The Ultimate First-Time Visitor’s Guide to Naples, Florida
Thinking About Moving to Naples? Start Here.
If you’re visiting Naples, Florida for the first time—and especially if you’re thinking about making Naples your next home—there’s a lot to discover.
Naples isn’t just one community. From Old Naples and Fifth Avenue South to Pelican Bay, Park Shore, Aqualane Shores, Port Royal, Moorings, Vanderbilt Beach and the communities farther east and north, each area offers a different lifestyle.
That’s why I always recommend spending some time in Naples before you start seriously shopping for a home.
Stay in different areas. Try different restaurants. Spend time at the beach. Play a round of golf. Get out on the water. Walk Fifth Avenue. Visit the arts and attractions. In other words, experience Naples like a local.
I’ve put together this Naples Florida visitor guide as a practical cheat sheet for your first visit.
WHERE TO STAY IN NAPLES
One of the best ways to understand Naples is to stay here for several days and experience different parts of town.
Luxury & Beachfront
One of the newest additions to Naples’ luxury hotel scene, Naples Beach Club sits along approximately 1,000 feet of beachfront on Gulf Shore Boulevard in Old Naples.
The resort combines the Four Seasons experience with the classic Old Naples lifestyle and is convenient to Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South.
The resort features beachfront dining, pools, a spa and wellness center, tennis facilities, and a Tom Fazio-designed golf course planned for 2027.
Another iconic luxury option, particularly if you want to experience the north Naples and Vanderbilt Beach area.
A beautiful beachfront resort in the Vanderbilt Beach area and another excellent choice for experiencing the northern end of Naples.
Downtown & Fifth Avenue
If you want to be within walking distance of restaurants, shopping and nightlife, consider staying near downtown.
Right in the heart of Fifth Avenue South.
A convenient downtown option within easy reach of Fifth Avenue, Tin City and the Naples waterfront.
More Economical Options
If you’re primarily using your hotel as a home base while exploring Naples, there are also more budget-friendly choices.
A practical option closer to the central Naples area.
Another option for visitors who want convenient access to downtown without paying luxury-resort prices.
Tip: If you’re seriously considering buying in Naples, I recommend staying in the area where you think you may want to live. You’ll learn much more about a neighborhood by actually waking up there, driving the roads, going to the grocery store and spending an evening there.
THE BEACHES: SPEND A DAY EXPLORING
Naples is famous for its beaches, but they aren’t all the same.
Vanderbilt Beach
One of the most popular public beaches in north Naples. It’s close to restaurants, shopping and the Mercato area.
Clam Pass Park
A great choice if you want more of a natural setting. A boardwalk takes visitors through coastal vegetation toward the beach.
Lowdermilk Park
Located closer to downtown, Lowdermilk is popular with families and offers beach access, picnic areas and recreational amenities.
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
A more natural Gulf Coast experience, especially popular for swimming, shelling, snorkeling and enjoying the area’s natural surroundings.
Barefoot Beach
Another beautiful stretch of coastline north of Naples and a favorite for visitors looking for a quieter beach experience.
And Don’t Forget Naples Beach
The beach along Old Naples is one of the reasons people fall in love with the area. It’s particularly beautiful around sunset.
Important 2026 update: The historic Naples Pier is currently closed while it undergoes a major rebuild. The City of Naples has established alternate beach access points at Broad Avenue South and 13th Avenue South during construction.
RESTAURANTS: WHERE SHOULD YOU EAT?
One of the easiest ways to get a feel for Naples is to eat your way around town.
Here are some restaurants worth putting on your list.
Fifth Avenue South & Old Naples
Sails Restaurant – Upscale Mediterranean-inspired dining in the heart of Fifth Avenue.
Truluck’s – A popular upscale seafood and steak destination on Fifth Avenue.
Ocean Prime – A polished choice for seafood, steaks, cocktails and a more sophisticated dinner experience.
Del Mar – A lively downtown restaurant with a stylish atmosphere and Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Waterside / Pelican Bay
The Pelican Bay and Waterside area is another important part of the Naples lifestyle.
M Waterfront Grille - is a longtime Naples favorite overlooking the Cocohatchee River.
Waterside Shops - also gives you convenient access to shopping, dining and entertainment.
Seafood & Waterfront Dining
USS Nemo – One of Naples’ longtime seafood destinations, known for creative seafood preparations.
The Dock at Crayton Cove – A classic waterfront option with a relaxed Naples atmosphere.
Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar – A good choice when you’re looking for seafood with a waterfront setting.
Swan River Seafood – A longtime local seafood market and restaurant worth knowing about if fresh seafood is high on your list.
The Point
Don’t feel like you need to eat at the same place every night. Try restaurants in different parts of Naples. You’ll quickly discover which areas fit your lifestyle.
SHOPPING & ENTERTAINMENT
Fifth Avenue South
If you’re visiting Naples for the first time, make Fifth Avenue South a priority.
Walk the street, browse the shops, stop for coffee or a cocktail and have dinner.
It is one of the best places to experience the energy of downtown Naples.
Third Street South
Just a few blocks away, Third Street South offers another collection of restaurants, boutiques, galleries and shops with a slightly more intimate Old Naples atmosphere.
Waterside Shops
Located near Pelican Bay, Waterside Shops is one of Naples’ premier luxury shopping destinations.
The Village Shops on Venetian Bay
Offers waterfront shopping and dining along beautiful landscaped walkways overlooking the bay.
Mercato
A popular north Naples destination for restaurants, shopping, entertainment and nightlife.
Tin City
Located along Naples Bay near downtown, Tin City is a more casual and historic waterfront shopping and dining destination. It’s also home to several boating and sightseeing operators.
ARTS, CULTURE & THINGS TO DO
Naples isn’t just beaches and golf.
The Baker Museum / Artis—Naples
If you enjoy art, make time for The Baker Museum at Artis—Naples.
The museum focuses on modern and contemporary art and hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year. Artis—Naples is also home to the Naples Philharmonic, making this an important cultural destination for the region.
Naples Botanical Garden
The 170-acre garden showcases tropical plants, water features, gardens and natural habitats. It is a particularly good place to visit if you want a break from the beach and shopping.
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
A fun choice for families and visitors of all ages. The zoo combines animal exhibits with the historic tropical garden setting.
Take a Walk Through Old Naples
One of my favorite recommendations for first-time visitors is simply to walk.
Explore Fifth Avenue South, Third Street South, the residential streets of Old Naples and the waterfront.
You’ll begin to understand why so many people decide they want to live here.
GET OUT ON THE WATER
If you’ve never experienced Naples from the water, make this a priority.
Pure Florida
Located at historic Tin City, Pure Florida offers boat rentals, fishing, dolphin watching, shelling, sightseeing, sunset cruises and private charters.
Port O Call Marina
Offers boat rentals as well as fishing charters, cruises and other water activities.
It’s a convenient starting point for exploring Naples Bay and the surrounding waterways.
Naples Bay Resort & Marina
Also offers boat rentals, making it another option for spending a day on the water.
My Advice
Even if you’re not a boater today, spend a day on the water while you’re visiting.
If you fall in love with boating, that could become an important factor when you’re deciding where you want to live.
FISHING & LIVE BAIT
If you’re a fisherman—or think you might become one after moving here—get familiar with the local bait shops.
A few places to check out include:
Serenity Bait Company
Mike’s Bait House
Ask the locals what is biting, what bait is working and where they’re fishing. You’ll get a much better feel for the local fishing scene than you will from simply reading a tourist guide.
GOLF: ANOTHER BIG PART OF THE NAPLES LIFESTYLE
Naples is one of the premier golf destinations in the country.
If you’re considering moving here, don’t just play one course. Try a few different areas and styles.
Some courses and golf destinations to put on your list include:
Tiburón Golf Club
A prestigious golf destination in north Naples associated with The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort.
Lely Resort Golf
Lely Resort offers two championship courses—Mustang and Flamingo—available to the public.
ArrowHead Golf Club
A popular public course in Naples with a convenient central location.
Eagle Lakes Golf Club
A public course offering a more relaxed and affordable Naples golf experience.
Valencia Golf & Country Club
Located east of Naples, Valencia provides another public golf option for visitors who want to explore beyond the beach communities.
Hibiscus Golf Club
A long-established Naples golf course offering another public option.
The Gate Golf Club
A new golf destination planned for the Naples area that will add another public golf option to the market.
Golf tip: If golf is going to be an important part of your life in Naples, pay close attention to where the courses are located when you’re looking at homes. Your ideal neighborhood may be very different depending on whether you want to play north Naples, central Naples or east Naples.
PICKLEBALL
Pickleball has become a major part of the Naples lifestyle.
For a public option, check out Fleischmann Park , which has lighted multipurpose courts used for pickleball and basketball.
Another facility worth knowing about is the USOP National Pickleball Center , a major pickleball destination in Naples.
If pickleball is important to you, this is another factor worth considering when comparing neighborhoods and communities.
WHAT ABOUT THE NEIGHBORHOODS?
This is where things get interesting.
Naples isn’t one lifestyle.
Old Naples
Walkability, historic homes, Fifth Avenue South, Third Street South, restaurants, shopping and proximity to the beach.
Aqualane Shores
Beautiful waterfront homes, canals and close proximity to Old Naples and the beach.
Port Royal
One of Naples’ most prestigious waterfront communities, known for luxury homes, deep-water access and an exceptional location.
The Moorings
A popular established community with a mix of waterfront and non-waterfront homes and convenient access to beaches and downtown.
Park Shore
Known for beachfront living, waterfront homes, condos and convenient access to shopping and dining.
Pelican Bay
A highly desirable gated coastal community known for its private beach facilities, beach club lifestyle, transportation to the beach, golf, tennis, fitness and proximity to Waterside Shops and The Baker Museum.
Vanderbilt Beach / North Naples
A more casual coastal lifestyle with beaches, restaurants, shopping, golf and easy access to Mercato.
Naples Park
A popular option for buyers looking for a more casual neighborhood atmosphere close to Vanderbilt Beach and the Gulf.
East Naples
Generally offers a broader range of housing options and convenient access to downtown, Naples Bay, golf and the rest of the area.
And there are many more communities to explore.
That’s why I don’t recommend choosing a neighborhood simply because you saw a beautiful house there online.
Choose the lifestyle first. Then choose the house.
A SIMPLE NAPLES TEST DRIVE
If you’re seriously considering moving to Naples, here’s what I recommend:
Day 1:Spend the day in Old Naples. Walk Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South. Have dinner downtown.
Day 2:Explore the beaches. Try Vanderbilt Beach, Clam Pass or Lowdermilk.
Day 3:Visit Pelican Bay, Waterside Shops and The Baker Museum.
Day 4:Play golf and explore some of the communities east of U.S. 41.
Day 5:Get on the water. Rent a boat, take a sunset cruise or go fishing.
Day 6:Visit Naples Botanical Garden and explore another part of town.
Day 7:Drive through the neighborhoods you’re considering and imagine actually living there.
Go to the grocery store.
Find your favorite coffee shop.
Try a local restaurant.
Visit the beach you’d actually use.
Drive your potential commute.
That’s how you start figuring out whether Naples is really right for you.
BEFORE YOU BUY: LEARN THE NAPLES LIFESTYLE FIRST
If you’re visiting Naples because you’re considering buying a home, don’t rush the process.
There are significant differences between living on the beach, living near downtown, living on a golf course, living on a canal, living in a gated community or living farther east.
The right neighborhood depends on how you want to spend your time.
Do you want to walk to dinner?
Do you want a boat in your backyard?
Do you want beach access?
Is golf important?
Do you want a condo, villa or single-family home?
Do you want a quiet residential neighborhood?
Or do you want to be in the middle of everything?
Those answers should help determine where you look.
EXPLORE NAPLES NEIGHBORHOODS
While you’re touring Naples, visit my Neighborhood Page on my website to learn about the lifestyle of each community https://www.kevinsellslux.com/neighborhoods and explore which Naples neighborhood may be the right fit for you.
The goal isn’t simply to find a beautiful house.
It’s to find the Naples lifestyle that’s right for you.
If you’re thinking about making Naples your next home, I’d be happy to help you understand the different communities, compare neighborhoods and get a feel for what each area offers.
Enjoy your visit—and welcome to Naples!
— Kevin Karlstedt The Agency Naples
