ДомойDestinationsItalian islands: 10 best places for unforgettable summer holiday

Italian islands: 10 best places for unforgettable summer holiday


Loved by millions, Italy boasts pristine beaches, ancient culture and exquisite cuisine. Why not to visit one of the many islands that offer not only this, but also that special chilling atmosphere holidaymakers enjoy so much? Italian islands are truly heavenly places and you will see this now.

10. Filicudi

The Island of Filicudi is in fact an extinct volcano. At the southeastern part it has the rocky outcropping of Cape Graziano attached by an isthmus. Today, the island is home to about 300 people who are engaged in fishing, wine production, caper, olive and vegetable cultivation, and tourist services. Most of the island is a nature reserve.

Filicudi
Filicudi. Photo: Petr Vykoukal (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Filicudi
Filicudi. Photo: Ghost-in-the-Shell / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Filicudi
Filicudi. Photo: Thilo Hilberer / flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0)

9. Ponza

This picturesque island in the Tyrrhenian Sea is a part of the Pontic archipelago. It has long been a favorite vacation spot for wealthy Romans, and to this day, locals love to spend their leisure time here. The island of Ponza is also popular with divers, fans of quiet beach holidays and connoisseurs of ancient architecture. It is believed that the name Ponza was given in honor of Pontius Pilate, whose family owned part of the island’s lands.

Ponza
Ponza. Photo: Bouncey2k (Public domain)
Ponza
Ponza. Photo: Hengist Decius / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Ponza
Ponza. Photo: Bruce Potter / flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Italian islands: 8. Elba

Elba Island is the largest of the Tuscany islands and embodies the charm and uniqueness of this land, rich in history, culture and natural beauty. In world history, the island of Elba is widely known thanks to the French emperor Napoleon, who lived here for some time. As the most famous local inhabitant, two museums are dedicated to him on the Elba – the Villa San Martino and Palazzo Mulini.

Elba
Elba. Photo: Rhodan59 / pixabay (Pixabay License)
Elba
Elba. Photo: Niccolo Rigacci (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Elba
Elba. Photo: Cosal (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Italian islands: 7. Lampedusa

Lampedusa is a true paradise for those who love sun, diving and wildlife. This is the southernmost territory of Italy, located about halfway from Sicily to the African coast. The magnificent Lampedusa forms, together with the island of Linosa and the rocky Lampione, the Pelagie Islands archipelago.

Lampedusa
Lampedusa. Photo: Luca Siragusa (CC BY 2.0)
Lampedusa
Lampedusa. Photo: Annamariacapicchioni (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Lampedusa
Lampedusa. Photo: Andre86 (Public domain)

6. Lipari

The volcanic island of Lipari, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, is the largest among the islands of the Lipari archipelago. The close location to Sicily has made it a popular tourist destination; many travelers visit it as part of extensive excursion programs. The island is incredibly interesting from a historical point of view: the first settlements on its territory were founded in the Neolithic era.

Lipari
Lipari. Photo: Ji-Elle (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Lipari
Lipari. Photo: Ghost-in-the-Shell / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Lipari
Lipari. Photo: Ghost-in-the-Shell / flickr (CC BY 2.0)

5. Procida

The Mediterranean style of architecture, dense vegetation, transparent sea and quaint cliffs washed by the waves create the ideal conditions to truly relax. Ferries and ships from Naples and Pozzuoli dock at the port of Marina di Sancho Cattolico, which is also called more simply – Marina Grande.

Procida
Procida. Photo: Ekrem Canli (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Procida
Procida. Photo: Ekrem Canli (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Procida
Procida. Photo: falco / pixabay (Pixabay License)

Italian islands: 4. Ischia

Ischia is the largest and one of the most picturesque islands in the Gulf of Naples, located seven kilometers from the mainland of Italy. Its territory belongs administratively to the province of Naples and the Campania region. The coast of Ischia is washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean Sea. For the abundance of lush greenery – pine forests, forests and gardens – Ischia is often called the “Emerald Island”.

Ischia
Ischia. Photo: Rolf Cosar (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Ischia
Ischia. Photo: marktristan from Bristol, UK (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Ischia
Ischia. Photo: Jimmy Harris / flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Italian islands: 3. Capri

The island overlooks the deep blue sea. Elegant villas are located on steep rocky hills. The Phoenician steps lead to the top, the view from which is absolutely unforgettable. Capri has a small, picturesque Old Town with several restaurants and shops. Here you can enjoy the iconic Limoncello liqueur, made from local lemons.

Capri
Capri. Photo: Berthold Werner (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Capri
Capri. Photo: © Jorge Royan / http://www.royan.com.ar (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Capri
Capri. Photo: moisemarian / pixabay (Pixabay License)

Italian islands: 2. Sardinia

Sardinia means an emerald sea and numerous bays with white sand …. The island literally mesmerizes with its contrasts, ancient traditions, variety of colors and shades, as well as wild pristine nature. A real miracle of the island is the ancient Nuraghe complexes preserved throughout its territory. These are the only buildings of this kind in the world – unique monuments of ancient culture of the 15th – 6th centuries BC.

Sardinia
Sardinia. Photo: StephanieAlbert / pixabay (Pixabay License)
Sardinia
Sardinia. Photo: CarstenNRW / pixabay (Pixabay License)
Sardinia
Sardinia. Photo: arianta / flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Italian islands: 1. Sicily

The largest island in the Mediterranean has a long and unusual history, which is evident in its culture today. Mount Etna, the legendary volcano, is the most prominent landmark. The island is home to magnificent cities with ancient architecture.

Sicily
Sicily. Photo: Andrea Schaffer / flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Sicily
Sicily. Photo: tamás szabó from Kolozsvár, Románia (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Sicily
Sicily. Photo: tamás szabó from Kolozsvár, Románia (CC BY-SA 2.0)