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Naples Named One of the Most Beautiful Towns in the World by Condé Nast Traveler
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Naples, Florida, has been named one of the 20 most beautiful towns in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, putting this Southwest Florida destination alongside picturesque communities in Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Australia and other destinations around the globe. For those of us who live in Naples, this recognition probably doesn't come as a huge surprise. Still, it is pretty exciting when a major international travel publication confirms what locals have been saying for years: Naples is a pretty special place. Condé Nast Traveler highlighted Naples for its beautiful beaches, golf, Old Florida character and location along Florida's Paradise Coast, as well as its proximity to Marco Island, the Everglades and other Southwest Florida destinations. But as someone who lives and works in Naples, I think the beauty is only part of the story.
What Did Condé Nast Traveler Say About Naples, Florida?
In its article “The 20 Most Beautiful Towns in the World for Every Type of Traveler,” Condé Nast Traveler included Naples, Florida, among only 20 destinations selected from around the world. Naples appears alongside destinations including Praiano, Italy; Biei, Japan; Bled, Slovenia; Göreme, Turkey; Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland; Port Fairy, Australia; and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany.
Among the Naples attributes highlighted by the publication are:
Beautiful white and soft-sand Gulf beaches
An abundance of golf
Old Florida character
Naples' location along Florida's Paradise Coast
Easy access to Marco Island and the Everglades
Nearby natural preserves and less-discovered beaches
A growing luxury hospitality scene
Condé Nast Traveler also points readers toward the Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, reflecting Naples' continued evolution as a luxury travel destination.
Read the Original Condé Nast Traveler Article
Rather than simply telling you what Condé Nast Traveler had to say, I encourage you to read the complete article and explore the other beautiful destinations that made the list:
Why Is Recognition From Condé Nast Traveler Significant?
Condé Nast Traveler is a well-established international travel publication covering destinations, resorts, hotels, restaurants, culture and travel experiences around the world. The publication launched in 1987 and has become particularly well known for luxury and experiential travel. Its annual Readers' Choice Awards also attract significant participation from travelers, with more than 757,000 votes cast in the 2025 survey.
That context makes Naples' inclusion particularly noteworthy. This isn't a list of the prettiest places in Florida or even the United States. Naples was selected for a list of 20 beautiful towns around the world. For our little corner of Southwest Florida, that is some impressive company.
Why Is Naples, Florida, So Beautiful?
Ask 10 Naples residents what makes the area beautiful and you may get 10 different answers. The Gulf of Mexico and our beaches are the obvious starting point. Miles of coastline, warm Gulf waters and spectacular sunsets are part of everyday life here. But Naples' beauty extends well beyond the beach.
There are palm-lined streets, lush tropical landscaping, waterfront neighborhoods, nature preserves, mangrove estuaries, golf courses and architecturally beautiful communities throughout the area. Downtown Naples adds another dimension. Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South combine restaurants, boutiques, galleries, outdoor dining and historic Old Naples charm within blocks of the Gulf. And then there is something that is harder to photograph. It is the lifestyle.
What Makes Naples a Great Place to Live, Not Just Visit?
This is where I think the Condé Nast Traveler recognition only tells part of the Naples story. Naples isn't simply beautiful to visit. It is incredibly easy to enjoy as part of everyday life. There is a difference. You can play golf, tennis or pickleball in the morning, have lunch overlooking the water, spend the afternoon at the beach and head to Fifth Avenue South for dinner. You can dress up for an evening downtown one night and spend the next day kayaking through mangroves, fishing offshore, boating through Naples Bay or exploring the Everglades. Outdoor recreation isn't something residents necessarily have to plan a vacation around. It can simply be Tuesday.
What Is the Lifestyle Like in Naples, Florida?
There really isn't one Naples lifestyle. That's one of the reasons I love introducing buyers to this area.
Someone moving to Naples can choose among dramatically different ways of living, including:
Beachfront and Gulf-front living
Boating and canal-front communities
Private golf communities
Luxury high-rise condominiums
Downtown Naples condos and homes
Gated amenity-rich communities
New construction communities
Larger homesites and acreage
Established neighborhoods without extensive community amenities
You can live steps from the sand or miles inland. You can have a boat behind your house, a golf course outside your lanai or a Gulf view from your balcony. You can choose a community where your social calendar practically fills itself or a neighborhood where privacy is one of the biggest attractions. Choosing to live in Naples is only the first decision. Choosing how you want to live here is the fun part.
Naples Combines a Small-Town Feel With Sophisticated Amenities
I find Condé Nast Traveler's description of Naples as a “town” particularly interesting. Naples and the surrounding area have grown considerably, yet there are places where it can still feel surprisingly intimate.
Walk through Third Street South in the morning. Bike through Old Naples. Watch the sunset from the beach.
Spend Saturday morning at a local farmers market. Head out on the boat and find yourself surrounded by mangroves and water. At the same time, Naples offers upscale shopping, exceptional restaurants, performing arts, luxury resorts, championship golf, private clubs and an increasingly sophisticated hospitality scene.
That combination can be difficult to find. Naples feels polished without feeling like a major metropolitan city.
Naples Is Also a Gateway to Southwest Florida's Natural Beauty
Naples is often associated with manicured golf courses, luxury homes and beautiful resorts, but some of the area's greatest treasures are considerably less manicured. The western edge of the Everglades ecosystem is right in our backyard. Residents and visitors have access to mangrove forests, estuaries, preserves, barrier islands and Gulf waters filled with wildlife. Depending on where you live and what you enjoy, a weekend might involve boating to Keewaydin Island, kayaking through mangroves, exploring nearby nature preserves, fishing in the Gulf or heading south toward the Everglades. That ability to combine an upscale lifestyle with access to wild, natural Florida is one of the things that makes the Naples area unusual.
Naples Continues to Evolve
Naples isn't standing still. New residential communities, luxury developments, restaurants, resorts and amenities continue to reshape parts of the area. The arrival of projects such as the Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, is one highly visible example of the investment occurring in the Naples luxury market and hospitality sector. Yet the qualities that originally attracted people to Naples are still very much part of its identity.
The beaches.
The Gulf.
The golf.
The boating.
The landscaping.
The outdoor lifestyle.
And, yes, those sunsets.
The challenge as Naples grows will be maintaining the character and natural beauty that made people want to come here in the first place.
Why Do So Many Naples Visitors Eventually Buy Homes Here?
As a Naples real estate agent, this is where an article like the Condé Nast Traveler feature becomes especially interesting to me. Many Naples homeowners started as Naples visitors. They came for a vacation. Then they returned. Maybe they rented for a month the following winter. Eventually, the conversation changed from: "Where should we stay next year?" to: "What would it cost to own something here?"
I see that progression regularly. A beautiful destination can make a wonderful vacation. But deciding to own a home somewhere requires more. People begin thinking about neighborhoods, lifestyle, healthcare, airports, restaurants, recreation, social opportunities, property costs and what everyday life will actually look like.
For many people, Naples works because it offers far more than a vacation experience.
What Are the Best Areas to Live in Naples, Florida?
This is one of the most common questions I hear from people considering a move to Naples. The answer depends entirely on what “best” means to you. Someone who wants to walk to restaurants and the beach may have a very different definition of the perfect Naples neighborhood than someone whose priority is golf, boating, new construction, privacy or resort-style amenities.
When I work with buyers relocating to Naples, some of the questions I encourage them to consider include:
Do you want to be close to the beach?
Is boating important?
Do you want golf membership?
Would you prefer a single-family home or condominium?
Do you want a high-rise with Gulf views?
Is new construction important?
Do you want extensive community amenities?
How important is proximity to downtown Naples?
Would you prefer North Naples, Central Naples, East Naples or another surrounding area?
Do you want to be able to walk or bike to restaurants and shops?
How much maintenance do you want to handle yourself?
There isn't one “best neighborhood in Naples.” There is a best fit for you. And figuring that out is one of the most important parts of buying a home here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Naples, Florida
Was Naples really named one of the most beautiful towns in the world?
Yes. Condé Nast Traveler included Naples, Florida, in its 2026 article featuring 20 of the most beautiful towns in the world for different types of travelers.
What is Naples, Florida, best known for?
Naples is particularly well known for its Gulf beaches, sunsets, golf courses, boating, luxury real estate, upscale shopping and dining, tropical landscaping and outdoor lifestyle. It is also a gateway to many of Southwest Florida's natural attractions.
Is Naples, Florida, a good place to live year-round?
Many residents live in Naples year-round, while others are seasonal residents. Year-round living provides access to beaches, boating, golf, dining and outdoor activities throughout the year, although Southwest Florida summers are hotter, more humid and coincide with hurricane season.
Why are so many people moving to Naples, Florida?
People relocate to Naples for many different reasons, but common attractions include the climate, beaches, golf, boating, outdoor recreation, dining, lifestyle and variety of residential communities. Buyers should evaluate factors such as housing costs, insurance, flood risk, taxes and seasonal traffic alongside the lifestyle benefits when deciding whether Naples is right for them.
Does Naples have waterfront homes?
Yes. Naples offers many types of waterfront real estate, including Gulf-front condominiums, beachfront homes, homes along Naples Bay and canal-front properties with varying levels of boating access. Waterfront buyers should carefully evaluate flood zones, elevation, seawalls, bridges, water depth, insurance and boating access before purchasing.
Does Naples have golf communities?
Yes. Naples and the surrounding area are known for their concentration of golf courses and golf communities. Options range from bundled-golf communities to private country clubs and neighborhoods located near golf without requiring membership.
Is Naples only a luxury real estate market?
No. Naples is widely associated with luxury real estate, particularly in beachfront, waterfront, golf and downtown locations, but the greater Naples area includes a much broader range of condominiums, villas, townhomes and single-family homes at varying price points.
What should I know before moving to Naples?
Before relocating to Naples, buyers should research more than home prices. Consider insurance costs, flood zones, property taxes, HOA or condominium fees, club memberships, proximity to beaches and amenities, seasonal traffic, hurricane protection and the differences among Naples neighborhoods and communities.
Sometimes It Takes an Outsider to Remind Us What We Have
When you live somewhere long enough, even extraordinary surroundings can begin to feel normal. You drive past the palms without thinking about them. You catch another spectacular sunset. You pass another beautiful golf course. You get a glimpse of the Gulf sparkling at the end of the street. Then a publication like Condé Nast Traveler puts Naples alongside beautiful destinations in Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Australia and around the world, and you remember: We really do live somewhere pretty special.
I'm delighted to see Naples receive the recognition. But for those of us fortunate enough to call Naples home, the beauty is really just the beginning.
Thinking About Buying or Selling a Home in Naples, Florida?
If you are considering buying or selling a home in Naples and surrounding areas and you aren't satisfied with average service, you will want to contact Your Naples Real Estate Expert, Renee Hahn, to ensure you get the service, attention and outcomes you deserve.
Renee Hahn
Consistently ranked in the Top 0.5% nationwide
📍 Naples, Florida
📞 (239) 287-2576
Instagram: @reneehahnluxurynaples
Facebook: LuxuryRealEstateinNaples
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