Gulf Shores, AL

Travel Guide

A marina with several yachts docked at the pier.
A misty sunrise over a calm lake with a wooden bridge and trees.
A beach with a striped beach chair under a colorful umbrella, sea grass in the foreground, and the ocean in the background.
A beach with sand dunes and grasses at sunset.
A waterfront with a dock, a building with a blue roof, and a reflection in the water.

Beautiful beaches, championship golf courses, great seafood and unusual nature experiences attract carefree vacationers to this pleasant Alabama resort area.

White-sand beaches and emerald-green water are the popular attractions of Gulf Shores and the Alabama Gulf Coast. Find some of the state’s best golf, good shopping and many natural attractions.

Orange BeachOpens in a new window and Alabama Point East are among Alabama Gulf Coast’s most popular beaches, great places to start exploring the area. Sandy shores stretching for miles feature sand dunes, boardwalks and several picnic areas. For a bit more action, try Gulf Shores Public Beach where you’ll find volleyball courts and numerous lively beach bars. Go shopping here and eat fresh seafood.

The Gulf Shores region is also home to some of Alabama’s best golf courses. Test your skills at the three designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer: Cotton Creek and Cyprus Bend at Craft Farms and Lost Key Golf Club on the way to PensacolaOpens in a new window, Florida.

Other nearby courses to investigate include the affordable Glenlakes Golf Club and Gulf State Park Refuge Golf Course. If you’re here mostly for golf, consider a “stay and play” package offered by the various hotels and resorts.

For outdoor adventure off the course, hike along the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, a collaborative effort between the city of Orange Beach and property owners along the trail. Try to catch a glimpse of the “Catman,” a part-man, part-wildcat creature that has allegedly lurked along the paths and swamps for decades. If you’d prefer not to walk, join an eco-tour, which provides a trip through the natural habitats in a covered electric cart.

Enjoy the many water-based activities in Gulf Shores and along the Alabama Gulf Coast. Rent a kayak and explore the back bays of the area or join a dolphin tour. The Alabama Coastal Birding Trail is a must-see for bird lovers, offering more than 50 birding sites. The trail is designed in a series of loops and provides information about the birds you might expect to see at each place.

Come to the Alabama Gulf Coast for adventure, fun and relaxation.

Where to stay in Gulf Shores

Find the best Gulf Shores areas and neighborhoods for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Gulf Shores
Learn more about Gulf Shores

Gulf Highlands

While visiting Gulf Highlands, you might make a stop by sights like Kiva Dunes Golf Course and Fort Morgan Beach.

Surf Side Shores

While Surf Side Shores isn't home to many top sights, Kiva Dunes Golf Course and Fort Morgan Beach are some notable places to visit nearby.

Cabana Beach

When in Cabana Beach, you can plan a visit to Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and Kiva Dunes Golf Course, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Plash Island

Though Plash Island might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Gulf Shores Beach and Gulf Shores Golf Club.

Morgantown

While Morgantown might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Kiva Dunes Golf Course and Fort Morgan Beach.

Beachside Resort Hotel

Beachside Resort Hotel

2 out of 5
610 W Beach Blvd Gulf Shores AL
The price is ₩126,733 per night from Aug 11 to Aug 12
₩126,733
₩147,010 total
Aug 11 - Aug 12
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,710 reviews)
"Room was not cleaned, sand on floor and we weren’t even at the beach yet. Bathroom tile grout was filthy, looking like it had not been cleaned properly for years. Had to have the air conditioning on all night to keep the moisture out of the room. While checking in the host spent more time stuffing ..."

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2026

Beachside Resort Hotel
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Gulf Shores

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Gulf Shores

2.5 out of 5
3600 Gulf Shores Parkway Gulf Shores AL
The price is ₩110,052 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
₩110,052
₩127,661 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.2/10 Good! (186 reviews)
"This property was good, staff was friendly, this is a tourist area, the only thing i didn’t like was the complimentary breakfast.. We stayed here four nights, two rooms paid 2200, and everyday they served gravy and biscuits that was the only thing we didn’t like."

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2026

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Gulf Shores
Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort

Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort

3.5 out of 5
112 West Beach Boulevard Gulf Shores AL
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₩266,336 per night from Aug 16 to Aug 17
₩266,336
₩376,450 total
Aug 16 - Aug 17
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this resort in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free breakfast, 3 restaurants, and 3 bars/lounges. Popular attractions Gulf Shores Beach and The Wharf are located ...
Embassy Suites By Hilton Gulf Shores Beach Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Cabins at Gulf State Park

The Cabins at Gulf State Park

3 out of 5
20111 State Park Road Gulf Shores AL
Book a stay at this business-friendly cabin in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free beach shuttle. Popular attractions Gulf Shores Beach and ...
The Cabins at Gulf State Park
Phoenix All Suites

Phoenix All Suites

3.5 out of 5
201 East Beach Blvd Gulf Shores AL
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
Phoenix All Suites
Phoenix All Suites West Hotel

Phoenix All Suites West Hotel

3.5 out of 5
533 W. Beach Blvd. Gulf Shores AL
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Gulf Shores. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Gulf Shores Beach and The Wharf are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (867 reviews)
"👍"

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2026

Phoenix All Suites West Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Stay near popular Gulf Shores attractions

Cities near Gulf Shores