Beyond luxury villas on the Amalfi Coast or Lake Como, Italy’s ultra-prime property market offers a rare collection of entire private islands for sale. Ranging from historic lagoon redoubts to wild Mediterranean outcrops, roughly ten private islands across the country are currently seeking new owners.
In the northern Venetian Lagoon, situated between Burano and Sant’Erasmo, lies Crevan. This 5,700-square-meter private enclave features a Napoleonic redoubt built in 1806, thoughtfully restored into a residential retreat with landscaped gardens, two private boat moorings, and a dedicated internal dock. Further south in the Venetian waters sits the Ottagono San Pietro, an iconic octagonal military fort originally constructed by the Republic of Venice and later expanded during World War II, offering substantial historical masonry awaiting adaptive reuse.
Heading south to Sicily, the iconic Isola delle Femmine emerges off the coast near Palermo. Spanning roughly 15 hectares of rugged, protected Mediterranean flora, it is crowned by the ruins of a 16th-century stone watchtower overlooking turquoise waters. On Sicily's eastern coast, near Taormina, the secluded Isola delle Sirene sits directly inside the bay of Mazzarò, boasting direct marine access and a private cove.
Northern freshwaters offer unique opportunities as well. Near Lecco, in Lombardy, the Isola Viscontea rests at the outlet of Lake Como along the Adda River. It spans around 2,100 square meters and includes a historic, fort-like residence linked to the Visconti dynasty. Meanwhile, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, several tiny islands within the Marano and Grado lagoons host traditional reed-roofed fishermen huts (casoni).
Prices range from €1.5 million for undeveloped islets to well over €5 million for turnkey properties with restored historical buildings, offering unmatched privacy and authentic historical heritage.
