Ponza

Ponza is the largest of the Pontine islands, a curved sliver of volcanic rock about eight kilometres long with a harbour of ochre, pink and yellow houses stacked above the water. The coast is cut with grottoes and stacks, and the standard visit is a boat circuit rather than a road trip. Chiaia di Luna is a crescent of beach under a pale sheer cliff, reached by a Roman tunnel driven through the headland; the beach has been repeatedly closed by rockfall risk and access has varied year to year. The Romans farmed fish here in rock-cut tanks still visible near the harbour.

History

The island was lived on from the Neolithic through Roman times and was first colonised by the Etruscans. Local legend links its name to Pontius Pilate, whose family is said to have owned a grotto here, but the name Pontia already appears in Strabo's Geography, written before Pilate was born (Wikipedia, Ponza).

What you'll find

• The harbour - pastel houses stacked above a curved volcanic bay.
• Chiaia di Luna - a crescent beach under a sheer pale cliff.
• The Roman tunnel - a cut passage through the headland to that beach.
• The sea caves - grottoes and stacks best seen by boat circuit.

When to go

June to September; ferries are reduced sharply out of season and cancelled in rough weather. August is extremely crowded and expensive.

Before you go

Chiaia di Luna access has been closed in some years for rockfall risk, so check before counting on it. Cars are restricted in summer. Prices in August are high.

Nearby

Palmarola lies west by boat; Gaeta is on the mainland.

Key facts