Pantelleria, Italy

Pantelleria (or Pantalaria), the ancient Cossyra, is an island in the Strait of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea, lying between Sicily, Italy and Tunisia. Although Italian, it is proud of its Arab influence which can be seen in the island’s gardens and architecture. However the culture is very Sicilian, with a great emphasis on the art of hospitality. It is becoming quite a chic destination.

Pantelleria is striking and hilly, with the countryside dotted with white Dammuso houses. There are no beaches - people swim off the black rocks. The main centre is Pantelleria Town, along with the much smaller Scauri, Tracino & Kamma and Rekale.

Things to See & Do

* Tour the island by car or boat
* Pantelleria Town
* Castello Barbacane in Pantelleria town
* Scauri

General information

Cruise Season – Feb to Dec
Currency - Euro (€)
Language – Italian
Land Area – 83 km²
Population – 8,000 approx
Electricity – 2 round pins European style
Time - GMT/UTC + one hour
International Country Telephone Code – +39

Port Location – The main port is centrally located in Pantelleria town.

Travel Links – Daily overnight ferries run from Trapani in Sicily, running more frequently alongside hydrofoils in Summer. Planes fly in daily from Palermo and Trapani. Direct Flights from Rome and Milan are now available from April to October.