Free walking tours in Pantelleria and what to see

Must-sees

Pantelleria is a volcanic island in the Strait of Sicily, closer to the coast of Tunisia than to Sicily, and much of it is protected as a national park. Its landscape mixes lava rock, dry-stone terraces and low-trained vines used to make passito, the island's sweet wine. The traditional houses are the dammusi, built of volcanic stone with domed roofs.

Lake Specchio di Venere, in an old crater, has turquoise water and hot springs along its shores. On the coast, the Arco dell'Elefante is a rock shaped like a trunk dipping into the sea. The island has no sandy beaches: you swim from rocky coves. In the north-west are the Sesi, megalithic tombs about five thousand years old, and on the San Marco hills there are remains of the Punic and Roman acropolis. The main harbour is overlooked by the castle.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free tours on Pantelleria. The most common activity is a boat trip around the coast, with swimming stops at coves that cannot be reached by land and views of the Arco dell'Elefante. For the interior, people usually get around by hire car or scooter and explore the lake, the vineyards and the park's trails on their own.

How long to spend

The island cannot be seen in a day. With three days you can do the boat trip, swim in the Specchio di Venere and drive the road around the island. With a week you have time to walk on Montagna Grande, visit wineries and return to favourite coves. Bear in mind that wind and sea conditions affect boat trips.

Where to stay

The most characteristic option is to stay in a restored dammuso; they are spread across the countryside all over the island and almost always have a terrace and views. Pantelleria town, by the harbour, has hotels and apartments with services within walking distance. Scauri and the south coast are good areas for swimming, and the Khamma and Tracino area is closer to the eastern coves. Almost any option requires a car or scooter.