Pantelleria is an island belonging to the Trapani province. With its surface of 83 km2 it is the biggest one among all the islands surrounding Sicily.

It is 85 km far from the Sicilian coast and 70 km far from Africa. Its territory has volcanic origins and, in fact, this island it is also called “the Black Pearl of the Mediterranean sea” because of the color of its soil mostly made up by basalt rocks.

The submarine eruptive activity goes on still today provoking on the island the presence of  fumaroles, of natural saunas, and of hot springs where it is possible to receive the benefits of the sulphuric water taking a bath in open-air basins or inside some striking caves.

This island is a very interesting natural and historical microcosm far from mass tourism. Here this wonderful sea is just one of the several local attractions because staying in Pantelleria you will also admire nice rural and panoramic landscapes, enchanting lakes, fascinating volcanic events, mysterious archaeological sites and very small villages that still carry their original Arab name. The highest peak is which one of the Montagna Grande that is an ancient crater.

Pantelleria, in fact, is characterized by the extraordinary peculiarity of its landscapes where natural elements are mixed with human creations like dry stones walls, the “Panteschi” Gardens and the “Dammusi”.

Pantelleria is also called the “island of wind” because of the constant presence in this territory of very strong winds . For this reason the ancient Arab navigators called it “The Wind’s Daughter”.

Some evidences of the Arab domination are still now visible in the local houses, gardens, dialect and in the local farming like lentils, capers and the Zibibbo grapes.

Even if the characteristic local vegetation is the Mediterranean scrub, in fact, this volcanic territory is extremely fertile and ideal to farm grapes: this is the native land of esteemed products like the overgrown grapes used for the production of renowned wines like the Pantelleria Muscat, the famous Passito di Pantelleria and the Solimano sparkling wine.

Here houses are placed all around the port where there is the Barbacane Castle.

The traditional local home is the “Dammuso” whose origins are Arab. The Arab name “dammus” means “construction with a vault”: these houses bearing stones walls were shaped as an arch to support the weight of the whole home. These walls were very thick in order to face hot and cold temperatures. Today some of these residences have been renovated in order to be used as accommodations for tourists.

The Pantelleria farmers tried to solve the problem represented by the very strong local wind that doesn’t allow the growth of high trees.  The solution is the “Panteschi” Gardens made up by a high circular or quadrangular stone fence that surrounds one or more citrus trees preserving them from atmospheric agents.

Some typical places in Pantelleria are:

The Neolithic Village: going beyond the red ancient craters called Mursia and Kuddie Rosse, after more or less 3km you will find the archaeological site where you can see the “Sesi” that are megalithic funeral constructions typical of this island. The most important one among them is which one called “Sese Grande” that is an elliptic base construction shaped as a tower and made up by big stones made by lava.

The Scauri village: it is placed on the highest part of the Falesia having a nice harbour provided with hot springs.

The Nikà village: this small fishing port is placed in a ravine made by lava where there are rocks provided with hot springs.

The Rekhale village: This village is still characterized by the presence of several “Dammusi” and “Panteschi” Gardens.

The Saltalavecchia: this is one of the highest rocks in this island where you can admire an incredible and impressive view of the sea.

The Balata dei Turchi: this is a wide and level rock preserved from wings and so covered by a high vegetation mostly made up by wild broom and smelling pine trees. This rock represents an easy access to the sea.

The Punta dell’Arco: this cape ends with the “Elephant Arch” that is one of the symbols of this island: it is made up by a spectacular arch made by lava that, because of its shapes and colors, recalls the head of an elephant that is immersing its trunk in the seawater.

The Ondine Lake: being surrounded by beautiful falesias and by wonderful rocks made by lava, this lake is a small basin full of seawater. It is a little emerald green natural mirror.

The Venere Mirror (Specchio di Venere): this is an enchanting lake full of green water. In its western part there is a hot spring and its darken mud has a therapeutic and cosmetic effect on human skin. So to get all the benefits of this mud tourists used to cover all their body with this kind of natural slush.

Also the Pantelleria hinterland is very fascinating: here you can do many excursions discovering the typical rural atmosphere that surrounds all the local ancient villages. You can also reach the Montagna Grande (the Big Mountain) admiring from its top a wonderful landscape that also involves the African coast. Here there also is an equipped green area.

The places you can see during your excursions are:

The Benikulà Grotto: this is a natural sauna and so if you want to take its benefits you should bring a swim-suit and a towel. Once in the cave the vapor will increase more and more and so it would be better to stop at the beginning of the grotto to go on towards its internal part only after that you get used to that temperature. It is also important to avoid to remain there for a long period of time. 

The Ghirlanda Coast: this striking coast is placed in the eastern part of the Island being characterized by the presence of some graves traditionally ascribed to Byzantines.

The Monte Gibele (the Gibele Hill): this is ancient and inactive volcano. Following the path you can reach its crater covered by vegetation. Along this path you will find the “Favara Grande” a very powerful jet of hot water vapor that spouts from the soil.

Touring on boat all around the island you will discover other marvels of this territory: you will see black rocks made by lava that clashes with the deep blue of the sea. You will note the superb wild beauty of this coast characterized by small and nice bays and by striking caves.  Between Punta Duce and Punta Polacca there are the most beautiful grottos visitable only on a small boat. This is in fact the most fascinating part of this coast thanks to its rocky walls, its dizzy heights and its stacks that arrive until the incredible Saltalavecchia rock.

Near this coast there also is a path that will lead you to the lighthouse of Punta Spadillo.

Pantelleria offers to sea lovers many beautiful and peaceful beaches  like Cala del Bue Marino (ideal for children), the striking Scarpetta di Cenerentola (Cinderella Shoe), Cala Gadir with its hot springs and Grotta di Sataria.

Gastronomy

In addition to the esteemed production of wines and capers there also is which one of the dry grapes.

A particularly appreciated local product is the ricotta cheese and the fresh cheese called “Tumma” that can be both sweet or salted.

As a first course you should taste the delicate bitter ravioli filled with ricotta cheese and mint leaves.

There also is the delicious Pantelleria pesto that is a sauce made up by tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, basil and hot pepper and used to dress pasta or grilled fish and boiled meat.

A local dish imported from Africa is the fish based couscous always accompanied by a big variety of vegetables and legumes and usually served as a unique dish.

Staying in Pantelleria you can also taste the Sciakisciuka (a Sicilian warm caponata made up by vegetables) and the Cuccurummà made up by tasty local zucchini.

Fish is cooked in a simple way by grilling it or by cooking it in the oven or in delicious soups.

The traditional Easter dessert comes from the East and it is called Cannateddro. However, the typical Mustazzola have Arab origins: they are made up by a simple sheet of pastry filled with bran, honey or cooked wine, cinnamon, candied orange and other spices. 

You can also taste the sweet ravioli filled with sugared ricotta cheese and cinnamon, the Sfinci (sort of fritters covered by honey), the Cassateddri and the Pasticciotti.

Events

The most important folkloristic events are:

- The Regatta of the Lance Pantesche – June/September:  This is a feast that recalls the beginning of the IXX century when the local sailing ships where used for the commercial network that connected Pantelleria with the whole Mediterranean area.  Now these regattas are matched with a national lottery (the Lance Pantesche Lottery).  Those who are experts at sailing can be engaged in the competition.

- International Competitions of Underwater Fishing

- The CousCous Festival – June/July: this is a gastronomical feast that involves all the local female cooks.

- The Pentolaccia Feast – the 26th of September: this feast belongs to a series of typical seafaring celebrations in honor of S. Pietro and Paolo.

- The Feast of the Madonna della Margana, the Pantelleria Patron Saint – at the end of June: all the inhabitants meet in the Margana district to attend the High Mass and then, forming a procession, they bring the Madonna’s statue ornamented with flowers in the different churches of the island. Once arrived in the urban centre they celebrate with competitions, games, dances and traditional music cooking very tasty sweets called “mustaccioli panteschi“. Celebrations end by bringing the statue back to its church among fireworks and a lot of music.

How to move in Pantelleria

The best solution is to have or rent a car in order to autonomously discover all the local marvels. For the marine excursions it is possible to rent a rubber dinghy.

How to arrive in Pantelleria

By Plain

If you come from the Italian peninsula or from foreign countries, the fastest way to reach Pantelleria is to arrive here by plain because of the presence in this island of an efficient airport that, during summertime, is connected by direct flights to many Italian airports like which ones of Rome, Venice, Milan and of Bologna  that connect this island with all the Italian territory. There also are direct flights offered by Alitalia and by Air Sicilia form both the airports of Trapani and Palermo.

By Hydrofoils

Those who are already in Sicily (maybe near Trapani) can also reach Pantelleria by hydorfoils that offer a nightly trip towards this island (this trip lasts more or less 5 hours and 45 minutes) and a morning return trip that lasts more o less 2 hours and 45 minutes. You can reach Pantelleria by hydrofoils even leaving from Mazzara del Vallo and this trip will last more or less 2 hours and 30 minutes.

These trips are carried out by two hydrofoils:

Siremar – Pietro Novelli:

Sailing from Trapani at 24:00 h. / Arrival in Pantelleria at 06:00 h.

Sailing from Pantelleria at 12:00 h. / Arrival in Trapani at 17.00 h.

Siremar/Tirrenia NAVE veloce ” GUIZZO”

Related Articles:

Pasticciotto recipe from Pantelleria

The Natural Reserve of the Trapani and Paceco Salt Pans

Trapani and its wonderful Sicilian sea

Favignana: the butterfly shaped island

Cassateddri recipe from Pantelleria

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