Cossyra Hotel
Pantelleria - Contrada Mursia
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Just 65 km from the African coast, which on the clearest days can be seen with the naked eye, lies Pantelleria, a wonderful island of volcanic origin with a difficult-to-resist charm. It’s not suited to a hit-and-run holiday – this is an island to be savoured and experienced at a slower pace.
Whether you prefer a dip in the sea or a mud bath, or perhaps a woodland walk, Pantelleria is perfect for escaping stress and the frantic pace of modern life. Don’t expect Caribbean beaches with fine sand and easy access, though: Pantelleria’s azure and crystal-clear sea requires effort, reached via trails and rather challenging rock passages.
Exclusive yet unpretentious, Pantelleria is beloved by celebrities for its lunar landscape, remote atmosphere and above all for its guarantee of absolute privacy. The island gets crowded with tourists during the summer months, but it can be visited year-round. One of the best times to visit is autumn, during the harvesting of the zibibbo grape.
You’ll witness a key ritual of Pantelleria’s millennia-old agricultural tradition, which through ingenious solutions such as Pantescan gardens and the characteristic alberello vine (whose cultivation has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site) has managed to produce gastronomic excellence from land that isn’t always generous.
These delicious products are just another reason to visit such a unique island!
Natural beauty and traces of an ancient culture make Pantelleria an island with timeless charm. Here are the island’s top attractions.
One of Pantelleria’s most photographed attractions is the Elephant’s Arch, a work of art created by nature. It’s a lava rock formation with a distinctive arch shape that vaguely resembles an elephant’s trunk.
Some of the island’s most famous tourist attractions are linked to its volcanic origins. Along the entire coastline you’ll find natural caves with pools of hot water at various temperatures: genuine natural thermal baths, similar to saunas and Turkish baths, with beneficial properties for the skin and general health.
The Natural Sauna of Sibà, also called Benikulá Cave2, is a cave carved into a rock fissure from which water vapour emerges at 40°C. It’s reached on foot via a path rich in Mediterranean vegetation, and once you arrive you can enjoy a splendid view over plains planted with vines.
An attraction not to be missed is Venus's Mirror3, a lake formed in a volcanic crater that gets its name because, according to legend, the goddess of Beauty would admire her reflection in its crystal-clear waters. The thermal muds of these waters may not make you as beautiful as Venus, but they certainly have health-giving properties; moreover, immersed in these scalding hot waters you’ll be able to admire stunning natural scenery.
Another phenomenon linked to the island’s volcanic origins is that of the Favare4, jets of steam that burst from a crack in the rock. They can be seen on the slopes of a mountain on the island’s southern side, but keep your distance: the water temperature can reach 100°C!
Other natural attractions not to be missed in Pantelleria include:
You’ll have no trouble spotting scattered across the island’s countryside some charming little houses characterised by thick walls of lava stone and a distinctive domed roof: these are the dammusi, Pantelleria’s traditional houses.
They make a lovely photographic subject but are also the ideal location for a peaceful holiday. VIPs have snapped up the finest dammusi on Pantelleria for their holidays (fashion designer Giorgio Armani had one built specially for him), but many others remain available for tourists.
In addition to the dammusi you’ll encounter structures in Pantelleria’s interior, particularly in the Mursia and Cimillia areas, stone constructions with elliptical shapes, vaulted roofs and small entrances. These are the sesi, ancient burial monuments dating back some 5,000 years.
More recent are the remains found on the heights of San Marco and Santa Teresa, from the Punic and Roman periods.
Located along the northern coast, the town of Pantelleria is the island’s only significant settlement. Many of the buildings were reconstructed after the Second World War and the town isn’t particularly charming, but it’s perfect for a few hours of relaxation, perhaps shopping in its characterful souvenir shops or savouring local culinary delights in a waterfront restaurant.
The only interesting attraction in the town of Pantelleria is the Castle, a lava stone structure of medieval origin that was used as a prison until the 1970s; today it houses a museum and hosts cultural events and exhibitions.
Criss-crossed by numerous trails along the coast and inland, Pantelleria is an ideal destination for walking enthusiasts. The paths aren’t always well marked, but they’re generally safe and suitable for all fitness levels.
The island’s highest peak is Montagna Grande, which reaches 863 metres: it’s the perfect spot for relaxing woodland walks among holm oaks and maritime pines, and for stunning panoramic views across the entire island.
If you prefer gentle rural scenery, explore Piana di Ghirlanda, the zibibbo grape-growing area.
50 km of coastline and not a single beach – or at least not a beach in the conventional sense. It might seem that Pantelleria isn’t suited to sea lovers, but that’s not the case at all – quite the opposite, in fact!
Pantelleria’s beaches are “descents to the sea”, natural inlets reachable only by boat or via trails and rocky passages that aren’t always easily navigated.
Remote and wild, these small coves without amenities don’t attract mass tourism but are instead ideal for nature lovers. Moreover, thanks to their crystal-clear waters and distinctive dark seabeds rich in marine flora and fauna, they’re a true paradise for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts.
The most famous of these inlets is Balata dei Turchi6, a bay nestled between high rock walls formed by a lava shelf that allows access to the sea, perhaps used in the past by pirates as a natural anchorage. The waters are an incredibly transparent azure colour: the beauty of the place will certainly make you forget the effort it took to reach it.
Another highly evocative location is Laghetto delle Ondine7, a sort of natural pool created by a mass of rocks right at the edge of the open sea. Swimming in tranquil waters, completely safe, whilst watching waves crash against the rocks is an experience not to be missed!
Add to your Pantelleria beach list Cala Cottone8, Cala Gadir9, Cala Tramontana10 and Cala Levante11, and do take at least one boat excursion during your holiday. You can join an organised trip with the island’s tour operators or hire a speedboat.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
One of the island’s most famous food and wine products is Passito di Pantelleria, a DOC wine made from zibibbo, a white grape variety that’s difficult to cultivate, according to a natural drying process. It’s a sweet wine typically paired with desserts, but can also go well with blue cheese.
Make the most of your holiday to taste this exceptional wine at one of the wineries where it’s produced. The historic Donnafugata winery organises guided visits during the summer months with the option of choosing from four different tastings.
Another island product famous worldwide is IGP caper, used as an ingredient in Pantelleria’s typical pesto (called Dantean pesto or ammogghiu).
Dishes you absolutely must try are pasta with ammogghiu, fish couscous, mulberry granita, and baci panteschi (sweet pastries filled with ricotta and chocolate).
Hotels in Pantelleria are few and mostly mid-range, while there’s plenty of choice for apartments and holiday rentals.
A unique experience is staying in a dammuso: many of these traditional dwellings have been converted into holiday homes; some can be booked online. Located in remote positions surrounded by greenery, they guarantee absolute privacy and are perfect for a relaxing holiday or a romantic couple’s getaway.
If your budget is limited, look for accommodation in the town of Pantelleria, which is certainly less charming than the surrounding countryside but is the most economical area; moreover, staying in the town centre you’ll have shops, services and restaurants within easy reach.
For holidays in August it’s advisable to book well in advance.
The simplest way to get to Pantelleria is to fly to Trapani and from there take a ferry which will get you there in about two hours.
The island has a small civil airport served by domestic flights, including budget options, departing from Sicily and major Italian cities. A local bus connects the airport to the town of Pantelleria.
To get around the island it’s advisable to hire a car.
The direct flights to are carried out by the airline from the airports of .
What's the weather at Pantelleria? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Pantelleria for the next few days.
The island of Pantelleria lies halfway between the Sicilian coast and Tunisia, though it's actually closer to the latter.
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