Naples Travelers Recommend

Three days in Naples gives you enough time to see the sights around town, explore the mangrove forests, waterways, and white sand beaches surrounding the city, and venture further afield to another destination in south Florida. Here are some suggestions for how to spend three days in Naples.

Day 1: City Sightseeing

Kick off your time in Naples by sightseeing around town. Start with a morning sightseeing cruise for a view of town from the water. See the millionaire mansions of Port Royal and pristine Keewaydin Island, all while keeping an eye out for dolphins, Florida manatees, and seabirds. Continue exploring on your own in the afternoon. Stroll down Fifth Avenue, see the collection of tropical plants at the Naples Botanical Garden, or head to Naples Beach and Pier for some fun in the south Florida sun. Families might head to the Naples Zoo, while history buffs should plan a visit to the the Revs Institute, home to a collection of vintage cars, boats, motorcycles, and aircraft. Have dinner along Fifth Avenue South before heading back to the pier for sunset.

Day 2: Outdoor Adventure

Naples and its surroundings teem with outdoor adventure, and today you have time for one or two favorite Florida activities. Spend the day stand-up paddleboarding through the mangrove estuaries of protected Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Jet Ski through the waters of Ten Thousand Islands, head offshore for some deep-sea fishing, or paddle the waterways of Everglades National Park by kayak. Most of these activities can be done in half a day, so you can pick two—one for the morning and another for the afternoon—or spend half a day relaxing on the beach or by the pool. In the evening, set sail on a sunset cruise in the waters of Naples Bay.

Day 3: South Florida Day Trip

When it comes to activities and attractions about an hour outside of Naples, you have choices. You could spend the day shelling and birdwatching on Sanibel and Captiva islands, touring the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers, soaking up the sun on the beaches of Bonita Springs, canoeing or fishing on Marco Island, or exploring the planned community of Ave Maria. No matter how you choose to spend your day, head back to Naples for your final night. Enjoy a picnic dinner on the beach at sunset, or book a table at a waterfront restaurant with a view—the perfect setting for a farewell toast.

Two days in the coastal city of Naples gives you plenty of time to explore town, soak up the surrounding natural scenery, and enjoy a top local pastime—rest and relaxation beneath the south Florida sun. Here are some ideas for how to spend two days in Naples.

Day 1: On Land

**Morning:**Get to know the city of Naples this morning on a self-guided tour. Stroll down Fifth Avenue, the town’s most famous street, or learn Naples history and trivia with a scavenger hunt game, available via an app on your smartphone. 

**Afternoon:**This afternoon, spend some time pursuing individual interests. Families gravitate toward the Naples Zoo or Botanical Garden, while history buffs and car enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Revs Institute. Nature lovers can explore part of the Everglades ecosystem at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

**Night:**Finish off your first day in Naples at the Naples Pier in time for sunset. Pack a picnic for dinner on the beach, or make your way to Fifth Avenue South to check out one of the many local restaurants.

Day 2: On the Water

**Morning:**Start the day with a different kind of sightseeing tour of Naples—from the water. Cruise past the mansions of Port Royal and pristine Keewaydin Island, while keeping an eye out for dolphins, seabirds, alligators, and Florida manatees. 

**Afternoon:**Choose your own adventure this afternoon to further explore Naples’ natural attractions. Take a guided kayaking excursion through Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, snorkel the waters of Ten Thousand Islands, zip through the local waterways by Jet Ski, try your hand at deep-sea fishing, or paddleboard through a mangrove forest.

**Night:**Finish off your time in Naples with a romantic sunset cruise in Naples Bay along the southwest Florida coast. You get one last chance to see the city from the water and toast to two days well spent.

Naples—with its soft white sand, plentiful sunshine, and access to outdoor water adventures—is among South Florida's most relaxing beach getaways. Here are some tips for making the most of limited time in this neo-Mediterranean city by the sea.

Morning: City Sightseeing

Start your day in Naples with a tour around town. For something different, sign up for a self-guided scavenger hunt on your smartphone—have fun and get introduced to some of the city’s historical attractions and architectural gems at your own pace. Highlights around town include the shops and cafes of palm-lined Fifth Avenue, Millionaires’ Row mansions, and 19th-century Naples Pier, which offers one of the best views in town. If time permits, take a stroll through the tropical Naples Botanical Garden or, if you’re traveling with kids, the Naples Zoo. 

Afternoon: Manatee Matinee

When in Naples, it's easy to take advantage of water adventures. Spend the afternoon on a marine boat safari in search of Florida manatees, tropical birds, alligators, and dolphins that make their homes in the mangroves and waterways of southwest Florida. If you have a little extra time, do some shelling on one of Naples' white sand beaches. Active travelers might opt for an afternoon kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding tour instead. These tours typically offer the chance to spot local wildlife at a protected estuary and mangrove forest inside Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park and Barefoot Beach Preserve.

Night: Florida Sunset

Naples is famous for its sunsets, and you have a couple of options for seeing one this evening. Head out to Naples Pier for a view without getting on a boat. Or choose a sunset cruise on the Gulf of Mexico, which allows you to see some of the town’s most exclusive neighborhoods, like Port Royal, from the water. After dark, grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants along Fifth Avenue South, or see what’s on at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, a venue that frequently hosts international orchestras, Broadway plays, and other live performances.