11 Must-See Islands in Italy for Beaches, Food and Culture

Everyone is obsessed with island-hopping in Greece and Croatia, but how about Italy? There are so many wonderful places off the mainland here, some more famous than others. While the most popular islands like Sardinia, Sicily, and Capri get all the attention, the beauty of Italian island-hopping is in many under-the-radar destinations you can discover.

Have you ever heard of the island-volcano—Stromboli—with continuous eruptions? Or Aeolian paradise, Levanzo, where the waters are bluer than blue and the crowds are non-existent? Then, there are the underrated Pontine Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Tremiti archipelago in the Adriatic. Exploring these must-see islands in Italy is exciting; here are the most enchanting ones:

Best for spectacular cities, ancient history and natural parks

Sicily knows how to make an impression. Mediterranean’s largest island is a place of grande belleza (or “great beauty”). It’s not a destination for a day trip—Sicily expects you to pay full attention to its riches. Palermo is a UNESCO-protected capital, where you find the spectacular Norman-Arab architecture, the elegant Belle Époque buildings and stunning beaches, such as Mondello, a dreamy stretch with soft white sands. San Vito Lo Capo and Cefalù are two other beach towns with gorgeous panoramas and turquoise sea.

Head to the East Coast for the epicness. Here, the mighty Etna (still active and fuming) towers over the Baroque center of Catania, the island’s second-biggest city. You can’t leave Sicily without experiencing the breathtaking beauty of Taormina. Perched on the cliffs above the Ionian Sea, it’s famous for the ancient Greco-Roman amphitheater, atmospheric Old Town and blissful Isola Bella beach. Watch Season 2 of HBO’s “The White Lotus” to get into the Sicilian travel mood. 

Best for white sand beaches and pristine nature

The finest European white sand beaches are in Sardinia. With over 1,100 miles of coastline, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean offers some of the most striking stretches in the world. From the Caribbean-like turquoise waters of La Pelosa to the milky sands of Su Giudeu Beach, the long dunes of Spiaggia del Poetto, the wild beauty of the Gulf of Orosei, and secret coves of the untouched La Maddalena Archipelago—Sardinia is the ultimate playground for beach lovers. The island is also the cradle of Nuragic culture, a fascinating extinct civilization that left many enigmatic tower-fortresses around Sardinia. Luxury-seekers will find some of Europe’s most exclusive beach and yachting experiences in Porto Cervo, the gateway to Costa Smeralda.

Best for pure Mediterranean beauty

A 30-minute sail off Sicily’s underrated West Coast, Levanzo is a small island of the Aegadian group. For me, it’s among the most charming Italian destinations. You arrive in a picture-perfect whitewashed village in a lovely blue bay. Everything is straightforward in Levanzo; the road can only take you left or right. Either direction is magical—a short hike takes you to marvelous coves with crystal-clear waters. Cala Minnola, Cala Fredda, and Cala Faraglione are three beaches to check out close to the main village. There’s also a gorgeous Cala Dogana Beach right in the center of Levanzo village. Typically, a visit ends at one of the family-run ristorante overlooking the cyan waters. If you’re craving escape, Levanzo is an ideal pick.

Best for turquoise coves and cycling 

Another Aegadian highlight, Favignana, offers an impressive variety of coves to explore. Ferries connect it to Trapani in Sicily, allowing for a quick break from the bustle of the big island. The sleepy main town here is great for gelato-munching and espresso-sipping with the vista of the Mediterranean Sea. Hire a bicycle to explore the wonders of the Favignana coastline. Spiaggia di Lido Burrone and Spiaggia di Calamoni are two paradise-looking coves in the south. Get on a boat to see the magical Cala Rossa and Bue Marino Beach. And don’t forget your snorkeling gear: Favignana’s rocky coast is ideal for exploring the underwater life.

Best for cinematic panoramas

“One of the most lovely sights in the world,” wrote William Somerset Maugham about Capri in “The Lotus Eater,” a short story set on the island. This destination off the Naples coast has long lured artists, royalty and the jet-setters. The views here are irresistible: the gargantuan cliffs emerge from the Tyrrhenian Sea, numerous grottos (sea caves) dot the coastline, and mighty Faraglioni (three tall sea stacks) guard the approach to the island.

Capri is synonymous with pure beauty, and it’s exactly what you can expect here. Belvedere (or a viewpoint) is where you admire the gorgeous panoramas. Belvedere di Punta Cannone and Belvedere Tragara are the two most scenic ones. Marina Grande is a pretty, little pebbly stretch next to the Capri port. On the other side of the island is the spectacular Marina Piccola, overlooking the Faraglioni. The island’s most famous attraction is the Blue Grotto, a sea cave with translucent, sapphire-colored waters.

Best for beautiful hiking and thermal baths

The largest island in the Gulf of Naples, Ischia, is a quieter, more laid-back alternative to Capri. It’s the ultimate place of inspiration. You’ll hike through verdant volcanic hills, marvel at tropical gardens, bathe in centuries-old thermal springs, and enjoy Campania meals on cozy piazzas of sleepy whitewashed towns. Ischia is also a beach destination. San Montano is a gorgeous sandy bay set between cliffs, Citara is a beautiful long stretch adjacent to Giardini Poseidon Terme (with 20 thermal pools), and Spiaggia dei Maronti offers black volcanic sands. The island also has some Bali-reminiscent scenery: Giardini la Mortella is a lovely garden with tropical and Mediterranean plants in the colorful village of Forio. Another showstopper is the Aragonese Castle, an epic medieval construction dotting the tidal island and connected to Ischia town by a romantic causeway.

Best for photogenic houses and canals

Out of all the Venetian Lagoon islands, Burano is the most vivid and aesthetically pleasing. When I disembarked here for the first time, I couldn’t put my camera down throughout the whole visit. Similarly to Venice, you’ve got canals criss-crossing the urban landscape. But in Burano’s case, there’s an explosion of colors: red, blue, orange, violet, green. This island is a real-life painting. It’s also home to rich lace-making traditions. Discover centuries-old techniques and see the objects at the Lace Museum. Apart from the artisanship, Burano is famous for its cookies called bussolai. This ring-shaped, buttery delight will be a perfect accompaniment to your sight-filled walk.

Best for discovering centuries-old traditions

The Venetian Lagoon is about craftsmanship and beauty. In medieval times, different islands in Italy specialized in different crafts. Since the 13th century, Murano has been the Lagoon’s center for elaborate glass-making. A short boat ride away from Venice, this island offers sublime Lagoon vistas, romantic canals and fascinating glassblowing workshops, where magical objects are produced to this day. Murano is slightly bigger than Burano and actually feels like a small town. The Glass Museum is an obligatory stop to immerse yourself in local traditions. But the real beauty of Murano is in simply wandering around and peeking into functioning glassblowing workshops. Be sure to see the works of Tintoretto, Bellini, and Veronese inside the Renaissance San Pietro Martire church.  

Best for a total escape

The Tremiti Islands are a small off-the-radar archipelago in the Adriatic Sea, off the Apulia coast. The largest of the bunch, San Domino, is an ideal destination for a complete rewind among the pristine Mediterranean nature. White chalk cliffs dominate the coastline here, forming sublime coves with crystalline waters. Cala delle Arene is the most popular beach: a gorgeous sandy bay next to the limestone outcrops. Hire a boat to sail around San Domino and marvel at the beautiful grottoes, such as Scogli dell’Elefante, Pagliai, and Grotta delle Viole. The interior is one big pine forest, ideal for long, pensive walks. The island is a popular snorkeling spot. 

Best for mountain walks and pretty seaside towns

Set between Corsica and Tuscany, Elba is a spectacular island to visit. The main draw is the Arcipelago Toscano National Park, which includes 7 Tuscan islands. It enchants you with dramatic mountains, breathtaking hilltop towns, wild azure beaches, and epic hiking trails. Elba is also famous for being the place where Napoleon was exiled from 1814 to 1815. Portoferraio, the island’s capital, is a charming seaside town with mighty fortifications. It’s also a gateway to Elba’s most stunning beaches, such as Ghiaie, Capo Bianco, and Sansone. Biodola and Fetovaia are the best sandy beaches on the island. Don’t miss Marina di Campo, a picturesque resort town with a spectacular sandy bay. Mount Capanne is Elba’s highest peak, offering awe-inspiring vistas. You can hike to the top or take a cablecar.

Best for getting up close with an active volcano

Stromboli’s panorama is incredibly cinematic—a volcano rising from the blue water. This Aeolian island has the looks of Santorini and Tenerife, with its caldera landscape, black beaches, and barren soil. One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Stromboli was mentioned in Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and served as an inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien’s Mount Doom in Mordor. You can get close to the crater on a specialized hiking tour, with a chance to witness the lava eruption. Scari and Ficogrande are two popular black beaches in Stromboli town.