Lido Key promises some of the finest beaches in the county, white-sand wonders that include Lido Beach, sited at 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Sarasota, Fla., and North Lido Beach Park, and Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach.
Vibe
Relaxed, upscale marvel of nature with all the amenities. Blessed with the same pure white, quartz sand and gin-clear water as its famed neighbor, Siesta Key—so close that you can see it just to the south—Lido has managed to slip under the radar, which means while it’s popular, there are fewer crowds. Here, families soak up the sun and cool off in the tranquil waters; couples gather to watch the sunset; and almost everyone ditches their sandals.
See, feel
The official public beach of Sarasota residents, walkable Lido Beach makes your beach day easy with free, abundant parking that’s right next to the sand; an onsite restaurant and concession; and amenities like restrooms and showers. But the star of the show is the beach. Expect broad swaths of powdery sand that stays cool on the toes; water so clear it will make you weep; and a beach that’s shallow and slopes gradually, making it ideal for little ones or those timid about the water. While the water is usually calm, winds, tides and offshore systems can occasionally make conditions rough.
On or near the beach
Working on the perfect tan, swimming, and walking by the surf—especially at sunset with an ice cream cone in hand- are favorite pastimes at Lido Beach. The lap pool is affordable and inviting if you want to burn off more energy. Refresh with a picnic in the shade under the palms. Or, nosh on island flavors and traditional beach favorites at Lido Island Grill, complete with live music, tropical adult beverages, beer and wine. Just a short stroll from the beach, luxe St. Armand’s Circle is brimming with indulgent eateries, spoil-you-silly spas, and more than 100 stores.
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible facilities at Lido Beach include restrooms, concession stands, covered seating areas, and boardwalks. Beach wheelchairs can be obtained from the lifeguard towers free of charge, every day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you need of a beach wheelchair outside those hours, please contact the Sarasota County ADA Coordinator three days before your visit to make a request at 941-861-5000 or adacoordinator@scgov.net.
Facilities
Amenities at Lido Beach include a concession stand and restaurant with covered seating (Lido Island Grill); a 25-meter lap swimming pool; restrooms; picnic tables; water fountains; a rinse station; and a shelter/pavilion.
Lifeguards
Lifeguards protect Lido Beach year round.
Parking
Lido Beach welcomes you with free parking in a 400-space lot, sited right next to the beach on Ben Franklin Drive.
