8 Things to do in Ventotene (Italy’s Hidden Island)

Are you thinking of heading to Ventotene? Well, you're in the right place to find out all there is to know about it's Italy's "little secret." We've got things to do, top spots to stay, eat, and much more! Read on to start planning your Ventotene trip now.

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About Ventotene

Ventotene, a speck in the Tyrrhenian Sea, is tiny (see map below). Smallest inhabited spot in the Pontine Islands and in Lazio. Even though most American probably haven't heard of it, it's been a big deal since ancient times. Emperor Augustus made a power move and exiled his daughter Giulia here. And in World War II, it's where they signed the Ventotene Manifesto, pushing for a united Europe.

Geographically, it's somewhat of a mix. Part of the Flegree Islands but grouped with the Ponziane Islands. It's volcanic, with dark beaches and limestone rocks. Its culture's got a Campanian twist, from dialect to food.

Since 1999, Ventotene's a nature reserve. It's to keep its land and marine life safe. Scuba divers love it here, clear water, lots of fish. Birdwatchers, too. It's a pit stop for migrating birds.

History buffs would love it and need to check out Villa Giulia's ruins, Augustus's summer spot. The Roman cisterns are totally something else. The Archaeological Museum in Torre Borbonico digs into the island's past. The old Roman port's still kicking, for fishing, diving, boat trips. But more on all that later.

Life here? Well, it's all nature's pace. Absolutely perfect for travelers who did the "Slow Travel Italy" vibe. Spring flowers, summer crowds, clear seas, lively port. Don't miss the Santa Candida festival in September.

Ventotene? It's nature, history, chill Mediterranean vibes. Perfect to unplug and slow down.

Where is Ventotene?

Ventotene is in the Tyrrhenian Sea, part of Italy's Pontine Islands. Sits right where Lazio meets Campania. Nearby spots? There's tiny Santo Stefano. Ischia's to the east, Ponza to the west. It's about 46 kilometers off Gaeta's coast.

What's it like? An old volcano, long and skinny. About 3 kilometers long, 800 meters wide. The high point? Punta Eolo. Great views, and it's historic. Named after the wind god, it's perfect for watching who's coming to the island.

Map of Ventotene

Best Time to Visit Ventotene

Visiting Ventotene? Timing's key.

January: It's humid and chilly, around 50°F. Rain's about 70.05 mm.
February to April: Cooler, 45℉ to 68℉. Humidity's 72%, rain's 12.79 mm. Good for sightseeing.
May to August: Gets hot, up to 93℉. Humidity's moderate at 76%, rain's low at 6.49 mm. Great time to go.
September to November: Nice weather for exploring. Temperatures between 46℉ and 82℉, humidity around 72%. Rain's about 190.44 mm.
December: Peak season. Temps from 43℉ to 64℉, humidity 74%, rain's 15.86 mm.

Summer? Daylight decreases, rain increases. Starts at 0.8 inches, goes to 1.5 inches. Lowest rain around July 9, about 0.5 inches.

Best months for good weather? May, June, September, October. Pleasant temps, 20°C to 26°C. Summer's hottest, especially August at 28°C. Coldest? February, around 14°C. November's wettest, July's driest.

Special Events and Festivals in Ventotene

Santa Candida Hot Air Balloons: It's a top Mediterranean festival, pulling in fans globally. Recognized as Italy's "Traditional Heritage," it mixes religion with art. You'll see hot air balloons, tissue-paper decorated, turning into sky art. The big day? September 20th, with a street procession, games, and fireworks.

Feast of Santa Candida: September 20th, Ventotene honors its patron saint. It's a big paper balloon contest between schools. The saint's statue parades through the streets, ending at the port with fireworks.

Noise in the Island - Rumori nell'Isola Festival: A music fest in early September. It's jazz, with a twist of experimentation. Happens at Ventotene's Belvedere terrace and Piazzette. Expect concerts, films, art, and dance. It's famous in Italy, mixing famous and new musicians across styles.

Ventotene Travel Tips

Here you go:

Language: They speak Italian. Some understand basic English, especially in tourist spots. Learn a few Italian phrases.
Cultural Respect: Ventotene's got deep history. It was a political prison during Fascism. Respect their traditions and historical sites.
Currency: Euro (€) is what you'll use.
Payment: Cash is king, especially in small places. Not everywhere takes cards. Hit the cashpoints in Piazza Castello when you need money.
Safety: Ventotene's safe. Still, watch your stuff.
Health: Medical facilities are limited. There's a pharmacy in Piazza Alcide De Gasperi and an emergency department. Serious stuff? Head to the mainland.
Emergency Numbers: Keep these handy - Coast Guard (+3977185291), Municipal Police (+3977185014), and European emergency number (112).
Getting Around: Walk it. Ventotene's small. Some hotels have taxis for the port. Biking's good too.
Vehicle Restrictions: Non-residents can't drive motor vehicles during certain months.

Ventotene Travel Resources

Make sure to explore our collection of resources for travelers. We personally have experience with many of these companies, and others have been strongly recommended by our friends and relatives.

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Ventotene Transportation Options

Flying into Naples? Check out these airline deals from WayAway:

Getting There:

By Sea: Only way to reach Ventotene. Use ferries or fast boats.

From Formia: Year-round option. Ferries take about two hours, fast boats around one hour and ten minutes.

From Naples, Ischia, Ponza: SNAV hydrofoils run June to September. From Naples, it's under fifty minutes, with a stop at Ischia.

Ferry Schedules: They change with seasons and departure points. Check and book ahead.

On the Island:

On Foot: It's small, walk around. Ventotene town is compact and easy to walk through.

Boat Tours: Book at the Roman port for coastal trips. They offer diving lessons and excursions too.

Biking: Good way to see the island.

Private Taxis: Some hotels run taxi services, handy for getting around.

Vehicle Restrictions: Non-residents can't use motor vehicles during certain months.

Navigating Ventotene:

Ports: Two main ports. Cala Rossano for ferries and hydrofoils, and the Roman port for smaller boats.

Main Roads: Via Olivi is the main road, runs along the island.

Beaches: Cala Nave and Cala Rossano are the main beaches. Reach them on foot, they're beautiful.

Things to Do in Ventotene

🇮🇹 Ventotene Island

I wanted to give the entire Ventotene Island a shoutout and place it as the top thing to do. It's absolutely perfect for boating. As mentioned earlier, it's history-packed. You've got Roman ruins, a tuff-carved port, visible wharfs, old fishponds. Villa Giulia, by Octavian Augustus, stands out. Views are jaw-dropping, especially from the Semaforo anti-aircraft post. Birdwatchers, this is your spot. The Ornithological Museum is always open. Beaches like Cala Nave and Cala Rossano are gorgeous and easy to get to. Plus, the marine reserve's great for diving and snorkeling.

🇮🇹 Diving in Ventotene

Diving in Ventotene is just amazing. Rich marine life, cool underwater stuff. Here's the rundown:

Top Diving Spots:

Punta dell'Arco and Scala Nave: Big with divers, great for exploring underwater shapes.

Le Piscine and Reefs of the Sconciglie: Vibrant marine life, interesting geology.
Reefs of Archetto and Punta Rossa: Diverse underwater landscapes to check out.

Diving Schools:

Diving World Ventotene: Visitors love it. They do scuba, snorkeling, training, certification. Professional and safety-focused.

Marine Life and Features:

Ventotene's a Protected Marine Reserve. Expect lots of fish, sea fans, and more. Underwater, you've got boulders, caves, arches, ravines. It's stunning.

The colors down there are magnificent. Sponges, red damselfish, groupers, lobsters, red scorpion fish.

🇮🇹 Explore Historical Sites

Ventotene's rich in history. Visit the former Bourbon prison of Santo Stefano and the Archaeological Museum in the Town Hall. Check out Roman cisterns near Piazza Castello and Villa Giulia.

🇮🇹 Birdwatching

Birdwatching's big here, especially in March/May and September/October. Guided tours available. The Migration Museum and Observatory offer insights into bird life.

🇮🇹 Beach Relaxation:

Beaches? Try Cala Nave and others, mostly accessible by sea. Taxi boats recommended. Visit Parata Grande, Cala Battaglia, Spiaggia delle Piscine.

🇮🇹 Enjoy Local Cuisine:

Local cuisine? Fresh fish, seafood, lentil soup, Cianfotta, Spaghettoni with clams and asparagus, almond cake. Try Antico Forno Aiello for the cake.

🇮🇹 Nightlife and Entertainment:

Nightlife? Bars and aperitifs near the port and historic center. Look for live music at Art Cafè.

🇮🇹 Visiting Nearby Islands:

Explore nearby islands like Ponza and Ischia with ferry services.

Best Places to Stay in Ventotene

🏨 Over the years, I stayed at a few great places in Ventotene. Also, click here for Tripadvisor to see more options, deals, booking, reviews and photos!

Hotel Agave e Ginestra: 1.8 km from Spiaggia di Cala Nave. It's quiet and relaxing, with a garden, free parking, terrace, restaurant. Rooms are air-conditioned, have garden views, a wardrobe, free WiFi.

Hotel Villa Iulia: Perched on a cliff, overlooks Caia Nave beach, faces Santo Stefano Island. All rooms have balconies or terraces with sea views. Italian breakfast, bar, lounge access. Nearby restaurant gives guest discounts.

Hotel Calabattaglia: Offers air-conditioned rooms, panoramic sea views. Surrounded by a Mediterranean park, with free parking. Rooms feature flat-screen TVs, furnished balconies or terraces.

Best Places to Eat in Ventotene

Consider these dining options listed below that are in Ventotene. For even more choices and exclusive deals, don't forget to check out TripAdvisor.com, where you can find a broader selection of eateries in the vicinity.

Marisqueria Restaurant: Serves Italian, Seafood, Mediterranean, European.
Il Giardino: Italian, Mediterranean, lots of seafood.
Mast'Aniello: Go-to for Italian, pizza, seafood.
La Terrazza di Mimi: Mediterranean menu.
Bar Ristorante Il Brigantino: Italian and seafood.
Porto Vecchio Ristorante Bar: Italian, seafood, Mediterranean.
Da Verde Bar&Bistrot: Variety in Italian cuisine.
La Terrazza Sul Mare: Italian and seafood focus.
Ristorante Da Benito: Italian, seafood, barbecue.
Ristorante dell'Agriturismo Paratagrande: Italian, seafood, healthy choices.

FAQs

How do you get to Ventotene island?

Getting to Ventotene Island? Here's how:

From Formia: Take a ferry or hydrofoil. Ferries take around two hours, hydrofoils just over an hour.

From Naples - Ischia - Ventotene: Summer option. SNAV hydrofoils run from Naples, stop at Ischia, then to Ventotene. Takes under two hours.

From Ponza: Summer weekends, SNAV hydrofoils connect Ponza to Ventotene in about fifty minutes.

Other Ports: Ferries also leave from Terracina and Anzio. Plus, Ponza and Ventotene have a ferry link.

Landing Fee: Arriving by ferry or private boat at Ventotene? Pay a €1.50 landing fee.

Note: Check schedules and availability before your trip – they change seasonally.

How do you get to the Pontine Islands?

Heading to the Pontine Islands? Here's your guide:

Main Ports: To reach Ponza and Ventotene, head to Formia, between Rome and Naples. Other ports include Terracina, Anzio, and Naples.

Ferry Operators: SNAV and NLG run ferries to the islands, including fast catamarans, hydrofoils, and car ferries.

Seasonal Schedules: Ferry times change seasonally. Summer sees more routes, like Ischia to Ponza/Ventotene.

Island Hopping: Regular ferries connect Ponza and Ventotene. Smaller islands like Palmarola, Zannone, only accessible by boat trips.

Staying Over: Ponza and Ventotene have lodging. Smaller islands don't.
Faster Travel: Helicopters to Ponza and Ventotene are available from Rome or Naples.

Getting Around: Boats are key for island travel. Rent one or join a boat tour.

Book Ahead: Especially in summer, for best availability and rates.

Where is Linosa in Italy?

Linosa is in the Mediterranean and part of the Pelagie Islands, near Malta, Pantelleria, Sicily, Tunisia, and close to Lampedusa. Known for cliffs, extinct volcanoes, black sand beaches. Ideal for hiking, trekking, scuba diving. Rich in wildlife like Malta lizards and shearwaters.