ITALIAN ISLANDS
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 1 January 2024
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There are officially a total of around 450 Italian Islands but a relatively small proportion of those are what you would reasonably describe as an island or really have a great desire to visit.
On the pages of this website there are around sixty islands featured which represent the largest and most interesting. That headline figure of 450 includes a large number of uninhabited islands that are little more than rather large rocks, while 118 of that number make up the Venetian Lagoon. The two largest islands are Sicily and Sardinia which are two of the twenty official regions of Italy. |
Forno Beach, Elba
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Related links
As both Sicily and Sardinia are so vast, they have their own sections on the website with hundreds of pages dedicated to each, and for that reason I won't focus on them specifically here. That said, they each have a number of their own islands and some of the country's largest island groups within their waters.
Sicily's largest island group is the archipelago known as the Aeolian Islands, a collective UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are seven islands in the archipelago which is situated towards the north west corner of Sicily. The islands owe their UNESCO status to their volcanic qualities but each one has its own distinct charms. You can reach them all by ferry from the Sicilian port town of Milazzo with the closest island being Vulcano, followed by Lipari and Salina. To the east of Salina lies the fiery Stromboli along with the chic Panarea while to the west are the two most remote islands of Filicudi and Alicudi.
The second of Sicily's three island groups is situated on the island region's west coast, a short distance from the city of Trapani. The island of Favignana is the most popular of the three Aegadian Islands with its dramatic rocky landscapes creating beautiful beaches, while Marettimo is great for country walks and tiny Levanzo wonderfully offbeat and relaxed.
South, and I mean a long way south of Sicily's southern coastline are the three Pelagie Islands. So far are they from their provincial capital of Agrigento that they're actually closer to the African mainland than Sicily. The largest and most famous of the three is Lampedusa; a holidaymaker's paradise with dazzling beaches topped by the Spiaggia dei Conigli, the Rabbit Beach which regularly wins Best Beach in Italy and similar awards. My favourite of the Pelagie Islands is Linosa; perhaps because it's so remote and quite tricky to get to, but its brightly-coloured houses leave a lasting impression along with its volcanic coastline and rugged interior. The third island of Lampione really is little more than a rock and can only be reached by a private excursion from Lampedusa.
There are two further Sicilian islands that don't belong to any island groups. Pantelleria is another one closer to Africa than Italy; it has its own airport but can also be reached by ferry. It's most iconic sight is the Specchio di Venere lake and it also has an interior that's ideal for exploring on foot. The final island of Ustica lies directly to the north of Palermo and is a favourite with divers. It also has a pretty port area and a number of attractive bays where the water is of the deepest blue.
Sicily's largest island group is the archipelago known as the Aeolian Islands, a collective UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are seven islands in the archipelago which is situated towards the north west corner of Sicily. The islands owe their UNESCO status to their volcanic qualities but each one has its own distinct charms. You can reach them all by ferry from the Sicilian port town of Milazzo with the closest island being Vulcano, followed by Lipari and Salina. To the east of Salina lies the fiery Stromboli along with the chic Panarea while to the west are the two most remote islands of Filicudi and Alicudi.
The second of Sicily's three island groups is situated on the island region's west coast, a short distance from the city of Trapani. The island of Favignana is the most popular of the three Aegadian Islands with its dramatic rocky landscapes creating beautiful beaches, while Marettimo is great for country walks and tiny Levanzo wonderfully offbeat and relaxed.
South, and I mean a long way south of Sicily's southern coastline are the three Pelagie Islands. So far are they from their provincial capital of Agrigento that they're actually closer to the African mainland than Sicily. The largest and most famous of the three is Lampedusa; a holidaymaker's paradise with dazzling beaches topped by the Spiaggia dei Conigli, the Rabbit Beach which regularly wins Best Beach in Italy and similar awards. My favourite of the Pelagie Islands is Linosa; perhaps because it's so remote and quite tricky to get to, but its brightly-coloured houses leave a lasting impression along with its volcanic coastline and rugged interior. The third island of Lampione really is little more than a rock and can only be reached by a private excursion from Lampedusa.
There are two further Sicilian islands that don't belong to any island groups. Pantelleria is another one closer to Africa than Italy; it has its own airport but can also be reached by ferry. It's most iconic sight is the Specchio di Venere lake and it also has an interior that's ideal for exploring on foot. The final island of Ustica lies directly to the north of Palermo and is a favourite with divers. It also has a pretty port area and a number of attractive bays where the water is of the deepest blue.
Sicily
Isola Bella, Sicily
One of two "Island Regions", Sicily is Italy's largest island. It's separated from the mainland by the narrow strait of Messina which can be crossed by ferry. Sicily also many of its own islands.
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Sicilian Islands
Lipari, Aeolian Islands, Sicily
The Sicilian Islands consist of a number of island groups such as the Aeolian Islands, the Aegadian Islands and the Pelagie Islands as well as individual islands such as Pantelleria and Ustica.
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The second of Italy's two island regions is Sardinia. Its only island group is the La Maddalena Archipelago, a group of numerous islands of which only a handful are inhabited. Also an official national park, the main island in the archipelago is La Maddalena Island which you can sail to from the port of Palau on the Sardinian mainland.
La Maddalena Island is connected via a road bridge to the island of Caprera which was once the home of Italian Risorgimento hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, while a similar distance in the opposite direction is the beautiful Spargi whose Cala Corsara Beach is one of the finest beaches in Italy. La Maddalena Archipelago is completed by a number of pretty but small islands such as Santa Maria, Razzoli and Budelli which can only be reached by private boat excursion, along with the slightly larger Santo Stefano.
Although not officially forming an island group as such, south west Sardinia can boast two large islands right next to each other. The largest of the two is Sant'Antioco which used to be connected to the Sardinian via a Roman causeway which has now been replaced by a road bridge. The island is rugged with some beautiful beaches on its coastline and two attractive seaside towns in Calasetta and Sant'Antioco Town. A short hop to the north of Sant'Antioco is San Pietro Island which can boast its own beautiful beaches and the lovely Carloforte, the port town where most of its inhabitants live.
Of all the islands in Italy, the next two are among my most favourite and mainly because of their quirkiness. Marking the north western tip of Sardinia is the island of Asinara which is also a national park. The island is dazzlingly beautiful and mostly uninhabited; that's to say it's mostly uninhabited by humans. The permanent population is officially one and that one man is vastly out numbered by the donkeys that call the island home and in many ways rule the roost. You can reach Asinara by ferry and the funny thing is that everyone who works on the island travels across with you before coming back later on the same ferry.
Over towards the eastern coast of Sardinia are the two neighbouring islands of Tavolara and Molara. The latter of the two, Molara is uninhabited which means it's dwarfed in population numbers by Tavolara whose twenty residents are all of noble blood. The diminutive and beautiful island that resembles some kind of giant dinosaur when viewed from the Sardinian mainland, has its own royal family. The members of the Tavolara royalty have illustrious jobs such as running one of the island's two restaurants or general maintenance work. The full story is quite fascinating and I'd urge you to click on the Tavolara link above for the full explanation.
La Maddalena Island is connected via a road bridge to the island of Caprera which was once the home of Italian Risorgimento hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, while a similar distance in the opposite direction is the beautiful Spargi whose Cala Corsara Beach is one of the finest beaches in Italy. La Maddalena Archipelago is completed by a number of pretty but small islands such as Santa Maria, Razzoli and Budelli which can only be reached by private boat excursion, along with the slightly larger Santo Stefano.
Although not officially forming an island group as such, south west Sardinia can boast two large islands right next to each other. The largest of the two is Sant'Antioco which used to be connected to the Sardinian via a Roman causeway which has now been replaced by a road bridge. The island is rugged with some beautiful beaches on its coastline and two attractive seaside towns in Calasetta and Sant'Antioco Town. A short hop to the north of Sant'Antioco is San Pietro Island which can boast its own beautiful beaches and the lovely Carloforte, the port town where most of its inhabitants live.
Of all the islands in Italy, the next two are among my most favourite and mainly because of their quirkiness. Marking the north western tip of Sardinia is the island of Asinara which is also a national park. The island is dazzlingly beautiful and mostly uninhabited; that's to say it's mostly uninhabited by humans. The permanent population is officially one and that one man is vastly out numbered by the donkeys that call the island home and in many ways rule the roost. You can reach Asinara by ferry and the funny thing is that everyone who works on the island travels across with you before coming back later on the same ferry.
Over towards the eastern coast of Sardinia are the two neighbouring islands of Tavolara and Molara. The latter of the two, Molara is uninhabited which means it's dwarfed in population numbers by Tavolara whose twenty residents are all of noble blood. The diminutive and beautiful island that resembles some kind of giant dinosaur when viewed from the Sardinian mainland, has its own royal family. The members of the Tavolara royalty have illustrious jobs such as running one of the island's two restaurants or general maintenance work. The full story is quite fascinating and I'd urge you to click on the Tavolara link above for the full explanation.
Sardinia
Tharros, Sardinia
Sardinia is the second island region of Italy, slightly smaller than Sicily. Characterised by its seemingly endless beaches with their crystalline waters, Sardinia also has a rugged interior to explore.
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SARDINIAN ISLANDS
Spargi, La Maddalena Archipelago, Sardinia
In a similar way to Sicily, the Sardinian Islands consist of an island group of the La Maddalena Archipelago but also individual islands such as Asinara, Tavolara, Sant'Antioco and San Pietro Island.
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The seven islands of the Tuscan Archipelago are another group of islands officially listed as an Italian national park. By far the largest, most populous and most famous island in the archipelago is Elba. It occupies a special place in history as the place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte and there are vestiges of his time on the island such as the Palazzina dei Mulini where he spent much of his exile. Once an important centre of mining, the island has reinvented itself in recent years as the mining trade died out. It's now one of the best holiday islands in Italy with an unrivalled choice of accommodation and around eighty beaches including the beautiful Cavoli and Sansone. There's a whole page dedicated to the best beaches of Elba, so numerous are they.
The much smaller Giglio (Lilly in English) also has a place in history: it was here that in 2012 the cruise liner Costa Concordia ran aground, a disaster that took the lives of 33 people and left the ship's captain Francesco Schettino a national disgrace for abandoning ship. The blot on the landscape has now been cleared and what a landscape it is. The colourful port area is just the first part of the island that fills the soul with joy. It can boast two of Italy's best beaches in Cala delle Caldane and Cala delle Cannelle, along with some fabulous hiking trails.
A surprisingly common feature on Italian islands is to use them as prisons and that was once the case with little Pianosa. It can be accessed on a day trip from neighbouring Elba and the prison is no longer in operation which creates a curious, ghostly vacuum around the facility's former buildings. Somewhat incongruously right next to the former prison is a dazzling beach and the rest of the island is an area of protected wildlife that can be explored only with an authorised guide.
Capraia is the most distant of the seven islands of the Tuscan Archipelago from the mainland. It's accessed by ferry from the port of Livorno and the nearly 3 hour ferry journey each way makes it unsuitable for a day trip. That said, if you have a few days to spare this is a wonderful place to explore with an overnight stay. It has some beautiful beaches and it's slight inaccessibility means it's always less busy than a place of this beauty might expect to be.
Tiny Giannutri is the near-neighbour of Giglio with both islands reached from the seaside town of Porto Santo Stefano. Giannutri's Cala Spalmatoio bay can lay claim to some of the most spectacular blue water and it's a great place to simply chill out for a day. The final two islands in the archipelago can't be visited for two different reasons: Montecristo (yes, that one), is an environment of protected status that requires special permission to visit and the living, breathing prison island of Gorgona requires you to commit some sort of crime first.
The Phlegraean Islands are dominated by the beautiful island of Ischia in the Campania region. Lying an hour's hydrofoil ride from Naples, it's most iconic sight is the Castello Aragonese fortress that sits out at sea, connected to the island via an historic stone bridge. Ischia is a favourite holiday destination with a vast array of hotels, many of which double-up as thermal spas, making use of the island's volcanic activity which produces a special type of mud that has healing properties. That volcanic activity has also spawned a whole tourism industry of thermal parks where you can bathe in waters that have been heated naturally to different temperatures. Ischia can also boast a series of seaside resorts and around twenty sandy beaches including the largest: Maronti Beach.
Lying in Ischia's shadow in many senses is the island of Procida. It's much smaller than Ischia with a population of around 10,000 (compared to Ischia's 60,000). Of course, size isn't everything, and if you're looking for laid-back and sleepy then you really can't beat Procida. It was used as one of the settings for the film Il Postino (1994) starring Massimo Troisi and also in some of the scenes of The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) as did Ischia. The number one sight is the Marina Corricella, a dazzling array of buildings clustered together where every colour of the rainbow is represented in a myriad of shades. Procida can be reached from Naples or from the port of Pozzuoli just west of the city.
Much as with the situation on the Tuscan Archipelago, the two remaining Phlegraean Islands are restricted and actually, for the exact same reasons. Nisida is a mixture of juvenile detention centre and naval base while the fourth island of Vivara has protected status and occupies the space between Ischia and Procida.
The much smaller Giglio (Lilly in English) also has a place in history: it was here that in 2012 the cruise liner Costa Concordia ran aground, a disaster that took the lives of 33 people and left the ship's captain Francesco Schettino a national disgrace for abandoning ship. The blot on the landscape has now been cleared and what a landscape it is. The colourful port area is just the first part of the island that fills the soul with joy. It can boast two of Italy's best beaches in Cala delle Caldane and Cala delle Cannelle, along with some fabulous hiking trails.
A surprisingly common feature on Italian islands is to use them as prisons and that was once the case with little Pianosa. It can be accessed on a day trip from neighbouring Elba and the prison is no longer in operation which creates a curious, ghostly vacuum around the facility's former buildings. Somewhat incongruously right next to the former prison is a dazzling beach and the rest of the island is an area of protected wildlife that can be explored only with an authorised guide.
Capraia is the most distant of the seven islands of the Tuscan Archipelago from the mainland. It's accessed by ferry from the port of Livorno and the nearly 3 hour ferry journey each way makes it unsuitable for a day trip. That said, if you have a few days to spare this is a wonderful place to explore with an overnight stay. It has some beautiful beaches and it's slight inaccessibility means it's always less busy than a place of this beauty might expect to be.
Tiny Giannutri is the near-neighbour of Giglio with both islands reached from the seaside town of Porto Santo Stefano. Giannutri's Cala Spalmatoio bay can lay claim to some of the most spectacular blue water and it's a great place to simply chill out for a day. The final two islands in the archipelago can't be visited for two different reasons: Montecristo (yes, that one), is an environment of protected status that requires special permission to visit and the living, breathing prison island of Gorgona requires you to commit some sort of crime first.
The Phlegraean Islands are dominated by the beautiful island of Ischia in the Campania region. Lying an hour's hydrofoil ride from Naples, it's most iconic sight is the Castello Aragonese fortress that sits out at sea, connected to the island via an historic stone bridge. Ischia is a favourite holiday destination with a vast array of hotels, many of which double-up as thermal spas, making use of the island's volcanic activity which produces a special type of mud that has healing properties. That volcanic activity has also spawned a whole tourism industry of thermal parks where you can bathe in waters that have been heated naturally to different temperatures. Ischia can also boast a series of seaside resorts and around twenty sandy beaches including the largest: Maronti Beach.
Lying in Ischia's shadow in many senses is the island of Procida. It's much smaller than Ischia with a population of around 10,000 (compared to Ischia's 60,000). Of course, size isn't everything, and if you're looking for laid-back and sleepy then you really can't beat Procida. It was used as one of the settings for the film Il Postino (1994) starring Massimo Troisi and also in some of the scenes of The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) as did Ischia. The number one sight is the Marina Corricella, a dazzling array of buildings clustered together where every colour of the rainbow is represented in a myriad of shades. Procida can be reached from Naples or from the port of Pozzuoli just west of the city.
Much as with the situation on the Tuscan Archipelago, the two remaining Phlegraean Islands are restricted and actually, for the exact same reasons. Nisida is a mixture of juvenile detention centre and naval base while the fourth island of Vivara has protected status and occupies the space between Ischia and Procida.
TUSCAN ARCHIPELAGO
Giglio, Tuscan Archipelago
There are seven islands in the Tuscan Archipelago, the largest of which is Elba. The islands are all located just off the Tuscan coast and can boast some of the region's best scenery and beaches.
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PHLEGRAEAN ISLANDS
Ischia, Phlegraean Islands
The Phlegraean Islands consist of four islands, the largest of which is Ischia. Situated just a short distance from Naples in the Tyrrhenian Sea, the other islands are Procida, Nisida and Vivara.
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Sitting just off the coast in the Lazio region are the Pontine Islands. The island group is dominated by Ponza, a favourite holiday and weekend destinations for Romans that make the short trip south of the city. It too has a wonderful, multi-coloured port and it's a really bustling place, especially in the summer when tourists vie for the best boat rental or for space in the restaurants around the harbour. It has a dozen or so good beaches including the beautiful Cala Feola, while its most iconic sight is the dramatic bay area of Chiaia di Luna.
The second largest and only other inhabited island of the Isole Pontine archipelago is Ventotene. Following the theme of Italian islands being used as prisons, Ventotene has had some rather illustrious "guests" which include the Emperor Augustus' own daughter and granddaughter: Julia the Elder and Agrippina the Elder. It wasn't just the poor old "Elders" who were invited for a never-ending dinner here but Agrippina's daughter Julia Livilla made the trip and never returned. Political exiles are thin on the ground these days and it's a lovely, relaxing places with a few nice beaches and an attractive town area.
The remaining Pontine Islands come into that "large rock" category: the largest of those rocks is Palmarola which has some of the clearest water in Italy around its edges, while Zannone has another intriguing spot in history as it was the scene of a grisly celebrity murder in the seventies. The island of Gavi which is separated from Ponza by a narrow strait really is just a rock while the second island on this list with the same name Santo Stefano, was once used as, yes you've guessed it: a prison.
Sometimes, speaking Italian can be a disadvantage and so it transpired when I was at the planning stage of a trip to the Tremiti Islands. The name literally means "Islands of Tremors" due to a history of earthquakes, so it takes something of a leap of faith to visit them. However, that faith is amply rewarded with some spectacular water in the shallow beaches around this small group of islands that are huddled together just off the coast of Puglia. The two main islands are San Domino and San Nicola, both very lightly inhabited while the remaining two islands of Capraia (not to be confused with the Tuscan Archipelago one) and Cretaccio are more of those large rocks. There aren't any prisons here unfortunately but there is a fascinating castle: the Castello dei Badiali on San Nicola. The summer tourist resorts of the Gargano Peninsula provide day trips to the Tremiti Islands but they can be accessed all year round from the seaside town of Termoli which is further up the Adriatic Coast in the region of Molise.
The second largest and only other inhabited island of the Isole Pontine archipelago is Ventotene. Following the theme of Italian islands being used as prisons, Ventotene has had some rather illustrious "guests" which include the Emperor Augustus' own daughter and granddaughter: Julia the Elder and Agrippina the Elder. It wasn't just the poor old "Elders" who were invited for a never-ending dinner here but Agrippina's daughter Julia Livilla made the trip and never returned. Political exiles are thin on the ground these days and it's a lovely, relaxing places with a few nice beaches and an attractive town area.
The remaining Pontine Islands come into that "large rock" category: the largest of those rocks is Palmarola which has some of the clearest water in Italy around its edges, while Zannone has another intriguing spot in history as it was the scene of a grisly celebrity murder in the seventies. The island of Gavi which is separated from Ponza by a narrow strait really is just a rock while the second island on this list with the same name Santo Stefano, was once used as, yes you've guessed it: a prison.
Sometimes, speaking Italian can be a disadvantage and so it transpired when I was at the planning stage of a trip to the Tremiti Islands. The name literally means "Islands of Tremors" due to a history of earthquakes, so it takes something of a leap of faith to visit them. However, that faith is amply rewarded with some spectacular water in the shallow beaches around this small group of islands that are huddled together just off the coast of Puglia. The two main islands are San Domino and San Nicola, both very lightly inhabited while the remaining two islands of Capraia (not to be confused with the Tuscan Archipelago one) and Cretaccio are more of those large rocks. There aren't any prisons here unfortunately but there is a fascinating castle: the Castello dei Badiali on San Nicola. The summer tourist resorts of the Gargano Peninsula provide day trips to the Tremiti Islands but they can be accessed all year round from the seaside town of Termoli which is further up the Adriatic Coast in the region of Molise.
PONTINE ISLANDS
Ponza, Pontine Islands, Lazio
Located in the Lazio region, the Pontine Islands are dominated by Ponza; a favourite weekend bolthole for Romans. The only other inhabited island is Ventotene while the others are all smaller.
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TREMITI ISLANDS
San Domino, Tremiti Islands, Puglia
The group of four tiny Tremiti Islands off the Gargano Peninsula in Puglia is known for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear water. San Domino and San Nicola are the only two inhabited islands.
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For the next two island groups we move away from the sea, kind of. The Venetian Lagoon occupies the space just off the Veneto Coast in northern Italy with Venice by far the most famous of the 120 or so islands. Some of the islands are little more than a church or a cemetery and covered in the extensive section on Venice.
However, there are four islands in the Lagoon away from those featured under the Venice pages which deserve special attention. The first of those is the incredible island of Burano; historically it was an important player in the lace industry but what leaves the most lasting impression post-visit is the extraordinary array of colour. It seems as if there was a competition to make each house the brightest specimen on the island and the overall effect is quite mesmerising. Not only that, but the island can boast its own Leaning Tower of Burano.
Separated from Burano by a few kilometres of Venetian Lagoon and just one letter of the alphabet is the island of Murano. Just like Burano, its prosperity grew from a trade and in its case it was the production of glass. One of the favourite activities on Murano is to visit one of the glass factories and there's also a Glass Museum displaying some of the finest specimens. Something of a mini-Venice with its own canals and bridges crossing them, Murano is a must-see for any trip to the Lagoon.
However, there are four islands in the Lagoon away from those featured under the Venice pages which deserve special attention. The first of those is the incredible island of Burano; historically it was an important player in the lace industry but what leaves the most lasting impression post-visit is the extraordinary array of colour. It seems as if there was a competition to make each house the brightest specimen on the island and the overall effect is quite mesmerising. Not only that, but the island can boast its own Leaning Tower of Burano.
Separated from Burano by a few kilometres of Venetian Lagoon and just one letter of the alphabet is the island of Murano. Just like Burano, its prosperity grew from a trade and in its case it was the production of glass. One of the favourite activities on Murano is to visit one of the glass factories and there's also a Glass Museum displaying some of the finest specimens. Something of a mini-Venice with its own canals and bridges crossing them, Murano is a must-see for any trip to the Lagoon.
The island of Pellestrina is somewhat unheralded and there are guide books out there that will plain old tell you not to go. However, ignore their advice as this is one of the quirkiest places on the Italian peninsula. Its beaches are poorly maintained and it's not really the place for a dip but it has its own set of colourful buildings, a community that lives from working the Lagoon and a wonderful, laid-back atmosphere.
The island of Torcello is far removed from the hustle and bustle of Venice just a short hop across the Lagoon and can boast one of Italy's most beautiful churches: the Torcello Cathedral. From the top of the adjacent bell tower you can get some of the best views of the whole Lagoon area and see how the while thing is knitted together.
You might be surprised to find landlocked Piedmont making an appearance on this list of Italian islands but it's well-deserving of its place with the Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore. Two of the islands: Isola Bella and Isola Madre have spectacular gardens while the third island of Isola dei Pescatori makes for a great day out on the lake with lots of bars, restaurants and some beach areas.
Venetian Lagoon Islands
Burano
There are dozens of islands in the Venetian Lagoon aside from Venice itself. I've featured four of the best here from the colourful Burano and Pellestrina to the historic Murano and Torcello.
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Borromean Islands
Isola Bella, Lake Maggiore
The Borromean Islands are a group of four in the middle of Lake Maggiore. Isola Bella and Isola Madre are characterised by their beautiful gardens while Isola Dei Pescatori is great place to hang out.
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Umbria's Lake Trasimeno is blessed with three islands with the main two featured here. Isola Maggiore has a small but thriving community while Isola Polvese is more of a nature reserve which also has some historical sights.
Capri couldn't be more different from the Lake Trasimeno Islands: for many people it's the most beautiful island of them all and it has no problem attracting hordes of tourists every day of the summer. Its beauty is beyond question and some of its most iconic sights are known the world-over. The Blue Grotto is an amazing natural phenomenon while the Faraglioni Rocks on the opposite side of the island have an almost hypnotic effect, creating a sense of natural awe. There are two towns on the island, both up in the hills with one side of the island dominated by Mount Solaro which can be accessed via a chairlift.
Capri couldn't be more different from the Lake Trasimeno Islands: for many people it's the most beautiful island of them all and it has no problem attracting hordes of tourists every day of the summer. Its beauty is beyond question and some of its most iconic sights are known the world-over. The Blue Grotto is an amazing natural phenomenon while the Faraglioni Rocks on the opposite side of the island have an almost hypnotic effect, creating a sense of natural awe. There are two towns on the island, both up in the hills with one side of the island dominated by Mount Solaro which can be accessed via a chairlift.
Lake Trasimeno Islands
Isola Polvese, Lake Trasimeno, Umbria
Lake Trasimeno in Umbria boats three small islands of which I've featured the two most interesting. Isola Maggiore has its own small town while Isola Polvese is more famous for its wildlife and nature.
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Capri
Villa Lysis, Capri
Capri is perhaps the most glamorous of all Italian islands, a magnet for the rich and famous who are attracted by its dazzling waters, its famous Blue Grotto and designer-brand shopping streets.
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If you believe the legends then you'll tread carefully on Isola San Giulio which was once the home of a dragon before gold old Saint George came along and did his anti-dragon thing which made him so famous. The island sits in the middle of Lake Orta and is one of the most sublime sights in the Piedmont region. The centre of the island is dominated by a monastery and although the visit doesn't last long, it's more than worth the short boat ride across from the lakeside resort of Orta San Giulio or from Pella on the opposite shore.
In a similar way to Isola San Giulio, Monte Isola sits out in the middle of a lake, this time on Lombardy's Lake Iseo. The little island has a surprising amount going on with several communities living in different areas. Lake Iseo is a beautiful spot that doesn't get the amount of tourists that the likes of its larger neighbours Lake Garda and Lake Como command, making it ideal for anyone looking for pure relaxation.
The final island on the list is Palmaria; it's situated just a stone's throw from the wonderful seaside town of Portovenere in Liguria and can be accessed by ferry from there. It has some lovely, rugged terrain and a few beaches to either explore or chill out at. It also makes up an element of the same UNESCO World Heritage Site as the Cinque Terre and its tiny neighbouring islands of Tino and Tinetto.
In a similar way to Isola San Giulio, Monte Isola sits out in the middle of a lake, this time on Lombardy's Lake Iseo. The little island has a surprising amount going on with several communities living in different areas. Lake Iseo is a beautiful spot that doesn't get the amount of tourists that the likes of its larger neighbours Lake Garda and Lake Como command, making it ideal for anyone looking for pure relaxation.
The final island on the list is Palmaria; it's situated just a stone's throw from the wonderful seaside town of Portovenere in Liguria and can be accessed by ferry from there. It has some lovely, rugged terrain and a few beaches to either explore or chill out at. It also makes up an element of the same UNESCO World Heritage Site as the Cinque Terre and its tiny neighbouring islands of Tino and Tinetto.
Isola San Giulio
Isola San Giulio, Piedmont
One of the most glorious sights in northern Italy is the diminutive Isola San Giulio. It stands alone in the middle of Piedmont's Lake Orta and has its own little community with shops and houses.
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Monte Isola
Monte Isola, Lombardy
The name Monte Isola is descriptive enough in itself; this mountain island sits in the middle of Lombardy's Lake Iseo and can be reached by ferry. It has various shops, restaurants and beaches.
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Palmaria
Palmaria, Liguria
The tiny island of Palmaria lies across the bay from the famous seaside town of Portovenere in Liguria. The island consists mainly of hiking trails but also has beaches with tourist facilities.
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Isola del Garda
Isola del Garda, Lombardy
Nestled in a southern corner of the lakes from which it takes its name, Isola del Garda is a privately-owned island that can be visited during the summer months from resorts such as Sirmione and Peschiera.
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Top Ten Italian Islands
Biodola Beach, Elba
The Top Ten Italian Islands has just been announced and will no doubt ruffle a good few feathers. Is the photo above a clue as to the winner or just a red herring? Click the photo to find out.
Top Ten Italian Islands by Size and Population
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TOP TEN BY SIZE
1. Sicily - 25,711 km² 2. Sardinia - 24,089 km² 3. Elba - 223 km² 4. Sant'Antioco - 109 km² 5. Pantelleria - 83 km² 6. San Pietro - 51 km² 7. Asinara - 51 km² 8. Ischia - 46 km² 9. Lipari - 37 km² 10. Salina - 26 km² |
TOP TEN BY POPULATION
1. Sicily - 4,999,891 2. Sardinia - 1,639,591 3. Ischia - 64,126 4. Elba - 31,952 5. Capri - 14,162 6. Sant'Antioco - 13,969 7. Lipari - 12,821 8. Procida - 10,481 9. Pantelleria - 7,702 10. San Pietro Island - 6,151 |
