Italy is famed for its cuisine, shopping and rich cultural history that has created incredible works of art and architecture just waiting to be seen on a luxury yacht charter. Away from the cities, holidaymakers looking to reconnect with nature or simply sunbathe in serenity have myriad options, from the Italian Riviera and Venice in the north to Sicily and the Aeolian Islands in the south. Learn more about Italy’s best places for a luxury yacht charter, to drop anchor and plan your own trip in time for summer.
Italian Riviera – Cinque Terre – Yacht Charter
Sardinia
The picture-perfect Sardinian coastline has an abundance of beaches off the beaten track, however, a cruise to some of the more popular tourist spots will get the group up close to forts and castle ruins, magnificent churches and thought-provoking galleries and museums. Southern Sardinia has hot weather, shallow beaches and excellent conditions for water toys, and the nearby cities have Michelin-starred restaurants for an extra indulgent treat.
Sardinia
Porto Cervo is well known as a superyacht hub, with a choice selection of shops and eateries while you wait for the next regatta to start. If you intend to host your own gathering aboard your yacht, 40.1m/131.7ft Sunseeker motor yacht EXODUS is sure to impress with her sophisticated interiors, sundeck Jacuzzi and a skylounge complete with a bar. She accommodates 12 guests in 5 en-suite cabins and has a top speed of 24 knots to make a short journey of the distance between the port and the unmissable La Maddalena Archipelago.
Relaxing aboard EXODUS yacht
Sicily & the Aeolian Islands
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands are dramatic: Dine and dive to the backdrop of towering cliffs, fallen statues outside Roman-Greco temples and attention-grabbing volcanoes that have turned their slopes into fertile fields for a full-bodied wine. Let your luxury yacht crew take you to the best beaches for snorkelling and partying under the stars, then the following day explore the city streets and UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Palermo to learn more about the ancient history throughout the region.
Island of Lipari – Aeolian Islands – Sicily
When you have your own water transport, you’ve got the perfect setup for exploring island archipelagos at your own pace – and even finding a quiet anchorage to remain at your favourite scenic spot overnight.
Sailing yacht ARCHELON is available for charter in the Western Mediterranean and offers accommodation for up to 13 guests. Launched in 2019, she is a cutting edge contemporary monohulled vessel for those who want to engage with the environment as much as possible.
Sicilian ceramics
Alternatively, motor yacht ELYSIUM I – also launched only last year – has a top speed of 25 knots and a sleek and sporty profile from Italian shipyard Riva. The accommodation sleeps 11 over 5 en-suite cabins, and you’re all set for entertaining and enjoying the region’s fine wine varieties with the baby grand piano and wine cooler in the salon, plus a large collection of water toys to make the most of the outdoors.
Naples & the Amalfi Coast
Naples is one of the world’s oldest inhabited sites and therefore boasts incredible ancient treasures as well as modern delights. The masterwork artwork is truly astounding and visitors shouldn’t miss the chance to see the veiled figures of Museo Cappella Sansevero or the art of San Lorenzo Maggiore.
Amalfi Coast – Sorrento – Beautiful place to visit on a yacht charter
Beyond the fortress walls, Sorrento offers a decidedly slower pace than Naples, and this may be exactly what your group needs: Relax in the parks while enjoying the country’s famous gelato ice cream, and in the evening take a stroll through the city streets to shop, dine and join residents of all ages out for a stroll with a family and friends – a truly Italian outdoor lifestyle. Sorrento is also the perfect place to pick up a souvenir with fine wooden marquetry boxes, ceramics, limoncello and lacework on display.
Yachts cruising near the island of Capri in Italy
Capri is known for its lavish shopping opportunities, the Gardens of Augustus and the hairpin bends of Via Krupp, plus the enchanting light displays on the walls of the Blue Grotto as the afternoon sun reflects off the bottom of the limestone floor.
The cafe culture is strong in Italy, and Positano displays it proudly. Sip on an Authentic Italian coffee as you watch the rest of them go by along the waterfront, and be sure to visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta before you return on board for the great beaches and shaded coves of water sports hotspots like Spiaggia di Tordigliano.
Portofino – a popular superyacht destination
The Italian Riviera
Successive generations of tourists have left their mark on Sanremo, most notably the beautiful Russian Orthodox Church ‘San Basilio’. The waterfront has a variety or eateries each with their on outdoor setting and sunbathing area, where vibrant blue seas and lush green vegetation border the pale sand beaches. Lovers of Medieval architecture will be enchanted by La Pigna, meaning ‘the Pinecone’, which aptly describes its tiers as it ascends the hill.
Museums seem to be a speciality in La Spezia: The city has an extensive maritime history which it proudly shares it with the world in its Technical Naval Museum. Also of note is St. George’s Castle, which has panoramic sea views and houses the Archaeological Museum, while an old convent is the site for what is now the Amedeo Lia Museum – a place art lovers should not miss.
Cinque Terre in Italy
The Cinque Terre villages are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you will have the best views of these colourful shops and houses from your luxury yacht. On land, the villages are only accessible by foot along the coastal path, and therefore keep alive the character with limited tourist numbers. Shop in the boutiques, grab a drink from the cafes, or cruise to one of the other bays only accessible by water for an afternoon of snorkelling and fun in the sun.
The small port town of Portofino is full of character and visitors should take their time walking around the fun sculptures at Museo del Parco, or visiting the 16th Century castle and museum ‘Castello Brown’. Shoppers will also be satisfied with the choice selection of international luxury brands available for indulgent treats and/or gifts for those back home.
Charter groups looking to take in s much of the region as possible should consider Sanlorenzo superyacht SALT, capable of a top speed of 31 knots, a large selection of water toys and sumptuous modern styling inside and out- he ideal vessel for guests who want to do a lot of sightseeing before spending their evenings in absolute comfort.
Island of Elba
Tuscany
Status as a National Park has kept Tuscany‘s wilderness pristine and preserved some of the most beautiful coastlines in northern Italy. Most of the shore is only accessible by boat, giving you complete privacy for sunbathing during the day and partying all night under the full moon.
Connect with nature on Capraia and snorkel among colourful fish for hours on end, or go to Elba for the network of hiking and biking trails that pass by some of the island’s oldest ruins.
A luxury catamaran is perfect for exploring the archipelago: Its dual hulls provide greater stability and a shallower draft for traversing shallow waterways. Motorised catamaran OTOCTONE 80 has an abundance of outdoor space and a great selection of unusual water toys to lure guests outdoors for longer: Try out the wave jam, giant paddleboard or electric foil, and get video of all the action using the DJI drone.
Venice gondolas
Venice & the Adriatic Sea
The beautiful city of Venice offers one incredible architectural attraction after another, many of them listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In addition to taking part in the famed annual Carnival, visitors can take a gondola ride on the Grand Canal visit such historic treasures as the Basilica di San Marco and Palazzo Ducale or shop for authentic Venetian souvenirs such as hand-blown Murano glass from the local factory.
The Adriatic is a fantastic destination to begin or end a charter on the border between the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Mediterranean – cruise on to the exceptional beauty of the Istrian peninsula and down to the Dalmatian Coast, where the islands have one untouched beach after another, the water is shallow and clear, and Scuba diving sites are plentiful.
Discover more luxury yachts available in Italy and find the perfect match for your group and occasion.
