🇮🇹 Marinas in Italy — Western Mediterranean

Along the Ligurian coast, towns and small harbours sit below steep green slopes. Farther south, sandy stretches of Tuscany alternate with headlands and islands; around Naples and Amalfi, mountains again meet the sea. Sardinia and Sicily add extensive island coasts and open crossings, quite different from sailing between neighbouring mainland towns.

Summer is hot ashore, particularly in the south; popular islands and resorts are busiest in July and August. Late spring and early autumn offer more time for walks without intense heat. Weather is more changeable outside summer, particularly relevant on open crossings.

Around Sardinia, the northwesterly maestrale can significantly affect sailing conditions, with winds accelerating in the Strait of Bonifacio. On exposed coasts, the choice of bay depends on wind and wave direction. Marine protected areas and national parks have their own conditions for stopping and visiting.

Ashore, the experience varies widely: Ligurian palaces and old ports, Tuscan fortified towns, lively quarters of Naples and Palermo, island villages and Sicily’s ancient sites. Walks, local food and swimming naturally complement the sailing.