Travel beyond ‘the boot’ to Italy’s inspiring islands. With thousands of miles of Mediterranean coastline, some of the best Italian destinations are floating dramatically offshore, from the world-famous to others that feel like secrets shared over a late-night glass of local wine. Travel like someone in the know island-hopping in Italy with insider info and tips.
Sicily
Epic, cinematic, and deeply delicious.
- Famous for: Mount Etna’s volcanic drama, ancient Greek temples, glorious Baroque towns, Palermo’s markets, cannoli, granita, and that intense, layered history you can taste in every meal.
- Pop culture moment: The Godfather filming locations in Savoca & Forza d’Agrò, and the White Lotus season that put Taormina back on everyone’s bucket list.
- Insider vibe: Avoid high-season crowds by staying in smaller towns like Ragusa Ibla or Noto — and spend at least one night on the slopes of Etna at a vineyard hotel. Sicily rewards slow travelers.
- Jet-setting note: Taormina is back — but book boutique, not flashy.
Sardinia
Wild freedom meets discreet luxury.
- Famous for: stunning, clear turquoise waters, private coves and pristine beaches (especially Costa Smeralda), pre-historic ruins, rich cultural traditions, distinct cuisine featuring sheep's cheese and wine, mountainous landscapes, and as a "Blue Zone" known for longevity. It's celebrated as a "micro-continent" for its diverse ecosystems and strong identity, distinct from mainland Italy.
- Pop culture moment: The Costa Smeralda’s golden era — think 1960s jet-set glamour — quietly continues today.
- Insider vibe: Skip the headline beaches and go north to La Maddalena archipelago by boat — or inland for shepherd lunches and slow travel.
- Jet-set note: Billionaires flock to Sardinia's Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast), particularly Porto Cervo, a purpose-built playground for the ultra-rich featuring exclusive marinas for mega-yachts, high-end boutiques, private villas and luxury hotels.
Capri
Glamour, style… and lemons.
- Famous for: The Blue Grotto, Faragliono Rocks (pictured above), Via Camerelle boutiques, cliff-top views, limoncello, lemon granita, and movie-star mythology.
- Pop culture moment: Brigitte Bardot, Jackie O, and the endless parade of modern celebrities who still make Capri their summer stage. The above-the-ankle chic pants you wear with hand-made sandals on a lazy seaside day even took their name from the style-setting island of Capri in the mid-century height of the jet set.
- Insider vibe: Stay overnight. Day-trippers head back to the Amalfi coast mainland, the piazzetta empties, and suddenly Capri feels like a village again. Dinner at a family-run restaurant beats any “see-and-be-seen” spot.
- Trending secret: Anacapri — quieter, more local, equally breathtaking.
Ischia
The spa island overshadowed by Capri — and that’s exactly why insiders love it.
- Famous for: Thermal waters, volcanic mud baths, gardens, wellness retreats.
- Pop culture moment: Featured in The Talented Mr. Ripley — but somehow still underrated.
- Insider vibe: Spend a day drifting between pools of different temperatures, then seafood dinner by the castle. This is where Italians go to recover from life.
- Hidden gem energy: Therapy in the sunshine.
Procida
Tiny, pastel colors, unpolished in the best way.
- Famous for: sherbet-colored houses stacked above the harbor (pictured, top), fishermen mending nets, sleepy afternoons.
- Pop culture moment: Il Postino was filmed here — and it kept that soft, poetic, slightly nostalgic atmosphere.
- Insider vibe: Come for lunch, wander slowly, don’t rush. No big resorts, no attitude — just real island life.
- Trend forecast: Becoming a “slow travel darling,” but still delightfully under the radar.
Elba
Elba has history, beaches and breezy, outdoorsy charm.
- Famous for: the location of Napoleon’s exile, Mediterranean pine forests, snorkeling coves, family-friendly towns.
- Pop culture moment: referenced in films about the later years of Napoleon Bonaparte.
- Insider vibe: Rent a bike, sail a bit, picnic on the beach. This is summer as Italians actually do it.
- Hidden gem: Capo Sant’Andrea — incredibly clear water without the drama.
Ponza
Pretty, authentic, quietly glamorous and where the residents of Rome go when they want to get away from the world.
- Famous for: grottos, striped cliffs, tiny harbor restaurants (pictured above).
- Pop culture moment: Italian celebrities have long escaped here — but avoid being photographed here.
- Insider vibe: Rent a boat, swim in hidden coves, eat spaghetti alle vongole, repeat.
- Trend alert: Slowly being “discovered,” but still wonderfully low-key.
From Capri’s glamorous touchstone, to Ischia’s wellness lifestyle, Sardinia’s rugged nature and billionaire’s playground, there’s an Italian island calling your name for your next vacation.
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Images: Getty
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