There is a reason why charter guests return to Italy season after season. Only a few coastlines offer great anchorages, exceptional cuisine and wine, cultural depth, and consistently favourable summer conditions. The choice is less about where to go, and more about the kind of experience you desire.
The Amalfi Coast remains an essential stop during any Italy yacht charter: charming and instantly recognisable. Sardinia, particularly along the Costa Smeralda, is defined by crystalline water, refined marinas, and a lively coastal scene. Sicily and the Aeolian Islands introduce a different experience, where volcanic landscapes, baroque towns, and a deeply rooted culinary identity shape the journey. Along the Italian Riviera, Portofino and the Cinque Terre offer a quieter, more composed elegance. Venice stands apart entirely, best experienced by yacht in the early morning, when the city reveals itself without interruption.
Phoenix Charter Brokers have curated a personalised guide on the best destinations to visit during a yacht charter in Italy.
amalfi coast
The Costiera Amalfitana is the most picturesque coastline in Italy — best seen from the water. Limestone cliffs drop straight to the sea, and above them — Positano, Ravello, Amalfi itself — villages piled in terraces of colour and stone, perfectly framed for those approaching by yacht.
Where to anchor
Positano | Walk the Sponda — a cascade of whitewashed steps, terracotta pots and trailing bougainvillea that defines Positano as much as the sea below it. Lunch at La Sponda at Le Sirenuse — one Michelin star, one of the great terraces in Italy. Or Zass at Il San Pietro di Positano, set into the cliffside with views that make it one of the coast’s defining tables.
Li Galli Archipelago | Three private islands suspended between Positano and Capri, with no public access and almost no traffic. The anchorage is straightforward, the holding reliable, and the water among the clearest on the coastline. This is less about activity and more about stillness — Amalfi without interruption.
Furore Fjord | One of the smallest fjords in the world, carved directly below the coastal road yet almost entirely unknown to those passing above it. By tender it feels entirely remote, despite sitting within a kilometre of one of Italy’s most visited stretches of coastline.
Amalfi | Anchor off the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea and come ashore by tender. The waterfront gives way quickly to something more layered: the medieval arsenal, narrow internal streets, and a slower rhythm just beyond the Piazza del Duomo. It rewards a little time and a willingness to move past the obvious.
Ravello | Reached via tender to Atrani and a short transfer inland, Ravello sits high above the coastline and feels entirely separate from it. The visit is centred around a single, defining stop: Villa Cimbrone’s Terrace of Infinity, where the panoramic view carries across the entire coastline. Through summer 2026, the Ravello Festival adds another dimension, with private evening access to performances arranged.
Capri | Secure a position at Marina Grande or, in the Faraglioni anchorage. The island rewards timing: the Blue Grotto is best visited at first light, before the traffic builds. By evening, Il Riccio offers a Michelin-starred table directly on the water, while Quisi at the Grand Hotel Quisisana remains one of Capri’s enduring references.
Procida & Ischia | Both justify continuing beyond Capri. Procida remains quieter and more local in character, its recognition as Italy’s Capital of Culture in 2022 doing little to alter its pace. Ischia shifts the focus entirely, particularly along its western bays where thermal waters define the experience — less about movement, more about time spent at anchor.
DINING EXPERIENCES
Le Sirenuse, Positano | Michelin star. One of the defining terraces on the Amalfi Coast, positioned just above the vertical drop of Positano. Best approached for a late lunch after an early walk through the village, when the light softens and the crowds recede. Order the tasting menu and allow the afternoon to extend naturally.
Da Adolfo, Laurito Beach | Accessible only by private boat or the restaurant’s own shuttle, marked by its discreet red fish flag. Tables sit directly on the pebbled beach, with no separation from the water. The mozzarella grilled in lemon leaves is the reference, but the appeal lies in its informality — long lunches, carafes of local wine, and no sense of time.
Il Riccio, Capri | Michelin star, set above the Blue Grotto. Best combined with an early visit to the cave, arriving before the first tenders queue outside. The raw seafood selection is exceptional, but the real draw is the view — a table suspended above open water, away from the density of Capri itself.
Mimì alla Ferrovia, Naples | A short run to Naples, followed by a direct transfer inland. Operating since 1943, it remains one of the city’s most established dining rooms, still run by the founding family. The ragù is slow-cooked in the traditional Neapolitan style — dense, reduced, and deeply flavoured — and worth the detour alone.
Lo Scoglio, Marina del Cantone | Family-run and positioned directly at the water’s edge, with produce sourced from the restaurant’s own land above the bay. Tender access only. The spaghetti alle vongole is the constant, but the menu follows what is grown or caught that day. It works best as a final stop, quieter and more grounded than the rest of the coast.
SARDINIA
Sardinia holds a distinct place within the Mediterranean charter landscape. The Costa Smeralda was designed for superyachts — the infrastructure of Porto Cervo, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the provisioning and technical support, the berth quality — all of it reflects decades of investment aimed at the top end of the market. But Sardinia is much larger and far more varied than the Costa Smeralda. Along the east coast, the Gulf of Orosei is defined by sheer limestone cliffs dropping into deep, clear water, with caves and coves accessible only by sea. To the south, Cagliari brings a more grounded, urban energy, while Villasimius offers long stretches of white sand and remarkably clear water.
WHERE TO ANCHOR
The Costa Smeralda and the Maddalena Archipelago | Porto Cervo is the social and operational centre of the Sardinian season. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda is the reference point — the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Swan Sardinia Challenge draw the finest racing yachts in the world; timing a charter around these events adds a dimension that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
Immediately to the north, the Maddalena Archipelago opens into a protected national park of 62 islands and islets, where the water shifts from deep cerulean to pale jade over white sand with a level of clarity rarely matched in European waters. Navigation here is deliberate and rewarding, with anchorages that depend on conditions rather than routine. Cala Granara, Cala Corsara and Cala Spalmatore stand out not simply for their colour, but for their positioning — sheltered, precise, and among the most refined places to anchor anywhere in the Mediterranean.
The Gulf of Orosei | The Gulf of Orosei is defined by sheer limestone cliffs rising directly from the sea, interrupted only by caves and small coves that remain entirely inaccessible by land. Cala Luna, Cala Mariolu and Cala Goloritzé are not destinations you pass through; they are reached with intent, each one opening onto water of remarkable clarity, shifting from deep blue to translucent over pale stone.
Days here settle into a slower rhythm. Swim straight into water that holds its visibility well beyond 30 metres, or take the tender along the base of the cliffs, moving between grottos and quiet inlets with no sign of the coastline beyond. Smaller yachts can hold position closer in, while larger vessels anchor just offshore, using the tender to access the most secluded corners.
South Sardinia & Cagliari | Cagliari has a depth that sets it apart, anchored by the elevated Castello quarter, the Molentargius lagoon where flamingos gather, and the San Benedetto market, widely regarded among the finest in Italy. Along the south coast, Villasimius and the Costa del Sud offer clear water, long stretches of sand, and a markedly quieter atmosphere, largely removed from the superyacht traffic that defines the north.
DINING EXPERIENCES
Phi Beach, Baja Sardinia | The defining sundowner of the Costa Smeralda season. Arrive by tender before 18:30 and take a table set into the granite above the water. As the light drops, the view opens west across the Straits of Bonifacio towards Corsica — music builds gradually, and the atmosphere relaxed.
Il Pescatore, Santa Teresa Gallura | The restaurant is intimate, the focus entirely on what arrives at the table — pristine raw seafood, simply prepared dishes, bottarga shaved with restraint. There is no theatre here, just confidence and a sense that nothing needs to be overstated.
Dal Corsaro, Cagliari |Michelin star, positioned in the capital and worth planning around. The space is calm, the service excellent, and the cooking deeply rooted in Sardinian tradition while remaining precise. The zuppa di pesce carries weight and depth, a dish that feels considered rather than composed for effect.
Sa Cardiga e Su Schironi, Capoterra | Set back from the lagoon, this is Sardinia at its most authentic. The atmosphere is warm, informal, and unchanged over time. Eel is the focus, prepared in ways that feel deeply local, served without explanation and understood immediately.
Ristorante La Gritta, Porto Rotondo | A terrace that has seen decades of Costa Smeralda seasons come and go. The setting is easy, familiar, and entirely unforced, with tables overlooking the water and a steady rhythm of long lunches turning into late afternoons. The fritto misto arrives exactly as it should — light, crisp, and gone quickly.
Agriturismo Mandra Edera, Barbagia | For those willing to step inland, this is where Sardinia changes character entirely. A working farm in the Barbagia region, reached by car from Orosei or Cala Gonone. Meals are structured around what is produced on site — pecorino, porcetto arrosto, Cannonau — served without interpretation. It offers context to the coastline, and a reason to leave it, briefly.
SICILY & THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS
Sicily is, gastronomically, the most important island in the Mediterranean. Its food — a palimpsest of Greek, Arab, Norman, Spanish and Italian influence built over three thousand years — is unlike anything else on earth. The coastline moves between Greek temples at the water’s edge, Baroque hill towns visible from ten miles offshore, active volcanoes, and stretches of deserted beach that feel entirely removed from the present century.
The Aeolian Islands lie 25 nautical miles north of Sicily and belong in the same passage. Seven volcanic islands, each entirely distinct in character, collectively offering one of the finest weeks’ sailing in the Mediterranean.
SICILY – WHERE TO ANCHOR
Palermo | Berth in the Cala and step straight into Ballarò or the Vucciria, where the city is lively from the early morning — voices, heat, movement, and the rhythm of a place that has not softened for visitors. Palermo is layered and unapologetic, best understood on foot and without too much direction. The Palatine Chapel within the Palazzo dei Normanni offers a complete contrast: intricate, luminous, and unexpectedly still.
Cefalù | Everything here sits in balance — the Norman cathedral rising behind the town, the Rocca above it, and the beach extending directly from the harbour. It is one of the most composed coastal settings in Italy, particularly in the late afternoon when the light settles across the stone and the pace begins to slow.
Taormina Bay | From the water, Taormina reveals itself gradually. A short ascent brings you to the old town, where the Greek theatre holds one of the most recognisable views in Italy — Etna in the distance, the coastline falling away beneath it. The final hour of light is when it makes sense. Dinner at Ristorante Tischi Toschi is intimate and exacting, a quieter counterpoint to the setting outside.
Syracuse (Siracusa) | Ortigia feels complete in a way few places do — a dense, walkable island where Greek foundations and Baroque architecture sit effortlessly together. Mornings begin at the market, evenings extend across small piazzas and along the water’s edge. It is a place that does not announce itself, yet lingers more than most.
Scopello and the Zingaro Nature Reserve | This stretch of coastline remains unexpectedly wild. The coves of the Zingaro are best discovered slowly, moving along a shore that has resisted development. At Scopello, the old tonnara — with its weathered towers and still water — creates one of the most distinctive settings on the island. The village itself is little more than a courtyard, but it holds one of the most quietly memorable lunches on the north-west coast.
Agrigento and the Valle dei Templi | The Valley of the Temples at first light is one of them — vast, silent, and far more powerful without the presence of crowds. Reached from Porto Empedocle, it rewards an early start and a measured pace, with each structure emerging gradually from the landscape rather than all at once.
THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS – WHERE TO ANCHOR
Stromboli | The presence is felt long before arrival. On a clear night, the volcano announces itself from miles offshore, a steady pulse on the horizon. At anchor, everything narrows to a single focus: the eruptions, measured and continuous, breaking the darkness above the Sciara del Fuoco as it falls towards the sea. Watched from the flybridge in silence, it becomes less spectacle, more rhythm — something elemental and difficult to compare.
Panarea | Light, social, and deliberately understated. The smallest of the islands, with no cars and little sense of urgency, it draws a particular crowd without ever feeling crowded. Days revolve around clear water and quiet anchorages; evenings shift towards the terrace at Hotel Raya, where the atmosphere builds almost imperceptibly and holds well into the night.
Salina | A contrast in tone — greener, softer, and more grounded. Vineyards and caper fields define the landscape, with a pace that feels tied to the land as much as the sea. Meals stretch longer here, shaped by local produce and the Malvasia delle Lipari that originates on the island. It is less about movement, more about settling in.
Lipari | The centre of the archipelago, but still measured in its own way. The historic core rises above the harbour, with layers that reveal themselves gradually — from archaeological collections to quieter corners away from the waterfront. Along the coast, the pale pumice beaches at Canneto create a striking contrast, the water taking on a lighter, almost opaque tone.
Vulcano | Immediate and unmistakable. The scent reaches you before the island itself, carried across the water. Up close, the landscape feels active — mud baths, steam rising from the ground, warm springs at the shoreline. It is not a place to linger all day, but for a few hours it offers something entirely different from the rest of the islands.
Filicudi and Alicudi | Further out, the atmosphere changes again. These are the islands at their most reduced — minimal infrastructure, very little movement, and a sense of distance from everything else. Time slows naturally here, shaped by the sea and little else. Around Filicudi, even below the surface, the past remains present, with ancient wreck sites resting undisturbed. This is the Aeolian chain without interruption.
DINING EXPERIENCES
Osteria dei Vespri, Palermo (Sicily) | Set within a discreet palazzo courtyard in Palermo’s historic centre, Osteria dei Vespri offers a refined and contemporary interpretation of Sicilian cuisine. Dishes such as red prawn tartare with citrus and almond reflect a precise balance between tradition and modern technique. The atmosphere remains composed, with a focus on ingredient quality and thoughtful execution. Booking ahead is strongly advised.
Ristorante Don Camillo, Syracuse (Sicily) | Located in Ortigia, Don Camillo has long been a reference for elevated Sicilian seafood. The menu evolves daily, guided by the morning catch, with standout dishes including delicate crudo selections and house-made pasta with sea urchin. The approach is creative without losing its regional identity.
La Madia, Licata (Sicily) | Holding two Michelin stars, La Madia is led by Chef Pino Cuttaia, whose cooking draws deeply from Sicilian memory. Signature dishes such as “pane e panelle” reinterpret local street food with remarkable finesse. The setting is understated, allowing the cuisine to take full focus.
La Pescheria Market, Catania (Sicily) | In central Catania, La Pescheria remains one of the most vivid food markets in Italy. Arriving early reveals stalls laden with swordfish, sea urchins, and freshly shucked oysters, often enjoyed simply with lemon on the spot. It is both a provisioning stop and an immersion into local life.
Caffè Sicilia, Noto (Sicily) |This historic pasticceria, run by the Assenza family, is a defining address for Sicilian sweets. The granita di mandorla, served with brioche, and the cassata are essential, each prepared with a level of precision that has set the benchmark across the island.
THE ITALIAN RIVIERA
The Ligurian coast between the French border and La Spezia is the classic Mediterranean distilled: steep green hills above, pastel fishing villages above pocket harbours, the sea below in a shade of deep indigo that is mesmerising. For those who find the French Riviera in July too crowded and too loud, the Italian Riviera delivers comparable access to Monaco with quieter anchorages, amazing cuisine, and none of the noise.
Portofino is the centrepiece and rightly so — it is one of the most photogenic harbours in the world. But the Riviera rewards those who go beyond Portofino: the Cinque Terre in the late afternoon light, the Gulf of La Spezia that Byron swam and Shelley sailed, and beautiful Camogli.
WHERE TO ANCHOR
Portofino | The Marina di Portofino remains one of the most constrained berthing locations in the Mediterranean, with peak summer availability secured well in advance. For larger yachts, Santa Margherita Ligure provides a practical alternative, with a short tender run into the harbour. Once ashore, the Piazzetta holds its appeal at any hour, particularly in the early evening. Dinner at Ristorante Puny, arranged through Splendido’s concierge, or a harbour-facing table at Chuflay at Splendido Mare, completes the experience.
Santa Margherita Ligure | A more functional base for larger superyachts, offering reliable marina infrastructure and direct access to the Portofino Promontory. The town itself retains a composed Ligurian character, with broad seafronts and a more measured pace, making it a comfortable and well-positioned alternative to Portofino.
Camogli | One of the most distinctive harbours on the Ligurian coast, yet still relatively overlooked. The tall painted façades, the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, and the early morning fish market define the setting. An overnight berth allows the village to be experienced once day traffic has receded.
Cinque Terre — Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare | Access ashore is by tender, with coastal paths linking the villages above the cliffs. Late afternoon light, particularly between 17:00 and 19:00, gives the coastline its characteristic depth and colour. A table at Gambero Rosso in Vernazza, overlooking the harbour, is worth arranging in advance.
Lerici and the Gulf of La Spezia (Gulf of Poets) | The Gulf of Poets carries both historical and visual weight, long associated with writers and artists drawn to its setting. Lerici provides a well-protected anchorage, while nearby Portovenere stands out for its dramatic position, with the Church of San Pietro and the castle set directly above the sea.
San Remo | Well suited as an entry or exit point when cruising between Italy and France, San Remo offers straightforward marina access and a varied programme ashore. The historic Pigna district provides a more authentic setting for lunch, while the casino and seafront bring a different rhythm to the itinerary.
DINING EXPERIENCES
Ristorante Puny, Portofino | Set just off the Piazzetta, Ristorante Puny remains one of Portofino’s enduring institutions, still shaped by the Miroli family and rooted in Ligurian culinary tradition. The setting is deliberately understated, allowing the food to speak with clarity and confidence. The trofie al pesto with green beans and potatoes is the defining dish here, prepared according to the traditional Genoese method and widely regarded as a benchmark for the region.
Chuflay, Splendido Mare, Portofino | Located directly on the harbour beneath Splendido Mare, Chuflay offers one of the most sought-after terraces in Portofino. Evenings unfold slowly here, with the Piazzetta just steps away and the harbour setting the tone. The focaccia di Recco, filled with soft stracchino cheese, is essential, alongside a wine list that reflects the depth and character of Ligurian vineyards.
La Brinca, Ne | A short drive inland from the coast, La Brinca sits within the Ligurian countryside, offering a more grounded and ingredient-led perspective on regional cooking. Long associated with the Slow Food movement, the restaurant focuses on heritage recipes and seasonal produce. Dishes such as pansoti with walnut sauce reflect the depth of inland Ligurian cuisine, while the cellar’s Pigato selections are a key part of the experience.
Ristorante Il Porticciolo, Lavagna | Positioned above the small harbour in Lavagna, Il Porticciolo is defined by its proximity to the sea and a menu built around the day’s catch. The setting is simple yet precise, with the terrace overlooking the water. Dishes such as raw seafood platters or lightly grilled local fish are prepared with minimal intervention, allowing the quality of the ingredients to remain central to the experience.
BOOK YOUR YACHT CHARTER IN ITALY
Time settles differently when cruising along the Italian coast. One day is spent exploring charming Italian towns, the next at anchor somewhere quieter, entirely removed. Distances are short, the scenery shifts constantly, and the pace adjusts naturally to you.
Phoenix Charter Brokers will curate a personalised yacht charter in Italy based on your preferences, the destinations you wish to prioritise, and the time you want to spend at sea. The result is a well-considered itinerary that allows you to experience Italy with the benefit of local knowledge. Contact us to begin planning your Italy yacht charter.
