Coral Gables is Miami's most architecturally cohesive neighbourhood — a planned "City Beautiful" developed in the 1920s by George Merrick with Mediterranean Revival buildings, broad tree-lined boulevards, and ornamental gateways. The Biltmore Hotel, a 1926 landmark with a tower modelled on the Giralda in Seville, dominates the skyline and is worth a visit even if you are not staying there — take the free Sunday tour.
The Venetian Pool, carved from a coral rock quarry in 1924 and fed by spring water, is one of the most unusual swimming spots in the country. Miracle Mile, the main commercial street, has restaurants, galleries, and shops. The neighbourhood feels distinctly un-Miami: quiet, manicured, and leafy, with strict zoning that keeps the Mediterranean character intact.