Overview
Tarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, Florida. It is known for its implication in the sponge diving industry and its strong Greek presence. In fact, it has the highest percentage of Greeks of any city in America.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Tarpon Springs
Anclote Key Preserve State Park
A historic site. Amenities include primitive camping on the northern portion of the island as well as picnic pavilions and grills. Wildlife includes the American Oystercatcher, Bald Eagle and Piping Plover. The park is u…
Sponge Docks
This area is the centre of all sponging and fishing activity in the city. Right by the water, the street features many shops, restaurants and attractions. Although a bit tacky, there is a dishevelled charm to it.
Tarpon Ave
A charming old street featuring historic buildings and a few shops.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 90°F; winter lows dip to about 54°F. Very hot (Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Sep. (climate data from nearby Largo)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PIE St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport, Pinellas Park — 17 mi away (major hub). Directions
- TPA Tampa International Airport, Tampa — 18 mi away (major hub). Directions
Tampa International Airport (TPA) around 22 miles away (~43 min drive)
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Sponge Docks, Tarpon Ave
- Lunch Hella's Restaurant
- Afternoon Anclote Key Preserve State Park
- Dinner Captain Jack's
- Evening Tarpon Springs Castle Winery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
The cuisine of Tarpon Springs mostly revolves around the Greek culture, so it's not uncommon to see gyros, souvlaki, and other Greek foods.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
Tampa International Airport (TPA) around 22 miles away (~43 min drive)
By car
Follow US-19 north, which connects Tarpon Springs from St. Pete, following Florida's Gulf Coast. Tarpon Ave has a junction with US-19, while to reach the Sponge Exchange you will want to follow Spruce St/Live Oak St from their junction with US-19 and merge right onto Hibiscus St, which crosses Pinellas Ave to become Dodecanese Blvd and leads to the shoreline of the river and docks.
Get around
There is limited public transportation in the city. Having a car is your best bet here. There are also taxis available.
See
Various bayous border the city and are perfect places for a stroll or, if possible, a leisurely boat ride. Epiphany day, a Greek Orthodox holiday, is commemorated with the traditional diving for the cross, where young men dive in the Spring Bayou, on Spring Street, to recover a sunken cross.
See Sponge Docks
This area is the centre of all sponging and fishing activity in the city. Right by the water, the street features many shops, restaurants and attractions. Although a bit tacky, there is a dishevelled charm to it.
Do
The Tampa Bay area is best known for its authentically rolled Cuban cigars in Ybor City, so why not light up un auténtico cigarro cubano from the cigar stands on Dodecanese Blvd? One local cigar stand called "Dreams of Cuba" offers panatelas puros as well as a nice hot cup of Cuban coffee as you stroll the streets, shopping.
Do Anclote Key Preserve State Park
A historic site. Amenities include primitive camping on the northern portion of the island as well as picnic pavilions and grills. Wildlife includes the American Oystercatcher, Bald Eagle and Piping Plover. The park is unique in that a lighthouse, built in 1887, is on the southern end of the key. Three Rooker Island, south of Anclote and part of the preserve, remains an important Gulf coast beach-nesting bird sanctuary. The park has such amenities as beaches, birding, primitive camping, boating, fishing, hiking, picknicking areas and wildlife viewing.
Buy
At the Sponge Docks, there is a small shopping mall on Dodecanese Blvd. called the Sponge Exchange, with multiple stores to explore the sponges, knick-knacks and other souvenirs.
Shop The Sponge Exchange
The Sponge Exchange is a small outdoor shopping mall with about 40 businesses to enjoy; some are restaurants, but most are shoppes, some are sponge-related. From the white and blue Greek-style walls to the fountain and live Greek music found within, this place will give you an idea of a modern Tarpon Springs shopping village.
Eat
The cuisine of Tarpon Springs mostly revolves around the Greek culture, so it's not uncommon to see gyros, souvlaki, and other Greek foods.
Eat Captain Jack's
Captain Jack's is considered by many as the hotspot restaurant of Tarpon Springs. This restaurant, grill and tiki bar has an amazing waterfront view, especially the outside tables.
Eat Hella's Restaurant
Greek cuisine.
Eat Mama's Greek Cuisine
For 20 years, they fed the sponge divers and their families authentic Greek food and it's now a popular local spot.
Drink
Drink Tarpon Springs Castle Winery
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay safe
Tarpon Springs is a relatively safe city. The area around the docks, Pinellas Avenue and Tarpon Avenue are all easily walkable.
Go next
- Palm Harbor and Clearwater are to the south.
Nearby
Crystal Beach
City / town · 14 listings · 4 mi away
Palm Harbor
City / town · 6 listings · 4 mi away
Ozona
City / town · 5 listings · 6 mi away
New Port Richey
City / town · 24 listings · 7 mi away
Dunedin
City / town · 25 listings · 9 mi away
Safety Harbor
City / town · 14 listings · 11 mi away
Clearwater
City / town · 17 listings · 13 mi away
Largo
City / town · 7 listings · 17 mi away
My experience
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