These 5 Gorgeous Islands In Italy Have Fewer Crowds & Authentic Culture

Capri who?

If your heart’s set on an Italian summer this year, pistachio gelato on stone jetties, pastel-colored harbors, the whole dreamy vibe, you might wanna skip the Amalfi darling this time around.

Look, it’s stupid gorgeous, no argument there, but it’s the last place you wanna be if peace, quiet, and some good old-fashioned la dolce vita are what you’ve been craving.

These 5 Gorgeous Islands In Italy Have Less Crowds & Authentic Culture

I mean, technically, you can still carve out your own little slice of heaven in Capri… if you’re ready to drop some serious cash on it. Just don’t expect it to feel, ahem, quintessentially Italian, or all that laid-back and local.

You might be getting cruise liners rolling in, and Hollywood big shots swanning about for the weekend instead.

Now, if it’s low-key, authentic Italy you’re after, we’ve got 5 lesser-known islands lined up for you that might just hit the sweet spot… in classic Travel Off Path style—and when did we ever miss the mark?

PLUS: We’ve built an interactive quiz for you at the end of this article to find your perfect match!

San Pietro, Sardinia

A small island lying some 4 miles off the southwest coast of Sardinia, San Pietro is a little slice of sardo heaven fringed by white-sand calas, and those impossibly-turquoise seas you could swear were some Instagram filter… until you laid eyes on them yourself.

As it’s a tad more remote and slightly complicated to get to—land in Cagliari, drive 2h to the port in Portovesme, catch a 40 minute ferry to San Pietro—it has far smaller crowds than, say, the touristy Costa Smeralda in the north of Sardinia.

Carloforte is the main settlement here: that picture-perfect harbor town, it’s characterized by those typically-Italian pastel-colored houses, narrow winding lanes that lead to hidden piazzette, and traditional family-owned trattorie.

Speaking of which, Al Tonno di Corsa has a seafood-heavy menu revolving entirely around San Pietro’s signature bluefin tuna. Whether in carpaccio form, with hand-pulled pasta, or grilled, it’s a must-try if you’re ever in town.

Now, before we proceed, you should know Europe is planning on a major overhaul of its border rules, from mandatory fingerprinting of new arrivals to a new Electronic Travel Authorization that will replace visa-free travel for U.S. passport holders.

If you’re planning on traveling to Italy or Europe this season, make sure you check which Entry Requirements are in place for American travelers ahead of departure.

Salina, Sicily

As you’ll soon come to realize, Italy’s top secret island destinations are usually a short ferry hop away from major islands overrun with tourism… though they’re largely untouched themselves.

That’s the case with Salina, part of the Aeolian archipelago, a 1h30 hydrofoil ride from Milazzo (a city in northeastern Sicily).

The Aeolians are primarily known for their rugged volcanic nature, but Salina stands out for being the verdant one. Its dormant volcanoes are literally green-clad, and you can hike through a canopy of Mediterranean chestnut trees and pines.

In many ways, it’s Italy’s response to Portugal’s Madeira.

Offbeat, somewhat remote, offering great hikes and beaches all in one, and delicious food. Speaking of hikes, you haven’t been to Salina unless you’ve conquered Monte Fossa delle Felci, the highest peak in the archipelago.

The true gems, however, are the quaint coastal towns: whether it’s Santa Marina Salina, the main settlement, with its pretty harbor and plethora of granitas spots, or Lingua, a tiny rural village right by a salt lake, this is Italy—or Sicily, more like—before it was ruined by the White Lotus masses.

Ustica, Sicily

We’re not done with the tiny landmasses orbiting around Sicily just yet.

If you’re ever in Palermo, and you’re craving a little seaside getaway that’s not a flogged-to-death Cefalù, Ustica is the place to go. It’s only a 1h30 ferry from Palermo Port, and it boasts some of the clearest waters in Italy.

Zero large-scale resorts, limited tourism, and no closed-off beaches reserved for the visiting elites. The entire island is a protected marine area, Italy’s first at that, and other than the wild, untouched feel, it’s probably the top snorkeling destination within easy reach of Sicily.

How to spend the perfect day in Ustica, you ask? As soon as you make landfall, head straight for Grotta Azzurra, a glowing sea cave accessible by boat.

Chill by Cala Sidoti, a natural pool filled with aqua-blue waters, and explore the prehistoric ruins at Villagio Preistorico dei Faraglioni.

Before you travel back to Palermo, wander the charming streets of Ustica Town, and swing by Gelateria e Ristorante Sabrina for a spoonful of their delicious hazelnut gelato.

Wondering how safe Europe is to visit this summer? Use the Traveler Safety Index to double-check what travelers have been reporting real-time prior to flying. Italy currently ranks at 91/100. Vote below to help fellow travelers!:

Pantelleria

As far as Italian islands go, Pantelleria simply redefines remote. Closer to the Tunisian coast than to Italy (or more specifically, Sicily) proper, it’s one of those sleepy, volcanic outposts you wouldn’t know were there unless you zoomed in hard on a particular corner of the open sea.

The key words here are… Dolce. Vita.

Getting here will involve at least a layover in Palermo or Catania for most, or a long ferry ride from Trapani, and there’s not much to do in Pantelleria besides relaxing in a black-lava cala of your liking, sinking into a natural thermal hot spring, or soaking up the Mediterranean sun as you follow the winding scenic path along the rocky coastline.

Pantelleria Town is cute.

It has a castle and all, and a surprisingly large number of osterias to pick from, but the real showstealer here are the dammusi, scattered all over the island. They’re traditional basalt-stone houses built by locals to withstand the strong winds and harsh climate.

Looking for that premium experience? Pantelleria Dream Resort has dammusi-inspired rooms, and a beautiful outdoor pool overlooking the ocean. Oh, and definitely make sure Passito di Pantelleria is on your to-do list: it’s the landmark winery on the island to try those UNESCO-recognized sweet reds made from dried grapes.

Giglio

Everyone’s usually raving about Elba, the largest island of the Tuscan archipelago, but if it’s crowds and chaos you want to avoid, you might want to give Napoleon’s favorite exile a miss and ferry yourself instead to Giglio.

It’s much smaller, quieter, and more pristine, with undeveloped beaches like Spiaggia delle Cannelle being within walking distance of the port.

Super-clear waters, hidden coves all over the place, and it never seems to get jam-packed, even during peak season.

Giglio Porto is the main arrival point, and it has those postcard-ready pastel buildings and restaurants right on the water.

For those keen on a little medieval wander, Giglio Castello is a timeless hilltop town with those old-school European stone-paved streets, and imposing fortress walls.

Over in Giglio Campese, a long sandy beach with a historic 17th-century watchtower for backdrop awaits, and if you don’t exactly mind long hikes and a bit of sweat, Cala dell’Alume is that wild cove hugged by crystal-clear turquoise waters that feels practically like your own private swim spot.

Now take this quiz to find your perfect island match!

Question 1 of 4

What scenery calls to you?

Question 2 of 4

Which daily vibe sounds best?

Question 3 of 4

Ideal Island Architecture?

Final Question