The Most Beautiful Italian Islands That Don't Get Enough Attention, According To Travelers
A hugely popular destination, Italy is a smash hit for tourists. More than 90 million visitors descended on the country in 2019, the year before the pandemic hit, when travel was humming along. The numbers for 2023 surpassed that total. As anyone who has been to the country will know, tourists come for many reasons. They marvel at the grand Colosseum in Rome or peruse the museums and galleries of Florence. Perhaps they glide along Venice's canals on a gondola or soak in the views of the Amalfi Coast. A realm of 450 islands equally alluring away from the mainland, Italy is an excellent foodie cruise destination.
Some of Italy's islands are large and well-known, like Sicily and Sardinia. Others are smaller but equally renowned, such as Capri or Ischia. But for all the islands that have garnered fame, many others are worth visiting that might not be as familiar to travelers. Using a variety of sources ranging from traveler review sites and official tourism pages to blogs specializing in some of the places highlighted, we've identified a host of less-known Italian islands. In the case of Lipari, we have drawn on personal experience. These isles might not be on the general tourism radar but should have visitors beaming with joy.
Burano
Glasswork admirers might know about the famous island near Venice called Murano. The similarly named Burano, also located northeast of Venice, specializes in lace. One Tripadvisor reviewer called Burano, "a world away from the crowds of Venice ... I didn't want to leave, I'd found nirvana." Visitors reach the island by boat, which takes less than an hour from Venice, and will find narrow lanes with brightly painted houses and small squares where locals congregate upon arrival. The colorful hues of the homes reflected in the canals add to the tranquil atmosphere.
Artisans began creating lace in Burano during the 1500s, with motifs like animals and flowers appearing in the designs. Tourists can better appreciate this rich legacy by visiting the Lace Museum. Many examples of the delicate craftsmanship that was a hallmark of Burano and old drawings designed to take visitors back in time fill the building. Be sure to check out Burano's leaning bell tower, too. It was constructed — upright, of course — in the 17th century and rises more than 150 feet from the ground. According to the island's official website, Terranova's marble bridge offers the best views of the tower. Travelers also will not lack places to eat during their trip, with fresh fish a recurrent item on menus.
Caprera
Located off the northeast coast of Sardinia, this island has earned a reputation for its wild beauty and stunning beaches. A slender roadway, the Caprera Bridge, connects the isle to the neighboring island of La Maddalena. Claudia, the Sardinia native behind the blog Strictly Sardinia, suggests that the name Caprera derives from the wild goats that live in the area ("capra ” is the Italian word for "goat"). The island holds a special significance for Italians as Giuseppe Garibaldi spent his last years there. A soldier, he played a crucial role in the country's unification in the 1800s. You can learn more about his life by visiting the Garibaldi Museum, his former home.
Visitors to Caprera will find stunning water all around the island. Strictly Sardinia identified Cala Coticcio Beach (pictured) as one of the top spots. On the east of the island, you can reach it by boat or a challenging foot trail. The actual beach area is tiny, with granite rocks on either side, but the water is so clear that it looks like a mirage. According to Claudia, Cala Napoletana is another show-stopper that features turquoise water in front of high rock walls on the shore. Adventurers rejoice — one Reddit thread titled "Caprera! Trekking paradise" indicates fantastic opportunities for your first solo hike.
Giglio
Part of the Arcipelago Toscano National Park, this small island might be familiar to keen observers of travel news. On the waters around Giglio, the cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground while embarking on a Mediterranean voyage in 2012. The vessel hit a rocky patch a short distance from the island's port, causing it to sink and leading to injuries and deaths among those on board. But this historical blot should not be a reason to avoid the Tuscan gem. According to the official website, the hiking and diving on Giglio Island are spectacular, with a coastline peppered with coves and bays.
A couple of beaches stand out. Cala delle Caldane, on the east coast, isn't large but has rocks and hills around it that, as described by local ferry operator Maregiglio, make it feel private and refreshingly rugged. Alternatively, real estate agency Francesca Cante's Isola del Giglio recommends Faraglioncello, a tiny cove with rocky surroundings on the western coast only accessible by boat or on foot. The clear sea in this sheltered area makes it perfect for snorkeling. Hiking paths also weave around the island, over the hills and mountains, and down to beaches. For lovers of the outdoors, one Tripadvisor reviewer suggested visiting the "stunning nature reserve at Punta di Capel Rosso."
Isola Bella
Isola Bella is a fine day-trip option, even for a solo traveler intent on island hopping. Located in Lake Maggiore and measuring only a few hundred feet across, Isola Bella certainly lives up to its name (it means "beautiful island"). Apart from the chance to find an escape on a lake, the main attractions are an ornate palace and polished gardens. A commenter from Tripadvisor raved that the trip provides "amazing insight into past history. The gardens are equivalent to the best arboretums." Boat service from a few lakeside towns serves Isola Bella, though Stresa is the closest, less than half a mile away.
You'll find rooms packed with opulent furnishings, fabric, and art at the Palazzo Borromeo, full of flourishes and Baroque designs. Travelers can visit many of the spaces and peek into the life of the moneyed gentry that lived there hundreds of years ago. The Lake Maggiore tourism site describes the island's gardens as equally grand, with flowers, plants, terraces, statues, fountains, and lawns. White peacocks also roam the grounds, adding some regal pomp to a visit. If you get hungry or want to do some shopping, you can grab a bite to eat or pick up a souvenir at the restaurants and stores in the adjacent village.
Isola Polvese
Located on Lake Trasimeno, this island has an imposing fortress as its central attraction. Travelers can reach Isola Polvese courtesy of a short ferry ride from the towns of San Feliciano or Castiglione del Lago, on opposite sides of the lake. Exploring the fortress can easily take many hours, and visitors have the option to tour its ramparts and take in the views of the lake from the elevated position. The island also houses a monastery and a church — the fortress was, in fact, built to help defend the monks.
Tourists might also notice the endless groves of olive and oak trees, which the official Umbria Region tourism site highlights as one of the many appealing qualities of Isola Polvese. The European Garden Heritage Network also recommends the garden designed by Pietro Porcinai, a famous 20th-century Italian landscape architect. Visitors will find a selection of herbs like lavender and thyme and plants like water lilies and lotus at this destination, built on the site of a former quarry.
Isola San Giulio
Isola San Giulio awaits in Lake Orta, a skinny body of water found northwest of Milan. Travelers can reach it from the Italian fashion hub by car in less than 90 minutes. Those looking for a wholesale escape from the hustle and bustle of city life may find the island a prime choice; one Tripadvisor contributor stated, "The place was really beautiful and really peaceful." While you can anticipate tranquility, you'll also find plenty of sights, such as a bishop's palace.
According to folklore, snakes and dragons dominated the island until the 4th century, when the saint San Giulio banished them. In time, Isola San Giulio became a religious nexus, cemented by the construction of the large angular basilica, which dominates the island. One narrow lane, described by the nearby La Darbia Resort as "the way of silence," winds its way around the entire isle; on it, you might see the nuns leaving or returning to their abbey. A vein of spirituality courses through the area, along with a touch of commercialism — you'll also find places to eat and buy souvenirs on-site.
Lampedusa
Lampedusa's location goes a long way toward explaining why it has appeared in the news in recent years. It sits halfway between Malta (a great destination for island hopping) and Tunisia and is closer to North Africa than the Italian mainland. Given that, it might be no surprise that the island receives a fair share of economic migrants who brave the Mediterranean.
According to a resident in Italy on Tripadvisor who visited Lampedusa in 2023, migrants are processed efficiently and quickly moved off Lampedusa. "Sadly, this crisis has been hurting Lampedusa's reputation as a destination for tourism, and locals badly need visitors. Just to reiterate: the island is completely safe," they wrote. As detailed by Visit Siciliy, the rocky island is well set up for tourists. It has places to eat, a good range of lodging, and scooters for rent that make getting around easy.
Local tourism organizations and visitors alike suggest that the dozen beaches on the island evoke pure bliss. Lampedusa boasts clear seas that teem with fish, including groupers and parrotfish. In the south, Rabbit Beach (or Spiaggia dei Conigli in Italian) is reportedly like a dream come true. "One of the best beaches to visit in the world," gushed one Tripadvisor reviewer. It's also a nesting site for loggerhead turtles. If you've ever dreamed of swimming with turtles in a beautiful destination, this could be your chance!
Levanzo
Visitors might first be struck by Levanzo's visual contrast. The white rocks and blinding, white-washed cubist houses counter the deep blue of the sea. The island floats a short distance off Sicily's west coast but embraces the quiet life. There are no roads and only one main village, by the port, where less than 100 people live. As documented by The Island List, Levanzo has the vibe of a rural village, with residents sitting outside, chatting in the sun amid the narrow lanes and alleys that separate homes.
Though a popular day trip, travelers could easily extend their stay in Levanzo for a few days due to the handful of places to see, eat, and stay. One of the beaches that dot the coast, Cala Minnola (known as Spiaggia di Cala Minnola in Italian), received plaudits from a Tripadvisor reviewer, who called it "absolutely stunning." Levanzo has another gem, the Grotta del Genovese — a cave with rock art from over 12,000 years ago.
Lipari
Located north of Sicily, this island's beaches, museums, and old churches attract visitors. Travelers can reach it most easily from the ports of Milazzo and Messina in Sicily, though they will also find boat connections from Palermo and Naples. Lipari is one of the Aeolian Islands, a volcanic archipelago and Unesco World Heritage site that has helped further the understanding of volcano science. But Lipari is not just of academic value; it's also a great vacation destination. The little villages that dot the island are reachable by scooter and bicycle. Due to its volcanic origins, Lipari is a hilly place, supplying nature enthusiasts with many good, calorie-burning walks. Restaurants and lodging all over the island make this an easy place to spend a few leisurely nights.
For an unforgettable experience, we recommend visiting Lipari Castle (pictured), a citadel with fortifications over 100 feet above the sea. Upon stepping inside, we felt transported to another era. You'll encounter evidence of life from the Bronze Age and examples of town planning that date to the era of the Romans. More insight into the past is available at the Luigi Bernabò Brea Museum, within the castle area — pieces such as statues, jewels, and pottery date back thousands of years. For a spot with astonishing vistas, visit Chiesa Vecchia di Quattropani, built high above the sea. As a Tripadvisor commenter observed, this church has "stunning gardens and paths all around" and "gorgeous lookout points and places to take amazing photos."
Pantelleria
Due east of Tunis and not far from the coast of Tunisia, this island has rocky beaches and a low-key ambiance, according to The Travelling Light blogger Katie McKnoulty. A Tripadvisor contributor described it as "so unique, an amazing island, so incredibly positioned." The main town of Pantelleria, in the island's north, is a tangle of narrow alleys and winding cobbled streets. You'll find the Castle of Pantelleria, made from lava rock, with a main bell tower and dungeons inside.
Visitors won't encounter soft sandy beaches on Pantelleria but rocky coastlines with ledges for lying down. That doesn't mean it lacks sea views: it boasts sites like Bue Marino on the north coast and Cala Levante, which promises excellent snorkeling. McKnoulty's account indicates an equally mesmerizing coastline, with cliff sections striated by different rock colors
There are also lakes around the island. The highlight is Specchio di Venere (it translates to "Venus's Mirror"), a heart-shaped lake set within an old volcanic crater. Travelers can take a mud bath in the mineral-infused waters heated by a thermal spring. There are also many countryside treks available for hikers. On their wanderings, they might even see a dammuso, a Pantelleria home built of lava rock with a dome-shaped roof.
Ponza
Roughly equidistant from Rome and Naples, Ponza has picturesque villages and stunning sea cliffs and caves. Fans of Greek mythology might recognize the island's name from Homer's "Odyssey" — it is believed to be where the sorceress Circe lived and cast a spell on Ulysses' crew. For modern-day visitors, the natural terrain might put them under a spell. Visit Ponza indicates that it has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving for beginners or pros, with gorgonians, old sunken ships, and lots of fish like tuna, sea bass, and mackerel in the waters.
While the most famous beach on Ponza, Chiaia di Luna, has closed due to the potential of rocks falling from the cliffs, visitors will discover many other places for sunbathing and swimming. Cala Feola is a compact beach hemmed in by headlands that supplies turquoise water for a dip. In the island's interior, laurel trees, bamboo, and flowering plants add a colorful tableau to the natural contours. A regular visitor to Ponza noted on Tripadvisor in 2020, "I am absolutely convinced it's Italy's most beautiful island ... it is still off the beaten track, shunned by mass tourism."
Procida
Movie fans might recall this island from the 1994 film "Il Postino: The Postman." Parts of it were shot on Procida, which sits southwest of Naples, close to the much larger island of Ischia. Though Procida has a fraction of Ischia's population, it still has plenty to offer, according to Italian-American Giovanna of the Limonata Lounge. It's a small island, less than 2 square miles, and can be realistically covered in a day. A selection of stores, restaurants, cafes, bars, and tourist-oriented services on Procida means that visitors can always find a bite to eat or a helping hand nearby.
The most famous site on the island is Marina Corricella (pictured). The colorful houses in this fishing village, appearing on a slope like a technicolor kaleidoscope, are just waiting to be photographed. Another Instagrammable spot is Terra Murata, a fortified complex constructed at the highest point of Procida. Visit Procida suggests that getting to it will give your legs a workout but you'll likely find that the views and weight of history are worth it. The Palazzo d'Avalos, within the complex, was built in the 1560s and once served as a royal palace. The Abbey of San Michele is also there, filled with artwork and featuring a ceiling of wood and actual gold.
San Domino
As documented by Italy Review, this tiny island in the Adriatic Sea has amazing beaches and an easygoing vibe. It's less than one square mile in size, yet it is presented as an easy place to lose yourself and feel free. Part of this stems from the fact that it's quite remote, and getting there requires a ferry ride from Termoli or Vieste on the Italian mainland.
Despite San Domino's small size — though it's the largest of the Tremiti islands — visitors should consider exploring it for a few days. That way, they can enjoy the island life, stay at one of the small hotels, and eat at one of the cozy restaurants. During the day, tourists will inevitably gravitate toward the beaches, where the water seems clear and inviting.
Italy Review depicts Cala delle Arene by the ferry terminal as a stunning stretch of sand, a sweeping cove bookended by forested slopes. A little further away, at Cala Matana, "the contrast of the azure blue of the water with the acid green of the pines is breathtaking," noted a Tripadvisor reviewer. And don't forget the sea cave Grotta del Bue Marino. According to Visit Italy, when the light hits the water at the right angle, the interior walls shimmer with a hypnotic shade of blue.
Methodology
Italy has a wealth of islands that are ideal for any vacation. But some are already headline-makers that need no introduction. We aimed to select islands that would offer fantastic destinations for a holiday but that you might never have heard of. To accomplish this, we consulted travel blogs like Italy Review, review sites like Tripadvisor, forums like Reddit, and official local and national Italian tourism pages. We also wanted a geographical variety rather than just choosing islands close to the country's popular tourist destinations (though you'll find some nearby, too). That way, you can plan an under-the-radar escape wherever you are in Italy.