Ybor City

The Basics

Ybor City’s buildings are notable for their red brick facades and wrought iron balconies, and the area is one of only two National Historic Landmark districts in Florida. Dive into the city’s history and culture with a stop at the Ybor City Museum, then take a guided tour of a local cigar factory, and sample some of the neighborhood’s Cuban cuisine. Once the sun goes down, many local bars and restaurants offer live music.

Things to Know Before You Go

• A streetcar, historic movie theater, and game arcade make Ybor City a hit with families.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes; this neighborhood is best explored on foot.

• Visitors who want to linger in Ybor City can find a range of accommodation options to suit just about any budget.

How to Get There

Ybor City is only a few minutes east of downtown Tampa. The neighborhood is bound by I-4 to the north, 22nd Street to the east, Adamo Drive to the south and Nebraska Avenue to the west. To reach the area via public transportation, take the TECO Line Streetcar from downtown Tampa, or take the number 5, number 8, and number 15 buses.

When to Get There

Ybor City has plenty to offer both during the day and in the evening, and the neighborhood is known as one of Florida's hottest night spots. Visit on a weekend to browse the wares at the Ybor City Saturday Market in Centennial Park.

Ybor City and Cigars

Tampa is sometimes called Cigar City, and Ybor City is known as the “Cigar Capital of the World.” Two of the nation’s oldest cigar-making companies—Arturo Fuente and J.C. Newman—both operate from this neighborhood. Visitors curious about the neighborhood’s cigar culture can explore the wares at several shops and smoking lounges and also book factory tours, where you can see Cuban-born artisans roll some of the world’s finest cigars firsthand.

Is Ybor City worth visiting?

Yes, Ybor City is worth visiting if you’re in Tampa. The neighborhood feels like a historic little nook in a big modern city, with quirks you won’t find elsewhere. Think neighborhood chickens walking the sidewalks, Cuban art and history, fantastic food, and a buzzy nightlife scene.

How can you tour Ybor City?

There’s a wide choice of Ybor City walking tours, as many say that the best way to experience the neighborhood is by foot. Visitors to the area can choose from history tours that showcase Ybor’s cigar-manufacturing past or food tours that showcase Ybor’s signature bites, like the classic Cuba sandwich.

Can you walk with alcohol in Ybor City?

Although Ybor City feels like New Orleans, it’s not. So, no, you can’t walk with an open can or bottle of alcohol in Ybor City. The neighborhood is part of Tampa, and in Tampa, it’s against the law to have open containers—that includes alcohol—on the street.

What is special about Ybor City?

In the late 1800s, Ybor City became a cigar manufacturing town. This led to large numbers of immigrants arriving to work in the world’s so-called Cigar Capital, and these people brought with them a vibrant mix of culture that’s still thriving in the neighborhood today.

What is the best street in Ybor City?

Seventh Avenue is where life happens in Ybor City, and visiting the neighborhood will always have it on its list. Also known as La Setima, the street is home to most of the city’s cigar shops, along with cafes, nightclubs, and live music venues to party the night away.

Is Ybor City walkable?

Yes, Ybor City is walkable, and walking is often said to be the best way to experience this vibrant area of town. Most activity centers around the main thoroughfare of 7th Avenue, and the must-visits like Ybor City State Museum and the historic district are within a leisurely amble.

Ways to explore

There are plenty of things to see, do, and eat in Ybor City. Learn about the neighborhood’s Cuban history and culture at the Ybor City Museum State Park, or join a walking tour that takes you past converted cigar factories and the José Martí Park, a rare piece of Cuba-owned land in the United States.

Ybor City food tours let you explore vibrant 7th Avenue while tasting everything from cannolis to Cuban sandwiches. If you only have a couple of hours to see Tampa’s top sights, hop on a golf-cart tour that breezes past landmarks in downtown and Ybor City.

Accessibility

Many Ybor City tours are wheelchair accessible; just check with the provider before booking. You can also explore independently, as area sidewalks generally have ramps and are flat.

Age limits

None

What to pack

In addition to your camera, bring bottled water and a portable fan to stay cool in the Tampa heat.

What to wear

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes—Ybor City is best explored on foot.

Not allowed

Rules vary by tour, but most don’t allow smoking or non-service animals.

Amenities

The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce has a visitor center with information, tours, and a gift shop.

Address 

Ybor City is a very short drive northeast of downtown Tampa and central attractions such as the Tampa Riverwalk. Get there easily by car or public transportation, or join a tour of the city by golf cart to leave the navigating to your guide.

Driving

From downtown Tampa, take I-275 north and I-4 east into Ybor City. Aim to park near the main drag, 7th Avenue, in a metered street spot or city lots 3, 5, or 6, where parking is free for up to two hours.

Public transportation

The free, bright yellow TECO Line Streetcar runs daily between Ybor City and downtown Tampa, stopping at several points of interest. Bus routes 5, 8, and 12 also serve Ybor City.

Best times to visit

Visit Ybor City around lunchtime for a Cuban sandwich in the sunshine, or head there in the evening for some of the best live music, comedy, and nightlife in Tampa.

Best days to visit

Explore the neighborhood on a Saturday to browse the wares at the weekly Ybor City Saturday Market in Centennial Park.

Best months to visit

Ybor City is especially nice from September to December, when Tampa generally sees fewer crowds and balmy daytime temperatures.

Special events

February’s Fiesta Day celebrates Ybor City’s immigrant communities with food and live entertainment, while the Cuban Sandwich Festival in March features dozens of craft, culinary, and cultural vendors.