Key West City Guide
Key West Map: Old Town Landmarks, Beaches & Transit
Our detailed Key West map provides essential orientation across the compact coral island spanning four miles long by two miles wide, with almost all premier historic attractions concentrated within the two square miles of historic Old Town. Navigating between top sights like Mallory Square, the Ernest Hemingway Home, Fort Zachary Taylor, and the Historic Seaport is straightforward when you understand the island's primary street grid. Use this comprehensive map guide to orient yourself across neighborhoods, public beach parks, parking garages, and the free Duval Loop bus line. The wider island directory and travel planner starts on the Key West City Guide homepage.
Quick answer Island layout, key transit routes, and walking distances
Read on 10 September 2026: Key West is oriented east-to-west. Old Town sits on the western tip, where 14-block Duval Street runs from the Gulf of Mexico (north at Mallory Square) to the Atlantic Ocean (south near the Southernmost Point). New Town occupies the eastern half with modern shopping and residential neighborhoods. You can walk the entire length of Duval Street in 25 to 30 minutes, or ride the free Duval Loop bus connecting all major Old Town sites.
Key takeaways
- North-to-South spine: Duval Street, Whitehead Street, and Simonton Street run parallel from the Gulf harbor down to the Atlantic oceanfront.
- East-to-West connectors: Truman Avenue (US-1), Southard Street, and Eaton Street connect Old Town directly to New Town and Atlantic beaches.
- Free Duval Loop bus: Circles Old Town every 15 minutes with 18 designated stops, running from 6:00 AM to midnight daily.
- Distances: Walking from Mallory Square to the Southernmost Point takes roughly 25 minutes (1.2 miles) along scenic Whitehead Street.
Interactive Key West Island Map
Filterable interactive map of Key West. Tap any pin or filter category to locate Old Town landmarks, Atlantic beaches, transit centers, and waterfront piers:
Historic Landmarks 9 pins
- Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum$18 cashHistoric 1851 limestone estate with 60 polydactyl cats.
- Key West Lighthouse & Keeper's Quarters$17.0088-step climb for 360-degree island views.
- Harry S. Truman Little White House$24.25Florida's only presidential museum in Truman Annex.
- Mel Fisher Maritime Museum$17.50Spanish galleon Atocha gold and emerald treasure.
- Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum$20.2465-foot lookout tower and salvage history.
- Key West Aquarium$21.59Shark feedings and touch tanks near Mallory Square.
- Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory$17.50Glass solarium with 50+ tropical butterfly species.
- Historic Key West CemeteryFree19-acre historic necropolis with humorous epitaphs.
- Southernmost Point BuoyFreeFamous painted concrete buoy marking 90 miles to Cuba.
Beaches & Parks 4 pins
- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park & Beach$2.50 walking / $6 carCivil War brick fort and top natural snorkeling beach.
- South BeachFreeCalm pocket beach at southern foot of Duval Street.
- Higgs Beach & PierFreeFree parking, wooden fishing pier, and volleyball courts.
- Smathers BeachFreeTwo-mile sandy Atlantic beach with watersports rentals.
Waterfront & Piers 2 pins
- Mallory Square Sunset CelebrationFreeNightly sunset performers, food carts, and waterfront views.
- Key West Historic Seaport & BightFreeTimber harborwalk, historic schooners, and raw bars.
Transit & Airport 3 pins
- Key West International Airport (EYW)Commercial FlightsPrimary commercial airport with direct flights to major US hubs.
- Old Town Garage (Park & Ride)$4/hr or $32/dayDuval Loop Stop 1 with 200 covered public parking spots.
- Key West Ferry TerminalFerry DeparturesDeparture point for Yankee Freedom ferry to Dry Tortugas.
Measure walking distances and times from the northwestern hub of Mallory Square to top sights:
| Landmark | District | Distance from Mallory Sq | Walking Time | Duval Loop Stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ernest Hemingway Home | Old Town (South) | 0.9 miles | 18 minutes | Stop 12 (Whitehead & Julia) |
| Southernmost Point Buoy | Old Town (South) | 1.2 miles | 24 minutes | Stop 13 (Simonton & South) |
| Key West Lighthouse | Old Town (South) | 0.9 miles | 18 minutes | Stop 12 (Whitehead & Julia) |
| Truman Little White House | Truman Annex | 0.3 miles | 6 minutes | Stop 17 (Front & Caroline) |
| Historic Seaport Harbor Walk | Historic Seaport | 0.5 miles | 10 minutes | Stop 1 (Old Town Garage) |
| Fort Zachary Taylor Beach | Fort Zach Park | 1.1 miles | 22 minutes | Stop 16 (Southard & Thomas) |
| Smathers Beach | New Town / Atlantic | 2.8 miles | Bike (15 min) / Taxi | City Bus Route Green |
Sit back and let local conductors navigate the historic streets while sharing island folklore.
from $42.95
Key West: Conch Tour Train 75-Minute Sightseeing Tour
The quintessential 75-minute loop through Old Town operating since 1958. Best for orientation and first-timers who prefer continuous live storytelling over walking in midday Florida heat.
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from $48.50
Key West: Old Town Trolley 13-Stop Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Full-day transport covering 13 stops across the entire island from Mallory Square to New Town. Ideal for travelers visiting Key West without a rental car or avoiding costly Old Town parking.
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from $43.00
Key West: Ghosts & Gravestones Guided Evening Trolley Tour
Key West's premier theatrical ghost excursion. A 60-minute journey through the island's darkest folklore, macabre grave robberies, and unsolved deaths guided by costumed 'Gravediggers'.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own, checked in Q3 2026; dollar figures are the listed prices — the platform bills in your account's currency.
The anatomy of Key West: Old Town vs New Town
Understanding the distinction between Old Town and New Town helps you decide where to stay and how to commute:
- Old Town (Western Island): The historic heart featuring 19th-century Victorian and gingerbread architecture, leafy brick sidewalks, boutique guesthouses, art galleries, and hundreds of independent restaurants and bars. It is almost 100% walkable and bikeable.
- New Town (Eastern Island): Built primarily during the mid-20th century dredging expansions. Home to modern hotel resorts, shopping centers, big-box stores, car rental agencies, and Key West International Airport (EYW). A car or rideshare ($12-$18) is typically used to commute between New Town hotels and Old Town nightlife.
Public beach access points along the Atlantic coast
Key West's southern and western shorelines feature distinct public beach areas:
- Fort Zachary Taylor State Park: Located at the southwestern tip off Southard Street. Features shaded Australian pines, limestone rock jetties, picnic tables, and clear snorkeling waters.
- South Beach: Located at the southernmost foot of Duval Street. A small pocket beach with a cafe and chair rentals; very calm and popular for quick dips.
- Higgs Beach: Located along Atlantic Boulevard at Reynolds Street. Free parking, wooden fishing pier, beach volleyball courts, and dog park.
- Smathers Beach: The island's longest sandy beach, stretching two miles along South Roosevelt Boulevard. Known for coconut palms, food trucks, and watersports rentals.
Frequently asked questions about navigating Key West
How long does it take to walk across Key West?
Walking north-to-south across the island along Duval Street (from Gulf to Atlantic) takes approximately 25 to 30 minutes (1.2 miles). Walking east-to-west across the entire island spans about 4 miles and takes 75 to 90 minutes.
Where can you pick up a physical paper map in Key West?
Complimentary printed island maps and Duval Loop route brochures are available at the Visitor Information Center at 402 Wall Street (Mallory Square) and at Old Town Garage.
Is Key West completely flat for cycling?
Yes, Key West is entirely flat with an average elevation of just 5 feet above sea level. Solares Hill, the island's highest natural point, rises only 18 feet.
What is the best street to walk down in Key West?
Duval Street is the main commercial and nightlife artery, but Whitehead Street offers a quieter, shaded route past top historic sites like the Hemingway Home, Lighthouse, and Green Street theater.
How do you get from Key West Airport to Old Town?
Key West International Airport (EYW) is located on the southeast side of the island. A rideshare (Uber or Lyft) or taxi to Old Town takes 10 to 15 minutes and costs $15 to $22.
Key West landmark walking distances and transit times
Estimate accurate point-to-point walking and biking times across the island:
| Starting Landmark | Destination | Distance | Walking Time | Biking Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mallory Square (Sunset Hub) | Southernmost Point Buoy | 1.2 miles | 24 minutes | 6 minutes |
| Mallory Square | Historic Seaport (Bight) | 0.5 miles | 10 minutes | 3 minutes |
| Hemingway Home | Key West Lighthouse | 0.05 miles | 1 minute (across street) | 1 minute |
| Hemingway Home | Bahama Village (Blue Heaven) | 0.4 miles | 7 minutes | 2 minutes |
| Historic Seaport | Smathers Beach (Atlantic) | 2.2 miles | 44 minutes (not advised in heat) | 11 minutes |
| Old Town Garage (Grinnell St) | Duval Street Center | 0.6 miles | 12 minutes (or free bus) | 3 minutes |
| Key West Airport (EYW) | Old Town Center | 3.8 miles | 1 hr 15 min (take taxi/Uber) | 18 minutes |
Key West on video: Map of Key West
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