Posh Palm Beach Island in South Florida is a favorite amongst fashionistas and celebrities.
While it’s decidedly more upscale than vibrant Miami, it offers just as many brilliant photo opportunities.
If you’re looking to elevate your Instagram feed while in the Sunshine State, you must pay a visit to this uncrowded, fashion-forward resort island.
Here are my top recommendations for where to create Insta-worthy content on Palm Beach Island.
In a rush? Pin this post for later!
Best Instagram Spots on Palm Beach Island
1. The Colony Hotel
If you’ve read my Instagram guide to Prague’s hidden gems or its iconic sights, then you already know I’m a pastel-obsessed Instagrammer.
Well, The Colony Hotel fed my pastel obsession in spades.
I mean, come on! How pretty is this hotel? I wish I could say my hubby and I stayed here, but we really just came for the view.
However, this hotel gets plenty of action from celebrities and other famous folks. Since 1947, it’s actually served as a second home to statesmen and stars. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor were among its most famous guests!
Even without spending the night, I can truly say this pet-friendly hotel is more than just a pretty façade.
What Guests Can Expect:
Did I mention that guests can enjoy celebrity-status service from the hotel’s “Beach Butler?” Sure, it may be a little “extra,” but I’m sure it’s a fabulous way to feel pampered on the beach.
If you’re looking for a little more action after getting your tan on, hotel guests can borrow adorable vintage beach cruisers and paddle boards for free. Those can make for some great photos – if you’re willing to splurge for the night.
If not, not to worry. You can still nail those exterior gram shots totally free of charge!
PHOTO TIP: The hotel itself is enormous and there’s no shortage of angles to capture. That said, the property is located on a busy street, making it a bit tricky to photograph. I recommend collaborating with a patient photographer who doesn’t mind safely venturing out into the street to shoot. He or she will need to work around the many cars that drive past.
How to Get Here:
The Colony Hotel’s location is ideal, just a few steps from the beach. The exact address is 155 Hammon Ave, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
2. Peruvian Avenue's Insta-Famous Door
Did you ever plan a trip based around a single picture you saw on Instagram? Well, that’s exactly what I did when I first discovered this blue door on the gram.
Once I realized that my sisters were only about an hour from Palm Beach Island and we had a place to stay, I was sold!
Little did I know that this Insta-famous spot would be way more challenging to shoot than I anticipated.
While I definitely recommend getting a shot here, it may not be easy to capture what you’re envisioning, particularly without the proper equipment.
What to Expect:
First off, the sidewalk in front of the doorway is incredibly narrow. If you’ve seen a picture of this spot circulating around on the gram, you’ve probably seen this angle done over and over. This is not a coincidence.
The doorway is located on a residential street with on-street parking. Lucky us, there was a car parked about six feet from me when this shot was taken, so we didn’t have much space to play with.
Street orientation aside, you’ll also be up against the challenge of harsh lighting. When we first arrived here at about 10 AM, the shadows were extreme. It didn’t seem to matter which way I stood or faced; they made me look like a zebra.
Unfortunately, they weren’t the kind of shadows that could be easily manipulated in Lightroom and/or Photoshop, either. In fact, I was ready to forego this shot altogether.
My husband pointed out that this spot is nearly impossible to shoot without shadows because of the fact that it’s southern-facing. As a result, the building gets direct sunlight most of the day, unless it’s cloudy out.
Full Disclosure: The only reason we were able to get my dream shot was because of a brief cloud cover about an hour after we arrived. It was truly pure, dumb luck.
How to Avoid Photo Challenges:
PHOTO TIP: Invest in a wide angle lens (or borrow one from a friend). My husband and I recently upgraded to a wide angle lens and it’s been a total gamechanger. Honestly, there’s no way this shot would’ve happened without it.
As I mentioned, this street is incredibly narrow, so your photographer will need to be just a few feet away from you to capture the door from this angle. You’ll need a wide angle lens to avoid cropping the doorway, unless you don’t mind a tighter shot.
Another possibility is to have your photographer shoot from the middle of the street, but this is only plausible if there isn’t a car parked out front.
How to Get Here:
The Insta-famous blue door is located along Peruvian Avenue, just across the street from Renato’s Restaurant. The exact address for Renato’s is 87 Via Mizner, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
3. Piccolo Mondo Restaurant
Fortunately, if you’re not able to get the blue door shot you’re envisioning, there are plenty of other photo spots along Peruvian Avenue.
Piccolo Mondo Restaurant was another favorite. We didn’t stop for a bite this time, but we definitely took advantage of the photo opportunity!
PHOTO TIP: I believe that the best photo to be had here is in the middle of the street. Start by standing in front of the restaurant, diagonally across the street from your photographer. When it’s safe to cross, have your photographer snap photos of you walking toward him/her.
How to Get Here:
The exact address for Piccolo Mondo is 87 Via Mizner, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
4. Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach
Just across from the beautiful Piccolo Mondo Restaurant, you’ll find this picturesque tiled design.
It’s part of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach and reminded me of the tiled facades in Lagos, Portugal.
How to Get Here:
This spot is located at 311 Peruvian Ave, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
5. Major Alley
Just off of Peruvian Ave, you’ll discover Major Alley. This charming street is ideal for flower lovers, as there’s always something in bloom here! I was surprised to see so many gorgeous blossoms in December.
PHOTO TIP: Major Alley contains residential properties, so be mindful of that when shooting here, especially if you venture into the alley like I did.
6. Via Mizner Steps
Via Mizner is a shopping plaza located directly off of Worth Avenue, one of the best streets for your luxury shopping needs. It connects Worth Avenue to Peruvian Ave (where the famous blue door is located).
I found some of the most beautiful steps I’ve ever seen in this plaza area.
If you’ve been following along with my travels on Instagram, then you know I have an affinity for stairs. These ones were designed by Addison Mizner, an American architect famous for his Mediterranean-style designs. These definitely looked like something from Spain or Portugal!
How to Get Here:
You’ll find Via Mizner at 337-339 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
7. Via Parigi
Via Parigi is another rambling shopping area designed by Mizner.
The photo you see below was taken in front of John H. Surovek Gallery, an art gallery that sells 19th and 20th century American paintings.
How to Get Here:
The John H. Surovek Gallery is located at 349 Worth Avenue, #8 Via Parigi, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
8. Sloan’s (West Palm Beach)
Looking to cool down with a tasty treat after a long day of shooting? Then you must pay a visit to Sloan’s for ice cream!
In addition to offering a range of unique and tasty flavors, this Barbie-pink ice cream parlor is an Instagrammer’s dream!
PHOTO TIP: Sloan’s actually has two other locations in the area – another one in West Palm Beach and one in Palm Beach Gardens.
However, I recommend going to the location on Clematis Street as we did. While I haven’t visited the other spots, I’ve gathered from other bloggers that this one is the most “Instagrammable.”
That said, there was major road construction in front of the Clematis Street location when we came in early December. We literally had to walk through the construction zone (in a pedestrian-designated area) to get to the side of the building for our shots. I’m not sure how long the construction will be in effect, but I’m giving you fair notice if you’re visiting at the end of 2019 or early 2020.
How to Get Here:
The exact address for the Sloan’s I recommend is 112 S. Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
As you can see, Instagrammers will have no shortage of eye candy (and literal sweets) to enjoy on and around Palm Beach Island!
If you enjoyed this guide, take a peek at my Instagram guide to vibrant Miami, one of Florida’s premier vacation destinations.
Did you find this post useful? Pin it to your boards!
Posh Palm Beach Island in South Florida is a favorite amongst fashionistas and celebrities.
While it’s decidedly more upscale than vibrant Miami, it offers just as many brilliant photo opportunities.
If you’re looking to elevate your Instagram feed while in the Sunshine State, you must pay a visit to this uncrowded, fashion-forward resort island.
Here are my top recommendations for where to create Insta-worthy content on Palm Beach Island.
In a rush? Pin this post for later!
Best Instagram Spots on Palm Beach Island
1. The Colony Hotel
If you’ve read my Instagram guide to Prague’s hidden gems or its iconic sights, then you already know I’m a pastel-obsessed Instagrammer.
Well, The Colony Hotel fed my pastel obsession in spades.
I mean, come on! How pretty is this hotel? I wish I could say my hubby and I stayed here, but we really just came for the view.
However, this hotel gets plenty of action from celebrities and other famous folks. Since 1947, it’s actually served as a second home to statesmen and stars. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor were among its most famous guests!
Even without spending the night, I can truly say this pet-friendly hotel is more than just a pretty façade.
What Guests Can Expect:
Did I mention that guests can enjoy celebrity-status service from the hotel’s “Beach Butler?” Sure, it may be a little “extra,” but I’m sure it’s a fabulous way to feel pampered on the beach.
If you’re looking for a little more action after getting your tan on, hotel guests can borrow adorable vintage beach cruisers and paddle boards for free. Those can make for some great photos – if you’re willing to splurge for the night.
If not, not to worry. You can still nail those exterior gram shots totally free of charge!
PHOTO TIP: The hotel itself is enormous and there’s no shortage of angles to capture. That said, the property is located on a busy street, making it a bit tricky to photograph. I recommend collaborating with a patient photographer who doesn’t mind safely venturing out into the street to shoot. He or she will need to work around the many cars that drive past.
How to Get Here:
The Colony Hotel’s location is ideal, just a few steps from the beach. The exact address is 155 Hammon Ave, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
2. Peruvian Avenue's Insta-Famous Door
Did you ever plan a trip based around a single picture you saw on Instagram? Well, that’s exactly what I did when I first discovered this blue door on the gram.
Once I realized that my sisters were only about an hour from Palm Beach Island and we had a place to stay, I was sold!
Little did I know that this Insta-famous spot would be way more challenging to shoot than I anticipated.
While I definitely recommend getting a shot here, it may not be easy to capture what you’re envisioning, particularly without the proper equipment.
What to Expect:
First off, the sidewalk in front of the doorway is incredibly narrow. If you’ve seen a picture of this spot circulating around on the gram, you’ve probably seen this angle done over and over. This is not a coincidence.
The doorway is located on a residential street with on-street parking. Lucky us, there was a car parked about six feet from me when this shot was taken, so we didn’t have much space to play with.
Street orientation aside, you’ll also be up against the challenge of harsh lighting. When we first arrived here at about 10 AM, the shadows were extreme. It didn’t seem to matter which way I stood or faced; they made me look like a zebra.
Unfortunately, they weren’t the kind of shadows that could be easily manipulated in Lightroom and/or Photoshop, either. In fact, I was ready to forego this shot altogether.
My husband pointed out that this spot is nearly impossible to shoot without shadows because of the fact that it’s southern-facing. As a result, the building gets direct sunlight most of the day, unless it’s cloudy out.
Full Disclosure: The only reason we were able to get my dream shot was because of a brief cloud cover about an hour after we arrived. It was truly pure, dumb luck.
How to Avoid Photo Challenges:
PHOTO TIP: Invest in a wide angle lens (or borrow one from a friend). My husband and I recently upgraded to a wide angle lens and it’s been a total gamechanger. Honestly, there’s no way this shot would’ve happened without it.
As I mentioned, this street is incredibly narrow, so your photographer will need to be just a few feet away from you to capture the door from this angle. You’ll need a wide angle lens to avoid cropping the doorway, unless you don’t mind a tighter shot.
Another possibility is to have your photographer shoot from the middle of the street, but this is only plausible if there isn’t a car parked out front.
How to Get Here:
The Insta-famous blue door is located along Peruvian Avenue, just across the street from Renato’s Restaurant. The exact address for Renato’s is 87 Via Mizner, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
3. Piccolo Mondo Restaurant
Fortunately, if you’re not able to get the blue door shot you’re envisioning, there are plenty of other photo spots along Peruvian Avenue.
Piccolo Mondo Restaurant was another favorite. We didn’t stop for a bite this time, but we definitely took advantage of the photo opportunity!
PHOTO TIP: I believe that the best photo to be had here is in the middle of the street. Start by standing in front of the restaurant, diagonally across the street from your photographer. When it’s safe to cross, have your photographer snap photos of you walking toward him/her.
How to Get Here:
The exact address for Piccolo Mondo is 87 Via Mizner, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
4. Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach
Just across from the beautiful Piccolo Mondo Restaurant, you’ll find this picturesque tiled design.
It’s part of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach and reminded me of the tiled facades in Lagos, Portugal.
How to Get Here:
This spot is located at 311 Peruvian Ave, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
5. Major Alley
Just off of Peruvian Ave, you’ll discover Major Alley. This charming street is ideal for flower lovers, as there’s always something in bloom here! I was surprised to see so many gorgeous blossoms in December.
PHOTO TIP: Major Alley contains residential properties, so be mindful of that when shooting here, especially if you venture into the alley like I did.
6. Via Mizner Steps
Via Mizner is a shopping plaza located directly off of Worth Avenue, one of the best streets for your luxury shopping needs. It connects Worth Avenue to Peruvian Ave (where the famous blue door is located).
I found some of the most beautiful steps I’ve ever seen in this plaza area.
If you’ve been following along with my travels on Instagram, then you know I have an affinity for stairs. These ones were designed by Addison Mizner, an American architect famous for his Mediterranean-style designs. These definitely looked like something from Spain or Portugal!
How to Get Here:
You’ll find Via Mizner at 337-339 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
7. Via Parigi
Via Parigi is another rambling shopping area designed by Mizner.
The photo you see below was taken in front of John H. Surovek Gallery, an art gallery that sells 19th and 20th century American paintings.
How to Get Here:
The John H. Surovek Gallery is located at 349 Worth Avenue, #8 Via Parigi, Palm Beach, FL 33480.
8. Sloan’s (West Palm Beach)
Looking to cool down with a tasty treat after a long day of shooting? Then you must pay a visit to Sloan’s for ice cream!
In addition to offering a range of unique and tasty flavors, this Barbie-pink ice cream parlor is an Instagrammer’s dream!
PHOTO TIP: Sloan’s actually has two other locations in the area – another one in West Palm Beach and one in Palm Beach Gardens.
However, I recommend going to the location on Clematis Street as we did. While I haven’t visited the other spots, I’ve gathered from other bloggers that this one is the most “Instagrammable.”
That said, there was major road construction in front of the Clematis Street location when we came in early December. We literally had to walk through the construction zone (in a pedestrian-designated area) to get to the side of the building for our shots. I’m not sure how long the construction will be in effect, but I’m giving you fair notice if you’re visiting at the end of 2019 or early 2020.
How to Get Here:
The exact address for the Sloan’s I recommend is 112 S. Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
As you can see, Instagrammers will have no shortage of eye candy (and literal sweets) to enjoy on and around Palm Beach Island!
If you enjoyed this guide, take a peek at my Instagram guide to vibrant Miami, one of Florida’s premier vacation destinations.
Did you find this post useful? Pin it to your boards!