Planning a trip to Italy? The trouble is often where to go in a country filled from head to toe with such beauty. Whilst Rome, Venice, and Florence are often at the top of the list for first-time visits, there is so much more to see along the Italian peninsula. From some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, to ancient ruins, and mouthwatering cuisine (each island has its own specialty), you’ll find that the islands of Italy won’t disappoint!
Whether you’re looking to add somewhere a little off-the-beaten-track to your itinerary or want to add some beach time, consider visiting a magical Italian island! Keep reading to find out 5 of the very best islands off the coast of Italy in 2023.
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How many islands are there in Italy?
Italy is full of incredible islands waiting to be discovered! In fact, there are over 400 islands off the coast which means you have limitless options when it comes to deciding which one to holiday on. The two main (and therefore largest) Italian islands are also regions – Sicily and Sardinia – and located in the Mediterranean Sea. There are several smaller islands that are well worth visiting including the most popular Capri, Elba, Ischia, the Aeolian Islands, and Egadi Islands off the coast of Sicily.
Why visit an Italian island?
If you are a beach lover, you’ll no doubt be drawn to visiting an island off of Italy. However, there are so many more reasons to consider adding an island to your trip including:
Stunning natural beauty
Imagine shimmering turquoise sea, verdant green mountains, rugged cliffs, and pristine beaches. This is what awaits you on an island in Italy.
Rich cultural heritage
The local culture is felt so strongly on some of these islands and offers the chance to experience a microcosm of local life. It’s no secret that Sicily is brimming in rich culture, but local traditions are still alive and well on many smaller islands too.
Incredible local cuisine
It might come as a surprise to first time travelers to discover that ‘Italian cuisine’ as we know it in America, Australia and the UK doesn’t exist. Instead, each region has their own distinct cuisine with towns within regions having their own special local dishes too. The same goes for the island and it’s not just about fish surprise surprise!
Outdoor activities
If you’re a lover of the great outdoors, there are so many activities for you on an island. Enjoy biking, hiking, sailing, snorkeling, and swimming.
Relaxation and tranquility
Last but not least, it will come as no surprise to discover that holidaying on an Italian island offers the chance for total relaxation and a chance to escape from the crowds. That being said, it depends what island and where you stay! For example, Capri is firmly on the tourist hotspot so won’t likely be a break from crowds unless you’re visiting in the off season.
Travel Tip: Be sure to bring your eco-friendly sunscreen and your sand-free Tesalate towel!
The 5 Top Italian Islands to Visit in 2023
With so many islands to choose from (literally hundreds), it can be difficult to pinpoint the right one for your next vacation. Here are our five top picks to visit in 2023 for relaxation, beautiful beaches and incredible food.
Ponza
Where?
This dreamy island is located in Southern Italy in the Pontine Islands archipelago. It’s easy to reach from Rome – just get the train from Anzio and a one-hour ferry across to Ponza. You can be there in about an hour and 10 minutes on the ferry (plus train time).
What to do?
Go on walks around the island, relax at the Lido Frontone on a beach chair, or go on a boat trip to Palmarola. The island is pretty tiny so there’s not much more to do besides eat, drink, and relax.
Where to stay?
Consider staying near the Port for easy access to and from the ferry. There are lots of Airbnbs, VRBOs, and villas available to rent which can make this into a budget-friendly holiday. Alternatively, splash out with a stay at the 4-star Hotel Chiaia di Luna.
What to eat?
Scampi with pasta is one of the most delicious meals you can enjoy. Ponza does fresh seafood really well and there are no shortage of restaurants lining the shoreline to enjoy an excellent meal.
How long?
Consider a long weekend in Ponza the perfect amount of time to stay.
Capri
Where?
Capri is one of the most famous Italian islands and is no stranger to tourists. It’s located in the Campania region and just a short 45-minute ferry ride from Naples. From Capri, you can easily visit the Amalfi Coast.
What to do?
There are so many fabulous things to do in Capri including boat tours, visiting the famous Blue Grotto, hiking up to Monte Solaro, gazing upon Ancient Roman ruins, cooking classes, beach clubs and a ton of shopping (hello custom sandal makers!)
Where to stay?
For convenience and access to all the main sites, you might consider staying in Capri town. The downside of this is that it is very popular and busy with tourists during the day. Avoid staying in the Marina Grande or port area as this is surely the most overrun. For a slightly more local experience, consider staying in Anacapri.
What to eat?
Capri offers incredible food experiences and amazing produce grown directly on the islands. Remember prices are at a premium to eat out here though. Don’t miss trying ravioli caprese, caprese insalata, and of course torta caprese – the most local dishes!
How long?
Given Capri is firmly on the beaten path, consider staying overnight for at least a night so you can enjoy the island ‘to yourself’ after the daytrippers have gone home. For a more complete experience, three nights would be a good amount of time to stay to thoroughly explore, or up to a week so you can day trip to the mainland and explore Amalfi, Positano, and Ravello.
Sicily
Where?
Sicily is in Southern Italy and about a one-hour flight from the capital, Rome. It’s its own region, and perhaps the most famous ‘island’ besides Capri. This guide would be remiss not to include Sicily, especially after the wave of interest after White Lotus series 2. Sicily is a fascinating place rich with Arab, Norman, Phonecian, and Greek history thanks to the invaders who all left their mark on the island.
What to do?
Go beach hopping at some of Italy’s most gorgeous beaches (Scala dei Turchi), go on a boat cruise to visit the Aeolian islands and see Stromboli erupt nightly, see the Agrigento Ancient temple ruins, climb Mt Etna, visit the fish market in the black city of Catania, eat delicious street food in the capital Palermo and go wine tasting at some of the country’s top wineries right here in Sicily.
Where to stay?
Depending on where you’re visiting, you might like to base yourself in Palermo or Catania as they both have airports. Taormina is a very popular base on the north-east coast, whilst Cefalu is another lovely beachside base in the north. In the deep southern east, consider a stay in Ortigia – the charming island off Siracusa.
What to eat?
Sicily has arguably one of the most delicious cuisines in the entire country! Try Pasta alla Norma (pasta with eggplant), sardine, wild fennel and raisin pasta, arancine (fried rice balls), granita (frozen ice) in a brioche bun for breakfast, and wonderful fresh fish.
How long?
Consider a trip that explores either the East or West coast if you have limited time. Sicily is a very big island and you would need at least two weeks to see the highlights of each side. Don’t stay for less than a week total!
Sardegna (Sardinia)
Where?
The other main Italian island is beach paradise Sardinia. It’s located between the Balearic islands and the Italian peninsula and south of Corsica.
What to do?
For a real ‘vacation’ where you just go to the beach, swim and eat delicious food, pick Sardegna. That’s not to say that the island isn’t rich in culture and activities though! The beaches here are like an Italian version of the Maldives, so you might have difficulty dragging yourself away for long enough to do much else. If you manage, consider exploring the Nuraghi ancient stone structures, going hiking, exploring the capital Cagliari, or going on a boat cruise around the Maddalena Archipelago.
Where to stay?
Consider a stay in the north of Sardinia for perhaps the best beaches on the island. The Emerald Coast is the most luxurious and expensive area to stay. Alghero is a charming medieval town in the northwest, whilst Olbia is a good option on the northeast coast. La Maddalena in the north is absolutely stunning and there are plenty of villa options to choose from.
What to eat?
Sardinia is all about porchetta or pork! Here it is known as ‘porceddu’, so if you see this suckling pig on the menu, make sure to order it. The local pasta is called ‘culurgiones’ which are like a dumpling and filled with potato, cheese and mint. Try the local flatbread called Pane Carasau which is generally served with most meals. Bottarga is another delicacy you can find on the
island – it’s a cured fish roe and commonly grated over pasta.
How long?
There is so much to see in breathtaking Sardinia, but consider a stay of around a week here to explore properly.
Ischia
Where?
Last but certainly not least, consider visiting Ischia in 2023. It is quickly becoming a more well-known island, but it is still worlds apart from its more popular neighbour Capri. Ischia is located in the Campania region and is the largest island in the Bay of Naples. It’s a quick 50-minute ferry ride away from Naples.
What to do?
Ischia is all about thermal baths and day spas! This is the place to visit for a girl’s trip, honeymoon, or relaxing couple’s weekend. Besides spending some time soaking in the healing waters, consider visiting the Castello Aragonese, relaxing at a beach club, walking the gardens of La Mortella, or visiting the Archeological Museum of Pithecusae.
Where to stay?
There are many lovely areas to base yourself in Ischia but the most popular is Forio. Basing yourself here means you are close to beaches, the famous Poseidon Thermal Gardens, and also have the best choice of accommodation at a range of budgets. For a quieter area to stay, consider Sant’Angelo which is a little fishing village.
What to eat?
Whilst there is plenty of delicious seafood to enjoy in Ischia, the local specialty is rabbit! Go for a drive up into the hills and enjoy some local rabbit cooked in a stew or roasted with potatoes at a trattoria. The local pasta is a ravioli filled with ricotta and tossed in a tomato sugo which is also delicious.
How long?
Consider a long weekend to a week stay in pretty Ischia!
Are You Going to Visit any Islands of Italy in 2023?
Inspired to explore more of these gorgeous islands in 2023? Make sure to book your trip soon
as 2023 is set to be a huge year of travel in Italy.
Save “Best Islands in Italy to Visit” for Later
About Livguine
Olivia Windsor is an Australian who moved to Italy in 2019 and has been there ever since. After living in Turin for several years and meeting her Piemontese partner, she now calls Rome home. Olivia is the writer of the travel blog Livguine and designs and hosts multi-day small group tours in lesser-known regions around Italy. A committed foodie, she is currently undertaking her Italian Sommelier exams and never goes long before thinking about her next meal.
Thank you for sharing so many wonderful inspirational islands in Italy, I love the sound of Pinza! Beautiful pictures too 🙂
Wow! This is a great article! Thanks for all the info!
I was in Sardinia two years ago and absolutely loved my time there. It’s such a beautiful island and I totally get the point why they call it “the Caribbean of Europe”! Would love to visit the other islands as well 🙂
I will be visiting Sicily for the first time in September. I have traveled all over Italy but this is a first.
I’ve only been to Sicily in your list so will be saving your post for a future trip 🙂 I loved visiting Sicily but only spent a few days in Catania and Etna region. Amazing food, warm climate, and beautiful terrain.
Looks amazing, I really need to get to Italy. Last time I went to Europe I never got any further than Ireland 🙂
Hey – Ireland is pretty magical! But yes – another trip would be awesome 😉
Great post – as someone who loves travel and spends a lot of time thinking about food, it suited me perfectly. May put Ischia on the wish list next…
Haha Italy and food are the perfect combination, not sure you can go wrong anywhere!
Beautiful post! I love Italy but have been to Sardinia and Sicily of the islands you mentioned. I liked both although Sardinia might be a slight favourite as it was quite easy to get around by train (at least in the South) . I also liked the Aeolian Islands but they are not the well-kept secret from years ago… but beautiful nonetheless
If things are in my favor, I would like to visit the Capri Island. The Blue Grotto or Cave, the Monte Solaro, which is the highest point of Capri, the ancient Roman ruins, and the beaches are what I am fascinated about.