If you like the sound of diving into crystal blue waters, eating fresh seafood, sunset spritzes and island breezes, then boy have I got a place for you. A quick trip from Rome, Ponza Italy is a stunning island with relaxed vibes, and a perfect spot for a long weekend. When one of my very good friends (who I met when I first moved to Bologna in 2019 and hadn’t seen for 3 years!) came to visit us in Rome, we decided to take some respite from the heat for a few days and soak up the sun with island views. Ponza island was a natural choice! Keep reading to find out more about this less traversed, sun-soaked beauty that is the island of Ponza.
Where is Ponza Italy?
This island is located in the Pontine Islands archipelago, in the shimmering blue Tyrrhenian Sea. If you’re yet to hear of ‘Ponza’, you’re not alone! Compared to some of the other more famous Italian islands like Capri and Ischia, Ponza island, Italy is still somewhat relatively undiscovered by English-speaking tourists. All of which just adds to its utter charm.
Ponza Italy Map
Explore the map to see my favorite places in Ponza in more detail. I’ve highlighted them for you here to give you an idea of the distances – it really is a small island!
How to get to Ponza Italy?
The only way is by Ferry or Hydrofoil which is totally magical as you come into the Port full of pretty pastel-colored buildings. The quickest way to arrive is to jump on the Anzio to Ponza ferry which takes between 1 hour and 10 minutes to an hour and 40 mins.
Rome to Ponza
It is so easy to get to Ponza from Rome! We caught the train from Roma Termini station to Anzio and then it was a short 10-15 minute walk to the port. We pre-booked our ferry tickets through LazioMar and got the 3pm fast ferry across to Ponza. By 4:30pm we were docking and settling into island life for a few days. Getting the ferry to Ponza from Anzio is definitely the best way to go from Rome!
Naples to Ponza
Alternatively, if you’re arriving from Naples you can get a high-speed hydrofoil that takes just under 3 hours to arrive.
Where to stay in Ponza?
When it comes to Ponza accommodation, we’d heard renting an apartment was the way to go so we booked an Airbnb right off the main street. It was a really convenient location to reach the port and lots of restaurants, however, it was pretty loud at night.
The Best Hotels in Ponza Italy
If you’re looking for something a little more luxe, then I have my eye on Chiaia Di Luna Ponza for next time. It’s a 4-star hotel with a swimming pool which overlooks the stunning Chiaia di Luna beach. Heaven!
If you’re looking for some more budget to medium-priced options, have a look at these Ponza Italy hotels:
Ponza Italy Weather
This gorgeous Italian island is blessed with a temperature climate and fair weather for most of the year. It generally experiences mild yet rainy winters, and long, warm summers. Visit Ponza in the summer for the best swimming weather. Between June and September, temperatures reach a max of 28C/83F which is perfect summer weather in my opinion! Spring and Fall/Autumn are also a lovely time to visit with less Romans holidaying if you want to dodge the ‘crowds’.
The Best Ponza Italy Beaches to Visit
Whilst Ponza is tiny, it doesn’t lack in its stunning beaches and crystal clear waters. Consider making a swimming stop at the following beaches on the island:
- Spiaggia di Frontone
This was our favorite beach of the entire trip! Perhaps because it was so atmospheric hopping on the little boat in the morning from the main fishing port that would ferry us over to the stretch of crystal waters in 10 minutes of so. There is free beach here as well as a paid Lido option – we opted for the Lido with rented chairs and umbrellas. There is a little kiosk that sells food and drinks too.
- Chiaia di Luna
Unfortunately, this famous beach is closed due to cliffs falling but you are able to view it from a distance on a boat tour! It’s a gorgeous crescent-shaped beach with steep cliffs that drop down to the sea. You can still go snorkelling in the crystal waters here if you jump off a boat.
- Cala Feola
Another pretty beach is Cala Feola which is a small one on the northwestern side of the island. Granted it’s a bit harder to reach (300 steps down and back up plus either a local bus ride or a taxi drive) which meant we stuck to our Frontone beach club. However, it is worth it if you like a sandy beach. From here you can also gaze upon the beautiful island of Palmarola. It’s possible to rent a chair from the beach club and there is an island on site too. My kind of beach honestly!
- Spiaggia di Santa Maria
Located on the Southern side of Ponza, this is a small sandy beach with clear water and is full of restaurants you can grab a bite from.
4 Best Things to do in Ponza in 2024
Wondering what to do in Ponza italy? We had a very low-key girls trip in Ponza where we literally just wanted to visit the Lido (beach club), lie on a sunbed and read our books, swim, drink spritz and enjoy delicious food. However, if you want a more active holiday there are tons of things to do. Hiring a boat is high on my list for next time, as well as visiting Palmarola.
1. Visit Frontone Beach Club
We went here literally every day of our stay because it was very convenient and the water was beautiful! From the mainland, you head down to the port, buy a ticket for the water taxi to Frontone and hop on board. The boats come regularly and run until around 7pm. It’s just a 5 minute water taxi ride across to the beach where you can hire a sun lounger and umbrella for the day. Consider bringing your own food because there aren’t great options available at the club (and all quite expensive), otherwise go for a panino and an icy pole to quench your appetite there.
2. Aperitivo at Bar Tripoli
Now if you know me, you’ll know I’m a Select Spritz kinda girl. No, that’s not the name of some home brand version of aperol, but a Venetian liquor that tastes like a cross between Aperol and Campari in all the best ways. Unfortunately, you can never find it anywhere but in Venice, so in Ponza it was onto the Aperols for me. However, we had possibly the best Aperol spritz I’ve ever had at Bar Tripoli. I don’t know if it was the island air, watching the sun set over the colourful and attractive buildings of the island, or the delicious nibbles served (bread with stracciatella and anchovies!) but this is probably my favourite aperitivo spot ever. Gillian McGuire is the expert on Ponza (not me!) and this was a fantastic recommendation of hers!
3. Sunset Dinner at Ristorante Il Tramonto
Probably the best dinner of our trip thanks to the view! Get here before sunset so you can enjoy watching the sunset over the island Palmarola. Utterly breathtaking! The food is quite good (if a little expensive) too and we enjoyed a delicious scampi pasta with a glass of local white wine from Ponza. Bookings essential.
4. Hire a boat for the day and discover Palmarola
One thing we didn’t do (but will do next time) is organise a private boat day! One of the best things to do is take a tour around the island, stop for swimming, and explore the island Palmarola. Next time! There are a few great options you can pre-book before you arrive like this boat tour that takes you around Ponza and Palmarola and includes lunch with a fisherman.
My favorite Ponza Restaurants
For the best Ponza food recommendations, I scoured the internet looking for trusted sources. Gillian’s blog was a helpful resource and she didn’t lead us astray on our trip. The most enjoyable meal we had however was probably at Oresteria by Ponza. It was a fun, casual atmosphere on the main drag along the pier and the seafood was incredibly fresh and tasty.
Some other top picks we ate at include:
- Bar Tripoli for aperitivo and snacks
- Orerock for a less touristy dining atmosphere on Santa Maria beach
- Il Tramonto for a romantic dinner
Day Trips to Ponza from Roma
Don’t have long to spend in Ponza? You can still experience this beautiful island for the day! There are some fantastic tours I’ve found that pick you up in Rome and allow you to spend the whole day on the island and will have you back to your hotel in Rome that evening. It will give you a great taste of the sun and sea and honestly, you could never manage the transit times in one day without going on a tour like this. Try this whole day boat tour experience or this abridged 5 hour tour.
Visit Ponza in 2024
Have you been to Ponza before? Let me know your tips and thoughts in the comments. I’ll keep updating this article during future trips too! Looking for more travel ideas in Italy? Why not read my guide to best places in Puglia, the Cinque Terre or my guide to Salina Sicily if you’re looking for beach time.