Ponza ~ Italy's best kept secret

Driving along the rocky cliffside on our beat up Italian scooter, we whiz past cactus plants and dessert flowers, while trying to decide on which gelato coloured villa we’d dream of owning. The sky is painted is a stunning array of fairy floss tones as the sun makes its final decent into the sea…

Sound alright? Well I’m about to let you in on one of Italy’s best kept secrets… One that even celebs like Leo and Rhianna won’t want you knowing about…. It’s called Isola di Ponza...

You may have heard of Sardinia, Capri or maybe even Ischia however Ponza, (a tiny Island off the south coast of Rome) is the next little slice of ‘La doce vita’ just waiting to be discovered by Pinterest fanatics alike.

Secret holiday home to Fendi designer Silvia Venturini, Ponza is characterised by its high rocky cliffs filled with prickly pear cacti, surrounded by the most beautiful turquoise blue water. Vineyards line the stair-like slopes, while whitewashed villas painted in delicious gelato colours dot the wild terrain. It’s no wonder Italians have kept this place a secret for so long…. It’s just too magical to share.

GETTING THERE

To reach Ponza you need to make your way to the Port of Formia in the Lazio region of Italy. Formia is only a mere 40min drive from Sant’Oliva or you can Take the train south from Rome. From there you can take the 1-hour hydrofoil or the 2-3 hour ferry to get to the island. Best to book tickets online prior as ferries can get booked out during the busy seasons. There is also options to take your scooter or car to the island for and extra fee on the slower ferries however in all honesty, a car wouldn’t have much purpose on the island… scooter on the other hand was a blast ;) Naples also can take you directly to the island during the months of July and August.

STAY

Now if you are willing to go to Ponza during the off peak seasons (May or September) you will find that prices can slash to almost half the price, which is how the hubby and I were able to stay at the stunning Grand hotel Chiaia di Luna. Sure the room was tiny and the bathroom was a bit dated but we had free access to the stunning views (so worth it), pool and overflowing breakfast buffet!

Looking to stay somewhere a little more budget but still keeping that ‘Ponza vibe’, why not try Villa Laetitia a 1920’s style villa owned and designed by Anna ‘Fendi’. The villa offers sea views of the port making it situated in the heart of Ponza however, book in advanced as this place only has 3 rooms.

Piccolo Hotel Luisa is a simple family-run, nautical-themed hotel also situated near the port making it central to everything and just a short stroll to all the restaurants lined along the esplanade.

If you are looking to stay in some of the amazing traditional homes of Ponza, I’d try renting an Air BnB as they end up being more affordable than hotels if you are dealing with a larger group of people. Make sure you book way in advanced though as all the cool places tend to get taken up very quickly during the summer period.

DO & SEE

The main thing you should really plan to do while visiting Ponza is hire a boat for the day and explore the island. We chose to go on a guided tour by the guys at Lupo di Mare (ask for Luigi) as we were only there for 3 days. The up side was that we got to visit some of the secret grottos that on your own you’d never find but on the other hand, unguided tours means you call the shots making you incharge of your own travel plans.

By scooter you can visit the spine of the island, spending nights eating at the various perfect sunset positioned restaurants in Le Forna or go budget and buy porchetta rolls and beer and watch the sunset at Punta del Papa.

Take the time to explore the port. The port of Ponza is the heart and soul of the island as it’s filled with restaurants, bars, charming souvenir shops and where you will find all the information on boat tours, scuba diving and water taxis to the various beaches.

BEACHES

The main ones are technically all reachable by scooter but some you might have to walk 100 steps down a cliff face to get to or need to drive your scooter almost vertical down a dirt road for another. If you are game, (like we were) go for it. If not, grab yourself a water Taxi for around €5 or hire a boat for the day for around €80 (not including petrol).

Spiaggia di Frontone – This is probably the most popular beach on the whole island and it’s just a stone throw away by water taxi from the port. Spiggia di Frontone is a wide, long, pebble beach with the most beautiful calm, clear water. The beach also has a sunbaking rock pool area where you can hire deck chairs and order a cocktail or coffee from the bar. Make sure to explore the cutest little museum just a few metres up from the rockpool and stop for a boozy lunch at the restaurant next door for an incredible Nonna cooked meal, served with a chilled glass of Ponza wine.

Cala Feola – A small sandy beach with lagoon like waters, Cala Feola was truly a postcard. We were lucky enough to stop here for lunch from our guided boat tour and let’s just say they had to call me back to the table because I was off taking too many photos… oops!

Piscine naturali – Just around the corner from Cala Feola, the Piscine naturali is not actually a beach so to say but an incredibly natural rock pool area were you can snorkel, cliff jump or swim through this magical cave like crater. Very Romantic ;)

Cala Fonte – Situated further North of the island, Cala Fonte is another rocky area that has a large rock formations like a backwards Italy situated just meters from the shore. You can either choose to hop across and reserve your sunbaking spot or grab a cool drink at the bar and watch the day go by.

EAT/DRINK

Nothing says Italian Island holiday than eating the freshness seafood around and Il Pescatore was just that… Rated the best restaurant in Ponza on trip advisor, its charming nautical-themed interior and stunning views of Cala Feola make this spot a must for a romantic evening out.

Located just next door to the tiny museum at spiaggia Il Fontone lies a restaurant that you won’t find on any travel website. Its called 'Catena dei Zampognari' and with its breathtaking views overlooking the entire bay below, its a befect spot to mosey on up for lunch. The menu is short and all the meals are prepared by a little Nonna in the back kitchen who my husband insisted on getting a photo with because the food was that good!

If you are looking for something a little more low key, we ate the best pizza at a little restaurant (name unkonw) located just down from the main road on Via Forna Grande in Le Forna. Go at sunset, Grab a pizza and some beers and perch yourself up on a wall to have to most beautiful view of Cala Feola for almost next to nothing.

Did someone say cocktails? Au Bord De l’Eau is where it’s at. Situated on the south side of the port, this nautical themed, eclectic styled lounge bar feels like something straight out of Ibiza and the cocktail list…. Amazing! Must try something along the lines of a Ponza Mojito with lime, rum, ginger and wild fennel. Omg! YES!

And finally, you must go to a little restaurant/beach shack in Cala Feola by the name of La Marina where we stopped for lunch during our boat tour. The place is decked out in delightful fisherman trinkets and collectables with beautiful mosaic tiled tables and even a whale’s skull used as a flower pot! The food was flawless. So so fresh, and presented on these stunning hand painted ceramic plates that I wish I could have taken home with me.

GOOD TO KNOW

To have the island practically to yourself, still have good weather and get great deals on hotels… Visit Ponza during May or September. Although Ponza is still under the tourism radar, be warned that prices are on the more expensive side for most things. Italians like to go to Ponza for day trips over the weekend so avoid the crowds by choosing to go during the week. Try to stay for at least 3-4 whole days to really get the feel for the island. Plus there is even Isola di Palmarola close by that has been said to have even more beautiful beaches…

Aaaaahhhh and the obsession continues...

The beautiful colours of Ponza

Token Italian grocer shot

The Port of Ponza

Subtle beauty in ever corner

A fisherman untangling his ropes

Sun spot skin and love drunk eyes

Insert pizza and beer here.... Cala Feola at sunset in le Forna

SMLPretending I'm a rock star

Grand Hotel Chiaia di Luna

Fish Fetish

The breathtaking view of Grand Hotel Chiaia di Luna

Dont mind if I do...

Spiaggia di Frontone

Restaurant 'Catena dei Zampognari' just a few meters up from the beach

(Spiaggia di Frontone)

Oooh.... The fish!

The cutest museum (museo) at Spiaggia di Frontone

The view looking over Spiaggia di Frontone and the port of Ponza

Scootering through the winding streets...Meep meep!

One of the many pretty beaches near the port

Aperol Spritz is always a must during aperitivo

Too much sun and one too many mojitos... is there ever such a thing?

White cliffs

And turquoise water...

Restaurant 'La Marina' located in Cala Feola

Snap a selfie at Cala Feola

Couldn't get enough of Ponza tiles

Major interior crush

The crystal clear waters of Cala Feola

Aloe there!

Arco Naturale

Gelato coloured villas in the wild terrain

Luigi our guide from Lupo di Mare... This guy really knew his stuff on Ponza. Born and raised on the island & even brought pictures of what the place use to look like.

Manu made a friend at Piscina Naturale

Looking down on Cala Feola & the Piscina Naturale. The best bay to eat, swim and watch the sunset.

#Ponza #Latina #LocalAttraction #travelguide