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Planning a trip to fabulous Charleston, South Carolina – a coastal peninsula where the church spires are the tallest structures? Charleston’s compact downtown is filled with shops along pretty lanes, enticing eateries, and loads of historical sights, making it the perfect choice for a quick getaway. In fact, 3 days in Charleston is just enough to experience the best of this Southern city.
Charleston is one of the first places I ever traveled to with my husband, and I’ve been smitten ever since. Dubbed “The Holy City” due to its many and varied places of worship, there is beauty and history down every palmetto-lined path. Originally founded as Charles Town in 1670, there seems to be a story behind every structure.
That said, Charleston is also quite cosmopolitan, with top-notch restaurants and a vibrant arts scene. Filled with romance and style, it’s also a popular honeymoon and bachelorette party destination.
Charleston’s charm continues to lure me back, and I can’t seem to stay away for too long. To help you see why this city is so alluring, I’ve curated the perfect 3-day Charleston itinerary below. Are you ready to eat some amazing food while exploring one of America’s oldest cities?
The Perfect 3 Days in Charleston Itinerary
Day 1: Explore the Holy City
I created the below sightseeing walk (link to map), which shows you the best of Charleston’s famous sights in one morning. The walk is two miles long and takes about forty minutes to complete without stops. However, I recommend taking extra time to visit sites of interest along the way or simply lingering a little longer at the prettiest spots.
Warning – your camera storage will be full of photos by the time you’re done.
The Market
Start at the corner of Market Street and Church Street, right by the historic Charleston City Market. If you want, pop into the market to grab a bite at Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit and peruse stalls selling local goods before you set out.
Follow Church Street to Cumberland Street. You will see the iconic stone spire of St. Philip’s Church ahead of you. Fun fact – there are rules limiting new building height to ensure the church spires remain the tallest structures in the skyline.
Philadelphia Alley
Turn left onto Cumberland Street and you will quickly run into one of my favorite little paths: Philadelphia Alley. It is one of Charleston’s most beautiful alleyways, lined with greenery and prettily exposed brick walls where the painted plaster has worn away. Follow this lane to Queen Street.
Once on Queen Street, if you look to your right you’ll see the petite pink façade of the French Huguenot Church. With its elegant stucco and black iron details, the structure is a National Historic Landmark for being the last remaining independent Huguenot Church in America.
Now, turn left and walk all the way down Queen Street to the Joe Riley Waterfront Park.
Waterfront Park
When you arrive at the park, follow the path through the green space on your right to the Pineapple Fountain. This is one of the most famous photo spots in Charleston, and a lovely place to take a rest on the surrounding benches.
Two of my favorite Charleston stays have been The Palmetto and The Vendue because these chic hotels are just steps away from this park. Both locations are amazing if you like pleasant morning walks sipping coffee along the river as much as I do. The Palmetto’s bar serves better drinks, while The Vendue Rooftop is a lovely place to grab a snack wile admiring Charleston’s famous church spires.
Rainbow Row
Continue following the path to the end of the park until it drops you off onto N Adgers Wharf. Follow this to E Bay Street, and turn left. In just a few steps the famous colorful houses of the Rainbow Row will come into view on your right. This right here is the most iconic photo spot in Charleston.
The Battery
Continue along E Bay Street and follow it all the way along the Cooper River. The street turns into E Battery Street, becoming very scenic with one beautiful historic mansion after another on your right and the tidal river on your left.
The street ends at The Battery, a green space that was once a Civil War defensive post. Pause here for a moment before continuing back the way you came via Church Street.
Church Street
Head back via Church Street, a pleasant route that passes many quintessentially charming Charleston historical homes. Look for plaques that denote the Charlestonians and notable guests who’ve passed through, as well as significant events that took place in the houses.
A couple interesting landmarks to note:
- More adorable paths, including Stolls Alley and Longitude Lane
- Heyward-Washington House, which once hosted President George Washington
- Carolina Antique Maps and Prints for my fellow map collectors
The “Four Corners of Law”
When you reach Broad Street, take a left towards Meeting Street. You’ll find yourself at The Four Corners of Law: the City Hall, State House, Federal Post Office and Judiciary System, and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. Robert Ripley of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! cleverly assigned this name after his visit, referring to City Law, State Law, Federal Law, and God’s Law.
St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, with its tall white steeple, dates back to 1761 and is one of the most striking churches in Charleston. Powerful men of yore like George Washington and Robert E. Lee worshipped here in pew Number 43.
Travel Savvy Tip
If you’d prefer to have a guide, join one of Charleston’s many walking tours. There are plenty of themes to choose from, whether you want history, ghost stories, or cocktails. We loved Two Sisters Tours for a general Charleston overview.
We also enjoyed this pub tour that made four different stops while telling stories of Charleston’s past, including which pubs are haunted. It introduced us to the city, while giving us some ideas for bars and restaurants to revisit later.
Lunch
Pop into the Blind Tiger Pub on Broad Street. This gastropub serves local craft beer and tasty eats like their duck sandwich with truffle fries. During a mother-daughter trip, the shrimp and grits was my mom’s favorite meal she ate in all of Charleston.
Old Slave Mart Museum
Make a left back onto Church Street, then a right onto cobblestone Chalmers Street for two more stops.
First, you will run into the Pink House Gallery, with its striking façade of tropical pink stucco and a charmingly wonky tile roof. It is allegedly the oldest masonry residence in Charleston, having been built between 1690 and 1712.
Walk a touch further down the street to the Old Slave Mart Museum (originally Ryan’s Mart) on your left. The building came into use for this purpose during the 1850’s when outdoor slave auctions increasingly drew outcry from visitors to the city and were subsequently banned. At one time, this entire block was largely a slave mart district with several of these establishments in business.
There aren’t many artifacts inside, but for $8 the Old Slave Mart Museum thoroughly describes the interstate slave trade in America. This is opposed to the transatlantic slave trade, which Congress technically outlawed in 1808. After that, focus shifted to interstate trade, since by that time the enslaved population in the South had tragically grown large enough to sustain itself.
Dinner
Rest up before dinner, or take advantage of your hotel’s complementary wine happy hour (many Charleston hotels offer this). I adored sipping merlot by the fountains in the gorgeous courtyard of this hotel , which basically had unlimited free wine.
If you have a car (click here to browse rental options), I highly recommend heading to Sullivan’s Island to dine at The Obstinate Daughter. I’m still dreaming about the Shrimp Roll and Old Danger Flatbread from this chic coastal restaurant.
If you don’t have a car, no worries. You can get to any restaurant in downtown Charleston by walking or with a quick Uber. Stay casual the first night by grabbing amazing smoked meats at Lewis Barbecue. We smelled this establishment before we saw it, joining the line and impatiently awaiting what would be the best melt-in-your-mouth brisket I’ve ever had.
After dinner, consider grabbing a drink at The Rooftop at the Vendue for romantic views of Charleston’s spires and steeples.
Related: Savannah vs Charleston – Which Coastal Southern City is Better?
Day 2: Fort Sumter
Don’t worry – no more lengthy walking itineraries today! Rather, we are heading to the riverfront.
Visit a Café
Start your day with coffee from an adorable Charleston café. Clerks Coffee Company, located in the Hotel Emeline, is modern, bright, and has a small breakfast menu with items like a breakfast sandwich or avocado toast.
You also can’t go wrong with a visit to Carmella’s Cafe and Dessert Bar, which is right next to The Palmetto and often has a line out the door in the evenings. I still regret not grabbing a shareable chocolate peanut butter cake to go when my husband and I stopped in for ice coffee.
Liberty Square
With coffee in hand, take a leisurely mile walk or Uber down to Liberty Square. This is where the ferry to Fort Sumter takes off, as well as where you can see some of the best views of Charleston’s Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.
Get in line to tour Fort Sumter on either the 9:30am, 12:00pm, or 2:45pm ferry. You can grab your tickets here.
Fort Sumter
A two-hour-and-fifteen-minute tour of Fort Sumter is easy to squeeze into 3 days in Charleston and is a must if you’re into history. After all, Fort Sumter is the site where the Civil War began when it was fired upon by Confederate troops.
The pleasant half-hour ferry ride allows you to sit on the top deck or below deck inside. In good weather, I highly recommend sitting outside for fresh air and gorgeous views of the Charleston waterfront.
Once at Fort Sumter, you have one hour to explore. The tour starts with a brief presentation from a National Park Ranger, but after that you can roam about.
There are numerous informational signs, canons, and other artifacts that tell the story of the Union’s struggle to retake Fort Sumter from the Confederacy throughout the war. For four years, the fort took a beating until it was abandoned in 1865 when Union General William T. Sherman captured Charleston. The fort was restored after the war, but you can still find a couple old shells stuck in the walls.
Lunch
Walk or Uber a mile down E Bay Street to grab lunch on the water at Fleet Landing. This nautical restaurant was built in a retired naval building and delivers comforting Southern seafood dishes like rich, velvety she crab soup and fried green tomato “BLTs” with views of the Cooper River.
Tour a Museum
Charleston offers varied museum offerings, especially for history lovers. One of the most notable choices is the International African American Museum ($22.50 per adult, purchase in advance here), which gives the most comprehensive look I’ve seen into Black history in America. Emotional exhibits give the unfiltered story of the African diaspora, from the torture of the Middle Passage to the resilience that created the Gullah Geechee Culture.
If you prefer to tour a historic home, I recommend the Aiken-Rhett House Museum for $16, which can also be bought as a combo ticket with the Nathaniel Russell House for $24.
The Aiken-Rhett House belonged to the Aiken family for 142 years before being sold to the Charleston Museum. All but one room has been preserved as it was found, furnishings and all; even the slave quarters remain almost unchanged since the 1850’s. The house seems stuck in time, making it easy to visualize how slavery extended beyond the plantations into the city.
Dine Out in Style
You must experience Charleston’s sophisticated dining scene during at least one of your 3 days in Charleston. With so many options, it’s hard to nail down what to pick, so I am giving you a few of my personal recommendations.
For upscale seafood, Chubby Fish and The Ordinary are the way to go. Although no reservations means you have to wait in line before opening, Chubby Fish feels laidback and playful despite high-end offerings like the caviar sandwich. The Ordinary, on the other hand, is in a large elegant space perfect for celebrating a special occasion. It could almost feel stuffy until you try refreshing menu items like zucchini carpaccio and locally-caught oysters.
Another famous Charleston restaurant is FIG, which feels sophisticated but unpretentious in its central Historic District location near the City Market. The chef uses traditionally Southern, locally sourced ingredients, but in bright modern ways. For me, the lamb tartar was crazy good, the gnocchi is a must-order, and there was even a dish that came with “freshly-dug” potatoes.
One more option for a memorable evening that my husband and I always remember fondly is our dinner at Circa 1886. This fine dining establishment is built inside the original carriage house of the historic Wentworth Mansion, which dates to the Guided Age.
Whichever you choose, make reservations far in advance when possible. Especially for FIG – the best times virtually disappear the moment they are released four weeks out.
Day 3: Visit a Plantation
For the last of your 3 days in Charleston, let’s explore beyond the confines of the Historic District to learn a little history and discover another unique local eatery. It’s definitely best to rent a car for the best experience this day, but don’t worry – it’s very easy to drive around Charleston.
Breakfast at Magnolia’s
Have a delicious brunch at Magnolia’s before heading out for the last of your 3 days in Charleston. This classy establishment takes traditional Southern staples up a notch. Some examples are country fried steak and banana pudding stuffed French toast. In other words, just rich, flavorful southern comfort food.
Visit a Historic Plantation
If you want to learn how Charleston was built into what was at one time one of America’s wealthiest cities, visiting a plantation is essential. There are several options around Charleston nestled among the giant live oaks and wispy Spanish Moss of Ashley River Road, like Middleton Place and Drayton Hall.
However, I personally find the McLeod Plantation Historic Site on James Island to be the most exceptional site for an eye-opening experience – I’ve visited twice and learned something new each time. A member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, the McLeod interpreters are not interested in glamorizing any aspect of antebellum life. Rather, the tours are 100% focused on the lives of the 100 or so enslaved people who lived and worked on the site’s remaining 37 acres.
Another intriguing aspect of this plantation is that is served as a regional office for the short-lived Freedmen’s Bureau. This organization provided resources and guidance for emancipated individuals transitioning finally embracing their freedom before they eventually faced the broken promises of Reconstruction.
Other highlights include a great bookshop and an oak tree estimated to be as many as 600 years old.
Casual Seafood Lunch
Don’t leave James Island before trying some of the super fresh seafood menu items at CudaCo. Seafood House. This is a relaxed joint right off Folly Road with plenty of outdoor seating. The inside will great you with a large case of beautiful fresh fish chilled on ice, after which you will reach the counter for ordering flavorful items like oyster po boy or the coconut sticky rice bowl with beautiful bright pink ahi tuna.
Old Exchange
If you still have energy for one more museum at the end of your 3 days in Charleston, visit The Old Exchange once you return to the Historic District. This historic building was originally built in 1771 and has served various purposes.
Over time, The Old Exchange has changed hands between British, U.S., Confederate, and local ownership. It is incredible to think how much it has witnessed in Charleston over 2 ½ centuries – hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and multiple wars. That’s quite a lot!
Dinner
Have the final meal of your trip at another creative Charleston establishment, such as R. Kitchen or Bintü Atelier.
R Kitchen offers a coursed dinner with two seatings: 6pm or 8pm. The menu changes daily and has five preset items at $70 a person. You’ll share this intimate space with the kitchen while sipping wine, tasting the day’s dishes, and celebrating an awesome trip. Be sure to make reservations in advance.
On the other hand, Bintü Atelier is perfect is you are looking for a departure from Charleston’s traditional Lowcountry staples. Bintü is tiny (reservations are a must), but the flavor in their “African-inspired cuisine” is giant (I hope you like spice!). I recommend coming prepared to try as many menu items as possible – especially the Shito spicy crab rice, mafé, and any of their homemade tropical-flavored juices or ice creams.
Plan Your 3 Days in Charleston
Ensure your Charleston trip planning goes smoothly with these tips:
Getting to Charleston
- Drive: It’s handy to have a car with you to do day trips from Charleston, such as to a plantation or beach (rent a car here). However, it’s not needed if you plan to stay downtown during your 3 days in Charleston, as the city is totally walkable. Not having a car will also save you the nightly parking rate that virtually all downtown hotels charge.
- Fly: If you choose to fly to Charleston, you will be landing at Charleston International Airport. From there, it’s only about a 20-minute Uber ride or drive downtown. As far as rental cars, these are easy to pick up at the airport and driving around Charleston is a fairly stress-free experience.
Where to Stay During 3 Days in Charleston
Stay in Charleston’s Historic District for the most centrally located hotel options. This compact area of downtown Charleston contains many of the city’s most popular sights and incredible eateries all within walking distance. Here are three Charleston stays I’d recommend to anyone:
- The Vendue: Charleston’s fabulous art hotel was newly renovated during 2023. My husband and I stayed here on our first visit and absolutely loved that it was just steps away from the waterfront park. Also, with unique perks like their own rotating gallery and rooftop bar, our already stylish trip felt especially elevated. Plus, you can’t beat free nightly wine and cookies.
- Indigo Inn: This hotel couldn’t be any more well-located and is about a minute from popular spots like FIG and the City Market. Rates offers great value compared to other Charleston hotels, with standard rooms that are clean and comfortable and affordable on-site parking. My favorite perk was the Indigo’s gorgeous courtyard, where we enjoyed complimentary breakfast and wine each day.
- The Palmetto: This chic boutique hotel offers elevated amenities in elegantly-styled rooms. Besides a wonderful location just steps away from Fleet Landing and the Waterfront Park, the rooms have nice perks like espresso machines and bright, spacious bathrooms. My personal favorite amenity was the lively hotel bar that played temporary host to many a passerby coming in to try signature espresso martinis.
When to Visit
- Spring: In March through May find pleasant temperatures ranging from 60-80 degrees. This is the perfect weather for walking all over Charleston as the flowers bloom around you. Tip: Come in late Spring to avoid crowds and inflated prices, but be ready for heat!
- Summer: In June through August Charleston is sweltering with temperatures in the high 80’s, which are made hotter with thick humidity. Find yourself a shaded porch with some cold iced tea. And don’t forget sunscreen!
- Fall: Peak season stretches from September through November. Similar to spring, temperatures are comfortable and prices are higher. Halloween time is also perfect for doing a ghost tour, as most old buildings in Charleston are rumored to be haunted. Tip: Crowds start to thin towards the end of November.
- Winter: In December through February expect cooler, but not cold weather, as temperatures mostly stay between 50-60 degrees. This season also brings better prices and thin crowds (except around Valentines Day).
• • •
Now you are all set to take a deep dive into the Lowcountry over 3 days in Charleston. This itinerary will have you walking and eating your way though all that the Holy City has to offer. If you are anything like me, Charleston will charm you right back into returning to discover even more new places time and time again.
Are you traveling to Charleston soon? What are you excited to see in the Lowcountry?
Just loved your walking tour of downtown Charleston! Thanks for all the details!!
Aww yay! Thanks Kim, I really appreciate this feedback. I mapped this route out for a trip with my mom, and we simply loved it!
If I go to Charleston (looking into it now), I will follow your itinerary! Everything sounds wonderful. Love the restaurant recommendations too! 😉
Quick question: if we have extra time, is there a beach/coastal area (outside of town) that you’d recommend?
Thanks!
Thanks Karen! I had so much fun putting this together 🙂
There are two coastal areas nearby that I’d recommend:
– Isle of Palms, which has a very stunning, lengthy beach.
– Sullivan’s Island, which is a little beach town with some awesome eateries like The Longboard and Obstinate Daughter. There is also the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse to check out.
Enjoy your trip!
Your information is very impressive and interesting!! I have never been to Charleston, and I’m really curious in what part of the city to stay. You mentioned the historic district – is that better than hotels by the river? And how about traditional B&Bs? I will have a car and will be there mid April. I appreciate any advice you can give me – as you sound like a veteran! 😃
Thank you! Yes, I’ve been several times, and it’s one of my favorite cities :). I’ve never visited in April before, but hear that time is lovely with plenty of flowers blooming!
The historic district is actually a very large area that begins on Calhoun Street and extends to the southern tip of the peninsula. That is where you’ll find the bulk of the historic homes and strollable lanes. There are plenty of nice hotels and B&B’s in this area. The ones I’ve mentioned above are lovely and in great locations. I’ve also stayed in the 1837 Bed and Breakfast, which was super quaint and adorable, but a bit of a walk to popular sights. The John Rutledge House Inn is one of the top rated historic inns in Charleston, and offers lots of charm in a great location. Hope that helps!
We are going to be in Charleston November 21-23 this year. We are traveling with our 10 year old son. Do you have any suggestions for dinner that is not too elegant or expensive that a family would enjoy? He has a rather diverse palate (aka doesn’t do a kids menu anymore). Also, it will be my birthday!
What a great birthday trip! One of my favorite casual restaurants for seafood is Fleet Landing, which has a cool location right on the river. Also, the Blind Tiger Pub is very casual, but it’s affordable, in a great location, and their food is really good. My favorite restaurant in Charleston is located on Sullivan’s Island: The Obstinate Daughter. It has a chic, beachy feel, and their pizzas are so good!
Thank you for this very helpful ininerary . What is your though on the tour pass? is it worth getting? or better to just pay admission/ tour cost tothings we visit
You’re welcome! It could be worth it to get the tour pass, if you are willing to build your itinerary around things included on the pass. However, for this particular itinerary it would probably not be worth it. This is because much of the sites on Day 1 are free to check out, for Day 2 Fort Sumter is not included on the pass, and neither of my two recommended plantations are included on the pass.
I would probably not purchase it for myself because I don’t like to jam 4-5 tours and sites into each day, and prefer more like 2-3. Plus, I wouldn’t want to be limited to only the sites on the pass in order to get its full value. But everyone is different, and if you don’t mind sticking to the tours and sites that are included, it’s definitely something to consider.
Hi Theresa,
I hope you are well. I chanced upon your website as I am looking to make a trip to Charleston and Savannah at the end of March this year, and came across this article. Just like you, I am a former accountant and I enjoy traveling! Your itinerary for a 3 day trip to Charleston looks thorough and is extremely well put together. My husband and I are slow travelers; vacations for us equate to exploring a town or city by foot and really getting lost in the culture. We enjoy long ramblings and lots of pit-stops to sample the local cuisine and always – wine! I don’t create checklists of things we must visit, and am certainly not one of those people who has to visit a site to capture the perfect Instagram worthy picture. However, I certainly understand that there are some sites that are a definite ‘must-see’.
My question – would you recommend this 3-day itinerary for slow travelers or would you suggest adding an extra day? Also, can Charleston be explored entirely on foot or would you recommend a rental car? Appreciate any response.
Thank you for taking the time to curate this thoughtful and enjoyable travel blog. I will be exploring further.
Hi Joy, thank you so much for this kind comment! I’ve been to Charleston several times now, and never tire of wandering it’s gorgeous streets. I’ve intentionally not jam-packed this itinerary to allow plenty of room to either slow down or add more sights, so I think it’ll be perfect for you!
It can be helpful to have a rental car for driving to nearby plantations or beaches (but perhaps no beach in March). You also might consider adding a fourth day for sights such as the Angel Oak, visiting more wine bars, or doing a themed walking tour (pub, ghost, historical). Hope that helps!
I will be going to Charleston May 22-25 and was thinking of going to Folly Beach but will not have a car. What are your thoughts on that? Also, do you know anything about the luxury dinner cruise? Also, will prices be really exaggerated at this time?
Hello! In May the weather should be beautiful for visiting Folly Beach! Without a car, the best way to reach the beach is via taxi or Uber/Lyft, as there really aren’t any great bus options currently. As far as the dinner cruise, I have not personally done it, but again, May is a gorgeous time of year to be on the water!
May is high season in Charleston, so hotel and flight prices could be a bit higher. However, tours and restaurant prices should be pretty consistent year-round.
Hi! So my wife and I going to Charleston for our 10-year wedding anniversary. We arrive on a Thursday afternoon and leave on a Sunday morning. The Thursday evening we arrive, I booked us a dinner at The Charleston Place, so we have two full days in CHS. How would you cut this down to only having two full days?
Hello! It would depend on your priorities, but definitely do Day 1. Then you would need to choose between seeing Fort Sumter or driving out to a plantation. Personally, I think it’s easiest to just stay in downtown Charleston for both days, since there is plenty to do. If you see Fort Sumter, you won’t need to worry about having a car since you can walk to the riverfront to catch the ferry.
I cannot for the life of me seem to find the website for Middleton Place. Would you mind sending? Your itinerary looks wonderful, and I have booked a few things based on your recommendation. I just need this one last piece of information. Thank you so much. MJ
So sorry about that! Here is the link for purchasing tickets: https://www.middletonplace.org/visit/tours-and-packages/tickets-middleton-place.php
I’ve also added it above!
Thank you for such detailed information. We are planning a trip to Charleston and Savannah. You have recommended 3 days in Charleston, have you visited Savannah as well and if so how many days would you suggest that we plan to see Savannah.
Thank you
Penny
Hi Penny! Yes, I have visited Savannah. I would recommend a similar timeframe of 2-3 days. The city of Savannah itself is worth at least 2, but there are also some sites outside the city like Bonaventure Cemetery that warrant staying an extra day.
Do you have any rec on taking a carriage tour of city .. which outfit? Or renting bikes to pedal around the city.. any rec on who to rent from? Love your 3 day itenetary…. Isiting in august for 4 days!
Thank you! You can’t go wrong with Palmetto Carriage Works, or the oldest carriage tour company in Charleston. Tours run every 30 minutes from 9am to 5:00pm.
For bikes, I would check out Bilda Bike in downtown Charleston. Sometimes hotels have bikes available for use as well.
My husband and I just did a 3 day trip to Charleston and I essentially followed your itinerary exclusively. IT WAS AMAZING! Every recommendation you made was fantastic. We loved our trip – thanks for your help!
This is so wonderful to hear! I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip 🙂
Thank you so much for the walking tour map. We visited Charleston in May for our 25th wedding anniversary. This was the first thing we did after we arrived. It was a wonderful walk. Your map made it easy to follow and ensured we were able to see all the highlights. We used the information on your website to read up on each place we visited. I just shared your map with my daughter. She is currently planning a Charleston trip.
Thank you for your comment Christie! So happy to hear the map was helpful and that you had a wonderful trip!
Hi! This is so great! Thank you for this!! My husband and I are visiting Charleston in April and will only have 3 days there. I love your walking tour and wanted to plan on Day 1. I am also missing the beach so much and would like 1-2 days of the pretty beach towns after one day of exploring Charleston– with our limited time, which beach would you recommend? We’d like to stay nights 2 and 3 on the beach (any hotel recommendations?). Thanks for any additional info.