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.
Guidebooks
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