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The Naples Pier over the Gulf of Mexico

10 of the best · Naples, United States

The Best Things to See and Do in Naples

Sunsets, gardens, wild swamps and a historic pier: the essential Naples.

Our 10 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026

Insiders' picks

Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Naples.

The symbol of Naples

Naples Pier

Old Naples·Historic pier

The city’s historic pier, first built in 1888, reaching into the Gulf at the end of 12th Avenue South.

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Gardens of the tropics

Naples Botanical Garden

East Naples·Botanical garden·$$

Ninety acres of tropical and subtropical gardens and natural areas, with a butterfly house.

4820 Bayshore DriveExplore View on map
Ancient bald cypress

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Inland Collier County·Nature sanctuary·$$

Audubon’s sanctuary protecting the largest remaining old-growth bald cypress forest in the world, seen from a boardwalk.

375 Sanctuary Road WestExplore View on map

The full list: Sights, A–Z

The back story 3

Naples: the back story, from the Calusa to today.

The back story

Before Naples: the Calusa and the Gulf coast, the back story

Naples·In depth: history

For centuries before Naples was founded, the Calusa ruled the coast of Southwest Florida from towns built on shell mounds among the mangroves.

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The back story

Founding Naples: the pier, the Trail and Barron Collier, the back story

Old Naples·In depth: history

Kentucky investors founded a winter resort on the Gulf in the 1880s; the Tamiami Trail and the railroad turned it into a town.

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The back story

Naples today: the back story

Naples·In depth: the city today

A small city of under 20,000 people at the heart of a fast-growing county: beaches, the arts, golf and a strong sense of community after recent hurricanes.

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The icons 4

The unmissable Naples.

Shops, restaurants and evening strolls

Fifth Avenue South

Old Naples·Main street

Downtown Naples’ main street of restaurants, shops and galleries, at its best on a winter evening.

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Gardens of the tropics

Naples Botanical Garden

East Naples·Botanical garden·$$

Ninety acres of tropical and subtropical gardens and natural areas, with a butterfly house.

4820 Bayshore DriveExplore View on map
The symbol of Naples

Naples Pier

Old Naples·Historic pier

The city’s historic pier, first built in 1888, reaching into the Gulf at the end of 12th Avenue South.

Explore View on map
Old waterfront on Naples Bay

Tin City

Old Naples·Waterfront shopping & tours

Shops, restaurants and boat tours in old waterfront buildings on Naples Bay.

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Nature & wildlife 2

Swamps, birds and animals.

Ancient bald cypress

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Inland Collier County·Nature sanctuary·$$

Audubon’s sanctuary protecting the largest remaining old-growth bald cypress forest in the world, seen from a boardwalk.

375 Sanctuary Road WestExplore View on map
A zoo in historic gardens

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

Central Naples·Zoo·$$

An accredited zoo in the historic Caribbean Gardens, a good day out with children.

1590 Goodlette-Frank RoadExplore View on map

Museums 1

Collections worth the trip.

A collection of historic cars

Revs Institute

East Naples·Automotive museum·$$

A world-class collection of historic automobiles, open to visitors on set days.

2500 South Horseshoe DriveExplore View on map

Explore more of Naples

24 of the best Restaurants

4 of the best Cafés

9 of the best Bars & Nightlife

14 of the best Hotels 3 of the best Culture

8 of the best Beaches & Parks

13 of the best Shopping 3 of the best Golf

6 of the best Luxury Cars

4 of the best Health 2 of the best Property 8 of the best Getting Around