Southwest Florida, FL

Travel Guide

Fort Myers Beach featuring a sandy beach as well as a large group of people
Burroughs Home featuring a garden and a house
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park which includes a sandy beach as well as a couple
Naples featuring signage and shopping
Fort Myers showing heritage architecture
Tropical wetlands and beaches with views of the Gulf of Mexico lie between bohemian and artistic cities with plenty of dining and shopping options.

Southwest Florida is a large zone that includes many of the scenic beaches and gardens of the Gulf Coast. It has a comfortable climate year round, drawing vacationers and sunbathers to its islands, capes and parklands. Drive along the coast, enjoying views of the Gulf of Mexico to the west when you visit Southwest Florida.

Stay in Sarasota for its thriving art community and wonderful shopping opportunities. Relax at the beach on a sunny day and explore the intriguing plants of the Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Visit the Ringling Museum of Art and Harding Circle Historic District.

A little south are the wetlands and forests of the large Myakka River State Park. Go camping here and take a kayak out on the river.

As you continue south, you’ll reach the Fred C. Babcock/Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area, where you can enjoy fishing, camping and hiking.

Try some of the adventure tours setting off from nearby Fort Myers to see alligators, dolphins and all types of birds. Explore the city’s various malls and stroll past the waterfall of the Butterfly Estates. Study inventions from two of the greatest innovators of the United States in the Edison and Ford Winter Estates.

Go boating at the adjacent Cape Coral, a coastal community with the Cape Coral Yacht Club. Picturesque Bonita Beach lies just south, before you reach Naples, which is known for the spectacular Naples Botanical Garden and the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens. At the state’s southern tip is the vast tropical wetlands area of Everglades National Park.

The region stretches across the eastern side of the Gulf of Mexico, in the southwestern corner of the State of Florida, which juts out from the southeastern corner of the United States. Arrive at Southwest Florida International Airport or Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and travel around the area via its extensive highways.

Southwest Florida is a network of stunning beaches and marshes overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

Where to stay in Southwest Florida

Siesta Key Village

Siesta Key Village

4.5/5(282 area reviews)

Travelers to Siesta Key Village praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Siesta Key Beach and Siesta Key Farmers Market.

Siesta Key Village
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North Captiva

Visitors to North Captiva enjoy its beaches, and if you want to do some exploring, North Captiva Island Beach is worth a stop.

North Captiva
The Oyster Society in Marco Island is a great place to enjoy oysters and fresh cuisine with a glass of red wine.

South End

While visiting South End, you might make a stop by sights like South Marco Beach and Marco Island Ski & Watersports.

South End
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South Bradenton

4/5(105 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in South Bradenton, Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf and DeSoto Square are top sights worth seeing.

South Bradenton
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Pelican

4.5/5(46 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Pelican, Tarpon Point and Harbour View Gallery are top sights worth seeing.

Pelican
Naples Botanical Garden showing a garden and a pond

East Naples

4/5(171 area reviews)

Beaches, shopping, and restaurants are just a few things travelers enjoy about East Naples. Check out Gulf Shores Marina or Fifth Avenue South while you're exploring the area.

East Naples
Kompose Boutique Hotel
Kompose Boutique Hotel
3 out of 5
965 University Pkwy, Sarasota, FL
$85 nightly
The price is $96 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$96 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,132 reviews)
"Great staff, location and property."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Kompose Boutique Hotel
Naples Grande Beach Resort
Naples Grande Beach Resort
4.5 out of 5
475 Seagate Drive, Naples, FL
$176 nightly
The price is $196 total per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
$196 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury resort in Naples. Enjoy 3 outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,583 reviews)
"Front desk service was great. Emily made our check in smooth and helpful. The pool area had to be shut down twice for lightning as well as the beach, which was the only downside to the stay."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Naples Grande Beach Resort
Lani Kai Beachfront Resort
Lani Kai Beachfront Resort
3.5 out of 5
1400 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL
$229 nightly
The price is $256 total per night from Jul 16 to Jul 17
$256 total
Jul 16 - Jul 17
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Fort Myers Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Key West Express and Crescent ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,032 reviews)
"This is one of the first places to bounce back from the hurricane last year and they have done a great job. Nice place."

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

Lani Kai Beachfront Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Edison Beach House
Edison Beach House
3.5 out of 5
830 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star beach aparthotel in Fort Myers Beach. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,413 reviews)
"Allowing smoking on the property was definitely the one factor that brought myrsteing down."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Edison Beach House
Hibiscus Suites - Gateway to Siesta Key
Hibiscus Suites - Gateway to Siesta Key
2.5 out of 5
1735 Stickney Point Rd, Sarasota, FL
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Sarasota. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,145 reviews)
"Very pleasant stay"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Hibiscus Suites - Gateway to Siesta Key
The Suites at Fishermen’s Village- 2 Bedroom Suites
The Suites at Fishermen’s Village- 2 Bedroom Suites
3 out of 5
1200 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, FL
Stay at this 3-star condo in Punta Gorda. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 4 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (938 reviews)
"Going back in 4 weeks"

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2025

The Suites at Fishermen’s Village- 2 Bedroom Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Southwest Florida