Private islands in Italy sound wildly extravagant, but a handful do quietly pop up on the market now and again. Most are steeped in history, come with planning strings attached, and are far more about stewardship than flashy luxury. The examples below are drawn from Private Islands Inc's current listings.
Island of Ottagono San Pietro, Venice
Ottagono San Pietro, one of many unknown Venice islands, sits in the Venetian Lagoon, a short boat ride from central Venice. The island dates back to the 16th century and was part of Venice’s elaborate military defence system. Like many lagoon fortresses, it was later abandoned as warfare changed, leaving behind thick brick walls and overgrown courtyards since the 70s.
Covering around 2,832 square metres, the island includes the remains of the original fortifications and open land, but no habitable residential property. Any redevelopment would be tightly controlled by heritage and environmental rules. The price of the island on the Private Islands Inc website is upon request.
Viscontea Island, Lake Como
Viscontea Island is a tiny islet on Lake Como, close to Lecco and Malgrate. You can reach it in minutes by boat from the mainland. Traditionally linked to the Visconti family, the island has long been part of local lore. Over the years, it has hosted fishermen, monks and, more recently, a small restaurant, though it has never been heavily developed.
Around 2,150 square meters in size, the island has been listed at roughly €1.5 million. It’s small, with a single historic building and limited outdoor space, making it more suitable as a private retreat than a grand estate.
Ustica, Sicily
Ustica lies in the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 65 km north of Palermo and west of the lesser-known island of Alicudi. It’s a volcanic island with a permanent population of around 1,000 people. Ustica has been inhabited since ancient times, first by Phoenician settlers and later by the Romans, and it served as a place of exile and a penal colony. The waters around Ustica are protected as a marine reserve, so snorkelling and diving are exceptional.
What appears on the market here are large private estates, not the island itself. One current listing is priced at around €1.5 million and covers a seven‑acre parcel of land with restored buildings, olive groves, a private well and permission for limited additional construction.
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