Welcome to Bal Harbour
Serene beaches and a strong community are the foundation for these international-renowned shopping destinations
Drive just fifteen minutes north of Miami Beach, and you’ll encounter the quaint and luxurious Bal Harbour and Surfside. Beachfront enclaves of the energetic city, these two villages are connected to Miami via bridges and yet remain a quieter, serene escape from city life. While both locations have their own distinct charisma, they’re equally renowned for their internationally acclaimed resorts, magnificent white beaches, ultra-luxury real estate developments, oceanfront residences, modern appeal, walkability, chic style, and community-centered mindset.
Surfside is known for its quieter personality, endless sunny days, and a small population of just 6,000 families, all of which contribute to its status as a peaceful escape with strong residential roots and resort-style living. Bal Harbour houses the famed Bal Harbour Shops, which maintains an impressive status as the most productive shopping center in the world.
Residential options in these villages extend beyond the luxe ocean view condos and multi-million dollar high-rise penthouses on the beach. However, developments like Eighty Seven Park and The Four Seasons Surf Club have helped cement their status as highly-desirable resort living.
In Surfside and Bal Harbour, you can find single-family homes with a Miami Modern style at more accessible prices and apartments in mid-rise buildings. One of the most well-known facets of Bal Harbour is its array of massive, gated estates set in private neighborhoods, which can sell for upwards of 30 million dollars and include palatial Neoclassical masterpieces, sleek contemporary new-builds, Spanish villa-inspired retreats, and unbelievable amenities.
What to Love
- The slower pace and laid-back atmosphere, separate from Miami Beach
- Some of the best beaches in the world
- Diverse housing options that include grandiose estates in esteemed neighborhoods
People & Lifestyle
Salt-scented breezes, incredible year-round weather, and a more subdued atmosphere compared to Miami Beach make Surfside and Bal Harbour immensely walkable, and residents can spend an idyllic day unwinding on the beach, browsing the world-class shopping district, and indulging in insanely good cuisine. The area is rich in culture and includes a long history and a purveying sense of dedication to the arts.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Bal Harbour is internationally-renowned for its shopping district,
Bal Harbour Shops, where residents get access to some of the top luxury brands in the world of fashion and design, including
Versace,
Gucci,
Louis Vuitton,
Prada,
Alexander McQueen,
Oscar de la Renta, and
Saks Fifth Avenue. If that somehow isn’t enough to satiate your need for retail, then you can visit the upscale
shops in Surfside, which trend towards the boutique and one-of-a-kind finds.
Dining is varied and extraordinary in Bal Harbour and Surfside, and it’s easy to find favorite venues that will become staples in your culinary routine. At Bal Harbour’s shopping district, you can ride up to the third floor of
Neiman Marcus to dine on healthy food options in the sunny atrium of
Cafe en 3. Enjoy your meal al fresco under the shady palms or inside the Parisian- inspired brasserie at
Le Zoo, whose menu is replete with elegant bistro classics like mouth-watering steak frites and grilled red snapper.
Things to Do
In Bal Harbour and Surfside, visitors come for the shops, pristine beaches, and quiet atmosphere and stay for the resorts, recreation, and beauty. Whether you’re a member of the nearby Indian Creek Country Club and choose to spend a day out on the golf course, a beach enthusiast who loves to soak on the mile-long stretch of Bal Harbour Beach, or enjoying luxury spa treatments at the area’s five-star hotels, the communities of Bal Harbour and Surfside provide everything you need to relax, unwind, and enjoy.
Resort hotels like the
Four Seasons in Surfside and
The St. Regis in Bal Harbour offer a wide array of spa services that range from therapeutic facials to deep tissue massages and salon treatments. Bal Harbour also has dedicated arts programs, including
Unscripted Bal Harbour and the
Art Access Program, both of which facilitate cultural and artistic education through access to Miami’s best museums and making contemporary art readily available to the public.
Schools
Bal Harbour and Surfside are home to several excellent schools. Top educational opportunities include:
- North Beach Elementary School, PK-5, one of the top public schools in the Miami-Dade County
- School for Advanced Studies - Wolfson, 11-12, #1 public high school in Miami-Dade County
- Ransom Everglades, 6-12, #1 private high school in Florida
