Ponza is the largest of a string of volcanic island, the others being Ventotene, Santo Stefano, Gavi, Zannone and Palmarola. Because of this origin, its 41km long coastline is varied and broken, a mosaic of coloured volcanic rock, bays or inlet:the rock formation shows great variety of shapes and colours, the white or grey tuff, the yellow sulphur,the red of the iron, the trachyte, the limestone...Its waters are some of the clearest and most pleasurable for swimming. These colours and shapes create enchanting places: Punta della Madonna (with the nearby cliffs), the Calzone Muto Cliffs, Lucia Rosa e Chiaia di Luna, Cala Feola, Cala dell' Acqua, Cala Parata, Cala Caparra on the north west side, Cala Gaetano, d'Inferno to the south, the big cliffs of Spaccapolpi with the Natural Arch.
The island is 5 miles in length and from 650 ft to one mile in width, and reaches a maximum altitude at Monte della Guardia of 1090 ft (279mt).Ponza was an ancient settlement, possibly inhabited by the Phoenicians. It later became a Roman colony: as witness the caves of Pilato and the exile of Nero by Tiberious on this island.
Because car traffic is limited, Ponza is a particularly peaceful spot. The main town comprises two nuclei: Ponza itself which is built up around the port, and Le Forna, 5 miles away by road, with their actractive low, whitewashed houses affording a typical architectural unity.