Making the most of Ponza
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Ponza is a tender port, and its tender dock is in the city centre.
A printable map to take with you.
The port of Ponza is on the island of the same name, the largest Italian Pontine Island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Many celebrities are known to holiday there; Jacques and Philippe Cousteau filmed several documentaries in the area.
Filmmakers also favour Ponza. Most famously, Federico Fellini filmed Satyricon there in 1969.
See Ponza’s Botanical Garden; Cape White, a National natural monument; Lookout Hill, whose summit building was used for flag signalling; two caves from Homer’s the Odyssey; and a natural arch shaped like a pair of giant pants. Superb beaches are available too, while the friendliness of Le Forna’s inhabitants makes the area a very enjoyable place to visit.
Archaeological ruins are scattered across the island. The best known are the Etruscan-created Blue Grottos and the Roman Gallery, a tunnel joining Ponza town to its west-side large sandy beach, Chia di Luna. There is also a fascinating mixture of Etruscan, Roman, Egyptian, Canaanite and Greek ruins to explore.
Food and shopping
Walk along the waterfront, eat local cuisine in the restaurants, and browse boutique shops for local products.
Money
Currency: euro.
Staying connected
The language is italian.
Opening Hours and
Most Italian shops and businesses open Monday to Saturday from around 8am to 1pm, then about 4pm to 7pm. Many close on Saturday afternoons and Monday mornings, and the south may start and finish an hour later. Some northern businesses keep a 9am-5pm schedule to support international dealings. Traditionally all but bars and restaurants close on Sunday, though most towns have a morning pasticceria and Sunday opening is becoming more common in large cities and tourist areas.