5 Italian Islands for a Late Summer Holiday

If you're organising a beach holiday on one of Italy's beautiful islands in the summer, it can be hard to find a destination that's not been taken over by tourists. Our top tips? Travel at the end of summer or in September, focus on the islands that can only by reached by ferry and choose one of the less famous islands within a well-known archipelago.

To give you some inspiration, we've rounded up five Italian islands that would be perfect for those seeking an end of season getaway and who would prefer to avoid the chaos of motorways and airports and take the ferry instead.

Ischia: seaside spas (Gulf of Naples)

Ischia is certainly not a niche destination for Italian tourists, but it becomes less crowded as the end of summer approaches. Located in the Gulf of Naples, Ischia has many features that make it an excellent option for different types of holidays. It's both an island with beautiful beaches and a renowned spa resort. Its size also makes it big enough to be the main destination of your trip but with a location close enough to the coast, you can easily do day trips too.

How to get to Ischia

Ischia doesn't have its own airport, so it can only be reached by sea. Ferries depart from the port of Naples and the service is very fast, taking only 50 minutes on a hydrofoil. You can choose from many companies (Medmar, Alilauro, Caremar, Caremar (Hydrofoil), Alicost, Alilauro Gruson), so departures are frequent, especially in summer. Although it's not necessary to book months in advance, we'd always recommend doing so to guarantee a space on the ferry and to get your ferry tickets at the cheapest price.

Whether you arrive by plane (at Naples Capodichino Airport), by train (at the Central Station in Piazza Garibaldi) or by car, the route will be the same - head to the port of Naples and get ready to set sail for Ischia. The port of Naples is very large and divided into several areas, so pay close attention to the instructions you receive with your ticket so you don't end up at the wrong pier!

What not to miss in Ischia

It's hard to go wrong on an island as beautiful as Ischia. The sea is gorgeous, the food is excellent, and if you're here to spend time on the beach, you won't be disappointed. Amongst the most famous beaches are Chiaia, in Forio, which is very popular but often crowded; the bay of San Montano, with fine sand and green water; and the unique bay of Sorgeto, where the warm waters of a thermal spring meet the sea.

For those who want to explore the historical part of the island and perhaps do a little shopping, there are several options. The first stop is undoubtedly the Aragonese Castle, perched on a small island connected by a bridge and used as a refuge since the time of Ancient Greece. It was the Aragonese, as the name suggests, who built the fortified citadel we see today. In addition to the castle, the Torrione and the Chiesa del Soccorso, both in Forio, are also worth a visit.

A special place that combines history, sea and leisure is the village of Sant'Angelo: a village made up of colourful houses built on a small islet connected to the main island by a strip of land. It's entirely pedestrianised and is perfect for stopping for a bite to eat or a shopping break.

A tip for your holiday in Ischia

Ischia is also connected to two other islands in the Gulf: you can take a ferry to Capri (50-minute journey) or a ferry to Procida (25-minute journey).

Summary of your trip to Ischia

La Maddalena: two islands in one (Sardinia)

Sardinia couldn't be left out of this guide, but instead of stopping at the main island, we decided to venture into the La Maddalena Archipelago, in the Gallura area. It consists of about 60 islands and its natural heritage is so important that in 1994 the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park was established to preserve this priceless treasure. La Maddalena and the main island are therefore an excellent starting point for getting to know the area.

How to get to La Maddalena

There is only one way to get to La Maddalena - by ferry from Palau, which takes just 20 minutes with Maddalena Lines. Simple, efficient and fast, this naturally assumes that you arrive in Sardinia first. Palau is a town in the province of Sassari (in the north-eastern part of Sardinia), so the most convenient option is to fly to Sassari and then travel to Palau by car, bus or train.

If you prefer a more adventurous or sustainable journey, you can travel all the way by sea by taking one of the various ferries to Sardinia and disembarking at Olbia, Cagliari, Porto Torres, or Golfo Aranci and continuing by car, van or public transport to discover the island.

What not to miss in La Maddalena

The sea around these islands will amaze even seasoned travellers. All the beaches are recommended, especially Cala Spalmatore, which is popular and well equipped with facilities; the wilder Cala Francese, to the south and surrounded by granite rocks; or the beach of Monti D'Arena, located to the north, a veritable “mountain” of sand. But in addition to the beaches, we highly recommend booking a boat trip with one of the many local operators to enjoy the sea and all the beauty of the surrounding nature to the fullest.

As the largest island, La Maddalena is also rich in history - it seems to have been inhabited since Neolithic times - and today it is the only inhabited island along with Caprera. The historic centre is perfect for exploring the monuments dedicated to Garibaldi, but also for trying out local restaurants and shopping.

And how can we not mention Garibaldi's house? To get there, simply take the bridge connecting Caprera to La Maddalena (Ponte della Moneta). The places where he spent the last 26 years of his life are part of a complex called Compendio Garibaldino, which includes the house (with the tree he planted for his daughter), a museum and the family cemetery.

A tip for your holiday in La Maddalena

La Maddalena and Caprera are well connected by the Ponte della Moneta bridge which is about 600 metres long. We recommend La Maddalena, but depending on availability, you can stay on either island and still have access to all the amenities of both.

Summary of your trip to La Maddalena

Salina: volcanoes and boat trips (Sicily)

Just like Sardinia, we couldn't leave out an option for lovers of Sicily who are always looking for a less popular alternative. It's difficult to find a little-known Sicilian destination, but if you want to venture into the Aeolian archipelago, located off the north-east coast of Sicily, Salina is less crowded than neighbouring Vulcano and Lipari or the more famous Panarea and Stromboli.

How to get to Salina

The most convenient and fastest way to get to Salina is by direct ferry from Milazzo, a port on the north coast of Sicily. Ferries also depart from Messina or Palermo. If you're travelling from outside Sicily and prefer a longer ferry journey, you'll find departures available from Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia in Calabria, as well as ferries from the port of Naples. Those who are not in Sicily can reach one of these locations by plane or by land and then embark for Salina. Ferry companies include SNAV, Siremar and Liberty Lines Fast Ferries.

There are, of course, numerous connections to the neighbouring islands, which may be useful if you are already in the Aeolian Islands or if you want to leave Salina to explore the rest of the archipelago.

What not to miss in Salina

Film lovers will need no introduction: the bay of Pollara, with its cliffs overlooking the sea, was made famous worldwide by the film “Il Postino”. But this is obviously not the only beach worth mentioning. In fact, the whole island is perfect for swimming and snorkelling, and is especially perfect for those who love rocky coastlines. The hamlet of Rinella is home to the island's only sandy beach, albeit with black sand of volcanic origin.

Away from the sea, Salina is also famous for being a very green island, much loved by trekkers. It has six volcanoes, including Monte Fossa delle Felci, which is actually a volcano but is known for its lush vegetation and is, unsurprisingly, part of a protected nature reserve. Also worth mentioning are the Malvasia vineyards, which are not only part of the landscape but also offer guided tours with tastings.

Interested in the history of the island? Salina is small but has a lot to offer. Characteristic villages, such as Santa Marina, Lingua and Malfa, with small local restaurants, ancient churches and ports around which the local community has developed over the centuries. From Santa Marina, you can reach the “Saracen caves”, caves dug into the tuff and created as a refuge to defend against Saracen attacks.

A tip for your holiday in Salina

A fast SNAV ferry takes only 6 hours from Naples to Salina - much more convenient than travelling to Sicily by land if you're coming from the north. It's also more environmentally friendly than flying.

Summary of your trip to Salina

Ponza: a hidden gem (Lazio)

The island of Ponza is the largest of the Pontine Islands, a small archipelago located off the coast of Lazio, in the heart of the Tyrrhenian Sea, which despite its beauty is often underrated. This works in favour of tourists who don't want to give up the sea and sun, but would like to avoid the tourist crowds, or at least try to.

How to get to Ponza without stress and spending as little as possible

There are two ports not far from Rome that are perfect for boarding a ferry or hydrofoil to Ponza: San Felice Circeo and Terracina, both in the province of Latina. The ferry from San Felice Circeo to Ponza takes 1 hour with Pontina Navigazione, whilst the one from Terracina takes 1 hour and 15 minutes with NLG. Both cities are located about 100km from Rome and can be reached by car or public transport.

These are the most popular options, especially amongst locals, but there are also ferries from Naples, which take just under 3 hours with SNAV.

What not to miss in Ponza

Ponza has a fascinating and unspoilt volcanic landscape, but it also has a warm and welcoming side, thanks to the pastel-coloured houses of its villages and the mark of centuries of history, visible in its archaeological sites.

An unmissable stop is Chiaia di Luna, a completely natural amphitheatre carved into white tuff, with a green sea that turns almost golden at sunset thanks to the reflected light. In contrast, Cala Feola, is one of the island's rare sandy beaches. From here, you can visit the Natural Pools which, as the name suggests, are pools carved into the rock where you can take a relaxing dip.

History lovers won't want to miss the Grotte di Pilato, Roman fish ponds (basins for keeping fish) from the imperial era, which today allow you to take boat or kayak through this fascinating system of interconnected caves. The edge of Ponza Porto is also worth a visit. This is the “heart” of Ponza, where you'll find local restaurants, shops, workshops and much more.

North of Ponza on the uninhabited island of Zannone, part of the Circeo National Park, is a gem for nature lovers. The only traces of human presence are the remains of a monastery and an abandoned villa. The rest is unspoilt nature, trails to explore and unforgettable views.

A tip for your holiday in Ponza

Take advantage of your stay to do some island hopping and see other islands in the Gulf of Naples.

Summary of your trip to Ponza

Giglio Island: a green and blue treasure (Tuscany)

Giglio Island, together with nearby Giannutri, is one of Italy's natural treasures. To see it, you'll need to travel to Tuscany, as it's located just off the Argentario, its only point of access. It's well worth the effort with 90% of the island's natural heritage still unspoilt with vehicle access limited depending on the time of year and the length of your stay on the island. Your experience here will be one of total immersion in nature.

How to get to Giglio Island without stress and spending as little as possible

As already mentioned, Giglio Island can only be reached by ferry from Porto Santo Stefano (Monte Argentario). There are about 4 departures a day with the Toremar company and the journey takes an hour.

Porto Santo Stefano can be reached by car or by train to Orbetello and then by local bus service. For those arriving from afar and wishing to fly, the nearest airports are Rome and Pisa.

What not to miss on Giglio Island

As this is a truly unique experience, it's difficult to put together a list of what to include in your itinerary.

Amongst the beaches, there are four considered to be the main ones: Campese beach (north-west); Cannelle beach, Arenella beach and Caldane beach (south). The water is so clean that even the harbour area is suitable for swimming. In fact, there are two small beaches at Giglio Porto. The entire island is dotted with small coves and inlets, so swimming is never a problem.

The island's history dates back to prehistoric times and continues with Etruscan and Roman settlements. You can admire the remains of a Roman villa now submerged by the sea at Cala Saracena. The name Giglio comes from its ancient Greek name, “Aegilium”, meaning “Island of Goats”, although there are no longer any goats on the island today.

Giglio Porto is the only port and the main centre of the island, where you'll find everything you need for the more “mundane” aspects of your stay - restaurants, shops, souvenirs. You'll also find ruins and historical sites everywhere. An excellent starting point is undoubtedly Giglio Castello, a medieval village located 400 metres above sea level, which combines history with an enchanting view thanks to its location.

A tip for your holiday on Giglio Island

Don't miss the opportunity to organise a boat trip; this is the perfect island for it.

Summary of your trip to Giglio Island

Book your ferry now  

Summer is drawing to a close so if you fancy spending a few relaxing days away in the coming weeks, then now is the time to book. At Direct Ferries, you can use our booking engine to find all the latest offers and compare times and prices for available ferry routes.