The Pontine islands

Scattered across the sea between Rome and Naples, the Pontine Islands are relatively unknown to foreign travelers. Volcanic in origin, only two are inhabited – the small island of Ventotene and its larger neighbor Ponza. The latter bustles whit Italian tourists, especially Romans, between mid-June and the end of August, but at any other time, it’s yours for the asking.

Ponza

The group’s main island, PONZA, is only 8km long and 2km across at its widest point. Ponza Town is a sight to behold: a jumble of a pastel-coloured, flat-roofed houses heaped a pink semicircle of promenade that curls around the harbour. It makes a marvellous place to rest up for a few days, having so far escaped the clutches of designer boutiques and souvenir shops. Although the island lack specific sights. Ponza is great for aimless wanderings; In the early evening, locals parade along the yellow-painted Municipio arcade of shops and cafès. For lazing and swimming, there’s a small, clean cove in the town.

Chiaia di Luna Beach

A ten-minute walk across the island from Ponza Town, the Chiaia di Luna Beach is a slender rim of sand edging a sheer sickle cliff – though be warned that the waves here are much choppier than on the mainland, and the beach is intermittently closed for safety reasons.

Ventotene

This beautiful little island is the remains of an ancient volcano, as it is Santo Stefano, an even smaller island 1 nautical mile to the East.
Its sea waters are among the cleanest in the Mediterranean; they have been decared an Underwater Marine Park, and are a true paradise for deep sea divers and for snorkeling.
The vIllage of Ventotene is absolutely charming and it is an extremely nice experience to walk in its narrow streets, full of colour. From Roman times are still visible the old structures of the port, remains of villas and of the system of channels and citern to retain rain water, to cope with the lack of freshwater sources. Remains of Roman sheeps have been recently found, with their loads of ceramic, oil, garum.