Who doesn’t want to visit the beautiful country of Italy? It is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Famous for its rich historical sites, delicious food, incredible art scene, beautiful and picturesque small cities, and amazing countryside and coastlines. The many attractions of Italy remain unmatched. However, while everyone knows about the archaeological monuments of Italy, not many are aware that there are over 400 beautiful islands in Italy that are world-famous. The islands of Sardinia and Capri are so famous that tourists from all over the world come here to relax and unwind. There are many other islands as well that are more secluded and are off-the-beaten-track.
But, the biggest question you will face is how to navigate from one island to another? The best way to travel across the islands in Italy is to rent a car and simply take your car on board a ferry as you cross over to the next island. There are many car hire companies in Italy, and you can compare car rental plans from all the leading companies on various websites today. You can also ask your hotel to do a car rental comparison for you and have a cheap car rental waiting for you once you reach.
Here are the top islands in Italy that you must visit.
1. Sardinia
The island of Sardinia is famous for its food. The rich Italian culture here has its own appeal. Located on the northeastern coast, Sardinia, or Sardegna, sits in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The most popular destination on the island is Costa Smeralda or the emerald coast. This is an enclave where the rich and famous gather from all over the globe. The island is the perfect destination to head to for fun and parties.
The landscape also includes Gola di Gorropu, which is the largest canyon in Europe. Su Nuraxi di Barumini is a defensive monument hailing back to the second millennium BCE and a UNESCO-protected site today. The Dunes of Piscinas are a must-see as some of the dunes can reach over 200 feet in height.
2. Pantelleria
Pantelleria is a small volcanic island located south-west of Sicily. The island has long been a favourite destination for reclusive celebrities like Sting, Giorgio Armani, and Truman Capote. The allure of the incredible turquoise water offset by a rugged coastline dotted with jagged lava-rock formations seems unreal as you relax by the beach.
There are many ancient ruins, historic architecture, and even the iconic whitewashed lava rock houses of Pantelleria are some of the sights to check out. This type of lava-rock house is referred to as Dammusi, and many of them have been transformed into luxury resorts today. Pantelleria is the ideal island getaway for those who want to avoid the crowds but still soak in the stunning views of the Meditteranean.
3. Capri
Located in the Bay of Naples, Capri is another magnificent island destination in Italy. Over the years, Capri has notched up a reputation as the summer getaway for the rich and famous. Nevertheless, with its rich culture and abundance of natural beauty, the island is a major attraction for visitors from all over. The top attraction here is the spectacular Blue Grotto, or the Grotta Azzurra, the most beautiful network of sea caves made in a beautiful turquoise color. These sea caves are a global attraction that you must visit when in Capri.