Top Tips for the Best Sailing Holiday in Italy: Cruise in Luxury
Breathtaking coastal panoramas, sparkling seas, and a plethora of idyllic islands…all this and more await you on your cruise in a catamaran or sailboat in Italy. With a 7,600 km coastline that stretches across the Adriatic, Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, a sailing holiday in Italy has all the ingredients to make your trip memorable. Discover the charming coastal towns and captivating natural landscapes of the Italian Riviera as you embark on the trip of a lifetime!
Get ready to make some memories with family and friends during your sailing holiday in Italy
Italy is a famously popular destination for holidays of any kind, but it is also particularly well suited to sailing holidays as boat hire in this captivating country allows you to explore multiple areas. However, even if you want to stay in just one place during your voyage, there are plenty of ways to make your holiday memorable. If you’re travelling with young kids, they will surely love to splash around with the inflatable water toys.
You can also add a variety of different water sports equipment to your cruise in a catamaran or sailboat, such as water skis, paddleboards, scuba diving and snorkelling equipment, and even sometimes jet skis. With such a wide range of activities at your disposal, how could you not have an unforgettable voyage? Then, if you’re setting sail on a romantic getaway with a significant other and have opted for a crewed trip, you could even have a delicious dinner onboard while admiring a sensational sunset.
Destinations and sailing routes for your sailing holiday in Italy
The list of dream destinations that you can visit along the Italian coast is a long one. There are a wide selection of desirable locations for your cruise in a sailboat or catamaran not just along the coast, but also in the great inland lakes. In general, the most popular destinations for a sailing holiday in Italy are the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, Tuscany and the rest of the Tuscan Archipelago, Salento in Puglia, Capri and the Amalfi Coast in Campania, and Lake Garda in northern Italy.
Sardinia
When you venture to Sardinia for a sailing holiday, you will encounter a wide range of different landscapes, each as awe-inspiring as the last. It can be difficult to decide what is more impressive, the cactus-covered mountain ranges, the captivating coastal villages, or the beautiful beaches with their bright blue water that rival the Caribbean! You can discover the romantic villages, luxurious harbours and beautiful bays of Sardinia by water.
One of the most travelled sailing routes in Sardinia starts from the spectacular Costa Smeralda to the south of the French island, Corsica, stopping at La Maddalena National Park along the way.
The Costa Smeralda is located to the north of Sardinia and is one of the most sought-after destinations in Italy. When visiting the ‘Emerald Coast’, you will encounter breath-taking beaches, complete with white sand and crystal-clear water, along with jaw-dropping marinas and an extravagant array of hotels, restaurants and nightclubs. While you’re there, be sure to stop off at the famous Porto Rotondo and Porto Cervo!
While on a sailing holiday in Italy, you absolutely can’t miss the beautiful La Maddalena archipelago. Situated in front of the Costa Smeralda, this awe-inspiring archipelago is a quiet place of serene beauty with its untouched natural landscapes, turquoise lagoons, secluded islands and islets and some of the most magnificent beaches in the Mediterranean.
Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia is also popular among holidaymakers. Located in the south of the island, you will find everything you could possibly dream of here, from food markets offering fresh fish and seafood to restaurants and bars serving sumptuous dishes and cooling cocktails that are perfect after a day in the hot sun.
If you love water sports, you have yet another reason to go to Sardinia. There is a large selection available to try during a sailing holiday here, including jet flyboarding, jet skiing, water skiing, scuba diving, and snorkelling. Just ask your boat owner if it’s possible to add your chosen watersport onto the charter package when booking. You will be especially thrilled by a diving adventure, as you will get the chance to explore the colourful, diverse underwater kingdom that lurks just beneath the crystalline waters.
If you go to Sardinia from June until September, you should experience fantastic weather and near-perfect sailing conditions for your cruise in a sailboat or catamaran. If you are a beginner, we advise that you go to the south of the island, though, as the winds can be a bit stronger and a little erratic in the summer to the north of the island.
Sicily and the Aeolian Islands
During a sailing holiday in Sicily, you will get to explore the largest of all the Mediterranean islands. If you go to Sicily, we can guarantee an unforgettable holiday experience. Between the pristine beaches and the delicious food, there are plenty of ways to spend your time. Set sail along the Sicilian coast to discover an impressive array of picturesque cities, such as Catania, Messina, Monreale, Palermo, and Trapani. The islands here truly are ideal for an Italian cruise in a sailboat or catamaran.
While sailing in this area of Italy, you will also encounter a small group of islands, just off the north coast of Sicily. This group of seven volcanic islands is the Aeolian Islands and they perfectly combine a mixture of sensational natural backdrops, rich culture, and an underwater world which enthrals all who enter it. The largest Aeolian Island is Lipari and here, you will find all the amenities you could possibly need, including bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and supermarkets among other things. Nocturnal sailors will be thrilled by the bustling nightlife of Panarea. Salina, meanwhile, is known as the green lover and is the perfect destination for nature lovers. Filicudi and Alcudi also offer a range of untouched natural landscapes and typical Mediterranean vegetation. If you want to see an active volcano, you should go to either Vulcano or Stromboli. Both offer breathtaking views and a truly unique natural spectacle. You can reach these islands easily from a number of different ports along the north coast of Sicily, including Capo d’Orlando, Milazzo, and Palermo, and you can also get there from the port of Tropea in southern Calabria.
Sailing conditions in Sicily are near perfect as early as May, and the temperatures remain pleasant until October. During this time, you will also experience ideal wind conditions for a cruise in a catamaran or sailboat. The only drawback of these amazing weather conditions is that for sailing holidays during this time, you will have to book a berth in advance if you want to anchor in a port, due to their small size. However, it is also an option to moor outside the harbours along the coasts.
Capri in Campania
Capri lies in the Gulf of Naples, overlooked by the Amalfi Coast. You will find everything you could possibly need from a sailing holiday here, from the warm Mediterranean weather tempered by a gentle sea breeze and cool clear water, to the sumptuous local dishes. Capri is known for perfectly blending nature and luxury, complete with splendid shopping opportunities, including designer fashion, handcrafted leather sandals, and limoncello.
Capri is easily accessible from many mainland ports, such as Naples. If you choose to go sailing here, you can visit Ischia and Procida, before heading on to Sorrento, Positano, and many more fascinating places along Campania’s coast.
Tuscany
In Tuscany, you will have the opportunity to discover one of the most beautiful, charming, and romantic regions in Italy. If the cities of historic significance don’t interest you, maybe you’ll enjoy sailing past the beautiful natural landscapes, whether it be the rugged mountains or the stunning sandy beaches that interest you the most. Many experienced sailors will return to this region every year, as you will never run out of things to see or places to explore.
If you’re going to the Tuscan coast, you must see Elba, a beautiful island known for its mouth-tingling seafood dishes, beaches and variety of natural landscapes. You can also plunge into the depths of the ocean to discover all the treasures the underwater world has to offer. On a relaxed sailing trip, you can travel the whole way round the island in about a week.
If you set sail for the Tuscan Archipelago, the volcanic islands of Giglio are well worth a visit, especially for divers and snorkelers, who will find themselves in awe of the underwater utopia stretched out as far as the eye can see. A diving excursion will be the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a short time.
You can reach the Tuscan coast by motorway from Florence and this is generally the route that most people take. However, you can also arrive at the southern part of the coast in just 90 minutes from Rome.
Salento in Puglia
In Puglia, you will be treated to a region full of historical heritage and fantastic food, with the fantastic array of beaches serving as the cherry on top of the cake. Salento forms the ‘heel of the boot’ of Italy and has long been a popular destination among holidaymakers. The peninsula is known for having miles of beaches, lush olive groves that sway in the wind, and a laid back lifestyle.
One of the most popular sailing routes in Salento leaves from the captivating coastal town of Brindisi, around the peninsula, until you reach Porto Cesario. Salento is also a great base if you want to set sail for Greece, as Corfu, one of the Ionian Islands, is located just 100 nautical miles from Salento.
Lake Garda
In the north of Italy, you can explore a range of beautiful lakes, with the largest being Lake Garda. Lake Garda borders the regions of Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, and Veneto, and offers tourists the chance to see some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in Italy, securing its status as one of the most popular destinations in southern Europe. On a sailing holiday here, you should expect to be swept away by the delightful villages, bordered by the lake on one side and rolling green hills and mountains on the other. The effect is rather like that which you would expect to see on a postcard. Thanks to the winds on the north of the lake, the conditions are also perfect for those who want to try sports such as windsurfing and sailing.
Many people will head to Lake Garda for either a day or weekend trip. Even during a short trip like this, you will have plenty of time to be bewitched by the spectacular range of port cities, such as Bardolino, Desenzano, Sirmione, and Torri del Benaco, as well as exploring the lake itself.
Set sail with a skipper for a relaxing sailing holiday in Italy with family and friends
For a cruise in a catamaran or sailboat of pure relaxation, you should rent a boat with a skipper. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who has been sailing their whole life, a skipper can be a tremendous help during a sailing holiday in Italy, with a wide knowledge not just of sailing, but also of the area where you’re sailing. With this knowledge, they can take you to all the most beautiful places in the Italian Riviera without you having to worry about the technicalities of sailing the boat.
If you want to further enhance your relaxation, you should opt for a crewed sailing holiday in Italy. A crew will typically consist of 4 to 6 members but may be larger depending on the size of the boat, and usually includes a hostess, a cook, and one or two deckhands. These crew members will make sure you want for nothing as you sail around the Italian coast, meaning you can simply sit back and relax while watching the sensational landscapes go flashing by.
How much does a sailing holiday in Italy cost?
The price of a cruise in a sailboat or catamaran generally varies a lot depending on a multitude of different factors. Some of these include the duration of your trip, the season when you plan on sailing, and the comfort, size, and amenities onboard the boat. If you plan on hiring a larger boat, you may also not have a choice but to hire a skipper as they will reduce the risk of damage. You should also make sure you ask the boat owner which costs are included in the price listed on the website so as not to be caught unawares by any additional charges that might come up during your sailing holiday in Italy.
In general, the average price for a cruise in a sailboat is from £170 to £335 per week in low season or £255 to £420 per week in high season. Meanwhile, a cruise in a catamaran will cost from £505 to £735 per week in low season or from £585 to £835 per week in high season.
Which services are included in the price of a sailing holiday in Italy and which come at an additional cost?
Normally, the price listed on the website only covers the basic hire costs of the boat. For this reason, you must ensure you know which additional costs you may incur during the trip to avoid unpleasant surprises later on. You can ask the owner directly using the messaging service on the website. Usually, professional hire companies will make you pay extra for things like bedclothes, cutlery, dishes, a final clean of the boat and fuel. Skippers will also come at an extra cost of around £1005 per week. A final clean of the boat will usually cost around £170 to £255 and the fuel will usually set you back about £85 to £170 per week, depending on the size and efficiency of the boat.
Some boat types will also offer other additional features that you may be able to book for your sailing holiday. On a cruise in a catamaran or sailboat, you can usually book services like the provision of regional food and drinks and maybe even water sports equipment. Often, snorkelling equipment is even included in the price of the boat. Many ports will also give you the option of picking you up from your boat and bringing you back to the coast, but you will typically pay somewhere between £85 and £130 for this privilege. With private rental companies, usually, the final cleaning, fuel, and skipper will be included in the hire price.
Which boat type is better for your Italian sailing holiday, a catamaran or a sailboat?
Both catamarans and sailboats will definitely provide you with incredible experiences, it is important to remember that they also have different strengths. For example, a sailboat provides a more authentic experience that is perhaps better suited to those with more sailing experience. Sailing on a sailboat is often cheaper than on a catamaran, they are also less spacious and stable, and so there is more risk that some of your party will suffer from seasickness.
A cruise on a catamaran is often considered the ultimate luxury experience. The double hull structure of these boats results in them being a more spacious and stable vessel. Due to this, there is less risk of anyone suffering from seasickness. The only slight drawback of catamarans is that they normally cost more than sailboats.
When is the best time for a cruise in a sailboat or catamaran in Italy?
The Italian coast’s Mediterranean climate means that the summers are long, sunny and warm. Italian high season is from late June until early September, but during the southern regions, it is not uncommon for sailing conditions to be fantastic as early as May or as late as October. During May and October, the price of boat hire is normally lower, and there will be fewer tourists on the beaches. This means that you may actuallyoror prefer a sailing holiday in Italy during these months, as you won’t have to fight for your space on the water.