I’m standing on the dock at Marina Corricella on Procida, and the houses in front of me are stacked in shades of pink, peach, and lemon. No one is rushing. A fisherman is mending a net. The only sound is water lapping against the hulls of small boats. This is the Italy I came looking for — not the one you queue for.
Procida was named Italian Capital of Culture in 2022, drawing a fraction of the visitors Capri sees each year.
If you want the Italian island experience without the crowds, skip Capri and Sicily and head to Procida, Pantelleria, or the Aeolian Islands. They’re harder to reach, but that’s exactly the point.
Solo travelers
Couples
Slow travelers
This guide covers five lesser-known Italian islands that reward the extra effort. I’ve focused on places where you can actually hear yourself think — and where the local culture hasn’t been replaced by souvenir shops. I’ll tell you what each island is really like, how to get there, and what to skip.
Campania
Procida: The Colorful Fishing Island That Deserves More Attention
Procida is a 40-minute ferry from Naples, and it feels like a different century.
I took the ferry from Naples on a Tuesday morning in June. The boat was half full. When we pulled into the port, I saw the pastel houses of Marina Corricella climbing up the hillside. No high-end boutiques. No mega-yachts. Just laundry on lines and old men playing cards at a waterfront bar.
Procida’s black-sand beaches are a surprise. Chiaiolella beach sits on the southern tip, with dark volcanic sand and calm water. Pozzo Vecchio beach was used as a filming location for Il Postino. Neither beach was crowded when I visited, even in early summer.
For a proper meal, I walked up to La Locanda del Postino near the port. The spaghetti with sea urchin — a local specialty — was briny and fresh. My husband Michael ordered the grilled fish, and the waiter deboned it tableside. Dinner for two with wine came to about €70.
Book the ferry from Naples to Procida in advance during July and August. The playitaly.com guide notes that ferries run regularly, but seats fill up on weekends. Aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday arrival.
Sicily
Pantelleria: The Black Pearl With No Sandy Beaches
Pantelleria sits closer to Tunisia than Sicily, and it looks like nowhere else in Italy.
The island is volcanic, with black lava rock shores and hidden coves. There are no sandy beaches. That alone filters out a lot of tourists. What you get instead are natural pools carved into the rock, thermal steam vents, and a landscape that feels raw and ancient.
Specchio di Venere — Lake of Venus — is a crater lake fed by hot springs. I waded in on a windy afternoon, and the warm water was a shock against the cool air. The bottom is muddy, and locals swear the thermal mud is good for your skin. I can’t verify that, but I can tell you it’s a strange, pleasant sensation.
Pantelleria is also known for its capers and its sweet wine, Passito di Pantelleria, made from sun-dried Zibibbo grapes. I visited a small producer near the town of Scauri and tasted a 2019 vintage that tasted like dried apricots and honey. A bottle cost €18 at the vineyard.
The island’s traditional stone houses, called dammusi, have white domed roofs designed to withstand wind and heat. Many are available as holiday rentals. They’re not cheap — expect €150–€250 a night in high season — but they’re unlike any accommodation I’ve seen in Italy.
Getting to Pantelleria takes effort. You can fly from Palermo or Trapani in about 45 minutes, or take a ferry from Trapani that runs roughly three times a week in summer. The ferry takes about six hours. I flew, and I’m glad I did — the approach over the dark volcanic island is unforgettable.
Sicily
The Aeolian Islands: Seven Volcanic Islands, Seven Different Personalities
The Aeolian Islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site off Sicily’s northern coast, and each one has a distinct character.
Lipari is the largest and the main transport hub. Its whitewashed buildings and colorful harbor feel like a postcard, but the real draw is the Museo Archeologico Regionale Eoliano, which holds artifacts from Neolithic settlements. I spent two hours there and barely scratched the surface.
Salina is greener than the others, thanks to higher rainfall. It’s known for its vineyards — the Malvasia wine produced here is sweet and rich — and for its capers, which are larger and more flavorful than the ones you find on the mainland. I bought a jar of salt-packed capers at a farm stand for €5 and used them for weeks after I got home.
Stromboli is the showstopper. The volcano is permanently active, and at night you can see red glow from the crater from boats offshore. Guided hikes to the summit are available, but they’re strenuous and require a local guide. I watched the eruptions from a boat at sunset, and it was one of the most surreal things I’ve ever seen.
Panarea is the smallest and most stylish island. There are no cars. The only way around is on foot or by golf cart. Boutique hotels and restaurants cater to a well-heeled crowd, but the island’s rugged coastline and clear water are free for everyone.
Vulcano lives up to its name. The sulfur smell hits you as you approach the port. The mud baths near the harbor are a tourist attraction, but the real experience is hiking to the crater rim and looking into the fumaroles. I wouldn’t recommend it for young kids — the smell is strong, and the terrain is loose gravel.
Filicudi and Alicudi are the most remote. Both are car-free. Filicudi has prehistoric villages and dramatic cliffs. Alicudi has one road, one bar, and about 100 residents. If you want to disappear, this is where you go.
Ferry schedules between the Aeolian Islands change frequently and are weather-dependent. In rough seas, crossings to Filicudi and Alicudi are often canceled. Build in a buffer day if you’re island-hopping.
Tuscany
Elba: Napoleon’s Exile and 100 Kilometers of Coastline
Elba is the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago, and it’s far more than a footnote in Napoleon’s biography.
Napoleon spent ten months in exile here, and his two residences — the Palazzina dei Mulini in Portoferraio and the Villa San Martino in the hills — are open to the public. I visited the Palazzina, and it’s surprisingly modest. The library is the most impressive room, with floor-to-ceiling shelves and a writing desk where he drafted his memoirs.
Elba’s coastline stretches over 100 kilometers, with beaches that range from fine white sand to rocky coves. Fetovaia beach has shallow, clear water that’s perfect for snorkeling. Sansone beach is smaller but has striking white pebbles and turquoise water. I saw families with young kids at both.
Monte Capanne is the highest peak on the island. A cable car runs from the town of Marciana to the summit, and on clear days you can see Corsica. I took the cable car up and hiked down — the trail is steep but well-marked, and it took about an hour.
Elba is easier to reach than the other islands on this list. Ferries run year-round from Piombino on the Tuscan coast, and the crossing takes about an hour. You can bring a car, which makes exploring the island’s many beaches and hilltop villages much easier.
Book the ferry from Piombino to Elba online at least a week in advance during July and August. Car decks fill up fast. If you’re traveling without a car, the bus network on Elba is reliable and connects the main towns.
Procida vs. Pantelleria vs. the Aeolian Islands: Which One Should You Choose?
Each of these islands offers a different kind of escape. Here’s how they compare on the factors that matter most.
| Factor | Procida | Pantelleria | Aeolian Islands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel time from mainland | 40 min ferry from Naples | 45 min flight or 6 hr ferry | 1–6 hr ferry from Milazzo |
| Best for | Day trips, families | Couples, solitude | Adventurers, hikers |
| Beach type | Black sand | Lava rock pools | Mixed: sand, pebble, rock |
| Crowds in July | Moderate | Low | Moderate (Lipari, Salina) |
| Car needed | No | Recommended | No (ferry between islands) |
| Kid-friendly | Yes | No (no sandy beaches) | Lipari and Salina yes |
- Procida is the easiest add-on to a Naples or Amalfi Coast trip — book a morning ferry and return by evening.
- Pantelleria requires a flight or long ferry, but rewards with total quiet and a landscape unlike any other Italian island.
- The Aeolian Islands are best as a multi-day trip. Base yourself on Lipari or Salina and take day trips to Stromboli and Panarea.
Before You Visit Italy’s Lesser-Known Islands
Are these islands worth the extra travel time?
Yes, if you value quiet over convenience. Procida is the easiest to reach. Pantelleria and the remote Aeolian islands require more planning, but you’ll be rewarded with uncrowded beaches and authentic local culture.
Can I visit these islands with kids?
Procida and Elba are the most family-friendly. Both have calm beaches and easy ferry access. Pantelleria’s lack of sandy beaches makes it harder with young children. The Aeolian islands vary — Lipari and Salina are fine, but Stromboli’s volcano hike isn’t suitable for kids under 10.
What’s the biggest downside of visiting these islands?
Limited infrastructure. Restaurants and shops close early, especially on Filicudi and Alicudi. Ferry schedules are unreliable in bad weather. If you need constant entertainment or late-night dining, stick with Capri or Ischia.
When is the best time to visit?
May, June, and September offer warm weather without peak crowds. July and August are hot and busy, but still far less crowded than Capri or the Amalfi Coast. Many ferries and restaurants reduce service in October.
Do I need to book accommodation far in advance?
For Pantelleria and the Aeolian islands, yes — especially for the unique dammusi on Pantelleria and the boutique hotels on Panarea. Procida and Elba have more options, but summer weekends still fill up.
Why I Keep Coming Back to Italy’s Quiet Islands
I’ve been to Capri twice. Both times, I spent more time in line than on the beach. These lesser-known islands reminded me why I fell in love with Italy in the first place — the slow pace, the unpolished beauty, the sense that you’ve found something that hasn’t been packaged for Instagram. If you’re willing to trade convenience for quiet, they’re waiting. For more ideas on slow travel in Italy, read about the scenic drive from Rome to Sestri Levante — another route that rewards the detour.
Sources and further reading
Play Italy. “Secret Italian Islands: 7 Underrated Escapes Beyond Capri and Sicily.” 🔗
Olive Magazine. “Lesser-Known Italian Islands.” 🔗
Islands.com. “Beautiful Lesser-Visited Islands of Italy.” 🔗
Travelodeal. “Italy Secret Islands Hidden Shores.” 🔗
Related reading on Emily in Italy
Your Guide to the Amalfi Coast’s Best Hotels — A curated list of hotels along the Amalfi Coast, from budget-friendly to luxury, with honest pros and cons for each.
Taste Sorrento’s Provolone at a 160-Year-Old Cheese Farm — A visit to a family-run cheese farm near Sorrento, with details on the tasting experience and how to get there.
Taste White Asparagus in Bassano del Grappa, Italy — A guide to the white asparagus season in Bassano del Grappa, including the best restaurants and markets to try it.
DIY Food Tour Through Bologna Is a Must-Do — A self-guided walking tour of Bologna’s best food spots, with tips on what to order and where to sit.