Latest listing added: January, 2023
Italy has approximately 450 islands – a collection headlined by Sicily, Sardinia, and Capri. The vast majority, roughly 350, are found off the nation’s mainland, in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. The remaining ~100 are recursive islands found throughout the country’s lakes and lagoons.
Islands in Italy are liveable year-round due to the country’s Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, while winters can be mild and wet.
All nine of the private islands currently listed for sale in Italy are freehold investments – granting permanent tenure of the land in question. Leasehold agreements, alternatively, grant temporary ownership of the land for a designated period. Such agreements can be renewed once the contract has run its course.
While there are few limitations placed on prospective foreign investors in Italy, there can be complications throughout the bureaucratic process. Obtaining assistance from bilingual lawyers is recommended from the onset. It’s also pertinent to note that closing costs can reach as high as 20% in Italy.
9 Private Islands for Sale in Italy
| Italy: Private Islands in Numbers |
|---|
| Private islands for sale: 9 |
| Median island size: ~113,000 SQM (28 acres) |
| Median island price: €6,260,000 (~$6,700,000) |
| Median island square meter price: ~€258 ($275) |
Santa Maria Island (€17,000,000)
- Location: Stagnone Lagoon, Tyrrhenian Sea, Sicily, Southern Italy
- Size: ~28 acres, ~11 hectares
- Description: ~20-minutes by motorboat from Birgi, 450km south of Rome
- Ownership: Freehold
- Development: Developed
- Listed on: Vladi Private Islands
- Map: See on Google Earth
Santa Maria Island commands a premiere location at the heart of the Stagnone Lagoon, a sheltered expanse of mirror-flat coastal water on the west coast of Sicily. In recent years, the lagoon has become recognised as one of the best places in the world for kitesurfing – an added perk for any sports-inclined investors.
The island has a mansion (460 square metres) and a 16th-century chapel. An additional residence for Santa Maria’s caretakers features alongside an animal shelter. Electricity is supplied to all facilities by an onsite generator.
While a functional olive grove is Santa Maria’s defining natural feature, the island is also populated by pine and palm trees. Prickly pears are a common sight too.
Santa Maria’s combination of natural beauty, location, and established mansion development makes it a premium opportunity for investors.
Ottagono Alberoni Island (€8,000,000 )
- Location: Venitian Lagoon, Venice, Veneto, Northern Italy
- Size: ~7 acres, ~3 hectares
- Description: 700m from shore, 10km from Venice, ~35-min by speedboat from Lido Island
- Ownership: Freehold
- Development: Developed
- Listed on: Lionard
- Map: See on Google Earth
Ottagono Alberoni is a private, octagonal island located in the Venetian Lagoon. The property is a historical remnant of naval fortifications first built in the 1500s.
The ~7-acre plot benefits from a premier location, with Venice just a short boat ride away. Access to the island is swift and easy, making access to the subsequent facilities and services of the city equally convenient.
Its balance between connectivity and seclusion makes Ottagono Alberoni an attractive location for a private residence.
A wall surrounds the entirety of the island, and there are multiple old constructions throughout the complex – dense greenery covers the rest of Ottagono Alberon’s interior. The island’s flagship residence spans 400 square metres and contains 10 large rooms. The home’s rooftop terrace accommodates panoramic views of the island and surrounding lagoon.
Isola Ravaiarina (€3,000,000)
- Location: West of Isla Gorgo and Grado, eastern Marano Lagoon, Northern Italy
- Size: ~142 acres, ~58 hectares
- Description: 1km from Grado Port, 430km northwest of Rome
- Ownership: Freehold
- Development: Developed
- Listed on: Vladi Private Islands
- Map: See on Google Earth
Isola Ravaiarina is a property with untapped tourist potential.
The property has two defining features – a once-operational restaurant and a collection of purpose-built fish farm lagoons. A potential investor could once again harness the surrounding lagoon’s natural bounty for use in Isola Ravaiarina’s restaurant. An injection of capital is arguably the spark needed to bring the return of paying customers.
Ravaiarina benefits from a fully functioning harbour, making transport to and from the mainland viable – the port at Grado is approximately one kilometre away by boat.
The property’s unique features and pre-established facilities make it one of the more intriguing private islands for sale on the Italian market.
Viscontea Island (€1,700,000)
- Location: East of Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Adda River, Northern Italy
- Size: ~0.5 acres, ~0.2 hectares
- Description: 40m from shore, ~30-min from Bergamo Airport, 504km NW of Rome
- Ownership: Freehold
- Development: Developed
- Listed on: Private Islands Online
- Map: See on Google Earth
Viscontea Island’s origins are intruiging. The small property was likely formed during the widening of the Adda river – land was displaced to facilitate the construction of a connecting bridge. Some historians even contend that Da Vinci played an active role in these operations.
After its creation, the island was used as a military fort and, later, as a fisherman’s home. It’s remained uninhabited since 1956.
The main house (238 square meters) that resides on Viscontea Island requires thorough renovation. It’s pertinent to note, though, that all buildings on the island – the main house and other small ancillary structures – are protected by landscape restrictions due to their historic provenance. As such, any renovations or changes would likely require the approval of various authorities.
Viscontea Island’s well-connected location is one of its most prominent assets – several airports are within an hour’s drive.
Isola delle Femmine Island (€1,650,000)
- Location: West of Mondello, Tyrrhenian Sea, Palermo, Sicily
- Size: ~34 acres, ~14 hectares
- Description: ~400m from shore, 16km from Palermo Airport, 410km south of Rome
- Ownership: Freehold
- Development: Development potential (restoration of ruins)
- Listed on: Christie’s
- Map: See on Google Earth
Isola delle Femmine (Island of the Women), also known as Isolotto, is another Italian island steeped in history – from the provenance of its name to the relics it features.
One legend tells that Turkish maidens were sent from their homeland on ships and left adrift in the middle of the sea. In time, the ships came to wreck on a small island, and it was there that they lived for seven years. The island in question became known as Isola delle Femmine.
A derelict watchtower is the island’s centrepiece – a remnant of the 16th-century defence system that protected Sicily from the attacks of Corsair ships. Whilst currently in ruin, there is potential for conservative restoration – a process that could pave way for a private residence or archaeological museum. Genuine intent to rebuild the structure would require cooperation with local and national bodies. There is also a possibility to obtain funding from the European Union or the Ministries of Cultural Heritage, Activities, and Tourism for a cultural development program on the isle. Though further details on such a proposition would have to be gleaned.
As is, the island could also serve as a valuable preservation piece.
Isola delle Femmine also benefits from its premium location on the Sicilian coast – the city of Palermo, and its airports, are less than 20 kilometres away.
Ottagono San Pietro Island (€1,500,000)
- Location: West of Santa Maria del Mare, Venetian Lagoon
- Size: ~0.7 acres, ~0.3 hectares
- Description: ~800m from shore, ~11km from Venice, ~384km north of Rome
- Ownership: Freehold
- Development: Non-developed
- Listed on: Private Islands Online
- Map: See on Google Earth
Ottagono San Pietro is one of five octagonal islands found in the Venetian Lagoon. Amongst serving other purposes, each of the five islands was used as a military base during the two world wars. Since the 1970s though, Ottagono San Pietro has remained uninhabited and abandoned – the structures left behind have fallen into mass disrepair. However, this does present a prime opportunity for an ambitious, restorative investor. With the island’s historical provenance and significance, the property has both private and commercial potential.
Proximity to the influential city of Venice is another boost to the island’s broad potential – transport links and foot traffic are plentiful.
Ottagono San Pietro’s size makes it one of the more manageable island investments on the Italian market.
Isola dei Cappuccini (Price Upon Request)
- Location: Costa Smeralda, Archipelago of La Maddalena, Olbia-Tempio, Sardinia
- Size: ~2 acres, ~0.8 hectares
- Description: 500m from the NW coast of Sardinia, 260km SW of Rome
- Ownership: Freehold
- Development: Developed
- Listed on: Italian Exclusive Real Estate
- Map: See on Google Earth
Isola dei Cappuccini is located just off the northern coast of Sardinia, one of Italy’s most famous islands. Proximity to Sardinia is one of the property’s most valuable assets, allowing for convenient access to established facilities and services.
Another of Cappuccini’s allures is its allowance for construction. A pre-built community of 8 circular bungalows already features on the island, all with large windows and sea views – Isola dei Cappuccini was intended as a residential hotel but the development project was left unfinished. Permits for a heliport, several floating docks, and a water system have been approved. There is no electricity on the island.
Isola dei Cappuccini has lingers on the precipice of operation – a strategic investor can take full advantage of that foundation.
Isola Lunga (Price Upon Request)
- Location: Marsala, Trapani, Sicily, Southern Italy
- Size: ~297 acres, ~120 hectares
- Description: 3km from shore, near Trapani-Birgi Airport, 450km south of Rome
- Ownership: Freehold Island Parcel
- Development: Development potential (restoration of ruins)
- Listed on: Sotheby’s
- Map: See on Google Earth
Isola Lunga, also known as Isola Grande, is the largest of the Stagnone islands. The property serves as an exemplar of the Marsala coast.
While the island in its entirety is approximately 120 hectares, roughly 88 hectares are for sale on the real estate market. The available acreage contains several ruined properties that have residential potential if restored.
Isola Lunga is known for the regenerative salt pans on its west coast. The island’s southern limb serves as a nature reserve showcasing the beauty of both the Italian landscapes and its natural inhabitants – migratory flocks of white and pink flamingos are some of the Lunga’s most famous visitors.
Santo Stefano Island (Price Upon Request)
- Location: Member of the Pontine Islands, Gulf of Gaeta, Tyrrhenian Sea
- Size: ~62 acres, ~25 hectares
- Description: 2km from Ventotene Island, 73km from Napoli Port, 147km SE of Rome
- Ownership: Part ownership of the island
- Development: Developed
- Listed on: Immobiliare
- Map: See on Google Earth
Santo Stefano is the smallest of the Pontine Islands – a collective that resides off the west coast of Naples. The island is located 2 kilometres from the populated island of Ventotene, and approximately 60 kilometres from the ports at Naples – a convenient position for comprehensive travel connections.
Due to its historical provenance, Santo Stefano yields valuable attention from nearby tourists. The island is the famed home of a Bourbon prison, a facility that saw use into the mid-1960s – prior to his rise to Italian presidency, Sando Pertini was famously interned in the facility.
The purchase of Santo Stefano Island does not include the historic prison, which will remain in state possession. In total, 25 out of a total of 28 hectares are for sale on the island.
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