The article reviews the current understanding of nanoantennas for visible and infrared radiation, emphasizing their ability to strongly enhance the interaction of light with nanoscale matter. The authors discuss the role of plasmonic resonances in the performance of nanoantennas and the influence of geometrical parameters imposed by nanofabrication. They also provide an overview of the field's current status and major lines of investigation, including applications such as nanoscale optical microscopy, spectroscopy, solar energy conversion, integrated optical nanocircuitry, optoelectronics, and ultra-sensing. The review covers classical antenna theory, the properties of metals at optical frequencies, the resonant behavior of single wires and isolated optical antennas, and the fabrication methods used to create these structures. Finally, it discusses the characterization techniques and their strengths, as well as the potential applications and perspectives in the field of nanoantennas.The article reviews the current understanding of nanoantennas for visible and infrared radiation, emphasizing their ability to strongly enhance the interaction of light with nanoscale matter. The authors discuss the role of plasmonic resonances in the performance of nanoantennas and the influence of geometrical parameters imposed by nanofabrication. They also provide an overview of the field's current status and major lines of investigation, including applications such as nanoscale optical microscopy, spectroscopy, solar energy conversion, integrated optical nanocircuitry, optoelectronics, and ultra-sensing. The review covers classical antenna theory, the properties of metals at optical frequencies, the resonant behavior of single wires and isolated optical antennas, and the fabrication methods used to create these structures. Finally, it discusses the characterization techniques and their strengths, as well as the potential applications and perspectives in the field of nanoantennas.