Southwest Florida has much to offer and is one of the most popular vacation spots in the United States, attracting not only Americans but also more and more international travelers. Direct connections to airports in Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, or Miami make it easy to reach Southwest Florida.
From Marco Island in the South to the offshore islands Sanibel and Captiva off the coast of Fort Myers, the area offers 30 miles (50 km) of gorgeous white sandy beaches. Not to mention many natural areas with mangrove forests, where turtles and countless bird species live. The ocean is home to many dolphins and manatees, which can be seen close from the beach and in the numerous channels.
The mild climate means that daytime temperatures rarely drop below 68° F (20° C) even in winter and the ocean temperatures are ideal for swimming for about 9 months out of the year. The vegetation is very Caribbean like: many palm trees, citrus trees, bougainvillea, oleander, large rubber, and Benjamin trees decorate the gardens and the numerous public parks. In addition, in many nature reserves, the original vegetation and the diverse wildlife with panthers, bears, alligators, turtles, armadillos and raccoons are still preserved.
Naples is called the golf capital of the world for a reason in numerous publications. Here you’ll find more than 80 courses for all levels. About 10 of them are public and in the off-season between May and October another 30 courses can be played. The larger Lee County also has about 70 courses to offer. Thanks to the beautiful weather, you can “putt away” almost 365 days a year.
The area is also a paradise for boaters. Many houses have their own boat docks just waiting for you to go and explore the many offshore islands (inhabited and uninhabited).
Numerous shopping malls and outlet centers offer branded clothing at incredibly low prices. Discounts of 50 – 70% are not uncommon.
But Southwest Florida is also a good starting point for trips to the many other attractions in Florida such as the large amusement parks in Orlando and Tampa, Cape Canaveral, the nature reserves and Indian villages in the Everglades or the Keys (home of Hemingway).
The most interesting place for tourists in Southwest Florida is Naples. Founded 120 years ago, the fishing village has a distinct European flair. Exclusive shopping districts, fine restaurants, more than 80 golf courses, thousands of luxury villas and a diverse culture attracted many prominent American actors, athletes, and business leaders to the area.
Marco Island offers an upscale ambience for boat lovers. Many channels give recreational captains the opportunity to park their boat right outside the door. Marco Island is located in the very South, making it an ideal location to visit the chain of islands also known as the Ten Thousand Islands. Marco Island beckons with wide beaches and several shops and restaurants. Naples is about 25 minutes drive north.
Bonita Springs and Estero are small towns between Naples and Fort Myers. Bonita Springs has a beautiful stretch of beach along the Bonita Beach Peninsula. Estero has no beach access as it is located behind vast mangrove forests. However, both places have numerous shopping centers, top restaurants, and several public golf courses.
Fort Myers offers more of a city atmosphere. The historic downtown has been partially restored in recent years and offers nice entertainment in the evening. One big draw here are the river locations, where either large estates or the new apartment houses can be found. There are numerous shopping centers, restaurants and also several interesting golf courses. The city is bordered by several islands (Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island and Captiva Island) that offer miles and miles of beaches.
Cape Coral is a paradise for boat lovers and crossed by countless channels. The area has an exclusive vibe and is known for a well-known yacht club. The open sea is not far away and can be reached by boat. Cape Coral offers shops for daily needs, restaurants, and some public golf courses. To get to the beach, you have to cross the bridges to Fort Myers and from there to the offshore islands.
Naples
The former fishing village is perched directly along the Gulf of Mexico and has more than 12 miles (20 km) of beautiful white sandy beach. Some of the more known areas are 5th Avenue South and 3rd Street South.
Naples boasts numerous shopping districts with exclusive boutiques, jewelery and furniture stores, souvenir shops and much more. Need to relax between shopping? Take a seat by one of the many waterfront locations. In addition to expensive boutiques with American and international designer brands, you will find many opportunities to buy high-quality items at bargain prices.
There are hundreds of restaurants with interesting culinary delights. Many of the award-winning venues feature outdoor seating, some with stunning views of the channels or the Gulf of Mexico. Regular live performances by regional artists enhance the Caribbean way of life.
Naples also has a lot to offer culturally. These include regular appearances of well-known celebrities, numerous museums, or art fairs of national importance.
Naples is unofficially referred to by many publications as the golf capital of the world, as there are the most golf holes per resident. About 80 golf courses, partly designed by the most famous architects, wind through the cypress forests along many water areas. In addition to golf, Naples also offers excellent opportunities for other activities such as tennis, horseback riding and all kinds of water sports or fishing.
The whole cityscape is characterized by a striking cleanliness. Numerous gardeners keep the many green spaces and parks in perfect condition. The service staff in stores and restaurants exudes an almost “foreign” friendliness for us Europeans.
The city has seen an unprecedented upswing in recent years. There are many new high-quality houses and apartments with upscale amenities along the beaches or in the numerous communities. Naples is the place where not only well-known TV personalities and businesspeople acquire a second home, but also countless other wealthy Americans and Europeans. The city is home to the second-most millionaires compared to the population in the entire United States. The population has doubled in the last 15 years and continues to grow. Looking for a mini apartment in a high-rise building? Sorry, but you won’t find it in Naples. Despite the boom, the traffic flow remains good.
Naples has won numerous awards in the United States. Here are a few of them:
2023: Website Scholaroo: Best Place to live in the US
2023: US News and World Report: 6th best place to live in the United States
2021: Best Beach Town in the US (WalletHub website)
2019: City with the best economic development in the USA (Website GoBankingRates)
2016:- 2019: Best city in the US with highest well-being (Website: Gallup)
2019: Best city to retire in the USA (Website: SmartAsset)
2018: Best city to retire in the USA (Magazine: Livability)
2015 – 2018: National Health and Well-Being Index: First Place in the US
2015: Best City for Luxury Travel (USA Today)
2017: 2 beaches ranked 1st and 3rd among the best beaches on the Gulf Coast of Florida (Website: Trippings)
2013: Best travel destination for golfers in North America (International Association of Golf Tour Operators)
The city of Naples had a population of 19.100 at the last census in 2020. Naples is the capital of Collier County with a population of 375,700 (as of 2020).
Marco Island
Marco Island, a sub-tropical island in the south of Collier County, is one of the Ten Thousand Islands north of the Everglades and is the largest of this archipelago with 24 square miles of land. The Spanish explorers called it “San Marco” at the time.
Marco Island is known for its wide sandy beaches and the many channels. It should be no surprise that many boaters have settled here. There are also numerous excellent restaurants, and the center “Esplanade” offers the perfect opportunity for an after-dinner stroll. You’ll also find plenty of stores for your daily needs.
Water sports enthusiasts will definitely get their money’s worth here. There are also several public tennis courts. The 2 golf courses on the island are reserved for members. The closest public courses are about 10 km away.
Culturally, Marco Island offers over 100 art galleries and a theater with different performances with dance, music concerts and acting.
The population was 15,760 in 2020.
Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs is a charming small town in southwest Florida with about 12,900 residents between Fort Myers and Naples. The city still has some charm from the early days of tourism in Florida. Bonita has a very nice beach with good access and parking. Especially Barefoot Beach and Lovers Key are worth mentioning here. In the middle of the city flows the wide Imperial River which is great for boating and canoeing in the upper reaches.
Bonita Springs offers plenty of shopping possibilities for your daily needs and also has with its own “Promenade”, a small shopping center. However, the neighboring towns of Estero and Naples offer significantly more opportunities for shopping.
The city also has numerous restaurants ranging from fine dining to quaint. There is something for everyone’s taste. And if not, you’ll always find it in the nearby Naples.
The historic Everglades Wonder Garden is definitely worth a visit. Several cultural centers have also been established and many restaurants offer live music.
Some activities in Bonita include golf, tennis, horseback riding, fitness and of course all kinds of water sports.
Bonita is conveniently located between Naples and Fort Myers. The interstate and Fort Myers International Airport are within easy reach.
Estero
The area north of Bonita Springs and south of Fort Myers was not recognized as a separate town until late 2014. The region had just over 18,000 residents in 2010 and it is estimated that the population reached 33,500 residents in 2018. There is no real downtown.
Estero does not have its own beach access; it is separated from the ocean by a large bay. The nearest access is in Bonita Springs via Bonita Beach Road.
With Coconut Point and the Miromar Outlets, Estero has the largest shopping malls in the area. Certainly, worth a visit. The biggest events in the area take place at the Hertz Arena with over 7,000 seats.
Fort Myers
On the picturesque shores of the wide Caloosahatchee River lies the city of Fort Myers with its approximately 83,000 residents. Fort Myers is the capital of Lee County and is a center with banks, manufacturing companies, university, and an international airport. The city is also known for the historic winter residences of inventor Thomas Edison and carmaker Henry Ford.
In recent decades, the population has increased significantly. With its booming tourism, stable infrastructure, and rising labor market, Fort Myers will continue to evolve. Dozens of parks, museums, restaurants, theaters, and historical sites create a vibrant community. Public transport, such as the “Lee Tran” bus, simplifies trips to neighboring places. Fort Myers Airport offers international non-stop and direct flights to nearly 50 destinations in the United States. Fort Myers is also proud of the newly built Jet Blue Arena, where the famous Boston Red Sox (baseball) have their winter training.
A central point is the campus of Florida Gulf Coast University with over 15,000 students.
Fort Myers itself has no beach access. You have to go to one of the offshore islands like Fort Myers Beach or Sanibel to dip your toes in the ocean.
There are major shopping malls such as the Edison Mall, Gulf Coast Town Center, Sanibel Outlets, and the Bell Tower Shops.
Many restaurants enliven the city and cultural institutions offer a wide range of entertainment.
The city of Fort Myers had a population of 86,400 at the last census in 2020. Fort Myers is the capital of Lee County with a population of 760,900 (as of 2020).
Cape Coral
Cape Coral is separated from Fort Myers by the wide Caloosahatchee River. With a population of 155,000, it is the largest city in Lee County. It is also called “Waterfront Wonderland”. The reason is the 640 km long waterways that lead through the city. Cape Coral has the most water channels in the world. However, not all of them are connected to the Gulf of Mexico. In 2016, the city was voted as the 9th best city to retire in the US.
There is a small downtown area with some boutiques and restaurants where the first buildings were built in the 60s. The area is on the Cape Coral Parkway in the south of the peninsula between Del Prado and Coronado Parkway.
Cape Coral is connected to Fort Myers by two toll bridges to the south. Connections in the north (US 41 and highway) are free.
Cape Coral does not have its own beaches. The nearest beaches are located in Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island and Captiva Island.
While you’ll find plenty of stores for your daily needs, shopping opportunities for clothing, shoes, or anything else are limited.
Cape Coral is especially popular amongst water sports enthusiasts.
The population was 194,000 in 2020.