United States
Florida (FL)
Florida Keys
Key West
Things to Do in Key West
West Martello Tower

West Martello Tower, Key West: Hours, Address, West Martello Tower Reviews: 4.5/5

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West Martello Tower

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West Martello Tower
4.5
622
#22 of 152 things to do in Key West
Historic Sites • Gardens • Scenic Walking Areas
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9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
West Martello Tower is a tropical garden paradise by the sea on the site of the remains of a civil war fort. Maintained by Key West Garden Club, it has garden rooms to delight you, the beach and sea to inspire you and history to intrigue you. This oceanside garden has free admission, free parking and is open to the public. West Martello Tower that houses the gardens has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior. The garden is maintained by many dedicated volunteers.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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The area
Address
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
622 reviews
Excellent
397
Very good
181
Average
38
Poor
4
Terrible
2
C V
1 contribution
A peaceful old fort and garden not to be missed
A beautiful shady spot to take a break from the heat of the beautiful nearby Higgs Beach. There is parking right in front. The gardens are well maintained by volunteers (you might see them around on Monday mornings, which we did, and they were happy to answer my many questions). It is free to get in and wander around on your own, but they do take donations. The history of this place makes it quite the unusual garden, as it was a fort during the time of the Civil War, and the remains of the fort can be seen as a beautiful backdrop to the tropical plants. A peaceful place not to be missed.
Written July 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vivianmpls
Minneapolis, MN82 contributions
We LOVE this place
Couples
We love this place, so much so we were married there four years ago. The plants, flora, history and location are fantastic for a quick stop off while seeing all the other things to see in that area. Entry only costs whatever you choose to donate and it is well worth the time spent!
Written December 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brendan S
Arlington, VA1,308 contributions
Pleasant site
A Martello is a Civil War-era fort with a tower. There are two Martellos in Key West - most of the East Martello is intact, and it houses a tourist trap museum. Little is left of the West Martello, but the ruins have been integrated into the botanical gardens of the local garden club. There is free admission to the public, allowing you to walk through areas with orchids, a butterfly garden and a labyrinth. The Martello is right on the beach, presenting gorgeous views at various points. This is not a large site and there is not much signage or a guide. You can walk through it all in less than a half hour, although you can stay longer to relax on a bench, too.
Written February 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
William L
Fort Smith, AR117 contributions
Spectacular!
Couples
Despite having travelled to Key West several times, this was our first trip to West Martello Towers. I'm not sure what we had been waiting for! The self-guided tour of the gardens is a fabulous way to spend a beautiful morning in Key West. We enjoyed learning about the history of the site, but nothing could have prepared us for the many beautiful plants and animals we saw inside the confines. As an added bonus, there are some spectacular ocean views through the wrought iron fence.
Written November 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
travelingpenguin12
Lexington, SC205 contributions
Beautiful
Couples
A beautiful garden off the beaten path. No admission charge but they request donations for the garden club to keep up its beauty. I’m not huge into plants but it is quiet and relaxing full of flowers and trees.
Written December 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
walker roamer
new orleans217 contributions
Well worth your time and effort if you have the time
Right next to Salute's Restaurant and Higgs Beach. The garden is quite large, shaded with a wonderful view of the ocean in one part. Filled with different species of palms, cacti, trees and bushes with nice paths that wander around them. The first area you come to is an impressive display of orchids. If you have any interest in botanical gardens this place is not to be missed. It opens at 9:30 am and is free, although a small donation for the Key West Flower Club is appreciated.
Written April 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jeff J
Key West, FL10 contributions
Fantastic Place
Fantastic place... If you're a gardener, or lover of historical forts or just looking for a calm, beautiful and serene place to spend an hour. Free entry, but drop a few in the donations bucket. They work hard. GO!!!

I've been 3 times now.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Beth J
4 contributions
Lovely respite by the sea
If you like flower gardens, don't miss this small gem by the sea. You can feel the historic nature of the site as you walk among all the tropical plants. My favorite spot was the butterfly garden, watching monarchs on the milkweed. BTW, it's FREE parking and entry. We stopped here on our way out of Key West and spent just 20 minutes walking around this lovely garden.
Written November 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KakiBW
Ellicott City, MD445 contributions
Nice surprise
Couples
We were walking along the beach path when we stumbled across this lovely garden. We have been coming to Key West for years and never knew this was here. The gardens are beautiful, and there are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy them. There are also great spots to ocean gaze.
Written March 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
B1714D
Belgrade, Serbia14,084 contributions
Part of the civil war fort
The West Martello tower is set on the southern part of KW, belonging to terrific botanical gardens inside the Gardens club (see that review) which is free to enter.
It's a nice place to visit if you're in the area. The gardens and the tower are only a short walk from the southernmost marker and right by the Higgs beach.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about West Martello Tower
West Martello Tower is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking West Martello Tower tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 West Martello Tower tours on Tripadvisor