Things to do in Naples: places to visit in Florida in 2023
If you're looking for a vacation destination that includes shopping, fine dining, and white-sand beaches, here's what to do in Naples, Florida. Guide to tractions 2023.
It is a beautiful city and is rated as one of the best beach vacation spots in the United States. If you are wondering what to do in Naples, we will tell you why it is one of the most beautiful places in Florida, ideal for when you are looking for a destination different from the usual classics.
It's that if you fly to Miami, you don't necessarily do it to stay in the city. Sometimes it is the airport that leaves us very close to other incredible destinations. Naples is one of them, the perfect place when looking for places to visit in Florida.
It has beautiful beaches, divine hotels and resorts, squares and entertainment for children, and it is an incredible destination to rest and enjoy delicious food.
Things to do in Naples, Florida: a paradise on the shores of the Gulf
Located on the southwestern Florida Gulf Coast, on the edge of the Everglades, Naples has palm-lined boulevards and a dazzling reputation.
Southwest Florida is, for many, the best alternative to Miami, because while its beaches rest on the Atlantic Ocean, Naples sits perched on the shoreline that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico.
Distance from Miami to Naples
You will only travel 195 kilometers to reach this oasis that is Naples. The fastest and most direct way to get there from Miami is to take the I75 highway. The trip takes approximately two hours.
If you want to take advantage of the trip and go through the Everglades park, you should take Route 41. It will take about 15 minutes more but it is a more entertaining route.
What to do in Naples in 2023
Naples has a small-town feel to it, making it a perfect destination for those seeking a romantic or luxurious getaway, family vacation, Everglades adventure, or relaxing time on the beach.
The 280 days of average sunshine that it boasts make this coast an ideal place to choose as a vacation destination. There are plenty of things to do in Naples including shopping, golfing, visiting art spaces, dining with beautiful restaurants, or engaging in outdoor activities including some of the best fishing in Florida.
Why people choose to visit Naples in Florida
Naples, in the state of Florida, offers a unique combination of:
- World famous beaches.
- PGA golf courses.
- International kitchen.
- Outdoor adventure.
- Luxury shopping.
Naples beaches
With a world full of fascinating destinations, choosing the right vacation spot can be a challenge. We tell you some wonders that can help you choose Naples as your next vacation destination.
From the historic Naples Pier where locals and tourists flock each evening to watch the sunset, to peaceful Marco Island, Naples' Gulf Coast is filled with varied beach settings, beautifully set up for a family getaway.
Of course, you will spend time at the beach, a lot of time. The beaches are famous both for their beauty and for the wide range of activities they offer
The sand at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park was featured on Dr. Beach's "Best Beaches of 2014" list. Here you can go snorkeling and stand up paddle boarding, fishing and kayaking.
Barefoot Beach County Park Preserve, north of Naples, was voted second best beach that same year.
Naples Municipal Beach and Pier, Vanderbilt Beach, and Tigertail Beach on Marco Island offer amenities such as equipment rentals, restaurants, playgrounds, and restrooms.
And if you want to get away from it all, you can camp on a stretch of sand on one of the uninhabited Ten Thousand Islands, or sneak off to Keewaydin Island, a barrier island with more than 12 kilometers of white-sand beach accessible only by boat.
Golf Capital of the World
If you're a fanatic golfer and dream of playing with the sun on your back, a winter golf getaway in Naples may be for you.
Naples is a great golf destination, especially during the winter, because it is sunny and warm all year long, even during the winter.
International kitchen
Naples welcomes visitors from all over the world, including many Europeans who call it their home away from home. For this reason it is not surprising to find excellent continental food, especially French cuisine.
The elegant city center has "delicious" French restaurants, but there are not only French ones. Many of the small restaurants along Tamiami Trail North also receive rave reviews.
When it's time for lunch or drinks and dinner, enjoy your meal with a beautiful ocean view, whether you choose a luxurious Naples beach resort or a funky bayside bar.
Hungry travelers then need not worry, as Naples is on Condé Nast Traveler's list of "America's Best Food Cities."
For a taste of the city's international charm and fresh-caught seafood, try authentic Persian food at Bah! Bah! Bistro, Spanish tapas at IM Tapas or homemade Italian pasta at BiCE. Truluck's crab claws come straight from the boat to your plate and you can't miss the miso-roasted sea bass at the busy USS Nemo Restaurant.
Outdoor adventure
Naples is the perfect base for fishing, exploring the Everglades, the Gulf and Corkscrew Swamp. There are at least 10 suggestions for attractions less than an hour from Naples that will inspire you to want to book extra days.
With the Florida Everglades on one side and the sparkling Gulf of Mexico on the other, Naples and Marco Island are surrounded by unforgettable outdoor activities.
Take an airboat tour to see alligators, bald eagles, turtles, snakes and bobcats. Big Cypress National Preserve is an International Dark Sky Park, making it perfect for camping under a blanket of stars.
Walk the boardwalk and admire the largest old-growth bald cypress forest in North America at the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.
Kayakers can paddle the maze at Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge or traverse mangrove tunnels at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
If you're traveling with kids, a dolphin-watching excursion or trip to the Naples Zoo can fill in the gap between building sandcastles and playing in the waves.
Shopping in Naples
Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South are the focal points of Naples shopping in the historic downtown area, with numerous art galleries, upscale clothing boutiques, and home decor stores.
Such a beautiful destination does not have an inch of normal attractions. You'll find art galleries and upscale boutiques interspersed with gourmet restaurants on immaculate, tree-lined sidewalks.
You'll enjoy unique shops with a view of the ocean at the Village Shops on Venetian Bay. Luxury names like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany and even Tesla fill the windows at the Waterside Shops in Naples.
But if you are looking for better prices, you can find them at the Miromar Outlets and in a climate of great peace and without so much shouting and ostentation as usually happens in Miami. It is located approximately 20/30 minutes towards Fort Myers.
Remember that Naples is a quiet place. If what you are looking for is to get out of control in a mall, show yourself off, or see Susana Gimenez, don't go to Naples because you're going to get bored.
Weather in Naples: what is the best time to visit it
The best time to visit Naples is between March and May. Daytime temperatures are around 26 or 27°, perfect weather for the beach. And most importantly, this is the ideal time because you will avoid price increases in winter.
You should know that despite the exorbitant costs, winter is high season here thanks to the average high temperatures for that time, temperatures around 21°.
Summer is another busy time in Naples because of the school calendar, but the average 90°F, with high humidity, makes even the beach uncomfortable.
Autumn presents a decrease of about 12° heading towards winter and there is a brief decrease in hotel rates and agglomerations.
Irresistible beaches and luxury
Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades in Southwest Florida are where postcard-worthy beaches meet the best of arts, culture, shopping, dining and nature. If you are looking to visit beaches, Florida gives you beaches of all kinds.
Florida Beaches
In Florida, white sand beaches and turquoise waters abound. If you chose to vacation in Orlando, to rest from the theme parks, visit one of these beaches to rest and sunbathe.
Calasedi Island, Dunedin
Just 2 hours from Orlando you will find this paradise island of white sand. Take the ferry and spend the day in this national park.
Siesta beach
Located on Siesta Key, on the beautiful blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Siesta Beach is known for its sand, which is made of 99% quartz. The unique composition of the sand means that it stays cool no matter how hot it gets from the sun. A real beach luxury in Florida.
Fort Myers Beach
Located on the sunny Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida, Fort Myers is a popular tourist destination for its long golden beaches, fabulous fishing, and high-end shopping.
Lover's Key
It is an island or cay that belongs to the national park system with beautiful beaches 2.5 hours south of Orlando. Lover's Key State Park is one of the most spectacular places in Fort Myers.
Clearwater Beach
Located on the sunny Gulf of Mexico, Clearwater Beach is known for its white sands and blue waters. Popular activities at this Florida beach include sunbathing, parasailing, and boating. Dolphin sightings are quite common in the Gulf waters.
New Smyrna Beach
This is another beach beauty located just 2 hours from Orlando and 3 from Miami. New Smyrna Beach is one of the best surfing beaches in Florida.
South beach
Located in Miami Beach, South Beach is an international playground offering non-stop nightlife, sandy beaches, and unique architecture. The long, man-made beach stretches out into the Atlantic and is perfect for an early morning run.
Bahia Honda State Park
Bahia Honda State Park is located in the Florida Keys south of Miami. They are some of the best beaches in Florida.
Palm Beach
The jewel in Palm Beach County's crown is exclusive Palm Beach, an island of wealth and extravagance 14 miles long and half a mile wide. Winter home to the Kennedys, the Rockefellers, and a handful of other millionaires.
Palm Beach features some of Florida's best hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as some of Florida's best beaches.
