Naples | Sophisticated under Breathtaking Avenues

The Perfect Day in Naples

In the still cool morning, we head to Old Naples to get a taste of luxury. We stroll along 3rd St S and/or 5th Ave S and do a little shopping in the expensive boutiques if we’re well-off. If not, we simply enjoy the great Italian flair. For nature lovers, a visit to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is alternatively recommended, where flora and fauna can be experienced.

Around noon, we relax on the white sandy beach with turquoise sea. Of course, there’s also plenty of water sports to enjoy here. Refreshed and lively again, in the afternoon we take a short drive through the millionaire’s district: starting at Naples Pier, turning south onto Gulf Shore Blvd S, over Gordon Dr. and back again. Even if the magnificent houses behind the lush driveways aren’t always visible, one can imagine how great the beautiful and rich have it here.

Afterwards, a visit to the Naples Pier is worthwhile. Here, there are always a few anglers enjoying their evening and finding themselves in the company of pelicans. In the evening, you’re sure to find a restaurant for dinner, as there are many good ones in Naples. For the night, the prospects aren’t so favorable, as nightlife is non-existent here due to the population structure. So just get a good night’s sleep for the adventures yet to come.

Beaches Nature Parks

Attractions

Events

Naples – the Elegant City on the Gulf of Mexico

Naples is more than just a vacation spot – Naples is a way of life. A mix of serenity, luxury, and genuine closeness to nature that keeps visitors coming back.

Naples on Florida’s Southwest Coast stands for style, sun, and subtropical joie de vivre. The city has steadily developed in recent years without losing its charming, relaxed character. Despite the severe damage from Hurricane Ian, the cityscape is well-maintained today, with most of the infrastructure fully intact. Even though the famous Naples Pier is still being rebuilt until 2026, a vacation is still worthwhile – more than ever.

To experience the real Naples, take time for a walk along Fifth Avenue South or a detour to the Third Street South District. Here you’ll meet friendly people, stylish boutiques, galleries, and excellent restaurants. Especially recommended is dinner with a view of the sunset – typical Naples.

A real highlight is exploring Naples Bay, whether on a guided boat tour or by kayak on your own. The bay winds through elegant residential areas with magnificent villas and offers a unique perspective of the city. Nature lovers will find what they’re looking for in the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park or the nearby Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary – both are retreats for animal lovers and amateur photographers.

Naples Fishing Pier

The famous Fishing Pier in Naples is currently closed and being rebuilt. The pier was severely damaged in September 2022 by Hurricane Ian – about 140 feet of the end section collapsed into the sea, and the middle structures were completely destroyed. Shortly after reopening, unfortunately, the pier was hit again in late 2024 by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This led to major damage once again, resulting in a complete closure.

The city of Naples has awarded a reconstruction contract worth $23.4 million. The new pier is scheduled to be completed by November 2026. Until the reopening, the pier remains closed to the public.

Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands

Marco Island is the largest of the Ten Thousand Islands and a tropical paradise off the southwest coast of Florida. The island delights with white sandy beaches, luxurious resorts, and a relaxed atmosphere – ideal for families and those seeking tranquility.

Just a few minutes by boat away begins the extensive mangrove labyrinth of the Ten Thousand Islands, part of the Everglades National Park. The area is a hidden gem for nature lovers, kayakers, and anglers. Dolphins, manatees, and numerous bird species can be observed here in the wild. Those seeking peace, nature, and Caribbean flair will find a true highlight away from mass tourism in Marco Island and the Ten Thousand Islands.

History of Naples

At the beginning of the 18th century, Native Americans from the Calusa and Creek tribes lived in the area of what would later become Collier County. They were regularly at war with each other. Supported by the English, the Creek Indians attacked the Calusa tribe in the Spanish-occupied part of Florida.

Half a century later, the Calusa Indians were finally exterminated. Hamilton Disston, from Philadelphia, bought a coastal strip about 186 miles long along the Gulf of Mexico coast from the state of Florida in 1877 for 25 cents per parcel. A parcel comprised 43.000 ft², which Disston then sold to immigrants for $10, thus initiating settlement.

However, he sold few plots, so the city’s growth stagnated until 1886, when a group of investors from Kentucky came to the area around what would later become Naples. The investors, led by former U.S. Senator John Stuart Williams and businessman Walter Haldeman, bought land from the city to build winter residences for wealthy businessmen from the north.

A small initial upswing occurred. In this year, the city of Naples was officially founded. It took another 36 years for the situation to improve significantly for the city: in 1922, millionaire Barron Gift Collier arrived and also bought land. Later, the county was named after him. He also built the Tamiami Trail at his own expense, a highway that runs through the Everglades from Tampa to Miami.

In 1926, the railroad came, and Naples got its own train station. However, the city developed slowly and remained a fishing village and winter retreat until the 1950s. In 1927, the railway line was extended from Punta Gorda to Marco Island, but it was already discontinued in 1944. Today, the Seminole Gulf Railway runs from Arcadia via Punta Gorda, Fort Myers to Naples.

The Hurricane Donna in 1960 devastated the area significantly and destroyed almost half of all buildings in Naples and the surrounding area. Subsequently, insurance payments and the reconstruction of the city finally brought about the hoped-for economic upturn. Today, Naples is an exclusive city and is known as the City of Millionaires.