A Southern Reverie: 3 Dreamy Days in Charleston

Spring is in full swing, and as life begins to thaw, so do our travel plans.

Just two days after returning from Peru, I embarked on a long-anticipated trip to the American city I’d dreamed of visiting most: Charleston. And though I was walking through the ruins of Machu Picchu only three days earlier (yes, I might never get over this), Charleston completely impressed me with its own unique charm and character.

It’s now my favorite city in the U.S. There’s a palpable sense of cheer, well-being, and kindness—in the air and in every interaction with locals. Its beauty and cleanliness, secret alleyways, pastel-painted homes, excellent food, and the city’s commitment to preserving its history and architecture truly stole my heart.

Since returning, I haven’t stopped recommending Charleston to everyone I know—and now, I couldn’t leave out my virtual friends ;) If you're looking for a Charleston itinerary, let me share mine. I must say I drew inspiration for this group trip from my all-time favorite blogger, Julia Berolzheimer, a Charleston transplant I've followed since the early days of Instagram. Her recommendations were, as expected, top-notch and contributed greatly to this unforgettable experience.

Day 1:

We landed in Charleston around 3 PM and were greeted by sunny skies and a light breeze—perfect weather. In need of food, we headed to Park & Grove for a casual late lunch. Although we arrived just as happy hour was beginning, we scored a spot on the patio (which had serious Southern California vibes) and ordered the Garden Gimlet, the P&G burger, and the fish toast—my personal highlight.

After checking into our Airbnb in Folly Beach, we ventured downtown. That’s when my Charleston love story truly began. First, we strolled through the College of Charleston, and I swooned. I wished I could rewind time and apply to be a student there—my younger self would’ve thrived.

Then, we grabbed a soft serve at Pineapple the Hut, window-shopped along King Street (where you'll find stores like Love Shack Fancy, Rolling Rabbit, Lilly Pulitzer, Oliphant, and more), had drinks at Husk and Meeting at Market at the Charleston Place, and capped the night with a tasty and lively dinner at Church & Union.

Pineapple the Hut Husk Church & Union King Street Shops

Day 2:

Our early start called for coffee, so we headed to the iconic Babas on Meeting. The line was long, but we stuck it out—and it was so worth it.

With banana bread and strong espresso in hand, we crossed the City Market and visited the famous Pineapple Fountain and Rainbow Row. Both were even more charming than I imagined, made more magical by Charleston’s happy-go-lucky vibe. We walked along the waterfront, marveling at the ocean views and the stunning historic mansions, and stopped at the West Point Garden to bask in the oak trees draped in Spanish moss.

For brunch, we went to Franny & The Fox at the Emeline Hotel. A sunny patio, a lively DJ set, and incredible food awaited us. I had the taleggio wood-fired pizza with burnt honey and black pepper—paired with a crisp Caesar salad, it was perfection.

Next, we headed to Mount Pleasant for a few drinks at Saltwater Cowboys. The vibe was unbeatable—pure joy. I slowly sipped a piña colada slushie while dancing to pop tracks and spotting dolphins from the deck.

Later, we returned to the city for rooftop drinks at Ritual and had dinner at Coast Bar & Grill. The standouts? The Jambalaya and the hush puppies!

Franny & The Fox Saltwater Cowboys Coast Bar & Grill

Day 3:

Though we had planned to go to the beach, a chill in the air changed our plans. Instead, we had breakfast at The Longboard in Sullivan’s Island. Its coastal charm and comprehensive brunch menu were a delight. My favorite part? The coffee served with honey sticks, and the breakfast fried rice.

We strolled around Sullivan’s Island and unanimously decided we’d return one summer. It was peaceful, stunning, and according to the group, reminiscent of the beaches in Portugal.

Back downtown, we discovered it was Second Sunday—King Street was closed to cars and filled with vendors and musicians. The energy was contagious. Though I only bought a fridge magnet, it became one of the trip’s highlights.

As the group started to head out, the rest of the afternoon was blissfully relaxed. We had coffee (I highly recommend the decadent Caramel Bootlegger at the nearby Tinto y Crema), revisited the Pineapple Fountain and Rainbow Row, explored the art-filled Vendue Hotel before heading to its rooftop, and strolled all around downtown.

We ended the trip with dinner at Chez Nous, and it was pure magic. Set in a tiny house in a residential neighborhood, its charm was undeniable. We dined on the patio and admired the handwritten bilingual menu that changes daily. We tried a fresh salad with arugula and radishes, a spectacular pasta, and two desserts—strawberries and cream, and a heavenly chocolate puff pastry.

And with that, this trip (or reverie) came to its end, not without leaving an indelible mark in my heart.