Island Seclusion: Undiscovered Escapes for a Secret Retreat

2. Marettimo, Italy – Sicily’s Best-Kept Secret

Most travelers heading to Italy’s islands stop at Capri or Sicily’s Aeolian chain, but Marettimo—the wildest of the Egadi Islands—remains a well-kept Mediterranean secret. Home to fewer than 700 residents, this rugged island is a hiker’s paradise, with ancient trails winding past prehistoric caves, crumbling Saracen towers, and panoramic cliffs plunging into the sapphire sea. Unlike its bustling neighbors, Marettimo has no cars, just footpaths and fishing boats. Days here are spent kayaking through sea caves, diving into impossibly blue coves, or hiking to the island’s 12th-century Norman castle. Evenings bring fresh seafood dinners at family-run trattorias, where fishermen still haul in the day’s catch. Best for: Hiking, kayaking, and a slow, rustic island escape. How to get there: Ferry from Trapani, Sicily (about 1.5 hours).