Pantelleria

The black pearl of the Mediterranean: a volcanic island between Sicily and Africa, lava-stone dammusi, the emerald Lake of Venus, and the sweet passito of its terraced vines.

Between Sicily and Tunisia
A national park
Flights from Palermo and Trapani

PantelleriaPhotograph: Michael Martinelli

Benvenuti

The black pearl

Pantelleria rises from the sea between Sicily and Tunisia, closer to Africa than to Italy, a volcanic island of black lava, terraced vineyards and dry-stone walls. Most of it is a national park.

Its traditional houses, the dammusi, are built of lava stone with thick walls and white domed roofs that gather rainwater. The island’s farmers grow capers and Zibibbo grapes in sunken gardens sheltered from the wind, and the grapes become passito, a celebrated sweet wine. The art of growing the vines here is recognised by UNESCO.

There are no grand hotels, only restored dammusi and a few discreet resorts, which is exactly why designers and families who want to disappear have kept homes here for decades. The Lake of Venus, a crater lake of emerald water, hot springs and sea caves complete the island.

A few words of Italian
English	Italian	Say it
Hello	Buongiorno	bwohn-JOR-noh
Please	Per favore	pehr fah-VOH-reh
Thank you	Grazie	GRAHT-see-eh
Good evening	Buonasera	bwoh-nah-SEH-rah
The bill, please	Il conto, per favore	eel KOHN-toh, pehr fah-VOH-reh

Experience

Events and things to do in Pantelleria

The finest things to do in and around Pantelleria.

Wine estates that receive visitors

DonnafugataMarsala, Contessa Entellina and Pantelleria (Sicily)
Sicily's leading family house offers visits and tastings at its historic Marsala winery, Contessa Entellina and Pantelleria, booked through its own visit portal. Visit website (opens the official site) ↗

Plan your trip

Luxury travel in Pantelleria and the Mediterranean: your questions answered

Plan your journey to Pantelleria

Where is Pantelleria?

In the Strait of Sicily, about 100 kilometres south-west of Sicily and 70 kilometres from Tunisia. Pantelleria airport takes small jets and has flights from Palermo and Trapani.

What is Pantelleria famous for?

Its lava-stone dammusi, its volcanic landscape and national park, the Lake of Venus, capers and passito wine, and its long-standing discretion as a retreat for designers and the famous.

Do you tip in Pantelleria?

Not obligatory; a service charge (servizio) may already be on the bill. Leaving a few euros, or up to about 10% for excellent service, is appreciated. Taxis: rounding up is enough. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day, €10–20 for a helpful concierge.

What should you wear in Pantelleria?

Shoulders and knees covered in churches; carry a light scarf or layer. Some resort towns fine people for wearing swimwear or going bare-chested in town centres; check locally. On yachts, soft-soled or bare feet on deck. Elegant, well-cut dress for fine dining.

Beyond Pantelleria

More in Italy

The rest of Italy, and the Mediterranean beyond.

ItalyLuxury Italy Holidays: Amalfi Coast & CapriExplore Italy The MediterraneanTwenty-two countries and Gibraltar, first class onlyExplore the Mediterranean Plan your journeyFrom your home to Pantelleria, with the costsOpen the trip planner

Customs and etiquette

Customs and etiquette in Pantelleria

How Italy does things.

Language: Italian. English is widely spoken in luxury hotels and leading restaurants in Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and the main coastal resorts; less so in the countryside.
Greetings: A handshake on first meeting; cheek kisses among friends and family. Titles matter: dottore / dottoressa for anyone with a university degree, signore / signora otherwise.
Dress: Shoulders and knees covered in churches; carry a light scarf or layer. Some resort towns fine people for wearing swimwear or going bare-chested in town centres; check locally. On yachts, soft-soled or bare feet on deck. Elegant, well-cut dress for fine dining.
Dining: Lunch about 1–3 pm; dinner from about 8 pm, often 9.30 pm or later in the big cities and in summer. Book ahead for good restaurants. A per-person cover charge (coperto) for bread and table setting is normal and is not a tip. Ask for the bill; it will not arrive until you do.
Tipping: Not obligatory; a service charge (servizio) may already be on the bill. Leaving a few euros, or up to about 10% for excellent service, is appreciated. Taxis: rounding up is enough. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day, €10–20 for a helpful concierge.
Good to know: Smaller shops often close for a midday break and on Sunday. Many towns fine people for sitting on monument steps or eating and drinking beside major churches and monuments; entering or bathing in public fountains is an offence in many cities, including Rome and Florence, and swimming in Venice's canals is banned. Taking sand, shells or pebbles from the coast is illegal.
Tourist tax: Venice charges day visitors an access fee on set days from April to July, from €5 booked in advance; guests staying overnight in the city are exempt but must register online.

Every list on this page is checked by hand and dated: last checked October 2026. Hotels, restaurants and events link only to their own official websites, where confirmed.

The Mediterranean Season Letter

Where to be, every season

Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.