Ybor City, Tampa Bay’s famous historic Latin quarter, has deep roots that can be seen, felt, and tasted, from the chickens that still freely roam the streets to iconic restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and old brick cigar factories that bring visitors back to the early days of the Cigar Capital of the World.
The district is best explored on foot, and visitors can opt for a historic walking tour to see important landmarks and learn about Ybor’s past. The museum at Ybor City Museum State Park is housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery building, which once produced hundreds of loaves of Cuban bread every day. A 10-minute walk from the museum, visitors can set foot on Cuban ground — no passport required — at Parque Amigos de Jose Marti, a memorial to the writer and leader of Cuban independence, which is located on a tiny piece of land donated to Cuba in the 1950s.
Today, only one of the area’s original cigar factories remains in operation: J.C. Newman Cigar Co., the country’s oldest family-owned premium cigar maker. The company offers tours of its factory, El Reloj, as well as classes for cigar rolling and tobacco tasting.
No trip to Ybor City is complete without eating at the iconic Columbia Restaurant, which has been a fixture there since 1905 and is still owned and operated by the original family. The restaurant, located on historic 7th Avenue, now spans an entire city block, making it the largest Spanish restaurant in the world, and guests can explore the Spanish and Cuban flavors the eatery is known for and see flamenco shows at dinnertime. A variety of restaurants and stores can be found at the dining, shopping, and entertainment hub of Centro Ybor, and the Ybor City Saturday Market is one of Tampa’s top shopping destinations for local goods.
Through the years, Ybor City has also become known for its trendy bars and exciting nightlife. Bad Monkey Ybor, The Ritz Ybor, Madame Fortune Dessert Room & HiFi Parlor, and Sterling Cigar Lounge & Bar can all be found along 7th Avenue.
Plan your trip at Visit Tampa Bay.
MUSEUMS, ARTS & CULTURE
Explore Ybor City’s history and art scene.
NIGHTLIFE & ENTERTAINMENT
The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down.
DINING
Dine at Ybor’s iconic eateries.
SHOPPING
Shop the Saturday market and the stores of Ybor.
FAMILY FUN
Discover kid-friendly events and attractions.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Visit the parks and spend time outdoors.
PET-FRIENDLY ADVENTURES
Take your four-legged family member along to dog-friendly parks and breweries.
PLACES TO STAY
Book a stay in Ybor City.
ACCESSIBILITY
See Tampa Bay’s accessible attractions.
BEACHES
Ybor City is within driving distance of popular Gulf beaches.
