From the moment I set foot on Naples’ shores, I knew I was in for something truly special. I’ve never experienced beaches with such powdery sand, vibrant sunsets, or abundance of marine life anywhere else.
Picture yourself sinking your toes into the softest sand you can imagine, as if walking on a cloud. The beaches of Naples offer a serene escape, where you can bask in the sun’s warm caress, listen to the soothing sounds of crashing waves, and let all your worries melt away. Trust me, it’s a perfect weekend trip to relax and recharge, get some sun, and connect with nature.
As the sun begins its descent, the sky transforms into a mesmerizing canvas of vibrant hues. The sunsets in Naples are like no other – breathtaking masterpieces that leave you in awe. It’s a magical moment, where time seems to stand still, and you can’t help but be grateful for the beauty that surrounds you.
But Naples isn’t just about its stunning beaches and sunsets. The marine life here is abundant and enchanting. From colorful tropical fish and graceful dolphins to majestic manatees, the waters of Naples teem with life. Snorkeling or taking a boat tour to witness this underwater wonderland is an experience you won’t want to miss.
So, my friend, get ready to immerse yourself in the coastal bliss that is Naples, Florida. Let the powdery sand, vibrant sunsets, and thriving marine life sweep you away into a world of tranquility and natural wonders. It’s a place where you can truly relax, recharge, and reconnect with the beauty of nature. Let’s embark on this unforgettable journey together.
WHERE TO STAY IN NAPLES
Inn on Fifth — This glitzy little hotel is located right in the thick of it. It’s walking distance to tons of great bars and restaurants, and only about half a mile from the beach.
Ritz-Carlton — There are actually two Ritz-Carltons in Naples, and both share each others’ amenities. The oceanfront property would be my choice, stretching along the powdery Vanderbilt Beach.
Escalante — Romantic little boutique hotel tucked into the heart of Old Naples that’s a bit of a hidden secret. Lots of great spots are walkable from here, and the beach is only a five minute walk away. The hotel also provides bicycles for all of their guests, making it a breeze to get anywhere in town.
WHERE TO EAT IN NAPLES
Bleu Provence — This is hands down my favourite restaurant in Naples. All of the herbs are grown in the plot of land adjacent to the building and the food itself is the most authentic I’ve had stateside. It’s the staff’s attention to detail, friendliness, and stellar service are what makes this place truly special, though.
The French — This place does a great jazz brunch every Sunday afternoon. If you come with a few people, split a round of oysters and deviled eggs alongside the best mimosas in town.
Badass Coffee — Whenever I’m in town I come here every morning for my daily coffee to take for a walk along the beach. And, honestly, so does most of Naples. It’s a fun spot with consistently great coffee. When its scorchingly hot out, make sure to grab a cup of their iced cold brew that ingeniously comes with frozen coffee cubes rather than regular ice.
The Dock at Crayton Cove — Known locally as just ‘The Dock’, this is my favourite low key places to grab dinner, especially if I can snag one of the many waterside tables. The atmosphere is super laid back, and the food is always great.
Campiello — This is maybe the most romantic restaurant in Naples. The courtyard is anchored by a bubbling fountain and canopied by a large twinkle-lit tree. Every month they highlight a new region of Italy and craft a small tasting menu around that.
Jane’s on Third — This place is so much fun for brunch on the weekends. Jane’s is great for groups as they’ve got a huge menu that even the pickiest eater is sure to find something they like. The bloody marys are the highlight, with little rubber duckies floating atop. Although tables are first-come-first-serve and wait times can sometimes get up to an hour for the coveted fountain courtyard, it’s always worth waiting for.
Turco Taco — Casual little gourmet taco shack with unique ingredients. I love grabbing an order to-go and heading down to the beach with a blanket and bottle of wine for sunset.
Snook Inn — Located about twenty minutes south of Marco Island, this little restaurant on the water is unsuspectingly great. I come here at least once on every trip to Naples, and always order whatever the catch of the day is. The do both an early and late happy hour and have a live band playing literally every night of the week. Keep your eye out for the dolphins that often swing by the dock!
WHERE TO DRINK IN NAPLES
The Continental — This place is oozing with romance, with towering twinkle-lit trees and live jazz bands in the evenings. I love that the bar here is part of the open air courtyard, especially if I can catch one of their daily happy hour deals.
Bar Tulia — This might be my favourite place to go out in Naples. It has a younger clientele than most of Naples, with a disco ball perched above the entrance. Being the sister property to Osteria Tulia, the bar bites are also phenomenal.
Capri Fish House — This little tiki dive bar located about twenty minutes south of Naples on the Isle of Capri is a treat. Drinks are both good and cheap, and you can sit on their chairs perched literally on the shoreline with your toes in the sand, while the resident dog Charlie wanders around looking for treats.
THINGS TO DO IN NAPLES
Naples Botanical Gardens — While tickets the gardens are a little pricy, you could easily spend an entire day wandering around. I love to spend afternoons here as canopy from the foliage means I never get too hot, and the restaurant on-site has great simple dishes.
Revs Institute — One of the biggest surprises was how much I loved this car museum. This has got to be one of the best collections of cars in the entire world, especially if you’re a Porsche lover. Even if you’re not a car person, you’ll find that the volunteer docents are passionate and bring each story to life if you ask.
Paddle Boarding — The relatively calm waters around Naples make paddle boarding a treat. You can either take a guided tour or simply rent the equipment. The tours are great if you’re a beginner or want to know more about the surrounding wildlife, but I love the freedom and flexibility of going on my own. Paddle Naples does both at very decent rates.
Artis — This is a surprisingly great arts complex located in North Naples. The Baker Museum itself has a great collection of contemporary works and is a great respite from the heat during the summer. The adjacent Naples Philharmonic will also sometimes have classical and jazz programming with inexpensive rush tickets the morning of the show.
Consignment Shopping — Naples has a huge population of older ladies with wonderful wardrobes, which makes for phenomenal consignment shopping. My favourite to check out are Audreys of Naples, Twice as Nice, and Carolyn’s. Even the local Salvation Army honestly has a great selection!
Jetski Tour — I’ve only done Avi’s Jetski Tour, but it’s the only tour I would want to do. Its a super fun way to spend a half day, and the amount of wildlife you see is insane. On my last trip, he managed to get dolphins to jump about two feet away from my jetski! The launch site is about a twenty minute drive away in Marco Island, and makes for a quick and easy drive.
Daytrip to the Everglades — On one of my visits down to Naples we took a trip down to the Everglades. There are dozens of airboat tours that all look identical, but its worth doing your homework to ensure you’re traveling with an ethical company that doesn’t feed the animals to entice them closer. I recommend checking with the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism, which keeps an up to date list. Also, be sure you’re there bright and early! The first boats tend to see tons of animals, with very few encounters from the afternoon onwards. After your ride, Triad Seafood Market & Cafe was a great local spot recommended to us by our guide for lunch.
WHAT TO WEAR IN NAPLES
Pretty much everywhere in Naples maintains the resort casual feel. During the summer the heat can be intense from the moment the sun comes up, and during the winter I usually start and end my days with a light pullover.
During the day, I usually stick to loose linen shorts or denim cutoffs paired with a one piece swimsuit. At night I dress up a little for dinner and drinks, but the vibe is still much more conservative than Miami. Usually I put on a midi dress paired with elegant flat sandals or something with a low heel.
GETTING AROUND IN NAPLES
The closest airport to Naples is Fort Myers RSW, and I paid about $50 for a Lyft from the airport to my accommodation last time I was there. There are also busses that travel from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, but they’re less frequent and take a little over two hours of travel time. If you’re staying for a quick trip in Old Naples you’ll be able to walk, cycle, or rideshare to pretty much everywhere you need to go. If your hotel is further out or you want to explore Marco Island or the Everglades, however, you’ll need a car as there aren’t a huge number of drivers and the fees quickly add up.
