Approximately 50 km from each other and over 200 km from the southern coast of Sicily, the Pelagie Islands are the last frontier between Europe and Africa: Lampedusa and Linosa, with villages and cliffs, stacks and seabeds to explore, are the last gems of the Italian Mediterranean treasure chest, then we move on to another continent.
Little spoiler: actually the Pelagie Islands are 5but we'll talk about that shortly...
In both islands you will find historic centers and wonderful beaches, you can taste typical recipes prepared with fresh fish and you will fully experience the unique atmosphere of an island within an island, surrounded by crystal clear waters that have few equals in the world, enjoying the warm welcome of which only the Sicilians are capable. The extra tip? Discover a new point of view by booking a boat trip to admire the islands from the sea.
Forget the daily routine: Lampedusa and Linosa await you!
Lampedusa between village and nature
Lampedusa is the largest of the Pelagie Islands, with an area of about 25 square km and is populated by 5.000 people, moreover Lampidusa, as its inhabitants call it, is the closest to Africa between the islands of the archipelago. Together with the municipality of Linosa, the two islands form a single municipality in the Free Municipal Consortium of Agrigento.
The inhabited center winds through streets and alleys around the Porto Vecchio, in the inlet south of Salt Point. Here are several places to enjoy the typical dishes of the island, such as spaghetti with bottarga or the fresh prawn and mint salad. The tourist attractions are divided between the Salina beach and Piazza Garibaldi, from the Scala Colorata to Via Roma, the largest street in the center.
If you leave the country, along the coast you will find some of the most beautiful bays in the entire world, from the spectacular Cala Guitgia a Cala Maluk, from Caves a Sciatu Peru, there are countless dream bays on Lampedusa. Even in the northern part of the island, there are beautiful attractions such as the Giant Bench overlooking the Mediterranean Sea or the Grande Dammuso Casa Teresa in the western area. One of the most famous destinations of Lampedusa is undoubtedly the Tabaccara bay, where you will never get tired of bathing.
Linosa, where to go and what to see
Linosa measures only 5 square km, but it is still the second largest island of the Pelagie Archipelago. Here, right in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, stands thevolcanic island with deep waters and peaks that reach 195 meters above sea level
Naturally, nature is the main attraction sought by those arriving in Linosa: the Pit of the Chaplain, with its 600 meters in diameter, is the largest crater on the island. However, Linosa certainly does not lack history, in fact the Romans passed through here at the time of the Punic wars, as evidenced by the approximately 150 cisterns for collecting water that the ancient conquerors left on the island.
Today the inhabited center is famous for its colorful houses, which visitors can admire with a pleasant walk in the village, concentrated along the southern coast of the island. The other attractions of Linosa are the marina, the Punta Arena Bianca beach, Pozzolana di Ponente and Natural pools. Visit the Sanctuary of the Madonnina della Stella Maris and Mannarazza pier, before setting out to discover the other Pelagie Islands.
The other Pelagie Islands, between beauty and curiosity
As many will already know, the Pelagie Islands are 5 in total: in addition to Lampedusa and Linosa, are part of it, in fact, too Street lamp, Rabbit Island and Rock of the Sacrament.
The two main islands, as we have seen, are inhabited, while the others are pristine natural beauties, where it is possible to stroll undisturbed in the Sicilian Eden.
In Lampione, following the path that leads to the lighthouse, it will be possible to reach the only building on the island, while Isola dei Conigli is so small that it can be seen at a single glance, but large enough to constitute a protected nature reserve and so fascinating enough to win the title of the most beautiful beach in the world, in the ranking drawn up by tourists from all over the world on Tripadvisor. The Scoglio del Sacramento is the wonderful stack that rises in front of the intense blue of the Mediterranean Sea Madonnina di Lampedusa beach.
These islands located in the center of the Mediterranean tell many stories, including those of their roots: formerly Europe, but still Africa, the Pelagie Islands geologically belong to the plate of the African continent, except Linosa, of volcanic origin.
How to get to Lampedusa and Linosa
Lampedusa and Linosa form a municipality of the Free Municipal Consortium of Agrigento. To visit the Pelagie Islands Archipelago, we advise you to to stay in Lampedusa and then reach the other islands on a boat, with the ferry or with thehydrofoil.
Lampedusa can be reached from Porto Empedocle by ferry, for a journey lasting 8 hours.
