Italy Awaits for a Magical Sailing Holiday

When people are planning a sailing holiday, Italy tends to be towards the top of any list of places to travel to. That is because its Mediterranean setting provides beautiful and versatile sailing grounds that are the equal of those you will find anywhere else in the world.

The country is a little short on harbors so mooring your sailing vessel in the marinas is sometimes a bit tricky during the peak months of summer, but gorgeous little coastal villages like Portofino are so idyllic that any effort of that sort is more than worthwhile.

Indeed the Italian coast is studded with wondrous places to visit that can best be appreciated via a sailing trip. Here is how to ensure you have the finest possible time.

The Best Periods for Sailing around Italy

One of the good things about choosing Italy for your sailing holiday is that the season for boating is quite a long one. That means that you can opt out of the busier summer period if you are worried about being able to berth your vessel during those months.

The Italian sailing season starts in April and lasts until October. The fact that the coast of Italy is in the Mediterranean means that you have a good chance of sunny, warm weather for your holiday at any point during those months.

July and August see the weather at its most glorious of course, but those are also the two months when the Italian marinas are particularly tightly jammed with boats. Given the strong chance of lovely weather in the spring or early autumn as well, you might feel it is wiser to skip the peak summer months and pick ones where there will be less difficulty in securing a safe berth.

Getting the vessel that is best suited to a sailing holiday is another thing that you will need to think about. There are companies online like Borrowaboat that offer you a yacht charter Italy package that comes with or without crew (depending on your level of sailing experience) for as little as $175 a day though.

Where to Sail to in Italy

Essentially, there are four main parts of Italy for sailing and each has much to recommend it during your trip.

Tuscany

Tuscany is one of the top spots you should never miss out on when sailing through Italy. 

Tuscany is renowned as a holiday destination and its four islands – Giannutri, Giglio, Elba and Capraia – can all be reached by boat without too much trouble. Furthermore, once you arrive you will find it easy to moor your boat, as there are numerous anchorages and appealing harbors. 

In the southern stretch of Tuscany, Punta Ala and Cala de Medici are the main harbors, while to the north it is Cala Galera, Porto Ercole and Porto Santa Stefano.

Tuscany itself is home to Florence, one of the premier Italian cities, and is where the Italian Renaissance was born. Sampling the San Miniato truffles and exploring the art at the Uffizi are among the things you must do while you are in Tuscany.

Sardinia

This island is one of the best places in the world for a sailing holiday and its golden beaches and deep blue waters give it a heavenly feel. As long as you avoid the hectic summer months, you will be able to berth your boat in Porto Cervo or Marina Carloforte for very little money at all.

It is a good idea to do that anyway, as Sardinia attracts a lot of tourists in mid-summer. The best way to explore its San Benedetto market or laze in the sunshine on Porto Istana Beach is when it is a bit quieter.

Italy is famous for its food of course and Sardinia is full of wonderful restaurants to dine at. Despite its island status, meat rather than fish is the mainstay of the cuisine and natural ingredients are central.

Family restaurant L’Antico Borgo, right in the heart of Sardinia’s Sulcis wine region is somewhere you can enjoy seafood cuisine though, including prawns, octopus and crabs.

Sicily

The east and north coast of Sicily are fantastic for sailing, with lots of marinas that are cheap at all times outside of July and August. Palermo and Cefalu both offer plenty of anchorages, while there is a marina at the far west of San Vito lo Capo.

Marsala and Trapani are the key cities to stop off at when sailing there and the former offers very strong fortified wine as well as the Stagnone Nature Reserve for wildlife spotting and art at the Grignani Palace. Trapani boasts the Museum of Optical Illusions, which will delight the whole family, and great Italian dining at Il Barbagianni.

Bay of Naples

Berthing in the Bay of Naples is no sweat, as the north, south and middle all have lots of marinas. This gulf is celebrated for the beauty of its scenery, which is no mean feat given the glories of Italy as a whole.

Coastal towns to explore while there include Sorrento, Torre Annunziata and the city of Naples. There are lots of open-air markets to shop at in Naples like Antignano, Resina and San Gregorio Armeno where you can buy all manner of local foods and colorful handmade items.

You cannot go wrong with an Italian sailing holiday as long as you are aware of when it is best to go, where to berth and what to explore.