Hilly, wild and lush with rich Mediterranean vegetation, the island of Ponza’s rugged beauty makes it a perfect spot for a relaxing yet fun seaside vacation. Situated in the Gulf of Gaeta, it is particularly popular with vacationers from nearby regions of Lazio and Campania and with scuba divers from all over the world, as it offers one of the most amazing submarine environments in the whole of Italy.
To learn more about diving in Ponza or if you would like to get certified while staying in the area contact the Ponza Diving Center www.ponzadiving.it Thanks to its mild Mediterranean climate, with steady breezes and scarce precipitations, the island is blessed with good weather almost year round, although late spring and early fall are the best times to find an enjoyable climate and little to no crowds.
Although quite small -it only measures 2.8 square miles- Ponza is very rich in history: known since ancient times by the Romans, thanks to its remote position it was quite often used as an exile station throughout the centuries and it was ruled by the Spaniards, the Austrians and the British.
One of the most interesting historical sites on the island is the tunnel that connects the harbor of Ponza to Chiaia di Luna beach: it was excavated in tuff around the year 20 BC during Augustus’ empire and it stands to this day, offering a fascinating view to visitors. The Romans also left other testimonies of their rule over the island: three villas -the one in Santa Maria featuring gorgeous mosaic floors- a very elaborate water and sewer system, some of which can still be seen today, and a necropolis.
Ponza is also famous for being a natural paradise, offering amazing beaches, gulfs and bays where visitors can relax in the sun, swim, snorkel and partake in all kinds of water sports. Spiaggia Chiaia di Luna is one of the most popular with visitors, as it is easy to reach and shielded from the wind by the tall tuff cliffs around it, and since it faces West is also a good spot to enjoy sunset.
Other beaches, such as Spiaggia di Frontone, Spiaggia Lucia Rosa and Spiaggia delle Felici can be reached by water taxi and offer crystal clear waters to those who want to enjoy some peace and quiet. For a more adventurous experience, visit the Pilato caves: they can be reached by boat and will definitely leave you speechless.
The caves were drilled by hand in the 1st century BC, probably to connect a Roman villa to the rest of the island: to this day, every now and then, statues and household objects dating back 2000 years are found by local fishermen and scuba divers. There are countless boat tour operators working on the island and their offers range in price depending on length of the trips and types of vessels: most use motor boats, but some also feature special trips for those who prefer sailing.
It goes without saying that, when it comes to dining, seafood is the best choice on the island, which is dotted with restaurants small and big, most of which serve fish and shellfish caught on the very same day around the island. Oysters, sea bass, lobster and grouper are some of the specialties of the island, as well as the “coccia del fellone” a type of crab present only in the area.
If you don’t mind overpaying a bit, stop by Il Melograno, famous for its pool side aperitif with music, free finger food and an amazing view of the sea: the party keeps going well into the night as young locals and visitors dance under the stars until the wee hours. For something a little more sophisticated and romantic Ristorante Il Pescatore and Ristorante Acqua Pazza are very popular both with tourists and locals – so plan ahead and reserve your table if you want to avoid long waits.
Ponza can only be reached by sea with daily hydrofoil rides from Anzio and Formia and ferry boat connections with Anzio, Formia, Terracina and Naples. Some of these ferries also carry cars, but the tickets have to be bought in advance as they can be very crowded, especially during July and August. For more information about transportation check: www.ponza.it Once on the island cars and scooters are available for rent and public buses connect the main villages, beaches and sites.
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