Directly below Panarea's prehistoric village, about 45 minutes south of San Pietro, steps lead down to this gorgeous little cove with a rock-strewn beach…
Panarea
Exclusive and expensive, Panarea is the smallest and most fashionable of the Aeolians, attracting international jet-setters and Milanese fashionistas for a taste of dolce far niente (sweet nothing). In summer, luxury yachts fill the tiny harbour and flocks of day-trippers traipse around the car-free whitewashed streets of San Pietro, the port and principal settlement. Panarea is a strictly summer-only destination with very little going on outside the tourist season – in fact, arrive between November and Easter and you'll find most places closed.
Explore Panarea
- Cala Junco
Directly below Panarea's prehistoric village, about 45 minutes south of San Pietro, steps lead down to this gorgeous little cove with a rock-strewn beach…
- VVillaggio Preistorico
Dramatically sited on Punta Milazzese, an elevated headland surrounded by the sea, these round foundations of 22 stone huts are the only vestiges of a…
- SSpiaggia della Calcara
At Panarea's northeastern corner, this pebbly beach with full-on Stromboli views and jets of hot water escaping from undersea fumaroles is reached via a…
- SSpiaggetta Zimmari
This small stretch of brown sand backed by a steep overgrown dune, about 25 minutes on foot south of San Pietro, is Panarea's only sandy beach and gets…
- DDattilo
Reachable only by private boat, this dramatic islet off Panarea's east coast is best known for the pretty Le Guglie swimming spot at its southwestern tip.
- BBasiluzzo
The largest of the five islets off Panarea's east coast, Basiluzzo is given over to the cultivation of capers and can only be visited by private boat.
- LLisca Bianca
Only accessible by private boat, this islet off Panarea's east coast offers good swimming on a small white beach.
- BBottaro
Measuring only 7300 sq metres, Bottaro is the second smallest of Panarea's offshore islands. The island itself is of negligible interest, but scuba divers…
- LLisca Nera
The smallest of Panarea's offshore islands, Lisca Nera is nothing more than a speck of rock protruding from the sea.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Panarea.
- See
Cala Junco
Directly below Panarea's prehistoric village, about 45 minutes south of San Pietro, steps lead down to this gorgeous little cove with a rock-strewn beach…
- See
Villaggio Preistorico
Dramatically sited on Punta Milazzese, an elevated headland surrounded by the sea, these round foundations of 22 stone huts are the only vestiges of a…
- See
Spiaggia della Calcara
At Panarea's northeastern corner, this pebbly beach with full-on Stromboli views and jets of hot water escaping from undersea fumaroles is reached via a…
- See
Spiaggetta Zimmari
This small stretch of brown sand backed by a steep overgrown dune, about 25 minutes on foot south of San Pietro, is Panarea's only sandy beach and gets…
- See
Dattilo
Reachable only by private boat, this dramatic islet off Panarea's east coast is best known for the pretty Le Guglie swimming spot at its southwestern tip.
- See
Basiluzzo
The largest of the five islets off Panarea's east coast, Basiluzzo is given over to the cultivation of capers and can only be visited by private boat.
- See
Lisca Bianca
Only accessible by private boat, this islet off Panarea's east coast offers good swimming on a small white beach.
- See
Bottaro
Measuring only 7300 sq metres, Bottaro is the second smallest of Panarea's offshore islands. The island itself is of negligible interest, but scuba divers…
- See
Lisca Nera
The smallest of Panarea's offshore islands, Lisca Nera is nothing more than a speck of rock protruding from the sea.