Forget Capri – let me introduce you to the Tremiti Islands, the Amalfi Coast of the Adriatic, where the views are exceptional, the water transparent, and the tourists made up of Italians from neighbouring towns.
Part of Foggia’s Gargano National Park in Puglia, and in between Croatia and Italy, the Tremiti Islands – le Isole Tremiti in Italian – are the only Italian islands on the Adriatic coast.
Made up of five islands, only three of the archipelago’s isles can be visited and only two are inhabited: San Domino (the largest), San Nicola (home to its old city centre), Capraia and Cretaccio (both uninhabited – a water taxi easily gets you to the former), along with Pianosa, a marine reserve located 20 km away.
So how do you get to this natural wonder? Here are just a few Italian cities and towns that will get you to the Tremiti Islands: Termoli, Vasto, Peschici, Capoiale, Vieste, Ancona, Pescara, and Bari.
On my visit, I take a one-hour ferry from Termoli. The ferry docks at San Domino, the biggest and most developed island. After walking around its hilly village filled with white cliffs, pine forests, and colourful flowers – and stopping for a much-needed panini break – I head back to the dock. Seeing as the beaches are completely packed (typical in August), I am tempted by one of the many boat tours.
I embark on a €20, 2.5-hour motorboat tour (offered in Italian only – which definitely adds to its local charm) and learn all about Tremiti’s many arches, caves, and monuments, from the Grotta del Bue Marino in San Domino, to its elephant-shaped rock formation (Scoglio dell’elefante – pictured above), to Capraia’s Il Grottone, to the epic, underwater Padre Pio statue near San Nicola.
The tour also includes two swim breaks in its crystal clear turquoise waters – the most unforgettable part. Just look at the photos!
Don’t forget your swim goggles if you want to see underwater geological formations and different types of species. And snorkellers, be sure to find a diving tour to visit coves, sea caves, and coral reefs.
At the end of the boat tour, I decide to get off one stop earlier in order to visit San Nicola and its historic city centre. I have about an hour before my ferry from San Domino returns to Termoli.
Its castles, medieval buildings, and views are breathtaking. Made up of hills, limestone cliffs, and fortification walls where monks once resided, be sure to walk all the way up, stopping off at both the Abbey of Santa Maria di Tremiti and the Church of Santa Maria a Mare along the way.
While certain Italian islands and beach towns are oversaturated and tourist-ridden, the Tremiti Islands remain unspoiled.
Have you been to Tremiti? Is it on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments below!
Wow! I had never heard of this place, and now I can’t wait to go. It sounds wonderful and breathtaking. Thanks for sharing so many insights and tips about visiting here.
Thanks for reading, Joan!
This is so beautiful! :O I love all of your pictures, especially the one of the rock/cliffs in the water.
Thanks, Kylie 😀
Beautiful photos! I’m adding this to my bucket list.
Please do! 😀
I’ve never been there, although I’m Italian! 😉 But it’s definitely on my bucket list! Would love to spend a couple of days on the Tremiti islands! it’s supposed to be wonderful for snorkeling & scuba diving!
Yes, it’s amazing for snorkellers & scuba divers! I only had swim goggles and even that was breathtaking.
The Tremiti Islands are unknown to me, but it looks like a destination to add to my bucket list!
Definitely add them!!!
That water is ridiculously beautiful! It seems insane that it isn’t already overrun by tourists. Thanks for letting me know about such a gorgeous place to visit!
The water was surreal! There are tourists but they’re mostly Italian.
You took a lot of gorgeous photos! I haven’t heard of Tremiti Islands before but now I would love to visit this place! Putting it in my bucketlist now. 🙂
Thank you! Glad it made it onto your list 🙂
Wow! All of these views are gorgeous!! I love the clear water!! I’m especially loving the view from the national park!! I could easily look at that every day!
Same! I’d go back in a heartbeat 🙂
Looks absolutely stunning! You’re making me have some serious wanderlust 😉
Mission accomplished 😉
Looks like a nice trip!! Wow.
It definitely was! 🙂
Wow, what a gorgeous place to hang out. It wasn’t on my bucket list, but I may have to add it.
I think you just may have to 🙂
Your photos are beautiful! Wish I were there!
Thank you, Kelly!
So beautiful! We loved our trip to the islands on the Italian and the Croatian sides!
They’re all so beautiful! Where did you visit?
The views look really stunning! Hopefully, I’ll get to visit one day, I live pretty close to these islands (Slovenia) and I’ve been planning on visiting Italy. Thanks for a great presentation!
You’re super close! Hope you get to visit one day – it’s stunning indeed 🙂
This looks beautiful! It’s good to know there are non-touristy areas to visit.
Agreed 😀
Wow, I’ve never heard of these islands, but they are beautiful! Now I’m checking prices to visit lol
😂