An Italy yacht charter gives you a diverse range of destinations and an enormous selection of yachts at your disposal, making it the perfect summer choice in the Mediterranean. Whether you want to explore the beauty of Portofino or cruise the Amalfi Coast in style, renting a yacht in Italy offers so much to see and do. Islands like Sardinia are an oasis of white sand beaches, while cities such as Venice offer fascinating culture and ancient history. Ideal for every type of charter guest, an Italy yacht rental is set to be one of our most popular cruising destinations for summer 2023 and beyond.
ITALY YACHT BOOKING GUIDE:
- Italy Yacht Charters: At a Glance
- Popular Destinations for Yacht Rentals in Italy
- Popular Sub-Regions in Italy
- Highlights of an Italy Yacht Charter
- Who Goes on an Italy Yacht Charter?
- History and Culture
- Types of Yacht Charters in Italy
- How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Yacht in Italy?
- When is the Best Time for Italy Yacht Rentals?
- Where Should I Begin My Yacht Charter in Italy?
- Popular Marinas and Moorings in Italy
- How to Book Your Yacht Charter in Italy
Known for its romantic charm, beloved cuisine, and picture-perfect towns and cities, Italy is one of the Mediterranean’s shining jewels. The mainland forms part of the Italian Peninsula, which sits in the heart of the Mediterranean basin with the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the east. The smaller Ligurian Sea can also be found on the north-western coast.
- Unique variety of destinations
Italy has a vast number of different destinations which you can visit within a relatively short itinerary. Spend a day on the beach, followed by a day exploring the city! - Plenty of marinas
The most popular cruising regions are well-catered to superyachts of all sizes. - More coastline than anywhere else in western Europe
The country has over 7,200 kilometres of coast, with plenty of islands that create interesting and diverse itineraries. - International access
Italy is well-connected to the rest of the world, with plenty of international airports which offer direct, intercontinental flights at all times of the year. - An expansive charter fleet
Whatever type of yacht you’re looking for, you can be sure to find it in Italy. Most of the world’s largest superyachts spend their summers in Italy; but there are plenty of smaller yachts, sailing vessels and sports yachts also available to book.
There are so many destinations in Italy, it can be tricky to know where to start. Let us help to break it down for you.
The Ligurian Riviera (Liguria, Portofino, Rapallo)
Best for: Scuba-diving, upscale restaurants, cultural landmarks
The Amalfi Coast (Positano, Capri, Sorrento)
Best for: Pretty towns, UNESCO-listed scenery, celebrity-spotting, romantic venues
Sardinia (Sardegna, Porto Cervo, Costa Smeralda)
Best for: Sandy beaches, buzzy venues, luxury retail, swimming and snorkelling
Sicily (Palermo, Marsala)
Best for: Peace and quiet, fascinating history, interesting monuments, unspoilt beaches
East Coast Italy (Apulia, Puglia, Bari)
Best for: Wine tasting, hiking, authentic restaurants
Venice (Veneto)
Best for: Art galleries, theatres, ancient architecture
Also known as the Italian Riviera, Liguria Riviera yacht rentals are characterised by centuries-old architecture, historic landmarks, and craggy cliffs. Highlights of the Italian Riviera include Cinque Terre, a string of former fishing towns carved into the hills overlooking the sea. Nearby Portofino shares the same type of brightly-coloured buildings and is a magnet for superyacht charters.
Amalfi Coast yacht rentals are one of the most beloved cruising grounds in Italy. Also known as the Sorrentine Peninsula, the coast stretches from Naples to Salerno, covering towns such as Sorrento, Positano, Ravello and Amalfi. Islands including Capri and the Phlegrean archipelago (which covers Ischia, Procida and Vivara) are included in the Amalfi Coast. The region has limited beaches, but plenty to see and do onshore- you won't ever be bored on the Amalfi Coast!
The island of nearby Capri is steeped in culture, history and natural beauty. Explore the ancient villas, and discover the wonders of the legendary Blue Grotto.
Located in the Tyrrhenian sea next to the French island of Corsica, Sardinia is hugely different to the Italian mainland. In contrast to the steep bluffs and deep sapphire sea of the Amalfi Coast and Italian Riviera, Sardinia is bordered by sugary sand beaches and crystal-clear bays.
The north-east coast of the island is the most popular for visiting yachts. For keen sailors, a voyage around La Maddalena archipelago can't be beaten- it's the same location where a number of prestigious regattas are held and it sits on the famous Costa Smeralda, which is well-known for its beaches and fantastic snorkeling opportunities. Porto Cervo is a luxury-lovers dream, with its high-end shops and designer emporiums close to the main port. Meanwhile, Olbia is the quieter sister of Porto Cervo, where you can while away the day wandering around museums and admiring the architecture.
A cultural gem of Italy, Venice is a city that is primed for of art and theatre fans. There are countless museums and art galleries for you to explore during your visit, and while you can't cruise your yacht through the city's inner waterways, you can indulge in a gondola ride- and that's far more intimate and romantic!
Nearby, the island of Murano is famed for its production of unique hand-blown glass art, and makes the perfect stop for a day wandering the boutiques and galleries.
Yacht charters in Venice can also incorporate the beautiful neighboring destinations of Croatia into their itinerary. Speak with your yacht charter broker for more information.
An Italy yacht rental vacation offers an abundance of things to see and do. Here is our small selection of some of the most impressive:
- Chryst of the Abyss, an 8-ft bronze statue that stands 17m below the surface of the sea in Portofino, creating a popular diving spot.
- Fontelina, an iconic beach club set on the rocks in Capri.
- Villa Rufolo, a villa with beautiful, manicured gardens overlooking the sea in Ravello.
- Il San Pietro di Positano, a pretty hotel with an elegant terrace looking out over the ocean in the cliffs of Positano.
- The Faraglioni, a rock formation off the coast of Capri.
- Cala Goloritze, in Sardinia, a white-sand beach which is consistently voted one of the prettiest in Europe.
- Hotel Splendido, timeless hotel and SuperyachtSet hotspot in the hills looking out over the bay of Portofino.
- The Sunken City of Baiae, a small city that sunk into the sea during Roman times close to Naples.
- The Blue Grotto, or Grotto Azzura, a semi-submerged cave in Capri where the light refracts the sunlight from outside, creating a mesmerizing optical illusion.
From family-friendly fun to dazzling party hotspots, Italy provides it all. You can enjoy laid-back cruises or jam-packed island-hopping and finish your yacht charter with enough memories to last a lifetime.
With a rich history stretching back thousands of years, Italy has long been a pilgrimage destination for culture vultures across the globe, who come in their droves to absorb its beautiful architecture, fine art and iconic culture. From the colosseum in Rome and world-famous artists to its iconic fashion houses, the allure of Italy's rich history and culture is clear.
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to superyachts for charter in Italy, with one of the largest and most diverse fleets in the world for you to choose from.
You can choose between a small, fast and sporty motor yacht, or a larger one with all the latest amenities; or something in between the two. Motor yachts with planing hulls are ideal for you if you want to zip between destinations quickly. They are sleek, sexy and ideal for speed demons. However, be aware that they consume more fuel and will be less stable at anchor.
Motor yachts with displacement and semi-displacement hulls are generally slower, but offer more space as well as stability at anchor. The largest yachts in the international charter fleet are all displacement or semi-displacement.
There are plenty of sailing yachts for charter in Italy. Choose between a high-performance ketch, a classic sloop or a catamaran for increased on-board volume.
The country’s west coast is better for experienced sailors who aren’t afraid of wind and swell. The east side is more relaxed, and you can easily incorporate some island-hopping around Croatia into your vacation.
With so many options available, there’s something to suit every type of budget in Italy. The average prices for motor and sailing yacht charter in Italy are as follows;
- An Italy motor yacht rental can range from $32,600 to $1.3m per week plus expenses
- A sailing yacht charter in Italy averages from $29,000 to $560k weekly plus expenses
Italy’s charter season runs between April and October. Peak season is in July and August, when the mercury’s at its peak and rainfall and wind levels are at their lowest. Savvy charterers looking to save some money should consider chartering a yacht in Italy during shoulder season, which is generally between April and May, and September and October. While these months aren’t as lively as peak season, you can still enjoy warm weather, fewer tourists, and less competition for slips.
Italy’s west coast is the most popular region for yacht charters, and most of clients will usually book a week or more in order to fully experience all that this slice of paradise has to offer.
Most yacht rentals begin in Naples with access to the most popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast, Capri and Sardinia. For yacht charters on the Italian Riviera, most people begin in Genoa.
You can browse our selection of tailor-made itineraries to help you choose the type of vacation that’s right for you;
Itineraries
The most popular destination for beginning or ending a yacht charter is by far and wide Naples, especially for the Amalfi Coast, thanks to its excellent international links and well-provisioned superyacht marinas.
While exploring Italy by yacht, you will find plenty of marinas that cater to a wide range of superyachts. This includes:
- Marina di Stabia is a luxury marina close to Naples, which caters to yachts up to 100m.
- Marina Molo Luise is a second option close to Naples, which caters to yachts measuring up to 140m.
- Porto Lotti, located in the Italian Riviera, caters to yachts of up to 100m.
- Darsena Fontanelle on the East Coast has a maximum capacity of 60m.
- Venice Yacht Pier, which has the capacity to host yachts of up to 120m.
Italy is one of our most popular destinations in the summer months. Therefore, advanced booking is crucial if you want to secure your perfect yacht, in your ideal destination on your preferred dates.
Your broker will also need plenty of time to tailor an itinerary to suit you, and enough time to book ahead for the nights you wish to spend in marinas. We recommened booking up to 3 months in advance to give your yacht charter broker the optimum time to organise everything down to the last detail.
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