Team Stories: A colorful lifeguard tower stands on an empty beach overlooking the ocean

A Perfect Day: Miami in One Day

Morning exercise on the beach, a stroll through Little Havana, and drinks on Ocean Drive – Pilot Florian Pilz shares what else makes up his perfect day in Miami

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3 min read
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6 AM: Enjoying the morning beach atmosphere

Due to the time difference between Germany and the U.S., I usually wake up before sunrise in Miami. I head straight to the beach to watch the sky change colors over the Atlantic: pink, yellow, purple – a unique light that many photographers use for fashion shoots.

A person walks along a path to the beach to enjoy the sunrise
In the early morning, the sky at Miami Beach turns the most beautiful colors (© Getty Images; Header-Bild © Getty Images)

7:30 AM: Jogging on the Miami Beach Boardwalk

Before it gets hot and humid, I jog along the 14-kilometer-long Miami Beach Boardwalk, which leads to the beautiful South Pointe Park. Along the way, you’ll see plenty of inline skaters and people on rental bikes, which you can grab from the Citi Bike Miami rental stations.

9 AM: A healthy breakfast

I especially love having breakfast at Pura Vida on Alton Road in South Beach, where I often order an Acai Bowl and a fresh juice. Or I treat myself to a vegan breakfast bowl with fruit at Under the Mango Tree on 5th Street. Also delicious: croissants or focaccia sandwiches from Rosetta Bakery on Collins Avenue.

11 AM: Strolling through Little Havana

In Little Havana, I feel like I’m in Cuba, surrounded by colorful facades and cigar factories. Rumba rhythms fill the air from the cafés, and I watch elderly gentlemen play dominoes in Máximo Gómez Park. My lunch tip: grab a Cuban sandwich with ham, cheese, pickles, and mustard from one of the many street stalls on Calle Ocho.

2 PM: Admiring street art

During my many short stays in the U.S., I love exploring the street art scenes of various cities. Miami’s Wynwood Arts District is particularly impressive, with some of the world’s best graffiti artists leaving their mark on old warehouses. The area is like an outdoor museum for graffiti art, and there are countless trendy bars, cafés, and vintage shops to discover. When I’m in the area, I always stop by Walt Grace Vintage, a showroom for guitars and classic cars.

6 PM: Dinner in South Beach

In the evening, I like to grab a rental bike and head to South Beach for dinner. Whether it’s Peruvian, Haitian, or Cuban cuisine, Española Way’s pedestrian street is lined with excellent Caribbean and South American restaurants. Also recommended: Ceviches by Divino and Havana Vieja Restaurant. For vegans, my top pick is Full Bloom Vegan, which serves plant-based dishes with a Caribbean twist.

People stroll through Wynwood Arts District, admiring colorful graffiti murals
Wynwood Arts District is like an outdoor museum for graffiti art (© Getty Images)
Art Deco buildings on Ocean Drive in Miami glow in colorful neon lights at night
At night, the Art Deco buildings on Ocean Drive glow in vibrant neon colors (© Getty Images)
A dish of fries and sautéed meat at Ceviches by Divino restaurant
Whether it's a steak and chips, like here, or fresh fish: Florian Pilz is always finding new delicacies on Española Way (© Alfonso Duran)

9 PM: Drinks on Ocean Drive

As soon as the sun sets, the Art Deco buildings on Ocean Drive light up in full glory. Bathed in soft blue and pink neon light, they’re even more striking than during the day. I soak up the vibe with a Mojito or Cuba Libre at The Clevelander Bar or Café Americano.

About:

Florian Pilz has been a pilot with Lufthansa since 2006. Since 2011, he has served as a Senior First Officer on the Boeing 747 and frequently flies to Miami. What he loves most about flights to the Magic City is the approach along the Florida coastline and the view of the Miami Beach shoreline just before landing.

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