Boat holiday experts since 2015
Can't find what you want?Talk to our holiday planners today.
Subscribe to our newsletter to get vouchers and stay up to date with our best offers.
Cruising the enchanting waters of the Mediterranean and Adriatic on a chartered yacht in Italy is an experience like no other. Exquisite cuisine, beautiful coastal island scenery and the excellent wind conditions around the islands also make Italy an ideal destination for both experienced and novice sailors. Depending on your level of experience, you might want to head to different destinations. With a boat rental in Italy you can make your sailing dreams come true.
While it might be tempting to eat, sunbathe and enjoy the stunning scenery, Italy has much more to offer. From incredible ancient historic sites in Rome and other places to the beautiful landscapes in Tuscany and the seemingly forgotten, but equally magical South.
Casual dining in Italy:
Restaurants with a view in Italy:
Fine dining in Italy:
Italy and Rome in particular are of course known for the Roman empire that once ruled all over the Mediterranean. However, Italy is also the birthplace of the Renaissance, making it a truly remarkable place to visit for its art, architecture and revolutionary inventions. The Palazzo Vecchio in Florence is one of these impressive buildings. Unfortunately you can’t see all of it, but you can still admire parts of its magnificent architecture and sculptures.
Italy is not just about food and history, it is also a place filled with myths and legends. There is an interesting legend about a long lost treasure that was hidden by Alaric - leader of the first barbarians to capture the city of Rome in 410 AD. Rome was not enough, they wanted more. On their journey to North Africa they got into a horrible storm which forced them to come back to the Italian mainland. During their venture Alaric died and so the Visigoths, his tribe, decided to divert the river Busento, although modern legends speak of two other rivers that could have been diverted, to build a tomb for their deceased leader. It was not only big enough for Alaric and his horse, but also for a huge amount of treasures. Once they had completed the tomb and buried Alaric with his horse and other treasures, the Visigoths redirected the river to this place. Nobody knows the exact location of his burial place, but many have ventured out in an attempt to find it. Would you be brave enough to go on a hunt to find Alaric’s tomb and treasures?
Thanks to the varied coastline of Italy, you have plenty of opportunities for sailing. However, the weather highly depends on the region as it can vary greatly between the North and the South of the country. If you choose to sail around the Amalfi Coast, you will find ideal sailing conditions in the morning with light winds. Around Sicily and the Aeolian Islands you will find pleasant winds and sea breezes all summer long, while sudden gusts in spring and early summer are not uncommon. Novice sailors will enjoy cruising around the beautiful island of Sardinia in late spring and summer when the winds are less strong. If you prefer to sail when the winds are stronger, you should come in the late summer or early autumn, when the weather is still nice. September and October are great months for a sailing adventure in Italy as it is still very warm in many parts of the country, but the tourist crowds have subsided.
The high season for tourism in Italy is in August. The beaches are then packed with locals and holidaymakers from abroad alike - especially during the Italian holiday Ferragosto, on August 15. The sea is warm from June to September, with a constant temperature of around 20 degrees, if not higher.
How much it costs to charter a yacht in Italy highly depends on the season, the type of boat, its age and its size, as well as the amenities included on board. You can be sure that the prices to rent a boat in Italy are higher during summer, but you can always find a good deal with Zizoo. Overall, Italy is one of the most affordable sailing destinations in the Mediterranean.
It costs only around 50 EUR per person per day to rent a gulet in Italy. Keep in mind that sailing a gulet requires real sailing skills, so if you don’t have them, it might be wise to hire a captain in addition to your bareboat charter. This will come at an additional price. To rent a sailboat in Italy you will pay 58 EUR per person per day on average. Renting a RIB in Italy will cost you an average of 40 EUR per person per day. It will cost you an average price of 70 EUR per person per day to rent a speedboat in Italy. Keep in mind that speedboats are fun and make for a great adventure outdoors, but they are not really set out for week-long trips. If you are looking at renting a catamaran or a motorboat in Italy, you have to keep in mind that it will be more costly than renting other types of boats. It will cost you 150 EUR on average to rent a motorboat in Italy per person per day and 140 EUR to charter a catamaran in Italy per person per day.
Planning a sailing trip to Italy requires you to choose the boat you want to charter wisely. After all, the type of boat you are renting in Italy can determine where and what you can see, how far you can drive and where you can anchor or moor your boat for the night. There are even boats available to rent for a day in Italy. If you want to rent a speedboat, you can often charter them for a day or for a couple of days. Speedboats are also not really meant for longer sailing trips, but perfect for shorter sailing trips.
Pros of renting a catamaran in Italy
One of the advantages of renting a catamaran in Italy is the fact that they have a shallow draft which makes them perfect for sailing in shallow waters. You can explore some of the most beautiful caves, beaches, grottos and more that Italy has to offer.
Another advantage of chartering a catamaran in Italy is that catamarans are generally equipped with both a sail and an engine. This means that you don’t have to solely rely on mother nature when it comes to your boat holiday in Italy. You always have the engine to fall back on should the wind suddenly stop blowing - this gives you a major advantage as you won’t suddenly get stuck in the middle of the sea.
Another wonderful thing about renting a catamaran in Italy is that they are generally quite spacious. You won’t get claustrophobic upon entering your cabin, instead you will feel like entering a comfortable and spacious hotel room on water.
One of the most popular catamarans to rent in Italy is Catamaran Nautitech 46 Fly which is available to rent in Porto di Cannigione on the island of Sardinia. You can either book this catamaran with or without a captain and up to 11 guests fit on board. Some of the amenities on board include a coffee machine, a fridge, a freezer, as well as a gas stove and oven. You will also be happy to know that you can take warm showers on board as there is hot water available. Get the party started by connecting your phone with the speakers on board for some fun night of dancing to your favourite music.
Cons of renting a catamaran in Italy
One of the downsides of renting a catamaran is actually one of its advantages: the size. While it feels great to have so much space on board, you might actually feel stressed about it when trying to find a spot for mooring at one of the marinas. Bigger boats are generally much harder to operate than smaller ones and it might be difficult to find a spot for mooring at the marinas which often have limited spots available. On top of that you might have to pay extra for a mooring spot as bigger boats take up more space than smaller ones.
Pros of renting a sailboat in Italy
One of the advantages of a sailboat rental in Italy is the fact that sailboats run on wind rather than fuel. This means that you don’t need to worry about paying extra for fuel AND you don’t need to check your tank every time you leave the marina. As many parts of Italy, namely the Gulf of Sorrento, are blessed with strong winds all year round, you won’t have any trouble sailing here.
Another great thing about chartering a sailboat in Italy is that you will feel like an adventurer of the olden times. Feel the wind on your skin while sailing in this part of the Mediterranean and learn what freedom really means. You can always hire a skipper in addition to your bareboat charter if you don’t have the necessary experience and certifications to charter a sailboat in Italy. You will become a pro at sailing in no time.
One of the most popular sailboats to rent in Italy is Sailboat Bavaria Cruiser 46 Style which is available for rent in Porto turistico Marinara, Marina di Ravenna. Up to six people can sleep on board the sailboat and it comes with heating as well as a microwave. For extra entertainment you can find a diving mask as well as a wine cellar on board the boat. Yes, you’ve read that right. There is a wine cellar on board this boat. Can it get more Italian than that?
Cons of renting a sailboat in Italy
One of the downsides of renting a sailboat in Italy is that the space you have on deck is quite limited as all the necessary sailing equipment needs to be stored here. If you want to have a relaxing boat vacation with lots of time and space to sunbathe on deck, sailboats should probably not be your first choice.
Another downside of chartering a sailboat in Italy is the fact that they only run on fuel. This makes you highly dependent on the wind. While many more modern sailboats are equipped with small engines, they are not meant for longer distances. Should the wind suddenly stop blowing, you might find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea and have to wait for the wind to pick up again before you can continue your journey.
Pros of renting a motorboat in Italy
One of the advantages of a motorboat charter in Italy is the fact that they are often much faster than other types of boats. If your time in the country is limited and you only have a week to discover one part of Italy, you can rent a motorboat and see as many places as you possibly can.
Like catamarans, motorboats have a shallow draft, making them perfect for discovering some beautiful and more secluded beaches and caves that you wouldn’t be able to reach otherwise. If you want to discover places like the Blue Grotto in Capri, you should rent a motorboat in Italy.
One of the most popular motorboats to charter in Italy is Motorboat Baia 43 which is available to rent in the stunning seaside town of Gallipoli. It is a rather small boat, but offers plenty of space to sunbathe on deck. You can also find snorkelling equipment on board the boat for some extra fun activities. Luckily, this part of Italy is perfect for a fun snorkelling adventure if you want to see some of the underwater wildlife up close.
Cons of renting a motorboat in Italy
One of thed downsides of renting a motorboat in Italy is the fact that motorboats only run on fuel. This makes them one of the most expensive options when it comes to boat holidays in Italy. As the fuel prices are still increasing, this won’t change any time soon. So be aware that you might be surprised by a hefty additional bill for fuel in addition to your bareboat charter.
If you have the necessary cash and want to experience an exclusive boat holiday in Italy, you should charter a private luxury yacht in Italy. There are plenty of options to choose from. One of the most beautiful luxury yachts to rent in Italy is Motorboat Princess 65 Fly which is available to rent in Castellammare di Stabia, a stunning seaside town South of Naples. Up to 10 people can enjoy a boat holiday on this beauty and a crew is included in the price. A professional captain will navigate your boat safely through the Italian waters and a crew is going to take care of your every need on your boat vacation.
Charter a luxury yacht in Italy
It is important to note that you need a boat licence if you want to charter a boat in Italy. Boat licences of EU citizens are automatically valid in Italy while non-EU citizens are not always so lucky. We would recommend you to carry the International Certificate of Competency or short ICC.
If you don’t have a boat licence, you can always hire a skipper in addition to your bareboat charter. This is obviously going to cost you extra, but you will be able to relax on your boat vacation in Italy and can enjoy the benefits of a boat charter without having to present a boat licence.
Take a trip to the famous island of Capri. Capri is home to the Blue Grotto, a natural wonder where you can dive and swim when the tide is low. Capri is a legendary destination loved by artists, celebrities and local Italians alike. It has been the setting and inspiration for many artistic works, including a piece by Debussy and novels by Graham Greene and Somerset Maugham. It can get quite crowded, because it is a very popular tourist destination in Italy.
Why not explore the South of Italy to avoid the masses visiting the Amalfi coast and Capri? You can rent a boat in Reggio di Calabria. The area around Reggio di Calabria is a great starting point to reach Sicily and is a wonderful area for sailing. Sail along the calm seas to visit enchanting coves and expansive sandy beaches along the rugged coastline. Don’t miss out on visiting the beautiful beach of Tropea and the sea caves of Dino Island.
Explore the beautiful coastline of Sardinia. The turquoise and crystal clear waters will make you think you’re in a dream. When exploring the island, make sure to stop to enjoy authentic food by the locals in hidden beachside hamlets and street corners. You may also want to stop by chic Porto Cervo on the Costa Smeralda or the historic capital Cagliari in the south of the island. Gaze up at the stars at night, unimpeded by the light pollution and bustle of the city as you settle in for the night on your private yacht that you chartered in Italy.
Italy’s diverse regions and geographic features offer something for everyone. Fabulous beaches, architectural and artistic wonders, glamorous nightlife and breathtaking coastal and countryside scenery are just a few of the things you can look forward to when planning an itinerary for your next sailing holiday in Italy. Watch out for Zizoo’s exclusive boat deals for boat vacations in Italy to book your yacht at the best price!
Subscribe to our newsletter to get a €50 voucher and all our best offers.
