Touring Italy By Yacht Charter: An Expert’s Guide On Where To Go

Italy is one of the most popular destinations for luxury yacht charters, but with so much to see and do there, it can be difficult choosing where to focus your itinerary for the best trip. We spoke with Italian yacht brokers and Mediterranean charter specialists at Silver Star Yachting, for an insider’s view. 

Some of the most beautiful yacht charter places to discover in Italy

Liguria and the Cinque Terre

Stunning Cinque Terre is made up of five picturesque perched villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, that are most easily explored by private yacht charter. While in Liguria don’t miss chic Portofino, the former fishing village that’s now a haven of designer shopping and fine restaurants.

Tuscany and Elba

Tuscany’s Viareggio is one of Italy’s best seaside resorts, renowned for its Art Nouveau buildings and elegant cafés. The town also enjoys a large stretch of pearl-white sand, ideal for an afternoon of swimming and sunbathing. 

Further south lies Elba island, where villages cling to hillsides and white sandy beaches are surrounded by crystal-clear water. In Portoferraio, the island’s largest city, visit the baroque style Villa dei Mulini, former home of Napoleon Bonaparte, which is now a museum. 

Ischia and the Pontine Islands

The volcanic Island of Ischia is known for the rejuvenating quality of its thermal springs and baths. It also boasts beautiful gardens and mountain trails, as well as secluded bays and rocky beaches. Enjoy shopping in the sophisticated Via Roma and Via Vittoria Colonna, with their plush boutiques and local produce, from artisan ceramics to Rucolino liqueur.

The Pontine Islands of Ponza and Ventotene have charming ports and rugged coastlines, with lush bays and hidden grottos. Ponza’s tiny, rambling streets are filled with artisan workshops and restaurants, while quieter Ventotene is a nature reserve and marine protected area.

The Amalfi Coast and Capri

The Amalfi coast is made up of stunning, pastel-hued medieval villages perched on the cliffside. Positano, Sorrento, Vietri and Amalfi are all best viewed from the sea, but equally wonderful to explore, with narrow lanes lined with chic boutiques and cafes.

Seriously beautiful and devastatingly chic, Capri boasts fine dining and shopping, as well as breathtaking views of the Gulf of Naples, and the famous Blue Grotto, with its stunning effects of light and colour. 

Sardinia

Don’t miss Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo on the island’s glamorous Costa Smeralda, long-time favourite charter destinations of the super-rich, with fabulous restaurants, cafes and designer boutiques. The La Maddalena archipelago of islands offer glorious beaches and incredible snorkelling and diving, and the dreamy pink beach on Budelli Island has to be seen to be believed.

Sicily

Must-see destinations include Taormina, with its Greek-Roman theatre and historical center, and capital Palermo, with its grand architecture and lively markets. Sicily’s eastern coast boasts dazzling beaches and snorkelling sites, while off the western tip lie the mountainous Egadi Islands, set in Europe’s largest protected marine area. To the north is the Aeolian archipelago of seven volcanic islands, with breath-taking vistas. 

To enjoy all that Italy has to offer, why not contact a yacht charter broker to help you organise your dream charter holiday or view itineraries for yacht charters in the Mediterranean.