The beauty of Italy is legendary, and one city is more attractive than another. The country has a very rich culture and history, excellent cuisine and a famous lifestyle and chick. For yacht charter it offers extensive and diverse sailing grounds as well as beautiful ports. This, combined with all the impressive sights, stunning nature and the Italian dolce vita, is the perfect sailing holiday.
Why is a yacht in Italy so popular?
Italy and its islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea are located right in the center of the Mediterranean Sea. Boat rental in Italy is a great opportunity to explore the amazing Italian culture and many beautiful cities. Since 51, there are more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy than in any other country in the world. And on top of that, you get fantastic food and great shopping.
The coastline, especially the Italian Riviera in the west, offers many beaches and coves, ideal for anchorage. The islands of Italy are mainly located off the west coast of the mainland, and they all have their own individual character. The favorable climate and the almost absence of tides provide good sailing conditions, and there are many interesting opportunities for various sailing routes. In Italy, there is a great tradition of building boats and sailing, so sailors enjoy a high frequency of ports. The infrastructure in the northern charter districts and south to Rome is very good.
The main airports are Venice, Genoa, Pisa, Rome, Naples, Olbia, Alghero, Cagliari, Reggio Calabria, Palermo, Trapani and Catania.
Here are some general information about yacht charter in Italy:
Location: Central Mediterranean
Total coastline: 7,600 km
Capital: Rome
The main freight bases are Genoa, La Spezia, Piombino, Follonica, Castiglione della Pescaia, Salerno, Sorrento, Tropea, Reggio Calabria. Sardinia: Cagliari, Carloforte, Olbia, Alghero. Sicily: Trapani, Palermo, Portoroz.
Population: approx. 60675000
Climate: mild, Mediterranean
Country Code: +39
Charter season: from May to October
What are the best charter areas in Italy?
The main charter areas for navigation in Italy are concentrated on the west coast of the mainland, that is, in Liguria, Tuscany, Elba, Gulf of Naples, Capri, Sardinia and Sicily. The Adriatic coast from the east is not so attractive for boating. Possible freight bases: Polignano a Mare near Bari, the area around the Gargano National Park and the Venetian Lagoon where you can cruise right past the world famous Old Town and its stunning buildings.
In the capital of Liguria, Genoa, you will find Porto Antico, which houses the largest aquarium in Europe and many other attractions. From there, it is just a few minutes walk from the Old Town. After about 14 m. Miles you will reach the beautiful port city of Portofino in its protected bay. From here it is about 30 m. Miles to La Spezia and on the way, passed by one of the most picturesque tourist places of Italy, a group of five picturesque and colorful coastal cities established in a national park called Cinque Terre. La Spezia is part of the national park and is the second largest city of Liguria. It is conveniently located in a deep bay surrounded by high hills.
A little further to the south is the Tuscan Archipelago, which contains the islands of Gorgon, Capraia, Pianos, Montecristo, Guillo, Gianutri and the largest and most famous - Elba. There are very good charter bases on the Tuscan mainland to go and explore these islands, or perhaps even Corsica. These are Viareggio, Piombino, Follonica and Castiglione della Pescaia / Punta Ala. In Elba, the main city and port is Portoferraio on the north coast, which is worth a visit. The island also offers beautiful large coves and excellent bindings. Puerto San Stefano, a seaside town on a peninsula with a yacht harbor and a massive fortress, is located on the southernmost Tuscan tip.
Sardinia offers an excellent combination of exclusive cruising sites and ports, such as the Costa Smeralda and Porto Cervo, as well as pristine sailing grounds, such as the famous Maddalena Archipelago. There are very good ports such as Cagliari, Cannigione, La Maddalena, Olbia, Palau and Portisco. Enjoy a stunning and diverse landscape, like the pink beach of Spiaggia Rosa and the fjord-like bay of Cannigione.
The Gulf of Naples and its islands, the Amalfi Coast and the Pontine Islands archipelago offer additional brilliant options for yacht charter routes. The Amalfi Coast is located between the charter parts of Sorrento and Salerno. This is a 50-km stretch of coastline with very picturesque cities sitting on steep rocky cliffs. The cities of Amalfi and Positano are just two examples.
From the mainland you can go to the islands in the Gulf of Naples. Exclusive Capri is the place where an international jet meets. The main city and port with its upscale boutiques and first-class restaurants are located on the north side. It is very busy and expensive. You find a good peg on the south side of Marina Piccola. There are no sandy beaches on Capri, its coastline is quite rocky and picturesque. The water is deep, so there are not so many secure mounts.
Then there is the quaint, colorful Procida with many beautiful bays and beaches and the nature reserve of Vivara Island, which is attached to Procida over the bridge.
You can go to the popular, busy Ischia, which is the largest island in the Gulf of Naples. It is an extinct volcano with a rich landscape, hot thermal springs, magnificent bays and secluded beaches. The three main ports are the port of Ischia, Casamicciola and Forio. The south of the island is greener and wilder with a beautiful coastline, and the north is more populated.
Finally, go to the Pontine Islands. From Ischia to the uninhabited and untouched Santo Stefano, it’s about 22 m. Miles. There you are allowed to gain a foothold in the north of the island. Visit the neighboring island of Ventotene, and then go through the next 22 m. Miles to the northwestern coasts of Pontiné, Gavi, Palmarole, Zannon and charming Ponza with its numerous caves and grottoes. There you will find beautifully guarded anchors and an interesting lean coastline.
Very popular for yacht charter holidays is Sicily, of course. Choose from major charter bases such as Marsala or Portoroz in the north, from where you can also explore the Liepāja Islands, Stromboli, Vulcan, Alicudi, Filicudi, Panarea and Salina. Other possible ports for your Italian racing crew are Messina, Taormina, Catania and Syracuse on the east coast. Reggio Calabria on the mainland is also a very good starting point for a sailboat charter in Sicily.
What weather systems are important for your bareboat charter in Italy?
There are no significant tides in Italian waters. The prevailing summer winds are northwest. Daytime sea breezes usually soften the heat. Long, dry and hot summer makes perfect sailing weather.
Overview of sailing weather in Italy on the example of Naples:
Months with a maximum average temperature: July / August, 25 °
Months with the lowest average temperature: January / February, 9 °
Prevailing wind speeds: 3 - 5 bits.
Month with the highest average precipitation: November, 140 mm
Months with the lowest average rainfall: June / July / August, 30 mm each
Months with the highest average sunshine: July / August, 10 hours per day
The month with the lowest average sunshine: December, 3 hours a day
Months with the highest average sea temperature: July / August, 26 °
Months with the lowest average sea temperature: February / March, 14 °
How much does a yacht charter in Italy cost and what are your charters?
The average cost of a yacht charter in Italy is about € 3,100 per week, but you can rent a sailboat with a length of 10 meters, for example, from about € 1,600. Price depends on the size, model and equipment of the charter vessel. In Italy, it is customary to rent a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) for a boat tour. For weekly or longer sailing holidays, you can choose a charter without crew or skipper and choose to rent a yacht or motorboat, respectively, hire catamarans. Then there is a luxury yacht charter, usually with a full crew, who is committed to your individual needs. Flotilla holidays are a popular way of sailing in Italian waters. And a day charter can be a way to just try if you enjoy life aboard.
What other highlights in Italy besides a sailing yacht?
Do not miss a visit to Rome and its amazing antique objects such as the Forum, the Colosseum and the Pantheon. Other incredibly impressive tourist destinations in the Eternal City are the Vatican and St. Peter’s Church. Take the Spanish Steps, admire the Trevi Fountain and soak up the puzzle and stroll around the beautiful Piazza Navona and the pedestrian area with its endless shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. This city offers so much that you just have to come back again and again.
Tuscany is the perfect place for sightseeing. Florence has no equal in the world when it comes to art and architecture of the Renaissance. There is a statue of David, the great Uffizi Museum, the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo and much, much more. Pisa and the tower tower is another fantastic landmark. Equally beautiful and worth a visit are Siena, San Gimignano and Lucca.
If you have a day before or after the charter on a sailing boat, go a little further inland to Bologna with its beautiful old town, which is nice to watch from the top of the church tower. It has the oldest academic institution in the wold, dating back to 1088 AD.
Explore the Cinque Terre, five stunning villages perched on steep hills by the sea, surrounded by beautiful nature. For example, Manarola is a very beautiful, colorful city.
In between charter flights, you can check Pompeii near Naples. It was destroyed by Vesuvius in 79 AD and is now a “city frozen in time”.
Visit the city of Amalfi and its cathedral, the old shipyards and the paper mill, among others.
Drop anchor on Capri and visit the Blue Grotto - a large cave filled with exciting blue light from below.
Climb to Castello d`Ischia, the Aragonese castle, built in 1438 and originally dating back to 475 BC.
During a cruise with a charter yacht around the Aeolian Islands or eastern Sicily, admire the active volcanoes of Stromboli and Etna.
Finally, take a break from sailing to enjoy the breathtaking scenery in one of the natural parks of Sardinia, such as the Parco Nazionale del Golfo di Orosei e del Gennargentu.
