Why this hidden Italian gem should be at the top of your Mediterranean bucket list
Picture this: a crescent-shaped beach wrapped in towering white cliffs that glow like gold when the moon rises. Waters so turquoise they look photoshopped. And a name that literally translates to “Moon Beach” – because locals swear the cliffs reflect moonlight back onto the sea on full moon nights. Welcome to Chiaia di Luna, arguably the most breathtaking beach in Italy’s Pontine Islands.
What Makes Chiaia di Luna So Special?
Chiaia di Luna is dominated by sheer vertical white and yellow tuff cliffs that rise more than 300 feet (100 meters) above the turquoise-colored sea below. This isn’t just another pretty beach – it’s a geological masterpiece that’s been wowing visitors for centuries.
The beach gets its poetic name from the Neapolitan dialect: “chiaia” means “beach” and “luna” means “moon,” referring to the beach’s crescent-moon shape. But here’s the thing that’ll blow your mind – locals claim that on nights when the moon is full, the cliffs reflect the lunar light back onto the waters below.
The stunning stats:
- Pebbly beach extending for about 600 meters
- 500m-long (1,640-ft.) and 100m-tall (328-ft.) wall of luminescent tufa
- The island’s largest bay, located along the south-western shore of Ponza
The Bittersweet Reality: Access Restrictions
Here’s where things get a bit complicated, and honestly, it’s the island’s biggest heartbreak. Chiaia di Luna was the most popular beach of Ponza island but is now closed after a series of deaths due to falling rocks. Access to the beach is forbidden due to the instability of these rock formations.
The closure happened after a landslide in 2001 that caused the death of a vacationer, and despite various safety measures attempted over the years, it is likely that this beach will never be opened to the public.
But don’t let this stop you from visiting! While you can’t sunbathe on the actual beach, the views are absolutely spectacular from several vantage points.
How to Experience Chiaia di Luna (Even When It’s Closed)
The Sunset Pilgrimage
Every hour before sunset, you will see a pilgrimage of people walk to an ascending hill that plateaus to a small piazza overlooking the beach and the teal glass waters. This has become one of Ponza’s most beloved traditions.
Boat Tours Around the Bay
You can admire it from the water, and honestly, this might be the most magical way to experience Chiaia di Luna. The perspective from the sea gives you the full drama of those towering cliffs.
The Historic Roman Tunnel
Even though you can’t reach the beach, there’s an ancient, 100m (328-ft.) tunnel that the Romans bored under the mountain to allow easy access between the two sides of the island. The tunnel itself is fascinating to explore and gives you a sense of the beach’s historical importance.
Luxury Hotel Views
Hotel Chiaia di Luna features terraces with views of Chiaia di Luna Bay, and you can enjoy breathtaking sunset drinks at Kibar at the Grand Hotel Chiaia di Luna.
Getting to Ponza: Your Island Adventure Starts Here
From Rome (The Most Popular Route)
Option 1: Via Anzio
- Take a direct train from Roma Termini to Anzio, then catch a hydrofoil ferry to Ponza. The ferry ride takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes
- From the station to the port of Anzio, it’s a 15-minute walk
- Note: Ferry services from Anzio are seasonal, typically operating from late May to late September
Option 2: Via Formia
- Take a direct train from Roma Termini station to Formia-Gaeta Station and then board a ferry to Ponza
- There are three crossings each way per day; two by ferry and one by hydrofoil. The ferries from Formia take two and a half hours while the hydrofoils are significantly faster at an hour and twenty minutes
- The most regular crossings are via the port of Formia from where you can cross to Ponza all year round
From Naples
Seasonal hydrofoil service from June 7 to September 7, 2025. Duration: approximately 2 hours 50 minutes
Other Mainland Ports
- Terracina: Seasonal and daily from April to September but only on weekends from the middle of September
- San Felice Circeo: The shortest route from the mainland with a journey time of an hour by hydrofoil but only available from April to September
Ferry Costs
The cheapest adult ticket price from the mainland is €18 for the ferry from Formia to Ponza while the hydrofoils cost between €8 and €10 more
When to Visit: Timing Your Ponza Adventure
Best Overall Time
The best time to visit Ponza is during the summer months, from June to mid-September, when the weather is warm, the sea is perfect for swimming, and the ferry schedules are most frequent
Month-by-Month Breakdown
- June: One of the best months — warm weather, crystal-clear waters, and fewer crowds (except the weekend of June 29th when Romans flock to the island for the feast of Saints Peter and Paul — avoid this weekend)
- July: Great month, but expect higher prices and more visitors. Book accommodations and boats well in advance
- August: Peak season. Especially around the week of Ferragosto (August 15th), the island gets packed with Italian vacationers
Where to Stay for the Best Chiaia di Luna Experience
Grand Hotel Chiaia di Luna
The obvious choice for Chiaia di Luna enthusiasts. Set on the cliffs of Ponza, Hotel Chiaia di Luna features terraces with views of the port, Chiaia di Luna Bay, and Palmarola Island. It features a restaurant next to its salt-water pool and Mediterranean-style rooms.
Recent guest reviews rave: “Get a balcony room to take in the incredible setting. Outstanding breakfast. Don’t miss sunset on the patio with an aperitivo in hand” and “wonderful sunsets from the hotel pool area”.
Exploring Ponza Beyond Chiaia di Luna
Other Must-Visit Beaches
- Cala Feola: Ponza’s only proper sandy strip, located deep inside a sheltered bay
- Frontone: One of the more accessible beaches
- Lucia Rosa Beach: A secluded spot accessible only by boat on the west coast with clear waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling
Island Transportation
Ponza is best explored on foot, by bike or by scooter, as non-resident cars are restricted during the summer. You’ll also find taxi-boats and boat rentals, making it easy to explore the island’s coastline.
Pro Tips for Your Chiaia di Luna Visit
Booking and Planning
- Ferry schedules can change due to weather and seasonal variations. Book ferry tickets in advance if you’re traveling during peak summer months
- Book the ferry in advance: ferries sell out quickly in the summer
Getting the Best Experience
- Explore by boat: renting a boat or joining a guided tour is the best way to discover Ponza’s hidden coves, sea caves, and natural pools
- Go late in the evening to admire this masterpiece – the sunset views are legendary
- If you want to enjoy the island to its fullest, you should spend at least 4 days here
What to Bring
- Camera with good zoom for those cliff-top photos
- Comfortable walking shoes for exploring viewpoints
- Snorkeling gear if you’re taking a boat tour
- Appetite for amazing seafood
The Cultural Significance
Chiaia di Luna isn’t just a pretty face – it’s steeped in history. Archaeologists discovered the remains of one of three Roman necropolises on the island above the beach, and there is evidence that the natural bay at Chiaia di Luna was chosen as a safe landing site by ancient civilizations.
Final Thoughts: Why Chiaia di Luna Still Deserves Your Visit
Yes, you can’t actually set foot on the beach. But sometimes the most beautiful things in life are meant to be admired from afar. The “Chiaia di Luna” is certainly the most famous and photographed beach on the island of Ponza, and there’s a reason why every hour before sunset, you will see a pilgrimage of people walk to an ascending hill that plateaus to a small piazza overlooking the beach.
The magic of Chiaia di Luna lies not just in its physical beauty, but in the way it captures the imagination. It’s a place where ancient Romans built tunnels, where moonlight dances on cliffs, and where nature’s power both creates and restricts access to paradise.
If you love nature, rocky coastlines and boat trips, Ponza is the place for you. And Chiaia di Luna? It’s the crown jewel that will leave you planning your return trip before you’ve even left.
So pack your camera, book that ferry ticket, and prepare to fall in love with one of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular sights. Trust us – even from a distance, Chiaia di Luna will take your breath away.
