"I love Capri, but..." This beautiful island is not yet known to tourists

Capri in the Bay of Naples is one of the Italian destinations affected by overtourism. Although it is synonymous with heavenly holidays, it is worth looking around for less crowded alternatives to this destination. Magda Ciach-Baklarz, author of the blog Italia Poza Szlakiem recommends a hidden treasure of Italy. It is the island of Ustica, which is easily accessible from the capital of Sicily, Palermo . The ferry ride will take only 1.5 hours, and you can spend the night there.

A beautiful Italian island without the crowds

“It is beautiful, authentic and completely normal in terms of prices and accommodation,” encourages a blogger who knows Italy inside out. The coast with crystal clear water will appeal to Poles who like diving and admiring sea creatures. The only downside may be the lack of white-sand beaches, but that doesn’t stop you from swimming.

If you save up on the delicacies at the Sicilian market , you can spend the rest of your holiday budget on a cruise to Ustica (costs about PLN 125 one way) and a boat trip around the island. Renting a Vespa is also a good idea, so you can immediately feel like you're in the series "Emily in Paris", specifically its Italian version from the fifth season. Just like in Sicily, here you will also find delicious ice cream and Mediterranean delicacies. The locals are helpful and friendly towards their guests.

Holidays in Ustica. What are the prices for accommodation?

Although the accommodation base is not huge due to the small size of the island, even in the peak season we will not spend much per night here. In July, prices in facilities with good reviews start at PLN 206 per person per night. It will not come as a surprise that we found the fewest free dates around the Ferragosto holiday on August 15, when Italians flock to spend their holidays outside the city.

Interestingly, the name of this beautiful place seems dark from today's perspective. The ancient Romans called the island Ustica (from the Latin ustum, "burnt"), while among the Greeks it was known as Osteodes, or "ousseum" for the remains of mercenaries who died there of hunger and thirst. Today, the atmosphere is completely different, so tourists tired of Capri can already plan a short break during their Sicilian vacation or a longer, lazy stay away from the crowds.