PantelleriaSicily · Italy

All About Pantelleria

For those seeking out authentic travel experiences largely unchanged by time, there can be few better things to do than purchase ferry tickets to Pantelleria. This island remains proud of its unique culture, which includes a dialect of Italian Sicilian that incorporates sounds from Arabic and is known as Pantesco. Ferryscanner has all the information you need to pick the best sailing option and book much sought-after ferry tickets to Pantelleria and beyond.

Less than 85 square kilometers in area, approximately 80% of he island nowt forms a part of Pantelleria National Park, which seeks to preserve the special geology of hot springs and fumarole volcanic vents, as well as its typical low whitewashed homes. Governed as part of the province of Trapani, the island lies south of Sicily in the Strait of Sicily, almost equidistant between the Italian island, the North African coast of Tunisia, and the island nation of Malta. The main way the majority of visitors reach the island remains by sea.
 

Routes and Ferries to Pantelleria

Despite its long reliance on the sea, there is just one public ferry route linking Pantelleria with Sicily and therefore indirectly with the rest of Italy through cities including Palermo and Messina. Those looking to obtain ferry tickets to Pantelleria are therefore reliant on the high service standards of Liberty Lines. One of the busiest ferry companies in the region, it operates a ferry route between Pantelleria and Trapani which is scheduled to take two hours and ten minutes. The highest number of weekly sailings take place during the summer months when there is the highest demand and it’s best to book well in advance. There are up to 12 sailings in either direction per week from May until October. The number of sailings falls significantly during the winter months. Prices for an adult foot passenger range between €23 and €55, with additional fees for bringing bicycles and vehicles on board.

Pantelleria is also connected to various destinations in Sicily and on the Italian peninsula by air. The small airport can be found on the northern side of the island, roughly five kilometers from the settlement that shares the island’s name. DAT flies to the island from Trapani and Palermo all year round, while Catania, Rome, Milan, Turin, Genoa, and Venice all have seasonal summer flights to the island.
 

Ports of Pantelleria

The area of coast that is now occupied by the ports of Pantelleria was first used as a safe anchorage for vessels as far back as ancient Phoenician times more than 2,000 years ago. It is today split into a number of smaller docks and quays that together provide both a departure terminal for ferries to Trapani and moorings for smaller private craft and yachts. Winds can make arrival into the port tricky for smaller boats, although ferries are rarely affected. It is recommended to arrive at least an hour before your scheduled ferry departure time so that formalities can be completed without unnecessary stress. If you’re sailing with a motor vehicle, it is better to arrive around two hours before departure.
 

Best Beaches

Volcanic in origin, Pantelleria’s coastline is a dramatic series of plunging cliffs, tiny crystal-clear coves, and alluring beaches which offer not only the chance of sunbathing but also snorkeling and diving in waters alive with fish.

Bue Marino

A short distance east from the ports of Pantelleria on the outskirts of the town lies Bue Marino. This area of coast comprises smooth natural rocks that gently slope into the Strait. Shallow waters and a sheltered position make it popular with local families despite the lack of sand.

Cala Levante

Another area of rocky foreshore around a small bay, Cala Levante lies on the eastern side of the island. Reached via a spur road diverting away from the coastal ring road, attractions here include the Arco dell’Elefente, a natural arch said to resemble an elephant.

Spiaggia Sataria

This beach is located on the western side of Pantelleria, making it the perfect destination for a sunset stroll. Reached by a stone staircase cut into the rock, it is close to a wide selection of hotel and other accommodation options too.

Specchio di Venere

If you’re looking for soft, fine sand on Pantelleria, the very best place to head is Specchio di Venere, meaning ‘mirror of Venus’. This wondrous strip of pale sand doesn’t edge the Mediterranean, but a sparkling lake that sits on the southeastern side of the airport.
 

Places to Visit in Pantelleria

For a small island, Pantelleria still has a wide range of impressive places to visit whatever your interests. While many consider the island’s coastline its best feature, anyone looking to fully understand Pantelleria shouldn’t miss the following sites.

Necropolis of the Sesi

Found nowhere else in the world, the Sesi are a series of megalithic stone burial sites dated by experts to around 2,000 BC. They range from confusing ruins to a couple of well-preserved examples of how these tombs must have looked when first built.

Castello Barbacane

One of the island’s few significant structures to survive the destruction of World War Two, Castello Barbacane rises up from foundations laid down in the thirteenth century. Standing guard over the ports of Pantelleria, its bastions offer spectacular panoramas stretching for miles around.

Vineyards

Special enough to have been awarded the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, the vineyards that dot the countryside of Pantelleria not only produce some delightful wines but also a quintessential Mediterranean scene it’s hard to resist.
 

Transportation Around Pantelleria

Pantelleria can be circumnavigated on the coastal ring road in about four hours. The island has a relatively good bus service that links up the larger settlements and points of interest across much of the island. However, anyone used to the regular services of a big city will be left disappointed, given the number of daily services and their absence on Sundays and public holidays. Departing from Piazza Cavour, they can also get quite uncomfortable in the heat of high summer. Many visitors instead choose to rent a moped. If you join them, be sure to wear a helmet and take the island’s sometimes rough roads carefully. Rental vehicles are also available, as is a small fleet of metered taxis. Keep in mind that the only gas stations are located in Pantelleria town.