Marina di Portorosa

Carved out of the Sicilian coastline near Messina in the 1980s through ambitious private investment and literal dredging of the land, Marina di Portorosa is a 650-berth facility that can handle vessels from 6 to 35 meters across 4 kilometers of moorings. It's the kind of place that feels a little ahead of its time, with a marketplace, café, and the on-site Zammù restaurant meaning you rarely need to go far. You're also well-positioned to explore the Aeolian Islands nearby, making it a solid base for longer cruises through this stretch of the Tyrrhenian Sea.