Naples Tours & Activities

Plan your trip to Naples, Florida — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.

Top things to do in Naples

• Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. The nation's largest remaining old-growth bald cypress forest, managed by Audubon, laced with a 2.25-mile wheelchair-accessible boardwalk that winds through five distinct habitats. Alligators, painted buntings, otters, and wading birds share the canopy — an otherworldly ecosystem just 30 minutes from the beach.
• Naples Botanical Garden. A world-class 170-acre garden on Bayshore Drive showcasing the tropical plant palette of Florida, Brazil, Asia, and the Caribbean across seven distinct natural habitats. The immaculate grounds and rotating art installations make it as much a design destination as a horticultural one.
• Fifth Avenue South. Naples' elegant main street since the 1920s, lined with award-winning restaurants, art galleries, chic boutiques, and lively sidewalk café culture. Cambier Park anchors the corridor with concerts by the Naples Philharmonic and a children's playground, making it the beating heart of downtown life.
• Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park. Consistently rated one of the best beaches in the nation, this 166-acre barrier island park offers a mile of powder-white sand, clear Gulf waters, a hard-bottom limestone reef for snorkeling, and mangrove-edged tidal creeks. It is the least developed — and most rewarding — beach in the Naples area.
• Artis—Naples & The Baker Museum. Southwest Florida's foremost cultural campus pairs the Naples Philharmonic (300+ events per season) with the American Alliance of Museums–accredited Baker Museum, which features modern and contemporary art, an outdoor sculpture trail, and monthly Art After Hours evenings open to all.
• Keewaydin Island. An eight-mile, boat-access-only barrier island with zero cars, soft sand, and some of the finest shelling on the Gulf Coast. Eighty-five percent of its 1,300 acres is publicly owned, and daily water shuttles make the short crossing from Naples marinas effortless.
• Sunset Cruise on Naples Bay. As the sun melts into the Gulf of Mexico, Naples Bay lights up with dolphin pods, roseate spoonbills, and the illuminated waterfront mansions of Port Royal. The Naples Princess luxury yacht and Pure Florida's eco-focused cruises offer narrated departures nightly from Tin City.
• Third Street South. On the National Register of Historic Places, this flower-draped street is the birthplace of Old Naples — more art galleries than anywhere else in Southwest Florida, with premier restaurants, European boutiques, and a gentle pace that invites lingering over morning espresso or an alfresco dinner.

Best time to visit Naples

January through March. Peak comfort weather with average highs of 74-77°F, very low humidity, and minimal rainfall. Coincides with the city's major cultural events (Naples Winter Wine Festival in January/February, Naples National Art Fair in February). December and April offer similar weather with slightly fewer crowds and lower prices. Summer (June-September) brings 90°F+ heat, high humidity, daily thunderstorms, and hurricane risk

Naples weather by month

Getting to Naples

A rental car is the most practical way to explore Naples — beaches, nature sanctuaries, and the Everglades are spread out and public transit is limited. If you stay in Old Naples, you can walk most of downtown, but plan on driving for day trips to Corkscrew Swamp, Delnor-Wiggins, or the Ten Thousand Islands.

• RSW Southwest Florida International Airport — 40 min drive
• APF Naples Airport — 5 min drive
• MIA Miami International Airport — 120 min drive

Where to stay in Naples

Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.

• Old Naples / Downtown. The most walkable and visitor-friendly pocket of the city, centered on Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South. Guests can stroll to premier restaurants, art galleries, the beach, and Tin City without a car. A mix of boutique inns, bed-and-breakfasts, and… Good for: First-time visitors, couples, culture-seekers, anyone who wants to walk everywhere.
• Pelican Bay / North Naples. An upscale master-planned enclave north of downtown where golf courses, the Artis–Naples cultural campus, and two private tram-served Gulf beaches share a lush, verdant setting. Resort hotels and luxury condominiums suit guests who want full amenities, a… Good for: Golfers, culture-seekers, resort-style relaxers, longer stays.
• Vanderbilt Beach / North Naples. Anchored by the popular Vanderbilt Beach Park and sitting less than two miles from Mercato's shops and restaurants, this area draws visitors who want beach proximity paired with lively dining and nightlife without the full-on bustle of downtown. A 375-space… Good for: Beach-first travelers, families, those who want nightlife close by.
• Park Shore / Venetian Bay. A quietly elegant residential-meets-visitor neighborhood on the bay between downtown and North Naples, best known for the Village on Venetian Bay — a charming open-air waterfront complex of boutiques and seafood restaurants. Tree-lined streets and canal… Good for: Couples, repeat visitors, those seeking a relaxed mid-city base with waterfront dining.
• Marco Island. Technically a separate barrier island 20 miles south, Marco Island offers a distinct Gulf getaway with its own beaches, boat rentals, and waterfront dining. A strong choice for visitors who want true seclusion, easy offshore access, and a slower pace than… Good for: Boaters, families, honeymooners seeking seclusion, fishing enthusiasts.

Where to eat in Naples

A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.

Local favorites & classics

• Osteria Tulia. Old Naples / Fifth Avenue South · Southern Italian — Chef Vincenzo Betulia's family-run osteria celebrates rustic Southern Italy with housemade pastas, artisanal cheeses, barrel-aged balsamic, and…
• Sea Salt. Third Street South · Seafood / Italian — An upscale corner institution where 130 global salts season everything from tuna tartare to truffled lobster mac and cheese. The elevated outdoor terrace and…
• Campiello. Third Street South · Italian / Tuscan — Housed in the historic Naples Mercantile Building, this award-winning restaurant features meats roasted over an open fire, wood-oven pizzas, and a rotating…
• Barbatella. Third Street South · Italian — A whimsical bistro and wine bar with a covered courtyard, 100+ Italian wines (30+ by the glass), wood-fired diavola pizza, and artisan pasta. Consistently full and…
• Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab. Old Naples / Fourth Avenue South · Seafood / Steakhouse — Florida stone crab claws from Truluck's own sustainably managed fishery arrive trap-to-table within 24 hours during the October–May season.…
• Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar. Venetian Bay / Park Shore · Seafood — A beloved waterfront restaurant overlooking Naples Bay at the Village on Venetian Bay, open since 1990 and known for fresh Gulf catches, an extensive raw bar,…
• Bha! Bha! Persian Bistro. Fifth Avenue South · Persian — One of Naples' most distinctive dining rooms, serving beautifully spiced kebabs, pomegranate-braised lamb, and inventive Persian-inspired cocktails. A refined yet…
• Caffé Milano Naples. 800 5th Ave S · 4.8★ (6,653 reviews)

Cafés, bakeries & casual

• Sails Restaurant. Old Naples / Fifth Avenue South · European seafood — Named to OpenTable's Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants for 2026, Sails lets diners choose a whole fish by weight and preparation. Clean, modern…
• The French Brasserie Rustique. Fifth Avenue South · French bistro — Classic Parisian bistro cooking — steak frites, moules marinières, escargot — delivered in a warmly lit room steps from the main downtown boulevard. A standout…
• Pinchers at Tin City. Tin City / Downtown Waterfront · Seafood — The quintessential casual Naples seafood experience — tables right on the water at Tin City, cold beer, fresh grouper sandwiches, stone crab claws in…
• LAVENDER Cafe & Bistro. 300 9th St N · 4.9★ (1,772 reviews)
• Brooklyn Dough. 935 3rd Ave N · 4.7★ (919 reviews)
• Locos x Argentina. 3106 Tamiami Trl N · 4.9★ (694 reviews)
• Acopio Coffee. 5100 Tamiami Trl N Ste 101 · 4.9★ (625 reviews)
• Epiphany Gluten Free Bakery. 1514 Immokalee Rd #117 · 4.7★ (759 reviews)

A 7-Day Naples Plan

1. Day 1 — Downtown Charm & Gulf Sunsets. Begin your Naples stay with a stroll down Fifth Avenue South, exploring its boutiques, galleries, and sidewalk cafés over a leisurely breakfast at one of the street's beloved spots. Walk the historic Naples Pier, then head to Third Street South to browse its upscale shops and…
2. Day 2 — Wilderness & Ancient Cypress Forest. Drive northeast to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and walk the 2.5-mile boardwalk through North America's largest old-growth bald cypress forest, spotting herons, anhingas, and nesting wood storks. Return to Naples and refresh at your hotel, then visit the Naples Zoo at…
3. Day 3 — Art, Culture & Performing Arts. Spend the morning at the Naples Botanical Garden, wandering its 170 acres of themed gardens including Brazilian, Asian, and Caribbean collections with lush water features. Head to Artis—Naples and spend time in The Baker Museum, one of Southwest Florida's premier fine-art…
4. Day 4 — Beach Day & Coastal Waters. Head to Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, one of the finest barrier island beaches on the Gulf Coast — pristine white sand, warm turquoise water, and excellent shelling and snorkeling near the pass. Rent a kayak or paddleboard through the park or a nearby outfitter and explore the…
5. Day 5 — Everglades Wild & Eco-Adventure. Join an Everglades Kayak & Eco-Tour departing from the Naples area, paddling through mangrove tunnels and open prairies of the greater Everglades ecosystem with a knowledgeable naturalist guide. Continue deeper into Big Cypress country or visit the nearby Fakahatchee Strand…
6. Day 6 — Island Escape & Pristine Shores. Take a water taxi or charter boat to Keewaydin Island, a roadless barrier island accessible only by boat, for some of the most undisturbed shelling and beach walking on Florida's Gulf Coast. Spend the full afternoon on Keewaydin — swimming, picnicking, and collecting shells —…
7. Day 7 — Local Flavors & Farewell Sunset. Revisit the Naples Botanical Garden's café for breakfast, then browse the Saturday farmers' market or the Third Street South morning market for local produce, crafts, and artisan goods. Explore any remaining corners of Naples — the historic district, the waterfront at Bayfront…

Events & festivals in Naples

• Naples Winter Wine Festival (Late January / early February (2026 dates: January 30 - February 1)). Annual charity wine auction and gala held at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón since 2001. Organized by the Naples Children and Education Foundation; has raised over $336 million for underprivileged children in Collier…
• Naples National Art Fair (February (typically third weekend; 2026 dates: February 20-22; 2027 dates: February 19-21)). Annual juried outdoor art fair presented by the Naples Art Institute in Cambier Park and along Park Street. Showcases works in 17 categories; consistently ranked among the Top 200 art shows in the US by Sunshine Artist…
• US Open Pickleball Championships (April (2024 dates: April 13-20)). Annual international pickleball tournament held at East Naples Community Park (rebranded USOP National Pickleball Center in 2024) since its inaugural edition in 2016. Grew from 800 participants and 2,000 spectators in…
• Naples Stone Crab Festival (October (late October; 2025 dates: October 24-26)). Annual three-day waterfront festival celebrating the October 15 opening of Florida stone crab season. Naples and the Ten Thousand Islands / Everglades City region are Florida's prime stone crab harvesting area and…
• CME Group Tour Championship (LPGA) (November (2025 dates: November 20-23; 2026 dates: November 19-22)). Season-ending LPGA Tour event held annually at the Gold Course of Tiburón Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples since 2013. The top 60 LPGA players compete for a record $11 million purse (2025). Part of the…
• Swamp Buggy Races (Florida Sports Park) (Multiple events per year including spring and fall; originally held November). Annual off-road motorsport tradition at Florida Sports Park in Naples, running since 1949. Vehicles race through the 'Mile O' Mud' course. The event gained national television coverage and is recognized by the Florida…

Top-rated tours & activities in Naples

• Easy Ride Pedal Kayak Tour Marco Island & Naples (Pedal or Paddle — 5.0★ (1,160 reviews)
• Marco Island Wildlife Sightseeing and Shelling Tour — 5.0★ (1,117 reviews)
• Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour — 5.0★ (986 reviews)
• Mangrove Tunnels & Mudflats Kayak Tour - Local Biologist Guides — 5.0★ (832 reviews)
• Marco Island Safari Truck Tour — 5.0★ (117 reviews)
• Sunset Cruise Tour — 4.9★ (60 reviews)
• Marco Island Dolphin Sightseeing Tour — 5.0★ (550 reviews)
• Private Shelling and Dolphin Excursion — 5.0★ (377 reviews)

Naples travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Naples?

January through March.

What are the top things to do in Naples?

Top experiences include Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Naples Botanical Garden, Fifth Avenue South, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Artis—Naples & The Baker Museum.

Which airport is closest to Naples?

Naples Airport (APF) is the nearest, about 5 minutes away.

Where should I stay in Naples?

Popular areas to base yourself include Old Naples / Downtown, Pelican Bay / North Naples, Vanderbilt Beach / North Naples, Park Shore / Venetian Bay.

How do I get around Naples?

A rental car is the most practical way to explore Naples — beaches, nature sanctuaries, and the Everglades are spread out and public transit is limited.