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Pantelleria has some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. A vast red sphere melts into the horizon, painting the sky in washes of indigo, violet, yellow, and pastel blue as it slowly sinks into the sea. It’s no surprise that the island carries a spiritual essence – here, cultures, influences, and natural elements collide to create a wild, ephemeral setting.
Shaped by its volcanic origins, Pantelleria is famed for its dramatic black lava landscapes, chunky palm trees and emerald coves. Originally, it was called Bent-el-Riah (daughter of the wind in Arabic) due to the strong winds that blow across it year-round (keep this in mind when packing your favourite Panama hat). On the clearest days, the coastline of Africa emerges on the horizon, like a shadowy silhouette suspended between the warm, dusk-coloured sky and the Mediterranean.
Homer once described Pantelleria as the “navel of the Mediterranean.” Situated between western Sicily and Tunisia, Pantelleria’s strategic position made it a prized outpost for seafaring civilisations throughout history. The Phoenicians, Romans, and Normans all left indelible marks, but it was the Arabs, arriving in the 8th and 9th centuries, who had the most profound and lasting influence. They introduced advanced agricultural practices, such as terracing and dry-stone wall construction, that allowed cultivation even on the island’s rocky terrain. They brought citrus trees, capers, and the prized zibibbo grape. The latter grows in traditional sunken vineyards known as alberelli panteschi, a traditional bush-trained vine method recognised by UNESCO. Even the dammuso, Pantelleria’s iconic domed stone dwelling, has clear Arabic roots, ingeniously designed to offer natural climate control against the island’s fierce sun and dry winds.
So whether you travel to explore the wild island soul, or live in line with its slower pace, meditating under the breezy palms overlooking the sea, here we have gathered a few insider tips on the best things to do on the island, where to eat, drink and sleep.
The best things to do in Pantelleria
Wine tasting at Donnafugata
Whether you're a wine enthusiast or simply curious, a visit to Cantina Khamma is a must on any Pantelleria itinerary. It's not just about sampling some of the island’s most acclaimed wines (the celebrated Passito di Pantelleria), but it's also about strolling through one of the most unique wineries in the world. Much like on Lanzarote, the island’s strong winds have shaped local viticulture: winemakers build low, circular stone walls to protect each individual alberello pantesco. Donnafugata, with a fantastic family legacy, produces wine in five Sicilian locations, but here they craft Ben Ryé, a fragrant, apricot-scented dessert wine. Book a guided tasting, or simply enjoy a glass as you wander through the Khama trail, passing centuries-old olive trees and capers until reaching the Giardino Pantesco, a walled garden safeguarded by the FAI (Italian Environmental Fund).
Website: donnafugata.it
Explore nature
Pantelleria is the island of wilderness. It’s like stepping through raw, untouched landscapes sculpted by wind, fire and sea. There are a number of natural wonders to discover – the best option is to rent a car and drive around the island, stumbling upon steaming fumaroles. Some of our favourites include the natural hot springs of Gadir or, La Grotta di Benikulà, a natural sauna. Hike through the Montagna Grande nature reserve, where fragrant caper bushes and wild herbs perfume the air, or take a dip (or mud bath) in the Laghetto di Venere, a fascinating lake formed inside the crater of a former volcano.
Boat trip around the island
One of the most fun ways to explore Pantelleria is aboard a little speedboat, entering all the nooks and crannies along the island's jagged coastline. There are a number of boat rentals, all based at the port, so whether you need a skipper or have your licence, pack a picnic, a bottle of iced cold rosé and set sail. Make sure to stop at Terme di Nikà, a unique cove where thermal spring water flows from the rocks.
Visit the Caper Museum
Housed in a traditional dammuso, the Caper Museum pays tribute to one of the most essential elements of Pantescan identity. Through evocative visuals, archival materials, and storytelling, the space traces the journey of this tiny, green, salty bud from the windswept, volcanic soil of Pantelleria to kitchens across the globe. It’s a celebration of cultural, agricultural, and culinary heritage, honouring generations of growers and the island’s unique, UNESCO-recognised cultivation methods. End your visit with a sensory treat: sample a curated selection of caper-based delicacies and more at La Nicchia, the historic artisanal workshop located just next door.
Website: lanicchia.it
The best restaurants in Pantelleria
Il Principe e il Pirata A locals (and travellers) favourite located on the North-eastern tip of the island, from where sunsets are best admired. This restaurant dishes up all your traditional, island classics such as cous cous Pantesco as well as humble Sicilian ingredients of capers, fennel, pistachios and olives. Make sure you leave space for the Bacio Pantesco, the local dessert made with fried puff pastry and filled with a cinnamon-scented ricotta cheese. Ring up in advance to ensure an outdoor seat.
Address: Località Punta Karace, 5, 91017 Pantelleria TP, Italy
Website: ilprincipeeilpirata.it
I Giardini del Rodo
Set within a traditional dammuso, a typical Pantelleria family home, I Giardini del Rodo is an inviting restaurant nestled in a fragrant garden. Bright pink bougainvillaea and orange blossoms create the perfect frame for savouring authentic flavours reimagined in a contemporary key: think saffron gnocchi with sea urchins or Busiate pasta with lobster and bisque. As you sip on carefully selected local wines, you're enveloped by the scent of citrus, the sound of laughter, and an atmosphere that feels effortlessly relaxed.
Address: Via Bonomo Alto, 91017 Pantelleria TP, Italy
Website: igiardinideirodo.it
Bar La Vela
What better way to spend your morning than splashing around at sea, knowing that at lunch time you’ll be tucking into some of the most exquisite seafood dishes on the island? Bar La Vela is a simple, rustic, and barefoot-style eatery featuring wooden tables and paper placemats. Like its location, the menu is unfussy: choose between seafood pasta or a whole grilled fish to share. Be sure to try the ciaki-ciuka, a traditional Pantescan dish made with peppers, aubergines, and potatoes; a local take on Sicilian caponata, but without the deep-fried aubergine.
Address: Via dello Scalo, 31, 91017 Scauri TP, Italy
The best bars on Pantelleria
Coste Ghirlanda
Tucked away in one of Pantelleria’s most picturesque valleys, within the heart of the National Park, lies Coste Ghirlanda, the scenic wine estate of Sikelia Hotel. Here, you can reserve a table for an elegant dinner or simply stop by to soak in the unspoiled landscape while sipping a glass of Zibibbo, the island’s native grape variety, grown right on this very soil. The aperitivo is a delight in itself, featuring a selection of small bites like marinated olives, tender artichokes, creamy hummus, and other flavourful finger foods that perfectly complement the wine. Be sure to book ahead, especially during the summer months and weekends, as this enchanting spot is a favourite among both locals and visitors.
Address: 91017 Pantelleria, Trapani, Italy
Website: costeghirlanda.it
Altamarea
Some of the island's most breathtaking sunsets can be seen from here. Altamarea is a lively restaurant and bar, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine and light bites during golden hour, all while taking in the island’s spellbinding scenery. And if the allure of beautifully plated dishes arriving at nearby tables tempts you to stay for dinner, go ahead, you won’t regret it. Keep an eye out for special events, too; on select summer weekends, Altamarea transforms into a lively drink-and-dance venue, blending music, atmosphere, and island magic late into the night.
Address: Via Scauri Porto, 5, 91017 Pantelleria TP, Italy
Website: altamareapantelleria.it
The best places to stay on Pantelleria
Parco dei Sesi
Amid the evocative landscape of the Parco Archeologico dei Sesi, where the island’s earliest civilisation once thrived, Margot and Massimiliano found their home. It later became much more, opening doors to guests and inviting them to experience the unique magic of Pantelleria. It was here that the couple met, fell in love, and, after years of a long-distance relationship, chose to settle permanently, dedicating themselves to a holistic vision of hospitality: one where wellbeing, tranquillity, and nature coexist in harmony. Parco dei Sesi features 13 rooms, each thoughtfully designed to reflect the wild Mediterranean surroundings and infused with African art, personally sourced and curated by Margot. Throughout the property, soft linen curtains and intimate lounge areas create serene corners for rest and reflection, while spacious terraces offer front-row seats to breathtaking sunsets over the horizon. At the heart of Parco dei Sesi is a spirit of conviviality, expressed through a series of communal dinners, bringing guests together around home-cooked meals, local wine, and lively conversation.
Address: Strada Perimetrale Ovest 95, 91017 Pantelleria TP, Italy
Website: parcodeisesi.com
Sikelia
Carved from Pantelleria’s iconic volcanic stone, Sikelia is the island’s answer to understated, barefoot luxury. Nestled within a cluster of ancient dammusi, this 20-suite sanctuary is the vision of Giulia Pazienza, owner of the nearby Coste Ghirlanda Estate. The architecture bears the imprint of Gabriella Giuntoli, the celebrated island architect known for restoring Giorgio Armani’s own dammuso. Here, she wove together tradition and landscape, creating a space that feels deeply rooted in the island’s timeless volcanic stone and natural rhythms. Themà, the in-house restaurant, channels the island’s multicultural soul, reinterpreting its layered heritage into refined, expressive cuisine. Beyond grazing and snoozing, indulge in a massage in the jasmine-scented garden, toast the golden hour atop the dammusi rooftops, and fully absorb the island’s magnetic energy.
Address: Via Monastero snc Scauri TP, 91017 Pantelleria TP, Italy
Website: sikeliapantelleria.com
Tenuta Borgia
Tenuta Borgia is one of the island’s most exquisite and discreet retreats, set within the boundaries of the island’s National Park. While close to the Mediterranean, the estate unfolds as a cluster of historic dammusi, set among palm-dotted gardens and fruit-laden orchards, where lemons, figs, and zibibbo grapes ripen in the Sicilian sun. The estate’s working farm produces both exquisite olive oil and the island’s famed passito wine, weaving agriculture and hospitality together. Accommodation is offered across seven independent dammusi, providing a rustic yet refined way to experience the island’s untamed soul. Each dammuso is distinct, lovingly restored and curated by Rosa Borgia, Baroness Collice, who, together with her husband, first purchased the property as a private family retreat in the 1980s. Ranging in size, they sleep between two and eight guests, though the estate can also be rented in its entirety, accommodating up to 24 people. Each dwelling features a fully equipped kitchen for home cooks to dish up delicious meals to be enjoyed on the outdoor terraces, amid the Mediterranean scrub. Interiors blend antique Sicilian objects with understated countryside elegance, creating spaces that exude warmth and character.
Address: Via Rizzo, 52, 91017 Pantelleria TP, Italy
Website: tenutaborgia.it