Levanzo is the smallest of the Aegadian Islands, with just 200 resident inhabitants and a surface area of 5.6 square kilometres. Located approximately 15 kilometres west of Trapani, it’s a genuinely interesting tourist destination to visit: with no roads and therefore wild and authentic, it boasts stunning landscapes and is, of course, blessed with crystal-clear waters.
Between caves and archaeological sites, submerged ancient wrecks and scenic beauty, a holiday on Levanzo refreshes both body and spirit, allowing you to relax and make the most of one of Italy’s most unspoilt corners.
Levanzo is a small island, but it conceals enough beaches for all tastes. Here are the best ones:
Located on the south-eastern side of the island, Cala Minnola can be reached on foot with about a 20-minute walk. It features clear, bright blue waters and is surrounded by a pine grove that provides shelter from the sun, where there are also several wooden picnic benches. Note that there are no refreshment facilities, so it’s essential to bring food and drink with you. Just offshore from Cala Minnola, at approximately 30 metres depth, you can admire a series of archaeological artefacts from the Roman era.
Cala Dogana is Levanzo’s “town” beach, or at least the one closest to the village, just a few metres west of the harbour. It’s easily reached on foot and is a shingle beach with easy access to the sea, suitable for children and beginners. Behind Cala Dogana stand the white houses of the village, whilst offshore you’ll see fishermen’s boats.
Just a 10-minute walk from Cala Dogana, along a beaten path that hugs the coast passing through Punta San Leonardo, you’ll find Cala Fredda, a sand and shingle beach with stunningly azure waters. Nestled in unspoilt, wild nature, Cala Fredda is ideal for children as access to the water is straightforward and the seabed slopes gently. Be aware that there are no refreshment facilities on the beach.
Moving to the northern area of Levanzo, we reach Cala Tramontana, the island’s largest beach. It’s a shingle beach squeezed between red rock faces flanking it, while the area features several caves to explore freely. Given its distance from the inhabited centre, it’s worth reaching it via one of the water taxis departing from the harbour, though there is also a walking route across the entire island in a north-south direction, passing Capo Grosso.
Cala Faraglione ranks among Italy’s 20 most beautiful beaches and is undoubtedly Levanzo’s most famous. It’s a shingle beach and can be reached in just a few minutes on foot from the village, following the road along the south-western coast. Once you arrive, you’ll be treated to a truly spectacular panorama, with the sea stack directly ahead and an unparalleled view of the other two Aegadian Islands, Favignana and Marettimo.
Despite being the smallest of the Aegadian Islands, Levanzo has a series of things to do and see that are truly unmissable.
The main activity to do on Levanzo is a boat tour. It allows you to discover caves and the most unspoilt areas, departing from the village harbour and visiting a series of iconic island locations, such as Cala Faraglione, the Buco marine cave, named after an arch that allows entry into it, and Capo Grosso, with its lighthouse: this is where the Battle of the Aegadian Islands took place between Carthaginians and Romans in 241 BC, ending the First Punic War.
Discovered only in 1949, the Grotta del Genovese is located north-west of the inhabited centre; it was inhabited between 10,000 and 6,000 BC, and inside you’ll find a series of rock engravings depicting images of animals now extinct, such as aurochs and the European wild ass.
Other paintings testifying to life on Levanzo during Sicilian prehistory depict human figures painted in black and red, and a series of mammals and fish, such as tuna, which were very important to the island and the sustenance of its inhabitants.
The cave is open to visitors every day; from the official website you can book a guided visit lasting approximately 2 hours, departing daily at 10:30-10:45.
For diving enthusiasts, tiny Levanzo is a veritable paradise, both for observing flora and fauna and for the unique opportunity to see archaeological artefacts beautifully preserved from the Punic-Roman era.
Those with a diving qualification can descend to 25 metres depth off Cala Minnola to view up close over 80 intact Roman amphorae, lying on the seabed since the 1st century BC when a Roman ship sank. A similar scene lies off Capo Grosso, the site of the clash between Romans and Carthaginians; here, at 28 metres depth, you’ll find lead anchor stocks, helmets, amphorae and iron and terracotta artefacts.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
Levanzo is accessible by ferry from Trapani with a journey lasting less than an hour. Prices range between 10 and 15 euros per person, and departures occur roughly hourly with several companies including Liberty Lines and Siremar. There’s also a ferry from Marsala departing in the morning; the journey takes approximately one hour.
The island can also be reached if you’re on holiday on the other two Aegadian Islands: from Favignana the journey takes around 10-15 minutes, whilst from Marettimo it’s just under half an hour.
Aside from the inhabited centre located in the south of the island, Levanzo is practically uninhabited, so there aren’t many location options for accommodation. Fortunately the island is small, but there are only small hotels and a few rental apartments. Choice is limited, so it’s best to book in advance.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts