Italy’s islands are famous worldwide, with Capri and Sicily often stealing the spotlight. But beyond these celebrated names lies a whole world of hidden gems: lesser known islands that offer peace, charm, and the kind of beauty that feels like a personal discovery.

If you're looking to experience Italy off the beaten path, these underrated islands promise unforgettable escapes with fewer crowds and more character. Let’s discover some of them today!

Just a 40-minute ferry ride from Naples, Procida is the kind of island that quietly wins your heart. Small, unpretentious, and brimming with color, it’s a place where life flows gently: exactly as it has for centuries. Though it was crowned the Italian Capital of Culture in 2022, Procida has managed to preserve its authentic character, resisting the wave of mass tourism that transformed its neighbors.

The island’s soul is best captured in Marina Corricella, a crescent-shaped fishing village that looks like it’s been plucked from a storybook. Houses in sherbet shades of pink, peach, and lemon are stacked haphazardly against the cliff, reflecting off the clear water below. You’ll see fishermen repairing nets under the sun, locals chatting in doorways, and cats napping in the alleys. This isn’t a show for tourists, it’s real life unfolding.

Wander through the tangle of narrow streets and discover hidden gardens, tiny chapels, and sun-bleached staircases that open up to breathtaking sea views. Pause for lunch at one of the waterfront trattorias and enjoy freshly caught seafood, perhaps spaghetti with sea urchins or a classic ‘insalata di mare’, paired with crisp local white wine.

Don’t miss the climb up to Terra Murata, the island’s oldest fortified village, where you’ll find the Abbey of San Michele and panoramic views that stretch across the Gulf of Naples. For a more relaxing afternoon, head to one of Procida’s black-sand beaches, like Chiaiolella or Pozzo Vecchio (famous as the beach from the Italian film Il Postino).

Whether you stay for a day or a long weekend, Procida is the kind of place that lingers in your memory. If you want to stay or visit the island, contact our Travel Designers team to organize your trip smoothly!

Floating just off the northern coast of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands are a breathtaking volcanic archipelago that feel both ancient and alive. Named after Aeolus, the god of wind, these seven islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but still manage to fly under the radar for most travelers.

Each island has its own rhythm, scenery, and soul, offering something unique for every kind of explorer.

• Lipari is the heart of the archipelago - bustling, friendly, and vibrant. Its whitewashed homes, colorful harbors, and archaeological museum make it the perfect base for island hopping.
• Salina is green and graceful, a lush island of vineyards and nature reserves. It’s beloved for its sweet Malvasia wine and flavorful capers, but also for its peaceful atmosphere and refined charm. 
• Stromboli is pure drama, a black volcanic giant rising from the sea, where fire meets water. Its permanently active volcano puts on regular light shows, and witnessing a nighttime eruption from a boat is nothing short of spectacular.
• Panarea is the smallest and chicest of the group. A favorite among low-key celebrities and stylish travelers, it’s all about elegance in simplicity: no cars, just winding paths, fragrant gardens, and boutique stays.
• Vulcano greets visitors with the smell of sulfur and the promise of healing. Famous for its mud baths and thermal springs, this island is a haven for wellness seekers. 
• Filicudi and Alicudi are the true escape. Remote, wild, and barely touched by time, these islands attract artists, writers, and those craving solitude. There are few roads, few people, and few distractions: just cliffs, sea, silence, and starry skies.

From hiking lava trails to sailing into secluded coves, from soaking in hot springs to tasting unforgettable local wines, the Aeolian Islands are a perfect fusion of natural wonder and cultural richness. We designed the perfect Aeolian Islands tour, check it out!

Lying between Sicily and Tunisia, Pantelleria is unlike any other Italian island. Called the “Black Pearl of the Mediterranean”, this remote volcanic gem is a world of its own, where steaming fumaroles, obsidian cliffs, and sun-scorched caper fields create a landscape that feels more lunar than coastal.

Here, the sea meets stone. There are no sandy beaches, but instead dramatic lava rock shores and hidden coves accessible only by boat or foot. The island’s soul is deeply connected to nature, and everything here has an earthy, elemental feel.
You’ll find ancient dammusi, white-domed stone houses built to withstand wind and heat, dotting the countryside, surrounded by twisted olive trees and dry-stone terraces. This architectural style, unique to Pantelleria, reflects the island’s long blend of Arab and Sicilian cultures.

Take a thermal bath in the open-air hot springs at Specchio di Venere, a crater lake said to reflect the beauty of Venus herself. Explore natural steam saunas inside caves at Benikulà, or hike across black volcanic slopes that tumble into turquoise waters.

Pantelleria is also a culinary island. Its capers, considered among the finest in the world, grow wild and are a staple in the local cuisine. And the island’s famed Passito di Pantelleria, a sweet wine made from sun-dried Zibibbo grapes, is as rich and golden as the sunsets that blaze across the African horizon.

There’s a sense of isolation here, but also deep peace. It’s the place you go to hear the wind, taste the land, and feel like you’ve left the world behind. If you want to organize your vacation to Pantelleria, contact us.

Tucked into the Tyrrhenian Sea just off the coast of Tuscany, Elba is a Mediterranean gem that often slips beneath the radar. Though history buffs may know it as Napoleon’s place of exile, today it’s a paradise for nature lovers, beachgoers, and anyone seeking a laid-back slice of Italian island life, without the crowds.

Elba’s charm lies in its diversity of landscapes. In one day, you can snorkel in crystal-clear coves, stroll through fragrant pine forests, and sip wine in medieval hilltop villages. The coastline stretches for over 100 kilometers, and every twist in the road reveals another picture-perfect bay - some with golden sand, others with polished pebbles and dramatic cliffs.

For active explorers, a hike up Monte Capanne, the island’s highest peak, offers sweeping views across the Tuscan Archipelago. On clear days, you can even see Corsica on the horizon. Down below, charming villages like Marciana and Capoliveri offer cobbled alleys, artisan shops, and breezy piazzas perfect for an afternoon espresso or gelato.

Elba is also a haven for snorkeling and diving, especially around Fetovaia, Cavoli, and Sansone Beach, where the water is so transparent it feels like swimming in glass. The underwater world is teeming with life, and even casual swimmers will spot colorful fish darting among the rocks.

Despite its beauty and accessibility, just a short ferry ride from Piombino, Elba has managed to avoid overtourism. It has the feel of a well-kept secret: a place where Italian families vacation, where nature still takes the lead, and where every sunset feels like a reward.

Elba isn’t just an island: it’s an experience layered with history, adventure, and tranquility, waiting to be unraveled at your own pace. Would you like to experience Elba? Let us plan your vacations!

Off the emerald shores of northern Sardinia lies the La Maddalena Archipelago, a scattering of granite islands that feel untouched, luminous, and almost otherworldly. Part of a national park, these islands are home to some of the clearest, bluest waters in Europe, a paradise for those who dream of secret beaches and sailing adventures.

At the heart of the archipelago is La Maddalena Island, a laid-back base with a historic town that mixes charm with simplicity. Stroll along the waterfront promenade, explore cobbled streets lined with pastel houses, and dine in family-run trattorias serving freshly caught seafood and island wines.

But the real magic lies beyond. Rent a small boat or join a local skipper to weave through the archipelago’s hidden corners. Discover Spargi, a snorkeler’s dream with shallow turquoise bays and smooth granite boulders. Drift toward Budelli, famous for its rare pink sand beach, a delicate blend of coral, shells, and micro-organisms that’s now protected and viewable only from a distance.

Every island - Caprera, Razzoli, Santa Maria, and others - offers its own secret cove, wind-carved cliffs, or quiet anchorage. Caprera, once home to Italian hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, combines rugged nature with a touch of history and is a favorite for hikers and nature lovers.

La Maddalena is best experienced slowly: sunbathing on your boat’s deck, diving into impossibly clear water, and letting the sea set your pace. It’s a place where time feels elastic, where the rhythm of the waves guides your days, and where beauty greets you around every bend. We definitely recommend adding the Archipelago to your Sardinian Vacations, check out this tour and start planning with us!

Off the southwestern coast of Sardinia, Isola di San Pietro feels like a world apart. Its only town, Carloforte, is a cultural anomaly in the best way: founded by Ligurian settlers in the 18th century, it still speaks a Genoese dialect, cooks Ligurian dishes with Sardinian ingredients, and moves to its own relaxed rhythm.

The island is wild and rocky, with rugged coves, wind-shaped cliffs, and secret swimming spots that feel undiscovered. You’ll find no mega-resorts here, just intimate beaches like Cala Fico and La Caletta, where the sea is a painter’s palette of blue and emerald.

Carloforte is charmingly timeless, with its pastel facades, maze-like alleys, and slow-living soul. It’s also a foodie haven, especially in May and June, during the annual Girotonno festival, which celebrates the island’s ancient tradition of tuna fishing. Expect to eat well: raw, grilled, cured - tuna here is not just food, it’s identity.

Whether you’re driving along its coastal roads, sipping a glass of Vermentino at sunset, or chatting with locals in the town square, Isola di San Pietro feels like a beautiful Sardinian secret: quietly vibrant and entirely its own. Add a retreat to this island on your Sardinia Tour!

Tucked among the Pontine Islands off the coast of Rome, Ventotene is a place where history whispers from the stones and the sea seems to speak in hushed tones. Used by the Romans as an imperial place of exile, it remains today one of Italy’s most introspective islands: a sanctuary of calm and authenticity.

Life here revolves around the gentle pace of the village, perched above cliffs and facing the open sea. The ancient Roman harbor, hand-carved into volcanic rock, is still in use, and wandering through its tunnels and steps feels like traveling back two thousand years.

Ventotene is ideal for those seeking quiet beauty: no glitz, no rush, just nature, heritage, and community. Its small beaches, like Cala Nave and Parata Grande, offer unspoiled swims and soft breezes, while the island’s marine reserve makes for incredible snorkeling and diving in untouched waters.

In the evenings, the square comes to life with conversation and laughter, yet everything remains understated, sincere. This is an island where you’re not just a visitor, you’re part of the rhythm, however briefly. Ventotene isn’t flashy, it’s soulful, and that’s its greatest charm. It invites you to slow down, reflect, and rediscover the art of doing very little, very well. Are you interested in visiting the island? Add it to your Roman Vacations, just ask us and we’ll plan everything for you!

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