.png)
Pontine Islands set in a crystal clear sea and breathtaking seabed
Pontine Islands
Ponza Island
Ponza is the busiest of the islands and is very rich in both rocky and sandy beaches, natural arches, stacks, pristine sea, romantic coves and safe havens. But it is also a maze of winding streets, artisan shops, restaurants and typical cafés. Some of its picturesque pastel-coloured houses have slightly barrel-vaulted roofs and some overlook the port directly. Ponza is also famous for its beautiful beaches such as Chiaia di Luna, characterized by abundant sand and rocky cliffs overlooking a rare blue-green sea. Also noteworthy are Lucia Rosa beach, from where you can admire a fantastic sunset; and Cala Fèola, with its shallow natural pools.
Gavi Island
Gavi is the smallest of the Pontine Islands, approximately 700 meters long. The island is quite rugged and uninhabited by humans. It has been designated as a wildlife sanctuary and is home to a variety of lizards that it is only found here, as well as mice, rabbits and scorpions.
Zannone Island
The island of Zannone is uninhabited but monitored by the Forestry Corps, which maintains a station on the top of Monte Pellegrino, the highest point on the island, where there are the ruins of a Benedictine convent dating back to the 13th century. Zannone still enjoys uncontaminated nature protected by the Circeo National Park since 1979. Trees, lavender, unique animals and mouflons, Roman historical remains and medieval buildings: this is what the island offers.
Palmarola Island
Palmarola Island is full of hidden bays, a paradise for diving and snorkelling. Palmarola, as well as all the Pontine Islands, are rich in historical evidence, Roman ruins and rock tombs but still little known by international tourism. Cala Brigantina is the name of the small port, because since the 18th century it offered shelter to pirate boats who continued to infest a good part of the Mediterranean and therefore also those areas until the mid-19th century. The most evocative places on the island of Palmarola are undoubtedly at the two ends of the island: Punta Tramontana to the north and Punta Mezzogiorno to the south with its stacks and the Secca di Mezzogiorno.
Ventotene Island
Ventotene, located between the islands of Ponza and Ischia, is the smallest inhabited island of the Pontine Islands. It is a quiet place, surrounded by crystal clear waters and offers visitors a holiday in contact with nature. Ventotene offers typically Mediterranean scents, intense colors and exceptional hospitality. The island has a steep coastline, and various shallows that make the water crystal clear and turquoise.
Santo Stefano Island
Like the rest of the archipelago, Santo Stefano Island was created by volcanic activity. It is dominated by an ancient prison built by the Bourbons, owners of the island, completed in 1797 and in use until 1965. The tower in the center is not a watchtower, but a chapel, where the inmates attended the celebration of mass. The island, partly private property, has been uninhabited since the prison was closed.