Yacht charter Italy: the most beautiful anchorages

Italy is a sailing area that would probably take a lifetime to explore. If you’re looking for beauty, light, folklore and the picturesque, while enjoying a summer atmosphere that oscillates between gentle evening breezes and bars with their feet in the water, then you’ve made the right choice.

From Ventimiglia to Trieste, and including all the islands along the Italian coastline, making an exhaustive list of Italy’s most beautiful anchorages is a major undertaking. But our aim is to guide you in your choice of cruising grounds and to inspire you to explore the coves, gulfs and bays that are the pride of the Italian people.

Between Ventimiglia and Genoa

Sailing in the Gulf of Genoa is like sailing in the mountains! The Alps plunge into the sea here, and the Ligurian Sea is a marvellous sight when seen from an anchored yacht. The coast between Ventimiglia and Genoa offers few anchorages, but it is dotted with charming little ports that are a reflection of the rest of Italy: colourful, very check-in, and offering access to gastronomy through the presence of fine establishments located in the ports. But you can still treat yourself to a night out in the countryside! Near Varigotti, you’ll find the Baia dei Saraceni. It’s a magical place, between mountain and sandy beach, and a guaranteed immersion in the traditions of Liguria.

Genoa

Genoa has a large port to the west, but when the weather is fine it also offers some very beautiful anchorages in its western part, such as the Bay of Silence. Quite a programme! It’s a bay bordered by a beach that’s urbanised, but not excessively so, and offers you a breathtaking view of Genoa.

Portofino

Continuing southwards, the stop-off that seems to be compulsory when sailing a yacht is Portofino! It’s a must, because it’s a stopover that’s magnificently equipped with everything you could want to spend a dream night, from top-of-the-range restaurants to festive establishments, but also because it’s such a magical place. The idea of spending a week here goes through the minds of everyone who comes here.

Le Grazie

We head south to the Gulf of La Spezia and the Gulf of Tigullio.

If you love old rigs, J-Classes and beautiful boats, take the time to drop anchor in the port of Le Grazie. It’s a small village with a historic shipyard where the world’s finest yachts come for a makeover. Situated between La Spezia and Porto Venere, it’s the perfect place to anchor rather than the crowded and noisy Porto Venere. Le Grazie has a unique charm all of its own. Take the bus to Porto Venere, and come back to enjoy the silence.

Elba Island

From Portofino, sail to the island of Elba, and drop anchor at Viticcio. The bay is perfect, with crystal-clear water, a sunset right in the middle and breathtaking light (undoubtedly one of the most beautiful anchorages in Italy!). Just opposite the island of Elba, you’ll find a small village called Baratti, overlooked by an Etruscan city, Populonia: a plunge into antiquity from which you’ll emerge refreshed.

Amalfi

A beautiful night sail and we’ve arrived on the Amalfi coast, where it’s impossible not to linger. Amalfi offers a picture postcard view of the dolce vita from a sailing yacht or motor yacht. If there’s one place where the coast is so much more beautiful from a sailing boat, it’s Amalfi. Its southern exposure, steep coastline and traditions are sure to keep you coming back for more!

Sicily

After Amalfi and its exuberant life, set sail for Favignana, a wild island opposite Marsala on Sicily’s west coast. Far from the crowded coves, frenzied beaches and trendy restaurants, treat yourself to nature as your only companion. The tradition of tuna fishing, the simplicity of the houses, the intense blue of the deep coves, the freshness of the sea, all form a whole that leads to silence and rest, real rest.

The Maddalena archipelago

Deciding on an aesthetic classification of the anchorages that make up this archipelago is quite simply impossible. So many islands, so many coves, so many unforgettable beaches… One of the most popular anchorages is the bay formed by the three islands to the north of the archipelago: Razzoli, Santa-Maria and Budelli, where you’ll find Spiaggia Rosa, which is protected and therefore inaccessible. But seeing it is enough to understand why it is protected.

The Adriatic coast

This journey will have to be repeated in another article, once you have passed through the Strait of Messina and the heel of the Italian boot.

The Gargano peninsula has arguably the whitest beaches on Italy’s east coast. Life here is gentle, the sea fairly mild in summer, the beaches crowded but so cheerful, and the anchorages Olympian calm as dusk approaches.