Italian Islands Guide

Capri island, Italy.

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Italy's islands

***Sicily

As the power of the Mafia subsides (they have little interest in tourists), Sicily's tourism has boomed in recent years. Influenced by Romans, Normans, Greeks, Byzantines and Arabs, the island is loaded with interest, from historic sights through spectacular nature to distinguished local cuisine.

Unfortunately the legacy of years of corruption, evidenced by massive, style-free, overbuilding is for all to see, though a few fine buildings have survived.

Tourists can get there by train and bus by bridge from the mainland as well as by air - both domestic and international. Alternatively, as a car in Sicily is useful, wheeled tourists might consider an 18 hour car ferry trip from Genoa or less from Livorno to Palermo. Sicily Map.

Sicily island; Palermo's corrupt and overbuilt downside.

Sicily's main things to do

- the capital, Palermo, contains many of the island's primary attractions, although it is polluted, crowded and mostly seedy and unattractive, but still worth a few days.
The places to see are the outstanding 12th century Duomo (cathedral) at Monreale, Palazzo dei Normanni (Royal Palace), with Cappella Palatina known for its prominent Byzantine golden mosaics, and also the Regional Archaeological Museum, with some significant treasures including two Phoenician sarcophagi.

- Siracusa, Greek ruins, once the most powerful city in Greece, now sharing space with Roman ruins as well.
Try Greek dramas played every summer at the Teatro Greco (amphitheatre).

- the Valle del Templi at Agrigento, a group of Greek temples overlooking the sea and the most interesting Greek ruins outside Greece.

- the Villa Romana del Casale, 6 km from Piazza Armerina.

- Noto, located in the southeast of the island, is a pleasant little town known for its remarkable Baroque architecture.

- Mount Etna, an active volcano (3,330m) and the largest in Europe, dominates the island and is home to many outdoor activities. It even becomes a ski resort in winter. Piano Provenzana is the nearest base, Catania is 20 miles (32km) away.

- Taormina, an elegant resort town is where D. H. Lawrence wrote his novel 'Lady Chatterley's Lover'.
It has a picturesque Greek theatre with a view of Mt. Etna and also excellent beaches nearby, especially Giardini-Naxos.

Sicily's upside, hiking on Mt Etna.

Small islands off Sicily, easily reached by car ferries or hydrofoils

*The Aeolian islands, north of Sicily, have crystal clear waters. The biggest of all is Lípari, a popular island resort with beautiful beaches (though hot black sand) and is the best base for the area.

** Panarea is the most scenic and romantic - popular with honeymooners, while Stómboli is an active cone with occasional volcanic explosions. 'Si, bella, the earth move for me!'

The Egadi islands of Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo seen from Sicily.

*The Égadi islands (also Aegadian Islands) are some of the least commercial places in Italy, ideal hideaways for those fleeing massed tourists.

Maréttimo is the biggest but furthest, with very few facilities but lovely rocky coves and hidden beaches.

The smallest is Lévanzo, known for its Grotta del Genovese, with 6, 000 year old cave paintings.

*Ústica, with first underwater nature reserve in Italy, is the best diving site in the country. 75 minutes from Palermo, Sicily by hydrofoil.

**The Pantelleria, 70 miles off Sicily, are closer to Tunisia than Italy so more Arab than Italian, with a volcanic landscape and celebrities queuing for the exotic heat.

Although there are no beaches, scenic rocky coves are lovely for swimming, and it has a lake, hot springs, mud baths, and some exclusive hotels as well.

*Lampedusa, like Pantelleria, a long way off Sicily (120 miles) and nearer to Tunisia, this little island has very little rain, a rock desert landscape with small white sand beaches, turquoise water and lots of stunning rocky coves, grottos and inlets. Travel there by plane from Palermo or other Italy cities in summer months.

Sardinia, Italy.

***Sardinia

This is the second largest island in Mediterranean (after Sicily), with some of Europe's most glorious beaches. See Sardinia Guide and Pictures, Sardinia Map

**Ponza, in the Pontine Islands, is one of few resorts to escape the tourist plague, with some of Italy's most splendid beaches, among them Chiaia di Luna, or the rocky cove of Piscine Naturali for sheltered swimming.
There are some good dive sites around its islets, particularly Palmarola.

Elba island, off Tuscany, Italy.

*Elba
Italy's third largest island and Napoleon's late home is located off the Tuscan coast.
It is somewhat overrun by package tourists, but with 90 miles of coastline, action-packed holiday villages and loads of sandy beaches, it's still a great beach holiday destination, especially for families.

For more solitude try the untouched island of Capraia, 30 km off Elba.

**Cápri (pictured at top)
There are no sandy beaches or major historic sights on the island but this legendary resort in the Bay of Naples has been loved for its spectacular landscapes and cliff walks since the Roman era.

The prime attraction is the *Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzura), a watery cave illuminated by sunlight. Try to stay a night at least rather than day-tripping.

The island is easily accessible by ferries and hydrofoils from mainly Naples (about 1hr 20 minutes) and Sorrento (about 30 minutes).

If beaches are your priority, go to Ischia island, nearer to Naples, which has also hot springs and a spa.