A guide to Italy's prettiest islands
While some are more known than others, Italy’s islands are mostly small, rocky outcrops that treasure centuries-old history, traditions and nature. While some are formed by volcanic activity, like the Aeolian Islands, others are limestone fragments or continental in origin like the chalk-white cliffs of Ponza, the rugged coastline of Capri, or the karstic formations of the Tremiti Islands, shaped and sculpted over millennia by wind, sea, and story. From the glamorous hideaways favoured by jet-setters to lesser known islets where time seems to stand still, each offers its own unique characteristic; whether you’re craving barefoot beach days on powdery white sands, wandering through vibrant fishing villages painted in pastel-coloured hues, or exploring archaeological treasures far off the beaten path, Italy’s islands promise an unforgettable escape. Here are some of our favourites, from North to South.
Getty ImagesFavignana
Favignana, the largest of the Aegadian Islands off Sicily’s western coast, is a vibrant, laid-back island with no flashy resorts and a laid-back pace. It draws a mostly Italian crowd who come for its translucent turquoise waters, slow, Sicilian lunches and cliff-heavy landscapes. Once the heart of the Mediterranean tuna industry, visitors can explore the former Florio Tonnara museum, as well as bike through sun-bleached lanes, hidden coves like Cala Rossa and Cala Azzurra, and stone-paved piazzas. Boats can be hired for the day to reach sea caves and quiet beaches only accessible by water, such as Cala del Bue Marino or Scala Cavallo. For the ultimate sunset aperitivo, venture to Cibo, Chiacchiere e Vino, where tables spill right onto the sand, or Stravecchio in the old town, which serves excellent local wines and small plates. Lucrezia Worthington
Where to stay: Hotel Dimora Cala del Pozzo is an eight-room rustic farmhouse immersed in nature.
Getting there: A ferry or hydrofoil from Trapani takes between 30 minutes and one hour
Getty ImagesTremiti Islands
Floating in the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Puglia, the Tremiti are among Italy’s most under-the-radar escapes. This tiny archipelago comprising San Domino, San Nicola, Capraia, Cretaccio, and Pianosa is part of the protected Gargano National Park, with crystal-clear waters and marine life that draw snorkelers and divers from around the country. San Domino is the liveliest, with pine forests, sea caves, and sandy coves like Cala delle Arene, while San Nicola is steeped in history, crowned by a fortified Benedictine abbey that once doubled as a prison. Though small, the islands have long held a legendary allure: even Emperor Augustus is said to have exiled his granddaughter here. Lucrezia Worthington
Where to stay: Although there are a few little hotels on the island of San Dominio, there are some Airbnbs like this one that allow you to live at your own leisurely pace. They’re simple, just like the islands. For something a little more luxurious, you can venture back into the mainland and stay in one of the best hotels in Puglia.
Getting there: In the Gargano area you can take a ferry from Vieste, Peschici, or Rodi Garganico. The journey takes between 1.15h and 1.40h.
Getty ImagesPantelleria
Remote and rugged, Pantelleria is a windswept outpost halfway between Sicily and Tunisia, known as the "Black Pearl of the Mediterranean" for its dramatic volcanic landscape. This is not your typical beach island: there are no sandy stretches, but instead a coastline carved with hidden coves, natural hot springs, and lava-stone pools like Specchio di Venere, a turquoise crater lake where locals slather on mineral-rich mud. The island’s iconic dammusi, white-domed stone houses, dot the terraced hills, many now transformed into chic retreats (even Giorgio Armani has a villa here). Don’t miss the Balata dei Turchi, a secluded bay once used by Saracen pirates, or a boat trip around the island to swim in Cala Tramontana and Cala Levante and, come sunset, join the locals for a glass of passito, the island’s famed sweet wine made from zibibbo grapes, best sipped with a view over the rocky cliffs and Africa just beyond the horizon. Lucrezia Worthington
Where to stay: Parco dei Sesi, set in one of the island’s most ancient sites: a Bronze Age necropolis dating back some 5,000 years.
Getting there: Direct flights leave daily from Palermo and, in high season, from Catania.
Getty ImagesLevanzo
Dinky Levanzo, sitting in the Mediterranean just west of Sicily, is known for the Neolithic cave paintings at Grotta del Genovese, which can be visited on a guided tour. Whitewashed houses surround the port, from which divers head out to see the remains of a Roman shipwreck. Around the village? car-free silence, limestone walkways, and a tiny harbor lined with fuscia-coloured flowers; although the most picturesque views come as you approach by sea, when the village stands out against the cobalt blue, framed by rugged cliffs and unspoiled nature.
Where to stay: At sweet, affordable guest house Cala Dogana.
Getting there: Hydrofoils from Trapani in Sicily take 25 minutes.
Getty ImagesPanarea
The smallest of the Aeolian islands is also the most exclusive, where Milan’s smart set heads for the summer. It’s got a reputation as the party island, with Hotel Raya hosting the best resident DJs on the weekends and in high season the harbour fills up with glitzy yachts. While the beaches aren’t as beautiful as on the other Aeolian islands, there are plenty of rocky inlets to use as jumping-off points for the inky ocean. In fact, it is here on the small island of Basiluzzo that Christopher Nolan recently filmed “The Odyssey”. While here, don’t forget to pop into the Delizie di Nonna Pasqualina for an arancino, it’s an institution.
Where to stay: Hotel Raya has been the island’s sharpest hideout for more than half a century.
Getting here: Ferries from Milazzo leave at least twice daily and take about one hour 20 minutes.
Getty ImagesCapri
Just off the coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula, Capri is one of Italy’s best-known islands. It has a reputation for splashy hotels and a sparkly jet-set history – Jackie Kennedy made the island famous by visiting in the 1960s – but there’s a wilder, remote side too. Go off-season (we particularly recommend visiting in autumn) and get stuck in exploring the old town on foot. Spend days drifting between beach clubs shaded by powder-blue parasols or circling the island by boat, slipping through the Faraglioni like a scene from a Fellini film. After dark, join the island’s well-heeled faithful at Taverna Anema e Core, where tambourines and Neapolitan crooners make for legendary nights. And when hunger strikes? Capri’s food scene is as vibrant as ever: grab a pizzetta from Naples maestro Ciro Oliva at Concettina ai Tre Santi, indulge in Chef Gennarino Esposito’s cuisine at Gennaro’s restaurant within Hotel La Palma, or go old-school at Ristorante Verginiello, beloved for its terrace views and classic local plates.
Where to stay: Smart JK Place Capri, which appears to dangle on the cliffside above the port, has soothing rooms away from the crowds and some of the best views on the island.
Getting here: Boats from Naples take about an hour.
- Costa Smeralda</a> is known for its crowd of billionaire jet-setters and Russian oligarchs. But the mountainous mainland disguises pretty villages, too. On the Western side, the Gallura province charms with wild, juniper scented nature and prehistoric nuragic ruins while Alghero, with its Catalan Gothic architecture and honey-hued walls, guards some of the island’s most pristine beaches. its steep lanes and sun-faded facades concealing tucked-away trattorias and aperitivo bars. And when the heat of summer sets in, locals escape to nearby Villasimius, where you can swim until sunset, and sip a cold Vermentino barefoot in the sand.\n<strong>Where to stay:</strong> Little <a href=https://www.cntraveller.com/"https://www.domuantiga.it//" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">B&B Domu Antiga</a> in the centre of the island. For more inspiration on where to stay, visit the <a href=https://www.cntraveller.com/"https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-hotels-in-sardinia/" target=\"_blank\">best hotels in Sardinia.</a>\n<strong>Getting here:</strong> You can fly direct to Sardinia from <a href=https://www.cntraveller.com/"https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-airports-in-the-world-2024/" target=\"_blank\">London</a>, <a href=https://www.cntraveller.com/"https://www.cntraveller.com/article/guide-to-manchester/" target=\"_blank\">Manchester</a> and <a href=https://www.cntraveller.com/"https://www.cntraveller.com/article/ultimate-travel-guide-bristol/" target=\"_blank\">Bristol</a>.","contentType":"photo","credit":"Getty Images","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be997ab1fb48d7ae606fc/master/w_320,c_limit/sardinia-gettyimages-1161971461.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be997ab1fb48d7ae606fc/master/w_640,c_limit/sardinia-gettyimages-1161971461.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be997ab1fb48d7ae606fc/master/w_640,c_limit/sardinia-gettyimages-1161971461.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be997ab1fb48d7ae606fc/master/w_1280,c_limit/sardinia-gettyimages-1161971461.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be997ab1fb48d7ae606fc/master/w_1024,c_limit/sardinia-gettyimages-1161971461.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be997ab1fb48d7ae606fc/master/w_2048,c_limit/sardinia-gettyimages-1161971461.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be997ab1fb48d7ae606fc/master/w_1280,c_limit/sardinia-gettyimages-1161971461.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be997ab1fb48d7ae606fc/master/w_1280,c_limit/sardinia-gettyimages-1161971461.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Getty ImagesSardinia
Sardinia is an island with many faces; The culture here is Italian at its core, but more rustic and stripped back. On the north-east coast, Costa Smeralda is known for its crowd of billionaire jet-setters and Russian oligarchs. But the mountainous mainland disguises pretty villages, too. On the Western side, the Gallura province charms with wild, juniper scented nature and prehistoric nuragic ruins while Alghero, with its Catalan Gothic architecture and honey-hued walls, guards some of the island’s most pristine beaches. its steep lanes and sun-faded facades concealing tucked-away trattorias and aperitivo bars. And when the heat of summer sets in, locals escape to nearby Villasimius, where you can swim until sunset, and sip a cold Vermentino barefoot in the sand.
Where to stay: Little B&B Domu Antiga in the centre of the island. For more inspiration on where to stay, visit the best hotels in Sardinia.
Getting here: You can fly direct to Sardinia from London, Manchester and Bristol.
Getty ImagesIschia
Capri’s quieter sister sits just off the Amalfi Coast. There’s a rooted earthiness here: beaches like Sorgeto and Scarrupata are uncrowded and there are vast landscapes to explore. Pastel houses tumble down to the pretty ports of fishing villages, and the serenity of the island inspired WH Auden to pen a poem singing its praises and encouraged Visconti to host literary salons at his villa above the sea. Here, thermal springs bubble up from the ground, feeding centuries-old spas tucked into lush gardens, while trails wind through chestnut forests and up to panoramic peaks like Monte Epomeo. If you’re seeking tranquility, venture to La Mortella, a subtropical garden created by English composer William Walton and his wife. Paths twist through terraced gardens, lotus ponds, and exotic plants, with occasional open-air concerts in summer. As for dinner, La Lampara serves exquisite seafood dishes overlooking the beautiful Aragonese castle.
Where to stay: Mezzatorre, the third opening from the Il Pellicano group, with its castle-like features and iconic parasols. For total seclusion, these private houses are a great idea.
Getting there: Hydrofoils from Naples take about one hour.
- Florence, take 45 minutes.","contentType":"photo","credit":"Getty Images","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be996623b149193c8c902/master/w_320,c_limit/elba-gettyimages-541409440.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be996623b149193c8c902/master/w_640,c_limit/elba-gettyimages-541409440.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be996623b149193c8c902/master/w_640,c_limit/elba-gettyimages-541409440.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be996623b149193c8c902/master/w_1280,c_limit/elba-gettyimages-541409440.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be996623b149193c8c902/master/w_1024,c_limit/elba-gettyimages-541409440.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be996623b149193c8c902/master/w_2048,c_limit/elba-gettyimages-541409440.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be996623b149193c8c902/master/w_1280,c_limit/elba-gettyimages-541409440.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveller.com/photos/611be996623b149193c8c902/master/w_1280,c_limit/elba-gettyimages-541409440.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Getty ImagesElba
Further north in Tuscany, Elba is best known as the island on which Napoleon was first exiled. Today, it is quiet compared to many of Italy’s shores, unfurling into a scalloped necklace of coves and pine-backed bays dotted along the coast. The island is best explored by scooter or, even better, by chartering a boat which gets you to hidden gems like Cala dei Frati, a quiet pebble beach near Portoferraio that’s only accessible by sea. On land, other pristine beaches include Sansone, with its white pebbles and electric-blue water, and the quiet Marina di Alberese.
Where to stay: Hotel Hermitage is set right on the white sands of Biodola beach. For families seeking a private, independent stay, Casa Pineta is a beautiful villa immersed under the shady pine-trees. Or, for complete seclusion, Casa del Capitano, perched on top of Monte Grosso.
Getting there: Ferries from Piombino, a port about 100 miles south of Florence, take 45 minutes.
Getty ImagesCaprera
Secluded Caprera, off the north coast of Sardinia, is part of La Maddalena Archipelago National Park. Hikers come for the well-marked trails that wind through fragrant pine forests, over granite outcrops, and down to hidden coves like the white sandy Cala Coticcio (nicknamed “Tahiti” for its tropical hues) and Cala Napoletana, where the sea is glass-clear and often completely deserted. This island was the final home of former Italian General Giuseppe Garibaldi, and his simple home, where he spent his remaining days, is now a museum open to visitors.
Where to stay: There are no hotels on Caprera, so catch a boat back to Sardinia, where there are numerous hotels, villas and Airbnbs.
Getting there: Take a 20-minute ferry from Palau in Sardinia to La Maddalena, which is connected to Caprera by a land bridge.
Getty ImagesPonza
Ponza is where the Romans go on holiday. It’s about halfway between the Eternal City and Naples, and the largest of the six Pontine Islands that make an appearance in Homer's Odyssey. They’re just an hour from the mainland by boat, but few tourists make the journey over, leaving things quieter and more laid-back than at some of Italy’s bigger-hitting islands. Hit the crescent-shaped Chiaia di Luna early in the morning to avoid the crowds and book a day out on the boat. Highlights include swimming in grottos lapped by aquamarine water, anchoring in hidden coves like Cala Feola and downing the local white - Fieno di Ponza under the golden sunshine. The harbor, ringed with pastel buildings, comes to life at dusk over the clink of well-deserved aperitivo.
Where to stay: Grand Hotel Santa Domitilla has rooms from £90 and a grand spa.
Getting there: Ferries take one hour and depart from Terracina (about one hour 30 minutes by train and bus from Rome).
Getty ImagesBudelli
Budelli is one of Sardinia’s most fiercely preserved islands, widely known for its ethereal Spiaggia Rosa, where cotton candy pink sands shimmer from crushed coral and shells The beach is now strictly off-limits to foot traffic and visitors are only permitted to admire it from the water or a designated path behind the shore (violators can face hefty fines). In fact, for over 30 years, Mauro Morandi, dubbed the “Italian Robinson Crusoe,” lived alone on Budelli, guarding its fragile ecosystem until his eviction in 2021 due to park regulations.
Where to stay: You can’t stay on Budelli – your boat trip will take you back to Sardinia for the night.
Getting there: Boats leave from the port of Palau or rent a boat for the day with or without a skipper
Getty ImagesGiglio
Wild swimmers and divers are drawn to Giglio, a dot 11 miles into the sea off the Tuscan coast. Most of the island is covered in wild plants and inhabited only by free-roaming wildlife. Candy-coloured fishing ports stud the many beautiful beaches Down at Giglio Porto, pastel houses line the harbor while small trattorias serve the island’s crisp Ansonaco wine and freshly caught totani (squid). Inland Giglio Castello is an ancient village set within fortified walls. But it’s the beaches that steal the show: Caldane and Cala dell’Arenella offer calm, transparent waters ideal for snorkeling, while the crescent-shaped Campese, on the western side, is beloved by locals for its fiery sunsets and laid-back beach bars. For those in the know, a short coastal hike leads to Cala del Corvo, a secluded cove often empty even in peak summer.
Where to stay: At La Guardia, a pared-back hideout with beautiful views.
Getting there: Ferries from Porto Santo Stefano take about an hour and leave year-round – check ahead for timings, as they’re seasonal.
Getty ImagesLampedusa
The three Pelagie Islands are closer to Tunisia than Sicily, cast away about 105 miles from their nearest Italian neighbour. The biggest of the three, Lampedusa is known for its pretty beaches, including the iconic Spiaggia dei Conigli, often named among the world’s most beautiful for its powder-white sand and translucent waters. The island’s southern shore is part of a protected marine reserve, where loggerhead turtles come to nest and snorkelers can spot barracuda and parrotfish. Its location shapes a cuisine rich in cross-cultural flavours, where seafood couscous (a spiced, saffron-laced dish made with semolina and the day’s catch, often red mullet or grouper) is a must-try.
Where to stay: La Calandra is a pretty hotel built into the cliffside.
Getting there: Ferries from Porto Empédocle in Sicily take four hours 15 minutes or, on select days there are direct flights from Milan, Rome and Palermo.
Getty ImagesBurano
One of the best-known Italian islands, Burano is one of a handful in the Venetian lagoon. Its houses are a kaleidoscope of bright colours, and the shops stock exquisite linen and lace (which Burano is famous for). This craft flourished during the Renaissance and you can still see women practicing the time-honored techniques today. Many trained at the island’s Lace School, established in 1872 and now part of the Lace Museum (Museo del Merletto). No visit is complete without sampling a bussolà buranello (or buranelli), a traditional butter cookie shaped in rings or “S” curves, originally baked by fishermen’s wives to last during long sea voyages. You'll find the best ones at Panificio Pasticceria Palmisano Carmelina, where the recipe hasn’t changed in generations. Of course, a lunch-time pitstop at Trattoria del Gatto Nero to try the famous Risotto di Gó, or Alla Buranella. This dish is made with ghiozzo fish, found only in the lagoon.
Where to stay: Perfectly on-point (and affordable) Casa Burano.
Getting there: Take a ferry from San Zaccaria (near St Mark’s Square) to Burano; it takes about 45 minutes.
Getty ImagesBorromean Islands
The vast Lake Maggiore straddles the Alps between Italy and Switzerland and is home to a cluster of pretty islands. The four Borromeans are some of the loveliest of them all – comprised of Isola Bella, Isola Madre, Isola Superiore, and the tiny Isolino di San Giovanni, these islands have been in the hands of the aristocratic Borromeo family since the 1600s, but are all open to visitors. Isola Bella is perhaps the crown jewel, famed for its opulent Baroque palace and terraced Italian gardens that cascade dramatically down to the lake. The gardens are home to an unexpected yet charming feature: a lively population of peacocks that roam freely. Just a short boat ride away, Isola Madre offers a quieter, more natural charm, with sprawling English-style gardens boasting exotic plants, centuries-old camellias. Finally, Isola Superiore (also known as L’isola del Pescatore) is the only inhabited island, characterized by narrow alleys lined with typical multi-story houses, featuring long balconies used by the locals for drying their daily catch.
Where to stay: As there are no hotels on the islands, stay in Stresa. The Grand Hotel des Iles Borromees, has a medical spa and expansive terraces or the historic Villa Hotel e Palazzo Aminta with balconies overlooking the Borromean Islands.
Getting there: Take the ferry from Stresa, a town on Lake Maggiore – the boats visit all three publicly accessible Borromean Islands.
Getty ImagesProcida
Less visited than Capri or Ischia, tiny Procida is comparatively peaceful even in high season. It offers fewer places to stay than its neighbours and remains mostly inhabited by locals, which gives it an authentic, lived-in feel. The island’s technicolour fishing villages also had a starring role in The Talented Mr Ripley while Spiaggia del Postino was featured in Massimo Troisi’s Il Postino. Stroll through Marina Corricella, the oldest fishing port, where boats bob gently and locals gather at seaside cafés, before heading to Cala di Chiaiolella, with its dark volcanic sands or the quieter Spiaggia di Ciraccio for crystal-clear waters and sun-soaked relaxation. For dining, Da Nino in Marina Corricella is a must, serving impeccable seafood dishes like spaghetti alle vongole against a backdrop of stunning harbor views.
Where to stay: Hotel La Corricella is pared back but has brilliant views, as is San Michele Procida.
Getting there: Ferries from Naples take about 40 minutes.
