The miniature millionaire’s playground island of Ventotene just off the west coast of Italy offers an incredible range of things to do to get the best out of this fantastic place, and you don’t a million dollars in the bank to enjoy it! A popular spot for sailing, you can take a boat out of the harbour yourself and weave in and around yachts from all over the world. Boat hire can be arranged via the Hotel Cacciatore at great discount rates, especially during mid-week, and there are few better ways to spend an afternoon than taking in the sun while you explore the coves of this tiny island.

Santo Stefano, just 2 km away, can also be reached using a hired boat, though you’ll have to swim the last 50m if you’d like to explore the island itself as there is no landing point on this abandoned, former prison island.

The other most popular island pursuit on Ventotene is Scuba Diving – again, great discount rates are available by organising your session through the hotel Cacciatore. The clear waters that surround this island offer some spectacular possibilities for exploration, not to mention the unique rock structures and variety of sea life.

Ventotene offers some of the best sailing courses to be found not only in the Pontine islands but in the whole of Italy. Experienced sailing instructors on hand to teach everyone from complete beginners to advanced skipper courses.

The site of an ancient Roman fish farm, visitors to Ventotene can take a look around the ornate and fascinating structures carved into the rock millennia ago by the Romans. Santo Stefano was also home to exiled daughter of the Roman Emperor Claudius, Julia whose personal dipping pool or 2000 year old Jacuzzi is still intact and working!  La Vasca di Giulia is a must see as well as many other interesting sites like the abandoned prison, football pitch and some breathtaking clifftop walks. Check the Ventotene History page for more information about the mark the Romans made on this charming island paradise.

Ventotene is also a national Marine and Nature Reserve with astounding natural landscape, protected species’ of birds and sea life for you to observe. The Hotel Cacciatore’s great location at one of the highest points of the island allows for amazing views of Ventotene, Santo Stefano, the Mediterranean sea and all that lies between. Check our Photo Gallery for a sneak peak at some of the panoramas that await you on this island paradise.