Miami and Orlando) is also great for a bit of low-key winter sun. With a raft of new hotels opening their doors this year, and new flights launching in November 2022, it gets 30 degrees Celsius in winter and has its own all-American, hedonistic charisma. So what’s all the fuss about? I crossed the pond to find out.

Stadium spectacles

One of the biggest reasons Americans fly in here is to watch supersized sports games in the flesh. You’ll see enormous banners and billboards around town, be they supporting the hockey team (Go Bolts!) or American football (Go Bucs!). The latter team ‒ the Tampa Buccaneers ‒ have a nationally famous stadium worth a visit, complete with its very own pirate ship. Tiny sports jerseys are a great gift to bring home for kids, too.

Cigar heritage

Ever heard of Ybor City? It was once one of the most prestigious places from which to source your cigars ‒ Winston Churchill was just one fan of its hand-rolled products. Now somewhat timewarped but still a fascinating study in immigrant culture and the American dream, it’s sleepy by day, with tall palms, saloon-vibes buildings and a huge mural telling its story. Get the full scoop from lifelong local Max Herman on his guided walking tour. There’s now only one working cigar factory, but don’t miss a stroll by town founder Vicente Martinez Ybor’s original warehouse ‒ now a Scientology church. Come back here after dark for a drink in a delightfully divey bar, such as The Dirty Shame.

Waterfront fun

Tampa’s waterfront has been smartly developed in recent years, with glossy apartment blocks trimmed with health food stores and coffee shops for an LA vibe. This is a prominent university town for Florida, so lively drinking dens and street food stands abound. Stroll along Sparkman’s Wharf to find character-packed food vendors such as Murph’s Barbecue, emblazoned with a neon sign boasting of “Smokin’ hot butts” (part of the fun here is the sheer, unsubtle levels of Americana). You can book a kayaking tour of the city waterways, or set off on a tipsy trip with…