Ponza Island is a very popular destination for Italians, especially Neapolitans and Romans because the latter is located in the center of both regions. The island of Ponza is absolutely recommended for tourists, as it has always been defined as a "Capri without tourists" and therefore a more authentic island and above all fairer in cost.
The history of the island is very interesting and rich, just like its landscapes. During the Roman Empire, nobles bought houses on the island, but when the empire fell the island was abandoned completely. It was only repopulated in the 18th century, when the Bourbon dynasty decided to take control.
At the beginning of 1900 many Italians emigrated to America to seek their fortune, and when they returned for the summer holidays they came to Ponza. At that time it was very easy to find English natives or people who could speak this language, at least until 1940. After that this tendency has gradually been lost and nowadays it is really difficult to find some survivors of that generation.
The origin of the name is perhaps due to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who condemned Jesus to the crucifixion: however, it is more likely that the name derives from the Latin "Pontia" (whose meaning is bridge) because Ponza is rich in natural bridges.
A living paradise.
It’s not hard to think about living your life in Ponza. In particular, pensioners would certainly find a huge benefit especially thanks to the crystal clear water that surrounds the entire island and its sparkling colors that win the eye of the observer.
The total population of Ponza does not exceed 4000 people, and it is for this reason that it is a very quiet city especially in the non-summer period where the absence of tourists the bare of that chaos that instead there could be in summer.
In fact, it is between June and September that the island is populated and comes back to life, especially thanks to the very mild climate that allows you not to exceed 29 degrees.
Living here is a great idea for those who want to rest and enjoy the advantages of the small city without sacrificing any comfort and especially having the opportunity to reach the nearby Rome. Ponza is an earthly paradise after a life spent at work, and the warmth of the people does nothing but emphasize how beautiful and original this place is.
What to do.
What is there to do on the island of Ponza? The nature of the island itself suggests that the best way to spend your time is for sure by diving in the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, sunbathing, scuba diving and so on. All that has to do with the sea is one of the main activities of the island, but it also hides other attractions.
The most popular beach is Frontone Beach, excellent especially for those who love swimming. The peculiarity of the Island of Ponza is that although all the beaches are free (or almost), they have problems of inaccessibility. Many of these can only be reached by boat, which is what makes the island of Ponza a real paradise. Imagine being in the middle of the sea aboard your boat is very relaxing, and certainly one of the most accomplished activities on the island.
For lovers of "land", we recommend the many attractions. As for example the Church of Saints Silverico and Domitilla, one of the most famous churches in Italy. For those who love good food we suggest instead to visit a very famous restaurant that has even received the recognition of the Michelin star, or "Crazy Water". These are all unmissable activities.
How to reach Ponza.
There are several ways to get to Ponza. If you are leaving from Rome, just take a train from Roma Termini station to Anzio Colonia station. Here you can walk a few minutes to reach the port of Anzio, and then take a ferry to Ponza. The total cost of the train is around 50€, a very low price considering that the island is an hour and a half away from the mainland.
Even if you leave from Naples you can reach Ponza directly. Departing from the port of Naples, in fact, in three hours you can reach the island of Ponza. However, the trip is scheduled only a few days a week.
