Favorite travel routes in Italy pass through the famous major cities. Beach vacations on large islands such as Sicily (Sicilia) and Sardinia (Sardegna) are also popular. But no less interesting is the acquaintance with the islands of this country, not so actively developed by tourists and offering a meeting with the pristine nature and natural course of life of Italians. Clean air and water, a small number of vacationers - these are the secrets of a comfortable stay on the islands of Italy.
We will get acquainted with the islands of Italy, moving on a geographical map from north to south.
Ligurian sea
The most northern in the Ligurian Sea (Mare Ligusticum) 3 islands:
- Palmaria (Palmaria);
- Tino
- Tinetto (Tinetto).
These islands are located near the city of Porto Venere and are part of the protected areas of Portovenere, which has been under UNESCO protection since 1997. Palmaria is famous for its luxurious beach, located in a cozy sandy bay, where you can get from the city of Portovenere.
Tino
Tino is an island that is known as the shelter of St. Venus (San Venerio), who lived here in the late VI - early VII centuries. When he died in 630, a temple was built at the burial site, and later, in the XI century, a monastery appeared here. Now you can admire the ruins of this ancient monastery. However, Saint Venus is still revered as the protector of the island of Tino.
Tinetto
Tinetto is the smallest of the islands of this group, almost devoid of vegetation, but attracting gulls that form nests here and breed offspring.
The attraction of this deserted island, devoid of green spaces - the ruins of ancient buildings associated with the worship of religious rites: the ruins of the chapel of the VI century, the church of the XI century. At the southern tip of the island is an old two-meter statue of Stella Maris.
Tinetto Island can be reached by private boat from Portovenere. Groups of tourists do not carry here, so as not to disturb the gulls during the nesting period.
Gallinara
Gallinara (Gallinara) - an island that in the IV century served as a haven for St. Martin of Tours (San Martin di Torino), who fled from the persecution. The island has beautiful rocky shores, lush vegetation, it is surrounded by clear water. This place is interesting for its religious history and surviving buildings: the ruins of the monastery, a tower of the XVI century and a small Gothic church. The island is included in the protected areas, which serves as a nesting site for silver gulls.
Get to Gallinara from the city of Albenga.
Burgedge
Bergeggi (Bergeggi) - island reserve, towering above the sea expanses of a peak of limestone. Despite its small size, it is known for the ruins of ancient fortifications and churches.
Bergeggi is located near the city with the same name, a developed center of tourism and recreation.
Tuscan archipelago
The Tuscan archipelago (Arcipelago toscano) includes small islands (Gorgona, Montecristo, etc.), on which no one lives, but which can be visited as part of an excursion group. Their shores have convenient diving sites.
Comfortable hotels are waiting on Elba and Giglio, etc.
Elba
Elba is the largest in the Tuscan archipelago, attracting a variety of coastline: rocky cliffs are replaced by sandy bays.
You can drive around the Elba in 1 day, but it impresses with a variety of impressions:
- Traces of Etruscan culture (in Marciana Marina);
- Buildings telling about the activities of the Medici clan (in the city of Porto Azzurro);
- Historical places connected with the reference of Napoleon Bonaparte (in the city of Portoferraio);
- Luxurious vineyards around the cities of Capoliveri, grapes from which are transformed into wines of the highest varieties (Procaniko, Sangioveto, etc.);
- The majestic mountain peak of Monte Capanne (MonteCapanne, 1018 m);
various sandy beaches of unusual colors.
Boats or yachts from the city of Piombino go to Elba, planes fly (the airport is in the city of Marina di Campo).
Giglio
Giglio (Isola del Giglio) - the second largest in the Tuscan archipelago, which attracts tourist groups with walking routes among beautiful vegetation.
The island was a defensive point during the time of the Etruscans and Ancient Rome, for some time belonged to the Republic of Pisa (Repubblica di Pisa), and later to the Medici family. Granite was mined here for the construction of buildings in Rome.
Routes necessarily lead tourists to the port, built by the Romans, the majestic lighthouse and the ancient fortress from the Middle Ages - Giglio Castello (Giglio Castello). After exploring the fortress, you can visit the cozy cafes and restaurants presenting a menu according to local recipes and wine from the local vineyards - Ansonika.
Comfortable hotels offer a family stay with children or a group of friends, enjoy swimming on the beaches with fine hot sand, surfing and diving.
Giglio Island is served by ferry from the port of San Stefano.
- We recommend reading about: holidays in Italy at sea with children
Capraia
Capraia is the third largest in the Tuscan archipelago. In addition to the vibrant nature reserve, you can admire the Castle of San Giorgio and the Church of San Nicola. You will be met by hotels, as well as well-developed infrastructure:
- Shops and markets;
- Restaurants, bars, cafes;
- Motor boat and boat rental.
A boat from Livorno walks to the island of Capraia.
Jannutri
Dzhannutri (Isola di Giannutri) - the reserve which has remained primordial nature, giving shelter to colonies of gulls. The island is very picturesque, it attracts with mountain peaks, sandy beaches, grottoes in coastal cliffs. Here you can see the ruins of an ancient ancient Roman villa built in BC.
Get to Giannutri from the city of San Stefano.
Pontian Islands
The Pontian Islands (Isole Pontine), part of the Lazio region, are located in the Tyrrhenian Sea (mare Tirreno).
- Among them, Santo Stefano (Santo Stefano), striking the inaccessible cliffs of the former volcano, lush vegetation, a clear sea, it attracts tourists who love a secluded vacation, and you can get here from Ventotene on a rented boat.
- Zannone - island reserve, famous for the sites of migratory birds and rare plants (stone oak).
- Gavi (Gavi) - an island with a single house on top of the mountain. To take a walk along the wild island paths, you can rent a boat on the island of Ponza. It is beautiful here, but there are no convenient places for swimming.
Ponza
Ponza is a mountain-covered island that used to be an active volcano. It is surrounded by reefs, underwater grottoes, so diving enthusiasts tend to come here.
For a classic beach holiday, Chiaia di luna is surrounded by cliffs. Also on the island, tourists are waiting for mud baths, luxury hotels, cafes and restaurants.
- How to get there: there is a ferry service to the island of Ponza from the city of Anzio.
Ventotene
Ventotene (Ventotene) - an island that is an extinct volcano, sung in the ancient Greek myths about the Odyssey, which it was from these shores that sweet-voiced sirens called. He also attracted the noble ancient Romans, who built several rich villas here.
Off the coast of Ventotene there are picturesque diving sites. Flocks of dolphins are found on the island, and infrequently, whales.
Motor ships from the city of Formia go to Ventoten.
Palmarola
The volcanic past of Palmarola makes it very unusual in terms of relief: the island is decorated with rocky spurs, reefs, deep-sea and surface caves.
You will have to go to a secluded uninhabited islet in a private boat to relax on the beaches with clean sand.
Capri
Capri (Capri) - a large island in the region of Campania (Campania), known for caves, cliffs and cozy beaches and a developed tourist area. Since prehistoric times, local residents have been engaged in farming and fishing, so here you must definitely try the local cuisine.
Capri boats go from Naples, Naples, Sorrento, Amalfi.
Flegrinsky archipelago (Isole Flegree)
Ischia
Ischia (Ischia) - a very fashionable resort in the Gulf of Naples (Golfo di Napoli), offering not only a beach holiday, but also hydrotherapy and mud therapy.
To explore the island, you have to ride from Naples or Pozzuol on a boat. The visiting card of these places is three extinct volcanoes, the ancient medieval Aragonese castle (Castello aragonese), thermal parks with springs that spew out streams of hot steam, a botanical garden.
Wine lovers can taste the famous refined white wine Epomeo here.
Procida
Procida is a small fishing island with a large number of local residents, which attracts travelers with its old fortress Marina Corricella, the remains of the craters of extinct volcanoes, beautiful vegetation.
Gourmets should definitely try artichoke dishes and a limoncello drink made from a special local variety of very large lemons.
Tourists are transported to Procida from Naples or from the coast of Ischia.
Islands of sardinia
Around the island of Sardinia there are several miniature islets.
Carloforte (Carloforte, second name - San Pietro, Isola di San Pietro) - rocky, surprising deep and surface grottoes and densely populated. The popularity of the island is associated with the legend that here in 46 AD e. the Holy Apostle Peter arrived. A boat from the port of Calasetta in Sardinia goes to these holy places.
Sant'Antioco - An island for connoisseurs of wild desert beaches, fishing and diving.
Mal di Ventre famous for its beautiful beaches, to which you will be taken by sea from the village of Putzu Idu.
Guided tours invite to the desert the island of Serpentara, striking the rocky shores of different varieties of colored granite.
Interest for travelers is Cavoli island with the finest snow-white sand, various rare rocks, interesting flora and underwater plants.
La Maddalena Archipelago
The structure of the La Maddalena archipelago includes several small rocky islands that people do not live on and which are worth visiting just for swimming on wild beaches with clear water and walking through pristine nature: these are Spargi, Razzoli (Razzoli) , Santa Maria (Santa Maria), Budelli (Budelli) and others.
You can come to these islands from the neighboring ones by boat. The exception is Budelli, landing is prohibited.
The archipelago is named after one of the islands. La Maddalena is an island with a large number of residents with a developing tourist industry and fashionable beaches of Bassa Trinita, Spalmatore, Capocchia du Purpu, Monti d'a Rena, Carlotto ( Carlotto). You can get here from the city of Palau (Palau) in Sardinia.
Caprera
Caprera (Caprera) - a reserve island that attracts different types of birds (gulls, cormorants, etc.). This island is surely visited by connoisseurs of history and admirers of Giuseppe Garibaldi, who fought for the freedom of Italy and lived here for the last 30 years of his life. Caprera houses a house museum and the tomb of Garibaldi.
Fans of yachting come here. There are no comfortable hotels on this island, but there are campsites and bungalows for guests engaged in active tourism.
The island invites you to the magnificent beaches of Cala Coticcio, Cala Brigantina, Cala Portese, Cala Garibaldi, Cala Serena, Punta Galera, where you can get or from the sea, or along narrow, unclimbed paths.
You can drive to Caprera Island via the dam from neighboring La Maddalena.
Islands of sicily
Sicily is Italy's largest island in terms of area - 25,460 km ^ 2 and a population of about 5 million inhabitants. It is Sicily that kicks the boot of Italy.
Aeolian (Aeolian) islands
Among the group of Aeolian Islands (Isole Eolie) is especially attractive the Vulcano (Isola di Vulcano), which has an active volcano. This island is covered with vineyards, fig groves and orchards. There are hydropathic and mud baths and spacious beaches, tourists are attracted by beautiful bays and coastal caves.
You can get to the island of Vulcano by water from the city of Milazzo in Sicily.
Panarea
Panarea (Panarea) - the former mouth of the volcano, and now a tiny quiet island, which does not use any means of public transport. Houses with bright facades are built exclusively from local materials, and around them blooming nature.
You can get to the island from Milazzo by boat.
Salina
The island of Silina (Isola di Salina) is so named because of the salt lake present on it. Thanks to the natural source of salt, fish and capers have long been salted here. Guests will try not only these delicacies, but also the local Malvasia wine.
For outdoor enthusiasts, this is a wonderful place for diving, hiking and descending into the mouth of an extinct volcano. And you can get here from Milazzo or Messina (Messina).
Stromboli
Stromboli (Stromboli) - an island with an unextinguished volcanohighest in European territory. Palms, oil plantations, lemon groves surround the volcano and villages at its foot. The main settlement is San Vincenzo with a population of about 400 people. To Stromboli maritime transport from Naples.
Lipari
Lipari (Isola di Lipari) - a densely populated modest island with a cafe, delicious ice cream and unique local ceramic souvenirs. You can travel around the island on foot, or you can ride a scooter or bicycle, enjoy nature and visit historical and archaeological sites and the archaeological museum.
They come to Lipari from Milazzo.
Filicudi
Filicudi Island is ideal for lovers of secluded relaxation, it invites to the pebble beaches. It is interesting to visit Filikudi in August during the festival of ancient myths and legends, when festive processions are organized along the streets of the town, and boats lined with flowers and torches are lined up in the port to bring gifts to the sea gods.
They come to Filikudi from Palermo.
Alicudi and Ustika
The islands of Alicudi and Ustica are the tops of extinct volcanoes, it is interesting to see them from the sea, having arrived by boat. It is also fun to climb to the highest point of Alicudi, hiring conductors with mules. Ustika impresses with its rugged beaches, caves and coves, and is also actively explored by diving enthusiasts.
Aegadian Islands (Isole Egadi)
Favignana is the island on which the inhabited walled city of the Middle Ages is located and traces of the extraction of building stone - local tuff - are still preserved. It is interesting to go around the island of Favignana by boat - this is how you can see the ancient caves and grottoes from the outside and from the inside.
The island of Marettimo with its covered stalactites and stalagmites grottoes is also the most interesting to see from the sea, and for scuba diving specialists this is a real paradise.
Levanzo is a rocky island museum that attracts history buffs. Cave inscriptions and drawings of the 10th century BC are preserved here, on which it is easy to recognize episodes of hunting and fishing for tuna.
You can get to the islands of Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo by boat from Trapani in Sicily.
Pelagic Islands
Pelagic Islands (Isole Pelagie) - these are islands in the very south of Italy, characterized by a climate close to North African. From the peaks of this archipelago visible coast of Africa. It is interesting to go to Linosa Island and see the craters of three extinct volcanoes and sunbathe on the beach of Cala di Pozzolana, Cala di Ponente with rare black sand. You can get to Linosa by boat from Porto Empedocle in Sicily.
Another island of the archipelago is Pantelleria, surrounded by greenery, on which the Montagna Grande Nature Reserve is located. Be sure to visit the lake "Mirror of Venus" in the crater of an extinct volcano, in which thousands of birds of different species flock in the spring.
The island is famous for its local wines (Passato di Pantelleria, Muscat, etc.). You can arrive at Pantelleria by plane from Palermo, as well as by ferry.
Island Italy is a whole world that attracts a wide variety of categories of tourists.Diving and yacht trips, gastronomic pleasures, swimming, sightseeing, walks among the lush vegetation - all this leaves an unforgettable experience and invites you to travel again and again.
