Fort Myers vs Naples for Vacation [2023]: An Honest Comparison to Help You Choose!

Fort Myers vs Naples for a vacation?🏖 If you are considering a trip to Florida’s sparkling Southwest Coast, you will undoubtedly have this question.

Naples, on the Paradise Coast, and Fort Myers Beach, on the Gulf Coast, are two of the most sought-after beach holiday locations in the United States, thanks to their magnificent shorelines, stunning sunsets, and an infinite variety of activities that cater to everyone.

So, if you had to gamble on only one place, where would you go?

If you want a relaxed and affordable beach vacation with less commercialized beaches and the chance to explore fascinating history, Fort Myers is the place to be. If you want magnificent golf courses, sublime beaches, fine eating options, upscale shopping, and plenty of activities to do away from the beach, Naples is a terrific beach vacation destination.

Parameters	Naples	Fort Myers
Cost of a7-day Trip💵	$3278 (For a couple)	$2757 (For a couple)
Known for👍	Pristine beaches, Naples holocaust museum, Naples Depot museum, beautiful sunsets, fine dining, world-class golf courses, upscale Upscale shopping malls	Laid-back Pristine beaches, Fishing, Protected inland waterways, Shelling, Cultural & historical attractions
Beaches🏖	Highly commercialized beaches with luxurious hotels and beach activities and a livelier vibe	Moderately commercialized beaches with laid-back vibe, excellent for shelling and bird-watching
Activities🏄🏼‍♂️	Golfing, Hiking, Surfing, paddleboarding, Fishing, Snorkeling, Eco tour, Museum tours, Nightlife, Art galleries	Golfing, Hiking, Surfing, paddleboarding, parasailing, Fishing, Shelling
Popular Tourist Attractions🏛	Naples Pier, Lowdermilk Park, 5th Avenue South, Naples Zoo, Naples Depot Museum, Naples Botanical Garden	Edison & Ford winter estates, Fort Myers Beach, Lovers Key State Park, Lee Manatee, Jet Blue Park
Best Place to Stay🏨	Old Naples, Fifth Avenue South, Coquina sands, Pelican bay, Naples sands	Downtown Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach (Estero island)

Fort Myers Vs Naples: Here’s an honest comparison to Help You Choose!

What is Fort Myers known for?

Fort Myers, located between Naples and Sarasota on the southern Gulf Coast of Florida, is renowned for its quaint island village vibe, gorgeous white-sand beaches, fishing, interior waterways, nature preserves, baseball stadium, and history as a vacation home for Henry Ford and Thomas Edison.

What is Naples, Fl known for?

As the “Jewel of the Paradise Coast” in southwest Florida, the city of Naples has become well-known for its beautiful white sand beaches, breathtaking sunsets, luxurious beachfront resorts and restaurants, high-end shopping malls, and world-class golf courses. Naples is also one of the best places in the country for senior citizens to retire.

Accommodation options 🏨

The most vital component of a wonderful vacation is ensuring a pleasant stay at the destination.

Accommodation accounts for the majority of your vacation budget, therefore it is essential to plan ahead and be informed of the types and prices of accommodations available at each of these locations.

Fort Myers is the finest location for those in need of reasonably priced beachfront accommodations with easy access to the beaches and other tourist attractions.

Best accommodation options in Fort Myers

Location📍	Hotel🏨
Downtown Fort Myers	Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Myers-Colonial Blvd.
Downtown Fort Myers	Legacy harbor hotel and suites
Fort Myers Beach	Manatee Bay Inn
Fort Myers Beach	Edison Beach House
Sanibel island	Kona Kai
Sanibel island	Seaside Inn

Naples, being a playground for the wealthy, has more elegant and pricey seaside hotel alternatives, with the majority of them having convenient access to beaches and world-class golf courses.

Best accommodation options in Naples, Fl

Location📍	Hotel🏨
Fifth Avenue South	Naples park Hotel
Fifth Avenue South	Trianon Old Naples
Coquina Sands	Waterfront Cottage
Coquina Sands	Hampton Inn Naples
Naples Park	DoubleTree Suites
Naples Park	Inn at Pelican Bay

Beaches🏖

You can’t go wrong with Florida beaches. Isn’t that right?

When it comes to Florida’s true charm—pristine white-sandy beaches—Fort Myers and Naples are no exception.

Both Fort Myers and Naples have miles of white sugary sand beaches that disappear into the turquoise blue seas of the Gulf of Mexico and are dotted with swaying palm trees and great beachfront restaurants and hotels.

You can’t go wrong with Florida beaches. Isn’t that right?

When it comes to presenting Florida’s true charm—pristine white-sandy beaches—Fort Myers and Naples are no exception.

Miles of white sugary sand beaches that fade into the crystal blue seas of the Gulf of Mexico are flanked with swaying palm trees and magnificent beachfront restaurants and hotels in both Fort Myers and Naples.

When it comes to the contrasts between beaches in Fort Myers and Naples, it all boils down to mood: laid-back and casual or colorful and elegant.

Fort Myers

If you’re looking for the ideal blend of sun, sand, and casual and laid-back seaside fun, Fort Myers Beach is the barrier island to which people refer when they talk of Fort Myers’ immaculate beaches.

Fort Myers Beach, located on Estero Island about 30 minutes from downtown Fort Myers, has captivated the imaginations of many, including America’s greatest businessman Henry Ford and innovator Thomas Edison.

Fort Myers close proximity to Sanibel island & Captiva island, remote barrier islands with undisturbed natural beauty, are a beachcomber’ heaven- boasting of finest shell-laden beaches in the world.

If you enjoy a laid-back and serene beach vibe with less commercial surroundings and more authentic natural appeal, ideal for shelling and island hopping, Fort Myers is the place to go.

Naples

Naples is an excellent beach vacation destination if you’re looking for lively beaches with party vibes, luxurious beachfront accommodations, breathtaking sunsets, thrilling beach activities, golf, exquisite dining options, high-end shopping malls and numerous sightseeing opportunities.

Like Fort Myers, Naples is bordered on the south by Marco island, the largest barrier island of the Ten Thousand islands known for its immaculate beaches,splendid wildlife, luxurious beachfront resorts and state-of-the-art Golf courses.

Whether you are looking for family-friendly beaches to enjoy surfing, kayaking or paddleboarding or a secluded beach in the midst of splendid natural charm for an unforgettable romantic experience, Naples has a beach for everyone.

Nightlife🍺

Fort Myers

Fort Myers nightlife is best described as “chill and casual,” which represents the attitude of this little fishing town.

Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island is the core of Fort Myers’ active nightlife, with good pubs, clubs, and restaurants providing drinks and delicious seafood, as well as live music.

If you want a relaxing island-style vibe while sipping cocktails at beach bars, Fort Myers is the place for you.

Naples

“Classy and Sophisticated” are two terms that perfectly describe Naples nightlife.

Naples’ nightlife contrasts with its colorful and party-like daytime. Fifth Avenue and Downtown Naples are the epicenters of Naples nightlife, featuring exquisite restaurants, clubs, pubs, and beach bars.

If you desire a peaceful, tranquil, and romantic nightlife amidst a dazzling night sky and magnificent surroundings, then Marco island’s splendor will make you want to stay forever.

Best Things to do in Fort Myers🏄🏼‍♂️

Explore Fort Myers history at Edison & Ford winter estates

Edison and Ford Winter Estates Edison's laboratory

Even the greatest American inventors and businessmen, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, were unable to resist Fort Myers’ enticing rustic beauty.

Both called Fort Myers their summer home and frequented this little fishing village, so much so that they built spectacular winter homes for themselves.

The Edison and Ford winter residences, located along McGregor Boulevard’s lovely road, transport you back in time to the life of these great people of their period.

Go island hopping at Lovers Key State Park

Are you a fan of outdoor activities? If so, Lovers Key State Park is the ideal location for you. The Park is popular among tourists for canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and shelling due to its protected inland rivers.

Away from the throng on Fort Myers Beach, the park also has some of the best lengths of beach in Fort Myers.

If you’re visiting FMB with your four-legged buddy, the park’s south end features a dog beach where you and your dog may spend some quality beach time together.

Visit the Lee County Manatee Park

Lee County Manatee Park, as the name suggests, is home to manatees that flock to FMB during the winter months to enjoy the warmth of the protected inland canal.

Watch hundreds of these lovely gentle giants grab their prey and laze alongside water banks in their natural environment.

Pro tip: To readily recognize manatees from a distance, rent a pair of polarized sunglasses from a rental shop.

Take a cultural tour at River district

The River District is Fort Myers’ cultural capital, featuring a plethora of cultural attractions such as fascinating museums, theaters, and fine art galleries.

This cultural district is set against the backdrop of Art Deco buildings from the 1920s and features wonderful restaurants and terraces where you can experience the finest fare available.

Don’t miss the renowned Ford’s Garage, with its unmistakable service station theme and some of the beautiful vintage cars on exhibit.

Catch a game of baseball at Jet Blue Park

Every spring, the crack of the bat and the cry of the umpire fill jetBlue Park and Hammond Stadium as Major League Baseball’s Spring Training, commonly known as the Florida Grapefruit League, visits town.

The two teams that call Fort Myers home are the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins. The first game is usually held in the third week of February and lasts roughly four weeks. Games are played virtually every day, so getting tickets is never an issue, although the schedule is given each November for those who wish to plan ahead of time.

Best Things to do in Naples, Florida🏄🏼‍♂️

Cruise on the Gulf Tiki-style

Floating Tiki bar — Image by Cmglee on Wikimedia Commons

Would you like to enjoy the breathtaking views of Naples Bay and Bonito Island Bay from your bar stool? Yes, without giving up your favorite drink.

On ‘Tiki-Style’ cruises, you can do the same thing while conversing with your companions from a bar seat. Tiki-style cruises are essentially floating bars with the extra bonus of being able to sail around the sea, so allowing passengers to enjoy breathtaking views of Naples Bay.

Enjoy a delicious family meal at Celebration Food Truck Park

There is no better place to have a delicious lunch with your loved ones and make new acquaintances than at the Celebration food truck park.

The ambiance of this amazing park may best be described as ‘Celebration’. It’s impossible not to be happy when there are hundreds of food trucks parked side by side and across the street from one another serving delicious food to hungry vacationers.

Enjoy a round of Golf⛳

With hundreds of immaculately maintained golf courses featuring contoured greens and cleverly placed hazards, Naples truly merits the title “World Golf Capital.” These golf courses are set against breathtaking vistas of the Gulf, elevating your golfing experience to new heights.

Naples is a ‘Golfers Paradise,’ with over 90 immaculately maintained golf courses situated across the city.

Best Golf Courses⛳ in Naples, Florida-

Hammock Bay Golf Course
Glen Eagle Golf and Country Club
Heritage Bay Golf and Country Club
Bonita Bay
Riviera Golf Club
Cedar Hammock Golf and Country Club

Visit the Corkscrew swamp sanctuary

Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Fort Myers vs Naples for Vacation [2023]: An Honest Comparison to Help You Choose!

The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary leads to Everglades National Park, one of the world’s largest wetlands. Wetlands, pine Flatwoods, sawgrass plains, and a freshwater slough drain water southward from Lake Okeechobee.

The sanctuary’s most notable feature is a 2.25-mile boardwalk that leads visitors directly into the sanctuary’s core, which is surrounded by beautiful pinewood trees, wet prairie, and North America’s largest old-growth bald cypress forest.

Visit Naples Holocaust museum

The Naples Holocaust Museum is dedicated to showcasing and preserving one-of-a-kind Holocaust-era pieces of art, putting light on one of humanity’s darkest eras.

The museums provide insight into the times and lives of the people during World War II through reconstructed photos, drawings, and relics from concentration camps.

Visit Naples Depot Museum

If you enjoy trains and nerding out about train trivia in front of your friends and family, the Naples Depot museum is a great place to spend the day exploring ancient train models and decommissioned engines that were formerly part of the city’s early transportation system.

Fort Myers vs Naples for a family vacation?

Fort Myers is the greatest destination for a family vacation because of its affordable lodging and entertainment options, beautiful barrier islands with laid-back beaches, cultural and historical activities, fine restaurants, and a lively nightlife.

Fort Myers vs Naples for a Honeymoon?

What more could you want on a honeymoon besides immaculate white sand beaches, world-class golf courses, beautiful beachfront hotels, dining options, and high-end boutique shops? Naples has everything.

Want a more intimate, secluded island experience? Then the adjacent island of Marco, with its unspoiled natural beauty, breathtaking vistas, and exquisite beachfront hotels, is an ideal honeymoon destination.