Pantelleria
A black volcanic island between Sicily and Tunisia, unique for its stone dammusi houses, the Lake of Venus and natural cave saunas, and known for its sweet wine and capers.
Pantelleria lies in the Mediterranean between Sicily and Tunisia, only about 70 km from the Tunisian coast — closer to Africa than to Sicily — and is administratively part of Trapani in the Sicily region. The whole island, about 83 km², is a volcano; its black lava coast has almost no sandy beaches, and stone dammusi houses, walled gardens and low bush vines create a landscape all its own. A national park was established here in 2016.
Areas to explore: in the north are the main town, the harbour castle and the Lake of Venus; in the northeast, the hot-spring harbour of Gadir, Punta Spadillo and the small Laghetto delle Ondine; the east coast's Cala Tramontana, Cala Levante and Elephant Arch are the best swimming spots; trails across Montagna Grande in the centre link the Benikulà cave sauna and the Favara fumaroles; at the southern tip is the rocky shore of Balata dei Turchi, while the west coast has the prehistoric Sesi tombs, Scauri and the hot springs of Nikà.
Best time to visit: June–September is ideal for swimming; August is the busiest and windiest month; May and October are quiet and good for hiking and wine tasting.
Getting there: flights from Palermo and Trapani, plus direct summer flights from northern Italy; ferries and fast boats also run from Trapani. Buses on the island are infrequent, so renting a car or scooter is recommended, and a boat trip around the island is a must. Plan to stay 3–5 days; book accommodation and car hire ahead in summer.
Top sights
- Specchio di Venere – A heart-shaped emerald lake in an ancient volcanic crater, fed by hot springs, with mineral-rich clay on its shores for mud baths. It is th…
- Arco dell'Elefante – A lava arch reaching into the sea on the east coast, shaped like an elephant bending to drink. It is Pantelleria's most famous postcard vie…
- Montagna Grande – The island's central volcanic peak at 836 meters, within Pantelleria National Park. Pine-forest trails offer views over the whole island an…
- Grotta di Benikulà (Bagno Asciutto) – Hot, humid steam seeps from volcanic rock caves, forming a natural sauna. A unique volcanic experience on the island.
- Cala Gadir – A small fishing harbour on the northeast coast, where natural hot-spring pools among the rocks sit by the sea. You can soak in the warm wat…
- Balata dei Turchi – A black lava platform at the island's southern tip, jutting into the sea and backed by high cliffs. It is the island's most spectacular spo…
- Cala Tramontana & Cala Levante – Two neighbouring coves on the east coast, with lava platforms and sunbathing terraces for easy entry into the water. The sea is clear, and…
- Laghetto delle Ondine – A natural seawater pool among the lava reefs on the north coast, filled by waves washing over the rocks. The water is clear and calm, ideal…
- Punta Spadillo – A black lava headland at the northeast corner of the island, where a lighthouse, a national park geology museum and a wartime bunker form a…
- Castello di Pantelleria – A medieval black-stone castle by the harbour, now a museum displaying Roman marble busts unearthed on the island, including one of Julius C…
- Sesi Necropolis – Bronze Age dome-shaped stone tombs, the largest of them, the 'King's Tomb', about 20 metres across, bearing witness to more than three thou…
- Giardino Pantesco Donnafugata (FAI) – A round garden enclosed by tall stone walls, planted with a single orange tree. It is a symbol of Pantelleria's UNESCO-listed traditional v…
- Nikà Hot Springs – A small bay on the southwest coast where hot springs seep from the rocks and mix with seawater, letting you soak in the warm pools and then…
- Grotta di Sateria – A sea cave on the west coast with warm spring pools that open onto the sea outside. Legend says it was the grotto of the goddess Calypso.
- Favara Grande – Volcanic fumaroles on the southern slope of Montagna Grande, where white steam constantly rises from the ground and visitors can get close…
- Acropolis of San Marco – Punic and Roman acropolis ruins of the ancient town on a hill south of the town, where marble heads including one of Caesar were unearthed.
- Scauri – A small fishing village on the southwest coast, known for seafood restaurants and sunsets; boat tours around the island often depart from h…
Where to eat
- Il Principe e il Pirata – A family-run trattoria listed in the Michelin Guide, where you can eat seafood couscous and Pantelleria desserts on a t…
- La Nicchia – A long-established seafood restaurant in Scauri, open since 1987, where you can eat sea urchin pasta and pizza in a gar…
- La Favarotta – A rustic family trattoria in the countryside, famous for ricotta and mint ravioli and Pantelleria-style braised rabbit.
- Il Cappero – A popular restaurant in the center of Pantelleria town, with pizza and local seafood dishes that draw crowds.
Itineraries
- Pantelleria Volcanic Island Escape – Fly to this black volcanic island to see the Elephant Arch and Lake Specchio di Venere, stay in a traditional dammuso…