Italy’s Secret Islands: 5 Mediterranean escapes for a slower, deeper journey

Along the Italian coasts, almost 800 islands of all sizes peek out from the sea. Many of them are very popular destinations, famous all over the world. Many others, on the other hand, have remained off the main tourist routes and perhaps for this reason they are even more attractive, especially if you are longing to disconnect for a while.

Where progress and modernity seem to appear only timidly, human presence is rare and a luxuriant nature explodes, under a blue sky. Leave the crowds of summer beaches behind for a while. Forget the rush, the noise and the screens and enjoy your time on a authentic natural paradise surrounded by the blue sea.

Living on a desert island is a fantasy for many, but if the dream can't come true, unplugging and getting away from it all is still possible.

The scent of the sea breeze and the sound of the wind in the bushes will be your only travel companions for a while. Italian secluded islands are part of a rich heritage of unexplored destinations where you will find that digital distractions slowly fade way, leaving room for unexpected, meaningful experiences.

Also, while you wander on the shore, hike or enjoy the sea, historical traces of their important past will make your stay even more exciting.

These sunny mediterranean escapes are definitely worth a visit because of their outstanding nature. Just remember that you are in a pristine habitat, where animals, and even plants, are unaccustomed to human presence.

Spring and summer are the best seasons to enjoy the sea and the weather. Bring some water with you, maybe a hat and take your time to reconnect with the beautiful environment of the 5 secret italian islands you cannot miss:

-Palmaria

-Marettimo

-Giannutri

-Linosa

-Palmarola

A former military base in the Gulf of La Spezia, in Liguria, the small island of Palmaria was once also an important center for the extraction of marble. Today the traces of its recent past still remain, but the island is a UNESCO protected property thanks to its natural beauty.

The coast is for the most part rocky and the beaches are not very accessible, but the sea is pristine and crystal clear. The few dozen inhabitants of Palmaria live in Terrizzo, the only small village on the island.

There is also a beach resort right in front of Portovenere, one of the most famous summer destinations in Liguria. Thanks to this, Palmaria becomes pretty popular between June and September, so if you want to experience a desert beach with no crowds, just go the rest of the year.

The quickest way to get to Palmaria is by ferry from Portovenere, which takes about 15 minutes, or by joining a private tour.

The third of the Egadi islands in order of distance from the Sicilian coasts, Marettimo is also close to another Sicily’s natural wonder, Riserva dello Zingaro.

In its 12 square kilometers it hosts high mountains, a small village of whitewashed houses and also the severe Norman castle that surmounts the promontory of Punta Troia. It can be visited, as it houses a museum and the monk seal observatory, but only in summer.

Underground springs feed the lush nature to make this island a popular destination for hikers, especially when the climate is milder. Along the 10 trekking paths you can also learn more about its history. For example, there are the ruins of some Roman houses from the 4th century or the pretty Norman church still used today to celebrate weddings.

The panoramic views are simply unforgettable: the one from Pizzo Falcone or from the Punta Libeccio lighthouse are among the best on the island. A simply fabulous sea bathes the beaches of Marettimo, let's not forget that we are in one of the most important marine protected areas in Europe.

One of the most beautiful and interesting excursions to do is the circumnavigation of the island by boat, with a visit to its nine caves.

The main embarkation point for Marettimo is in Trapani. The ferry takes 1 to 3 hours depending on the route and intermediate stops. Alternatively, you can get there from the nearby islands of Favignana or Levanzo.

One of the nicest and most authentic among small italian islands, Giannutri is part of the Tuscan Archipelago National Park and is located about 11 km from the Argentario.

Thanks to its crescent shape, it was considered sacred to Artemis and perhaps it is thanks to the benevolence of the goddess that it has remained an uncontaminated oasis until today. Its seabeds, incredibly rich in biodiversity, make it a true snorkeling paradise, but Giannutri knows how to enchant even on the surface.

Through the trekking routes you can reach the highest point of the island. It is only 88 meters above sea level, but the view is still incredible.

Also not to be missed are the ruins of the Roman villa dating back to the 2nd century, once inhabited by the family of the emperor Nero.

The only two beaches, Cala Spalmatoio and Cala Maestra, are not equipped for tourists which only helps to keep their wild charm intact. Since the island is part of a protected area some routes must be visited with a guide. Only about twenty inhabitants live on the island, but there is still the possibility to stay overnight.

Reach Giannutri from Porto Santo Stefano, on the Argentario peninsula, in about an hour. During the summer, there are daily connections, and there are also boat excursions departing from Giglio Island.

Halfway between Sicily and Tunisia is the small island of Linosa. Its black rocks are of volcanic origin, the island in fact is the top of a submerged volcano which has been extinct for more than two thousand years. The craters are still visible, the most easily distinguishable one is also the largest, known as Fossa del Cappellano.

In the 5 square kilometers that make up the entire territory of the island you will find only one small town, no more than a handful of colorful houses gathered around the port. This is where the hydrofoils arriving from Lampedusa or Agrigento dock.

The entire coast is a succession of beaches and small coves where sand and rocks alternate. There are also some paths much appreciated by those who practice trekking, which go into the dense Mediterranean scrub among prickly pears, olive trees and brooms.

You’ll truly enjoy the silence here and even the chance to forget the modern world if you wish, since only a few tourists go this far south, but the island is a particularly popular destination for very special visitors. The Caretta Caretta turtles are very fond of the tranquility of its coasts and come here lay their eggs.

Given its latitude, Linosa can be enjoyed all year round. In summer you can bath in its crystal sea, in winter you can find a mild climate and an atmosphere of peace and relax difficult to find elsewhere.

Ferries and hydrofoils depart regularly from the port of Lampedusa to Linosa. There are also hydrofoils and ferries connecting Porto Empedocle, in the province of Agrigento, to Linosa. However, remember that ferries take up to six hours.

Off the coast of Lazio lies the archipelago of the Pontine Islands. Palmarola belongs to this group, but unlike its big sisters it is wild, full of the dwarf palms from which it takes its name and uninhabited, which gives it the charm of a timeless island.

The presence of man here is minimal, almost invisible, making Palmarola the perfect escape to truly switch off. There is only a small restaurant with a few bedrooms. It also lacks a real port, although it can still be reached by private boats from the larger and way more crowded island of Ponza.

Palmarola was once a destination for fishermen only, thanks to its incredibly rich sea. Today travellers can reach its rugged coastline to swim in its blue waters in the summer, but the island has so much to offer to nature lovers and is worth a stop even out of season.

The Faraglione di Mezzogiorno is the first thing you will see coming from the sea. A path of medium difficulty leads to the top, where there is a tiny chapel dedicated to San Silverio, the patron saint of the island.

A short distance away is the beach of the Galere, where you will find boulders of black glass, shiny and pure: it is the obsidian. In all likelihood, prehistoric men came here to collect it to build weapons and tools.

The white cliffs of Palmarola also host a cave system with pointed arches that almost seem the work of man. This place is known as the Cathedral, due to its special shape. The foundations of its walls are unwater so if you love adventure you can explore the seabed by diving into its dark waters.

You can board a scheduled ferry to Palmarola from nearby Ponza. The crossing takes only about forty minutes. In the summer, many companies organize day trips with stops for swimming in the most famous coves. Some excursions also leave from Terracina or Anzio, but these are about three hours away.