![\"These](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/These-5-Gorgeous-Islands-In-Italy-Have-Less-Crowds-Authentic-Culture.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nI mean, technically, you can still carve out your own little slice of heaven in Capri\u2026 if you\u2019re ready to drop some serious cash on it. Just don\u2019t expect it to feel, ahem, quintessentially Italian, or all that laid-back and local.<\/p>\n
You might be getting cruise liners rolling in, and Hollywood big shots swanning about for the weekend instead.<\/p>\n
Now, if it\u2019s low-key, authentic Italy you\u2019re after, we\u2019ve got 5 lesser-known islands lined up for you that might just hit the sweet spot\u2026 in classic Travel Off Path style\u2014and when did we ever miss the mark?<\/p>\n
PLUS: We’ve built an interactive quiz for you at the end of this article to find your perfect match!<\/p>\n
San Pietro, Sardinia<\/p>\n
A small island lying some 4 miles off the southwest coast of Sardinia<\/a>, San Pietro is a little slice of sardo heaven fringed by white-sand calas, and those impossibly-turquoise seas you could swear were some Instagram filter\u2026 until you laid eyes on them yourself.<\/p>\n As it’s a tad more remote and slightly complicated to get to\u2014land in Cagliari, drive 2h to the port in Portovesme, catch a 40 minute ferry to San Pietro\u2014it has far smaller crowds than, say, the touristy Costa Smeralda in the north of Sardinia.<\/p>\n Carloforte is the main settlement here: that picture-perfect harbor town, it’s characterized by those typically-Italian pastel-colored houses, narrow winding lanes that lead to hidden piazzette, and traditional family-owned trattorie.<\/p>\n Speaking of which, Al Tonno di Corsa has a seafood-heavy menu revolving entirely around San Pietro’s signature bluefin tuna. Whether in carpaccio form, with hand-pulled pasta, or grilled, it’s a must-try if you’re ever in town.<\/p>\n Now, before we proceed, you should know Europe is planning on a major overhaul of its border rules<\/a>, from mandatory fingerprinting of new arrivals to a new Electronic Travel Authorization that will replace visa-free travel for U.S. passport holders.<\/p>\n If you’re planning on traveling to Italy or Europe this season, make sure you check which Entry Requirements<\/a> are in place for American travelers ahead of departure.<\/p>\n Salina, Sicily<\/p>\n As you’ll soon come to realize, Italy’s top secret island destinations are usually a short ferry hop away from major islands overrun with tourism\u2026 though they’re largely untouched themselves.<\/p>\n That’s the case with Salina, part of the Aeolian archipelago, a 1h30 hydrofoil ride from Milazzo (a city in northeastern Sicily).<\/p>\n The Aeolians are primarily known for their rugged volcanic nature, but Salina stands out for being the verdant one. Its dormant volcanoes are literally green-clad, and you can hike through a canopy of Mediterranean chestnut trees and pines.<\/p>\n In many ways, it’s Italy’s response to Portugal’s Madeira<\/a>.<\/p>\n Offbeat, somewhat remote, offering great hikes and beaches all in one, and delicious food. Speaking of hikes, you haven’t been to Salina unless you’ve conquered Monte Fossa delle Felci, the highest peak in the archipelago.<\/p>\n The true gems, however, are the quaint coastal towns: whether it’s Santa Marina Salina, the main settlement, with its pretty harbor and plethora of granitas spots, or Lingua, a tiny rural village right by a salt lake, this is Italy\u2014or Sicily, more like\u2014before it was ruined by the White Lotus masses.<\/p>\n Ustica, Sicily<\/p>\n We’re not done with the tiny landmasses orbiting around Sicily just yet.<\/p>\n If you’re ever in Palermo, and you’re craving a little seaside getaway that’s not a flogged-to-death Cefal\u00f9, Ustica is the place to go. It’s only a 1h30 ferry from Palermo Port, and it boasts some of the clearest waters in Italy.<\/p>\n Zero large-scale resorts, limited tourism, and no closed-off beaches reserved for the visiting elites. The entire island is a protected marine area, Italy’s first at that, and other than the wild, untouched feel, it’s probably the top snorkeling destination within easy reach of Sicily.<\/p>\n How to spend the perfect day in Ustica, you ask? As soon as you make landfall, head straight for Grotta Azzurra, a glowing sea cave accessible by boat.<\/p>\n Chill by Cala Sidoti, a natural pool filled with aqua-blue waters, and explore the prehistoric ruins at Villagio Preistorico dei Faraglioni.<\/p>\n Before you travel back to Palermo, wander the charming streets of Ustica Town, and swing by Gelateria e Ristorante Sabrina for a spoonful of their delicious hazelnut gelato.<\/p>\n Wondering how safe Europe is to visit this summer? Use the Traveler Safety Index<\/a> to double-check what travelers have been reporting real-time prior to flying. Italy currently ranks at 91\/100. Vote below to help fellow travelers!:<\/p>\n Pantelleria<\/p>\n As far as Italian islands go, Pantelleria simply redefines remote<\/a>. Closer to the Tunisian coast than to Italy (or more specifically, Sicily) proper, it’s one of those sleepy, volcanic outposts you wouldn’t know were there unless you zoomed in hard on a particular corner of the open sea.<\/p>\n The key words here are\u2026 Dolce. Vita.<\/p>\n Getting here will involve at least a layover in Palermo or Catania for most, or a long ferry ride from Trapani, and there’s not much to do in Pantelleria besides relaxing in a black-lava cala of your liking, sinking into a natural thermal hot spring, or soaking up the Mediterranean sun as you follow the winding scenic path along the rocky coastline.<\/p>\n Pantelleria Town is cute.<\/p>\n It has a castle and all, and a surprisingly large number of osterias to pick from, but the real showstealer here are the dammusi, scattered all over the island. They’re traditional basalt-stone houses built by locals to withstand the strong winds and harsh climate.<\/p>\n Looking for that premium experience? Pantelleria Dream Resort<\/a> has dammusi-inspired rooms, and a beautiful outdoor pool overlooking the ocean. Oh, and definitely make sure Passito di Pantelleria is on your to-do list: it’s the landmark winery on the island to try those UNESCO-recognized sweet reds made from dried grapes.<\/p>\n Giglio<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n