Private Mediterranean cruise from Malta to the Amalfi Coast

A private cruise in the Mediterranean, starting from Malta to reach Sicily and the Amalfi Coast, is one of the best yacht experiences around the world.

If you plan to spend two weeks in Italy in the summer, this is doubtless the best way to do it. However, the mild climate of the south allows you to plan for a cruise like this from early June to late September – early October.

The private cruise is an ideal way to enjoy the atmosphere of the Southern countries, avoiding traffic, crowded beaches, and long transfers while maintaining all the comfort, privacy, and glamour of a luxury hotel.

For a cruise in the Mediterranean, we recommend planning a two-week time and considering only luxury superyachts to guarantee maximum comfort.

In two weeks, there is enough time to enjoy life on board and explore the most characteristic and interesting places in each destination. If you are particularly interested in Sicily or you have a shorter time at your disposal, check out our article dedicated to exploring Sicily on a private yacht.

Malta

This private cruise of the Southern Mediterranean Sea may start with the best boat tour of Malta, an archipelago consisting of three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

The history of Malta is rich as different populations ruled it: Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Aragonese, Knights of Malta, French, and English!

Valletta

Worth visiting, Valletta is Malta’s capital, also known as the fortified city and one of the smallest capital cities in the world.

Valletta, with the beautiful city line that makes it recognizable from the sea, is positioned on a hilly peninsula.

Take a pleasant, guided walk in the city to enjoy some artworks, churches, and palaces while learning more about local culture and traditions.

Thanks to its urban plan, inspired by neo-platonic principles, and its connection with the history of the military and charitable Order of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, it has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

For a spectacular panoramic view of the port of Valletta, head to the Barrakka Gardens, once part of the Italian artillery platform run by the Knights of St John and later transformed into a public park.

Gozo and Comino

The minor islands of Gozo and Comino are perfect destinations to reach by boat, with their clear waters and beautiful natural landscapes.

Also found in Gozo are the megalithic temples of Ġgantija, two of the seven temples declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. These well-preserved temples date back to the Copper Age.

Gozo is also known for its seabed, and it is, in fact, a great destination for scuba divers.

Comino is the quietest of the islands of Malta, only 3.5 square kilometers, with a total population that varies from 2 to 4 inhabitants!

Eastern Sicily

Keep cruising the Mediterranean on a yacht from Malta to the coast of Southern Italy through the Malta-Sicily Channel, and you will arrive at the southernmost point of Sicily.

You can stop in Marzamemi, a small village rich in history, a unique place to spend some time enjoying the view and the atmosphere before continuing your private Mediterranean cruise along the eastern coast of Sicily.

From Marzamemi to the Aeolian Islands

Leave Marzamemi to go northward along the Sicilian coast and reach Syracuse, one of the most important cities of ancient Greek origins.

Then continue your cruise to Riposto, a small town where your super-yacht can anchor. From here, you can visit the city of Catania, with its Baroque architecture and a famous fish market; Mount Etna, the volcano you can tour on board a jeep, and the town of Taormina, with its famous Greek theater and a lovely city center. 

Now head to the Aeolian Islands, an impressive archipelago consisting of 7 small islands, of which the most remarkable one is Stromboli, a still active volcano famous for the so-called Sciara del Fuoco, a steep slope formed of lava, lapilli, and incandescent scoria, which descends from the Stromboli crater and runs along the island’s northern flank. It is an impressive show, particularly at night, that you can enjoy on board your super yacht.

This itinerary on the easter coast of Sicily takes approximately 5 to 6 days. You can, of course, plan the stops to explore Sicily on your private yacht according to the total time at your disposal.

The Amalfi Coast

You can continue yachting in the Mediterranean from the Strait of Messina in Sicily to the Amalfi Coast. It takes approximately one day on a superyacht.

A world-renowned destination, the Amalfi Coast is one of those unique places where you can enjoy the view whether you are on board your yacht and looking at the coast or when you are on the beach looking at the sea!

The small villages, the hills, the bays, and the terraced gardens by the sea make the Amalfi Coast a harmonious, relaxing landscape.

The Amalfi Coast occupies the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, so you can sail all around the coast up to Sorrento, take a swim when the water is warm enough – usually from late June to late September, and stop to visit some of the villages.

Thanks to its glorious history, its unique architecture mixing eastern and western elements in the Arabic-Norman style, and of course, its natural beauty, Amalfi and the whole coast are today listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A good itinerary to visit the Amalfi Coast includes Amalfi, the main town on the coast, Ravello and Positano, and then continuing along the coast of the Sorrento Peninsula, stopping in Sorrento and reaching Capri.

Amalfi

Amalfi is the main town from which the coast derives its name.

It is a small town with less than 5,000 inhabitants. Still, between 839 and 1200, it was an independent republic and a significant trading power in the Mediterranean, rivaling Pisa, Genoa, and Venice.

You can plan a stop in Amalfi to visit its famous cathedral, the Duomo, and the Cloister of Paradise, where you can see the overlaying of different architectural styles through the centuries, from Arab-Norman to Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque!

On the cliffside terraces along the coast, you can find examples of the so-called heroic viticulture and agriculture, with the production of wine, olive oil, and the famous local tasteful, big lemons.

Ravello

Ravello is equally renowned and located on top of a hill. You can easily reach the village with a car transfer from the shore.

Thanks to its position, Ravello can offer beautiful panoramic viewpoints that make you want to take pictures.

Worth visiting are Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo. In summer, the annual Ravello Festival of music and art takes place in the gardens of Villa Rufolo, where an impressive large stage is built with the view of the bay as the background.

Positano

Positano is another renowned village along the coast, worth a visit. The main attraction is its architecture: hundreds of tiny houses from afar look like small cubes built one on top of the other with white or pastel-colored facades that you can enjoy while cruising on your private superyacht.

This is a preferred destination for actors, singers, and VIPs worldwide. Some come on holiday and stay at luxury hotels, some come on board their private yachts, and some even have their own house here.

In Positano, you can spend your time strolling along its uphill, tiny roads full of colorful shops vaguely reminding a casbah – but everything here, from clothes to jewels, from pieces of art to homeware, is very precious.

You can also relax at the beach, a long stretch of sand mixed with pebbles, or you can also choose to sit at a cafeteria or a restaurant, taste local food and traditional pastries, and enjoy the view.

An ancient Roman villa has been recently excavated and made available to visitors: Villa D’Ozio in Pompeian style, with some precious archaeological finds of the Roman age. It is a small archaeological site for those who love history, and pre-booking is recommended.

Sorrento and Capri

Sorrento is a lovely town with beautiful views, a lively atmosphere, and friendly inhabitants. Here you can enjoy a guided walk in the historical center, where you might notice the geometric plan of the streets typical of ancient Roman cities.

The best place in town to enjoy the most spectacular sunsets on the sea is the Villa Comunale, a public park where an elevator connects the center to the harbor and the beach.

Exploring the city, you might also enjoy a walk in a lemon grove to taste good lemon ice cream.

Lemons here differ from those in Amalfi: rounded, juicy, small, with an intense scent and a sweeter taste, they are used to make limoncello and delicious ice creams. Lemon leaves are also used in some culinary preparations, for example, to give aroma to grilled fiordilatte cheese.

If you are looking for a gourmet lunch or dinner, there are several Michelin-starred restaurants along the Amalfi Coast, some of which are in the center of Sorrento.

Located just in front of Sorrento is the island of Capri. Do not miss a stop in Capri, one of the best-known destinations in the Southern Mediterranean, to enjoy the view of the island with its famous Faraglioni from the sea.

Here you can book a chauffeured convertible car to tour Capri and Anacapri, the upper part of the island.

Two of the highlights worth seeing in Anacapri are the Blue Grotto and the Villa, which belonged to Axel Munthe, Swedish psychiatrist, and writer, with beautiful views of Capri. 

In the lowest part of the island, Capri, you can take a nice walk to the famous Piazzetta, the small square in the center of Capri, an area populated with cafeterias and restaurants. Continue to the Augustus Gardens, a panoramic garden overlooking the winding via Krupp, and enjoy some good shopping at the luxury boutiques along the tiny streets of the island.

From Capri, you can return to Malta by crossing the Mediterranean Sea southward, or you can fly back home from the nearby airport of Naples.

Crossing the Mediterranean on a crewed superyacht is an unforgettable experience.

This itinerary, including Sicily and the Amalfi Coast starting from Malta, is perfect for sea lovers, those who like to constantly explore new, impressive sites, and those who want to spend two weeks in Southern Italy in the summer. Among our luxury yacht cruises, you can find a sample schedule of a private cruise like this.