Mini guide on the island of Pantelleria: what to see, where to eat and sleep

Among unexpected glimpses and unique experiences, a mini guide on the island of Pantelleria with advice on what to see, where to eat and sleep.

Pantelleria should be visited at least once in a lifetime. This island south of theSicily, very close to the coasts of Africa, is full of enchanting and wild landscapes, which convey an idea of ​​freedom like few places in the world. In this article, I have created a small guide on how to get there, what to do and what to see in Pantelleria, based on my recent experience in the Black Pearl of the Mediterranean.

What to do and see in Pantelleria

During my project "Glimpses of Pantelleria", I had the opportunity to discover the main points of interest of the island. Now that it's over, I thought I'd offer you all the information on what to see and do in Pantelleria, also focusing on where to eat, where to sleep and how to get there. To get around the island it is essential to rent a vehicle. I recommend thePantelleria Business rental located in via Maneggi 9: it offers a wide range of vehicles at very affordable prices.

Balata of the Turks

The Balata dei Turchi is one of the best things to see in Pantelleria. In this cove in the south of the island there are cliffs up to 300 meters high. You arrive by crossing a path from which you can admire very suggestive panoramic views of the sea.

Arch of the Elephant

The Arch of the Elephant, to the east of the island, has become the symbol of Pantelleria over the years. It can't be missed as a stop on your itinerary! Its name is due to the shape of the rock, which resembles an elephant's trunk.

WHERE TO SLEEP IN PANTELLERIA: Find all the accommodation offers

Mirror Lake of Venus

Lake Venus, in the center of the island, is one of the best-known attractions of Pantelleria. The water of this lake of volcanic origin has a temperature above 50 degrees, perfect for making thermal mud.

Ondine lake

The Laghetto delle Ondine is located in the locality of Punta Spadillo, characterized by a very deep seabed, black lava stones and a pretty lighthouse. In this lake, immersed in the rich vegetation to the north-east of the island, you can swim even when the weather is bad on the beach.

WHERE TO SLEEP IN PANTELLERIA: Find all the accommodation offers

Park of the Sesi

Among the things to see in Pantelleria, there are also historical and architectural attractions. For example, the Parco dei Sesi includes megalithic constructions dating back to about 5000 years ago, built by a people from North Africa.

Pantelleria Castle

Taking a step forward in history and reaching the Middle Ages, there is a dutiful monument to visit: the Castle of Pantelleria. From the top of this fortress made of lava stone you can admire a unique panorama over the whole island.

The best trails for hiking

If you love trekking, you should try one of the trails on the Montagna Grande, in the Pantelleria Nature Reserve. Arriving at the top, you will find the Bosco delle Fate: a magical place where you can spend a moment of absolute relaxation.

Another path that I recommend is the one for the Grotta di Benikulà. Thanks to its very hot water, it has been used as a natural sauna since ancient times.

To buy the right clothing for hiking, you can rely on specialized shops such asOutdoor Experience Store.Their online shop is stocked with products from the best brands for outdoor activities.

Passito tasting in the cellar

You cannot leave Pantelleria without trying the Passito. This is the DOC wine, produced with zibibbo grapes subjected to drying. I recommend you try the visit to the cellars with tasting fromMiceli Wineries. This company has been operating in the wine sector for almost 100 years and is known for the quality of its wines, which can also be purchased online on their website.

Visit and tasting of local products

To get to know Pantelleria better, you should have the experience of visiting a local reality. For example, do the visit and tasting atDenny Almanza Farm. Denny shows passion for his land like few others: being a beekeeper, you will find homemade honey from him. Furthermore, you can enjoy wine, cheese and capers, all produced according to a tradition handed down from generation to generation.

Boat tour of the island

The icing on the cake to enrich your holiday in Pantelleria is a boat ride. Observing it from the sea, you will be able to discover a new side of the island. The trips normally last from morning to afternoon: you have lunch on the boat and stop at iconic places to dive and take souvenir photos.

WHERE TO SLEEP IN PANTELLERIA: Find all the accommodation offers

To rent the boat I recommend the "Butterfly Rental" agency, known for its reliability and availability. The extremely helpful staff also provides the necessary details to plan your itinerary.

Where to eat in Pantelleria

In Pantelleria you can not only take a holiday surrounded by nature, but you can eat wholesome and delicious food. There are numerous typical restaurants where you can taste the island's specialities, obviously including fish. I leave you below a list of the best places to eat in Pantelleria

Scruscio restaurant

If you want to experience the essence of a delicate and refined cuisine, I suggest you entrust yourself to the skilled hands of chef Salvatore Bottaro. With his dishes he transmits the charge of energy and strength characteristic of this wild island. The progenitor of the experience of Bottaro's cuisine is theScruscio restaurant, with a chic atmosphere. It is located on the terrace of a well-known hotel from which it is possible to admire splendid sunsets. The gem of this restaurant remains the menu, in which the flavors of the earth, given by the km0 ingredients chosen for the dishes, blend with a pinch of innovation.

Pantesca restaurant

Local dishes, gourmet pizzas and a welcome that tastes like home. atPantesca restaurantThe menu is full of both fish and meat delights as well as tasty and vegetarian side dishes. The restaurant is located in a panoramic point in Bue Marino.

Favarotta restaurant

Another restaurant not to be missed on the island of Pantelleria is theFavarotta restaurant, characterized by excellent cuisine with a suggestive panorama, especially at sunset. The staff, in addition to being kind and helpful, will always be able to cheer you up with a festive and fun atmosphere! Recommended octopus and local appetizer.

WHERE TO SLEEP IN PANTELLERIA: Find all the accommodation offers

Alchemy Café

Located in front of the small harbor in the center of Pantelleria, with a beautiful view of the Castle, the Alchimia Café is not only a café with a wide range of desserts and drinks, but also an excellent choice for lunch and dinner. Between gourmet dishes, tasty food and excellent wines, in this place you will feel treated like true kings.

Where to sleep in Pantelleria

In Pantelleria you should try the experience of sleeping in the Dammusi, the typical houses of the island, usually surrounded by greenery. L'Hotel Village Suvaki, on the promontory of Punta Fram, southwest of Pantelleria, has reinterpreted this tradition in an ultra-modern concept.

This four-star complex is equipped with all the services you may need for a relaxing holiday: clean rooms with a balcony overlooking the sea, a swimming pool from which you can admire the warm sunsets typical of this island, a private beach and a quality restaurant with all the typical dishes of Sicilian cuisine.

How to get to Pantelleria

To reach Pantelleria, I suggest you take the plane. This is the most convenient and fastest method. With theFLY DAT companyyou can leave from the airports of Palermo, Catania and Trapani and arrive in Pantelleria in less than 1 hour, spending little. To avoid the inconvenience of looking for parking at the airport, I recommend using the service ParkingMyCar.This platform compares the available parking spaces according to the selected dates in the main ports and airports of Italy and finds the best prices on the market. Simple, convenient and efficient!