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Travelling in Italy is an experience rich in history, gastronomy, and memories. Planning a big travelling adventure can sometimes be a little bit daunting, but it can also be one of the most exciting parts! Click&Boat is here to help you, and have collected a list of our top 5 boating destinations in Italy! It’sone of the most special sailing destinations in the world as it sits right at the heart of the Mediterranean Sea and is flanked by the Adriatic, Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas.
Italy has around 7,500km of coastline, so it’s difficult to choose a top 5. Each destination could be an entire holiday by itself, with many things to do around it. Instead, we have opted for the journey of a lifetime. Beginning in Ostia, near Rome, and finishing in Salerno, we uncover 5 destinations that can be visited over the course of a week or 2 by boat. This way you can experience the best of Italy by travelling through several destinations.
1. Ostia, the place to start when travelling.
Ostia is known as the sea of Rome, being the meeting place of Roman citizens during the summer. It consists of Rome’s three seaside districts: Lido di Ostia Ponente, Lido di Ostia Levante and Lido di Castel Fusano.
In addition to being a seaside destination, the marine and tourist port of the town is quite important. Many people arrive with the intention of travelling on to Rome or to enjoy the beautiful Tyrrhenian Sea.
Easily accessible due to its proximity to Rome, Ostia is the perfect place for us to begin travelling in Italy. It’s likely that if you are a foreign tourist, you will fly to Rome. There are frequent and direct trains from Rome to Ostia – this is the cheaper option but takes slightly longer. The subway and train will only cost a few euros but will take you over an hour. Alternatively, take a taxi for between €40 and €50 and arrive in around 30 minutes.
Arriving in Ostia, you can step on board your sailboat for the first time and fall in love at first sight. For example, how could you not fall in love with this stunning sailboat offered by our boat owner Claudio? Click&Boat have an amazing offering in this area, from sailboats to catamarans, from motorboats to yachts. Message the boat owners directly, for free, on the Click&Boat platform to discuss your big adventure down the Italian coast and find the perfect boat!
2. Ponza, our first island stop.
Ponza is a wonderful encounter between present and past. It’s a juxtaposition between the holiday resorts of Roman patricians with ancient prisons. Between the narrow streets of Ponza and the numerous handicraft shops. Between local restaurants facing the sea, and traditional houses.
You can walk through the ancient Roman tunnel to reach the Chiaia di Luna beach. Or discover the Grotte di Pilato. The aqueduct is also worth seeing, as well as the necropolis. The ancient terraces are an impressive feature of the past, where crops and vines still grow.
Ponza is the perfect place to visit as part of a larger trip. If you’re not planning on sailing for long, it’s worth renting a boat for at least a day. You’ll find stunning motorboats on our website. It’s the perfect way to visit secluded beaches and coves on an otherwise popular island.
Alternatively, the island of Ventotene is also a haven for chartering a sailboat.
3. Capri, the place to see and be seen.
From Ponza we sail for a few hours, just over 100km to the island of Capri. It was already a popular holiday destination in Roman times. It has also been a go-to resort for the European aristocracy and elite since the 19th Century. Today, it offers fans of history and art the opportunity to visit landmarks such as Tragara and the Blue Grotto. You can also visit the ruins of several Roman villas. As an island, Capri lends itself to a wonderful sailing experience.
If you have already visited Capri or fancy an alternative, then you could consider stopping in Ischia instead. Ischia is an undersea volcano that rose in the Gulf of Naples to form a beautiful island. The island is well known for its natural spas – mineral-rich thermal waters and volcanic mud baths.
Or perhaps you have had enough of the island life and want to step foot on the mainland? Try Sorrento! Hiking lovers will also love Sorrento for its lovely walking itineraries. One path takes you from the town of Nerano along the cliffs to discover the lush vegetation of the area, including mimosas and cacti.
4. Positano, the ‘Vertical City’.
Even if you haven’t ever heard of Positano, you must be familiar with its picture. Swathes of multicoloured little houses dotted on a steep hill. A dreamlike landscape that every holidaymaker visiting this part of Italy should relish. A yacht charter in Positano is the best way to explore this picturesque village and the Amalfi Coast. As far as cliffside villages go, Positano is unique with its rainbow of colours and small port. It’s a perfect spot to dock a motorboat or a sailboat. Take a stroll through its narrow cobbled streets and grab a slice of pizza or a scoop of gelato.
5. Salerno, our final stop.
Here we are at our final stop. Salerno is just east of Positano and has its own airport, which makes it a suitable place to say goodbye to your sailboat. Salerno has been settled since pre-historic times and has previously been a great centre of learning, culture and the arts.
As such, it’s the perfect place to finish your boat charter. , step back on land and explore the history of this wonderful country. Salerno has far fewer visitors than neighbouring destinations such as Sorrento, and fewer visitors equals lower prices and more peace. Salerno also has some pretty impressive beaches, which give you the chance to lay back and enjoy the end of your holiday.
So you’re about to embark on the sailing trip of a lifetime, but what are you going to use to navigate? Well, gone are the days of a hand-held compass and charting on a paper map. Savvy navvy is a mobile app that allows you to spend more time boating and less time figuring out which way you are going. It compiles all sorts of data from weather, chart, tide, maps and information about your boat to decide exactly which route is the best for you.
For sailing fanatics it’s an absolute must-have and for those on a one-off holiday it will make sure you can spend as much time enjoying your holiday as possible. The image above is straight from savvy navvy. As you can see, it has taken the current wind data to tell you the best possible route to sail. Download the app now and be prepared for all weathers!
