Secret Italian Islands You Should Visit

High on the hillside overlooking the port of Ponza, the 1920s-built Villa Laetitia is covered in antique tiles. You’ll find colourful pieces dotting the cobblestone steps, a millstone table encrusted with sea-blue patterns and a mosaic of tile fragments adorning the walls in the common area. The rooms are named after spices – the Cacao has a trumpet-reminiscent bed frame and chocolate-coloured bedding, while the two-bed Zafferano boasts vaulted ceilings, a mezzanine level and a sun-yellow palette. Each has a balcony with views of the sea and a ceiling fan for humid nights. A continental breakfast is available every morning.

Carved into granite caves on the shores of Giglio, La Guardia is a stone’s throw from the ocean. Wake up to crashing waves in air-conditioned rooms decked out with natural materials – including rattan chairs, wooden side tables, macramé wall hangings and cacti in wicker baskets – and breathe in the sea air. For direct access to the beach, stay in the Junior Suite – with the walls of the bathroom hewn right out of the rockface. In the restaurant, you can devour dishes seasoned with fresh herbs picked from the hotel’s organic garden while watching the boats drift past over the ivy-spilling walls of the terrace.

This bold red-and-white, 19th-century lighthouse-turned-hotel cuts a striking image on the remote coastline. Dig into a breakfast buffet of home-made cakes, fresh fruit and pastries every morning, then clamber down past craggy rocks to explore the hidden coves beneath. Once you’ve had your fill of sunbathing and swimming in the sea, return to lounge in rooms with brushed-pearl walls, dark headboards and quilted bedding. All have private patios or terraces with 360-degree sea views.

A cluster of traditional 19th-century buildings set among gnarled trees, manicured lawns and stone walls, Il Baglio sull’Acqua promises a calm getaway. As you enter through swirling filigree gates, you head towards the outdoor pool, sun-drenched garden lined with loungers and a shaded terrace where you can retreat from the heat with a glass of wine. Inside, wonky stone archways and slanted ceilings add charm to rooms with chequerboard tiling and African-style decor. Most include a small courtyard with pillowy furniture, while the top-tier suite has a Jacuzzi that overlooks the olive grove.

A stone’s throw from the town centre, within walking distance of Lido Burrone beach, the peach-coloured Hotel Tempo di Mare has Instagram-worthy views across the Mediterranean to the island of Levanzo, framed perfectly by its archway entrance. Fish wall hangings, potted cacti and twisting coral ornaments feature throughout, inspired by the coastal setting, while the bright rooms have french windows or a balcony. In the evening, head down to the hotel bar, Corallo Cafè, for sunset cocktails.

The Grand Hotel Resort Ma and Ma exudes luxury from the moment you walk through its revolving doors, with giant pots of jungle-like plants flanking the entrance and glistening crystals framing a mirror in the ceiling. Each elegant room is individually styled – think deep-mocha browns, crushed-velvet golds and polished leathers – with ensuite marble bathrooms and mosaic-tiled showers. Outside, an hourglass-shaped pool lies in the picturesque garden – perfect for a light lunch under the sun or an evening drink under the stars, illuminated by fairy lights that twist around the trees. For deeper relaxation, book yourself a Tibetan sound massage in the hotel spa.

The Santo Stefano Resort and Spa guarantees you a prime spot right by the seafront, with direct access to two beaches. When you’re not busy sunning yourself on one of the cobalt loungers or walking along the dirt tracks in search of peaceful coves, you can take advantage of the Turkish baths and sauna in the hotel spa. The 300 air-conditioned rooms offer garden or sea views; some come with private patios where you can watch the waves, a glass of bubbly in hand. For a fun workout, there are three tennis courts, or feel the sand beneath your toes playing beach volleyball.

With picture-perfect views of Marina di Corricella bay framed by vibrant bougainvillaea, the 18th-century Casa sul Mare is set in a beautiful garden on a hillside overlooking the sea – where better to enjoy freshly squeezed orange juice and scrambled eggs each morning? The classically elegant rooms feature antique furniture and wrought-iron bed frames, and each has a private terrace with rattan loungers. Stroll down the cobbled street to a quiet square for an Aperol spritz, or hop on a free shuttle bus to the beach.

This crimson castle-like building, surrounded by twisting vines, has a stripped-back interior, with soft blues and yellows adding a splash of colour to the white rooms – one of which has been decorated by local artist Luigi Nappa. Each comes with a minibar and flat-screen TV, while suites also have a Jacuzzi. The spa at this former watchtower offers intriguing wine treatments comprising a body peel, face mask and biomassage, plus there’s an outdoor pool, bucolic gardens and a bar that serves wine from the hotel’s own estate.

Picture yourself sipping wine as you listen to the waves lapping the rocks, or swirling your feet in a freshwater pool while the smell of home-made bread wafts from the kitchen. This estate comprises a vineyard, a 19th-century lighthouse and 27 rooms; each has a private terrace with garden and ocean views. Breakfast includes fresh ricotta, hand-sliced charcuterie and Sicilian pastries, while gastronomic candlelit dinners are put together using local ingredients and vegetables grown in the hotel garden.

The exposed beams, stone staircases and majolica tiles date back to the Hotel I Cinque Balconi’s former life as a 19th-century winery. A sun-trap garden full of crooked lemon trees infuses the air with a citrusy fragrance, carried by the breeze into rooms decorated with warm yellows and greens, antique trunks and artistically distressed furniture. Some include balconies with views of the sea, while the junior suite treats you to an iPad and a private terrace with an outdoor shower.

The active volcano provides a dramatic backdrop for La Sciara. You can watch smoky plumes puff out of its crater from the hotel pool, hear the rumble of its small eruptions from the solarium terrace and admire the volcano in full while paddling just off shore. Paths lined with palm trees, age-old cacti and floral bushes lead to soundproofed rooms, each with a balcony and idyllic sea views. Breakfast is your choice of fresh fruit and pastries. You can hire a bike from reception to explore the area on two wheels.

La Sirenetta Park Hotel’s whitewashed buildings lie steps from the charcoal sands of a black lava beach. A jungle of bougainvillaea, cacti and swooping vines hide an outdoor saltwater pool, hot tub and tennis court as well as the shaded, understated rooms. Step onto the cooling cobalt tiles of your private terrace each morning, and snap some shots of the Strombolicchio – a craggy sea stack featuring a 1920s lighthouse. Alternatively, go for a refreshing swim and gaze up at the smoking volcano.

Castello Oldofredi’s weathered oak beams and stone fireplaces give the place a rustic elegance. Inside, aged wooden doors lead to the restored suites and apartments, each one unique – think floral vintage armchairs, old-world photographs and candlelit nooks stacked with books. Discover keepsakes from around the world scattered throughout the fully equipped apartments. Then spend a while swaying in the garden’s hammocks with a good book, or cool off with a dip in the outdoor pool. Ringed by olive trees, it boasts killer views of Lake Iseo.

Hotel RivaLago sits on the banks of Lake Iseo, overlooking the emerald peak of Monte Isola. A row of loungers and tables line the edge of the garden, so you can sip on sundowners and look out across the lake and cool off in the outdoor pool. The soundproofed, air-conditioned rooms range from standard with honey-hued walls, smart TV and minibar to the sprawling Senior Lake Suite with arched windows and a private terrace.

Luring you in with the promise of rare wines, Michelin-star meals and views across a sunset-dappled lagoon, Venissa offers quite the luxury package. The blush-pink hotel sits beside a 14th-century belltower, a tavern and a fine-dining restaurant in a medieval-walled vineyard. Rooms feature exposed-beam ceilings and bird-shaped mirrors, while the suites are set with window seats, charming vintage wardrobes and romantic views across the gardens and lagoon. Don’t leave without trying the vineyard’s famous white wine, made from the native dorona de Venezia grape.

Tucked away in a thick pine forest, with private access to a secluded cove, Hotel Kyrie is a short stroll from the village and buzzy harbour. White walls and towering trees keep the rooms shaded and cool, and you can peer out into the tangle of branches from your balcony to find birds tweeting in the morning. Downstairs, the outdoor pool is surrounded by terracotta tiles and gingham-draped tables where you can indulge in a meal and aperitifs from the bar.

Hidden amid lofty palm trees and floral gardens, Hotel Eden is minutes from Cala dello Spido beach. If you fancy exploring the depths of the Adriatic, there’s a diving centre offering equipment rental and courses for both beginners and the more advanced. When you emerge from the salty waters to unstick your goggles and slip off your fins, an airy room with wooden furniture, a minifridge and a Juliet balcony will be waiting for you. There’s also a nature-wrapped terrace, serving traditional Italian cuisine and a complimentary breakfast.

Housed in a former Franciscan monastery, the Grand Hotel Portovenere has a prime position overlooking the sunset-coloured houses along the harbour of Palmaria island. Rooms are inspired by the Italian Riviera, with ocean greens and sandy hues, not to mention luxury touches such as marble bathrooms and leather chairs. The Suite del Castello is a gem – think monkey-print wallpaper, handmade furnishings and a large wooden terrace with elevated views. Find relaxation in the sauna and Turkish baths of the spa, or book an in-room massage.

The bright lemon-yellow façade of Hotel Belvedere peeks out from behind trees on the rocky shores of Portovenere. From the art nouveau building’s terrace you have a front-row seat to take in the Gulf of La Spezia, while a large sitting room dotted with retro furniture glints in coloured light streaming through stained-glass windows. Fresh yellows and greens decorate the rooms, some of which have sea views from a small balcony. Swing by the friendly reception for advice on exploring the Cinque Terre and its colourful seaside villages.

Passing through the golden doors of Sikelia feels like stumbling into a secret paradise. Paths wind through the grounds, taking you to centuries-old dammusi dwellings, with whitewashed walls, Arabic arches and domed roofs, under which the dreamy suites are housed. Each one is equipped with an iPod dock and Morettino coffee machine, alongside natural details such as bowls made of volcanic rock and gold-painted pebbles. Outside, you can order snacks and drinks to your sunlounger, lining the curved pool, or pull up a seat in the palm grove of the Themá Restaurant and Lounge for an Arabic spin on Sicilian fare.

The Zubebi resort is set in Eden-like gardens with a crescent-shaped pool and wellness centre. Lofty suites feature beds tucked into nooks, antique furniture and cultural pieces, while outside, a terrace or patio provides the perfect excuse to sip sweet zibibbo wine under the stars. If you need some pampering, head over to the spa where you can detoxify in the Finnish sauna or take a long soak in the Jacuzzi.