Forming part of the Pelagie Islands, Lampedusa lies between Sicily and Tunisia in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s home to beautiful beaches and coastal hiking trails and offers excellent snorkelling and diving in the surrounding marine reserve.

Things to do

Relax on one of Italy’s most stunning stretches of sand at Rabbit Beach, a pristine nature reserve accessible by boat. Also known as Conigli Island, it provides an important nesting site for loggerhead turtles in spring, with the eggs hatching in summer when tiny turtles can be seen scuttling to the crystal-clear waters.

Rabbit Beach forms part the Marine Protected Area Pelagie Islands, which geologically spans the continents of Europe and Africa. Go snorkelling or scuba diving to discover the fascinating marine life, including groupers, spiny lobsters and sandbar sharks, then admire the rectangular stone lighthouse that patrols the Channel of Sicily from Lampione.

Admire the monumental Porta d’Europa, a contemporary sculpture overlooking the Mediterranean Sea to the south of Porto Vecchio. It was built using refractory ceramic and galvanised iron by local artist Mimmo Paladino as a memorial to those who lost their lives trying to reach the shores of Lampedusa.

Get off the beaten track while hiking through the uninhabited landscapes of Lampedusa, with numerous nature trails crisscrossing the island. Trek to the highest point on the island at Albero Sol to soak up the magnificent coastal views or explore the spectacular cliffs and promontories along the remote northern coast of Lampedusa.

Getting around

Lampedusa Airport is a five-minute drive from the town centre and has regular flights from Palermo. Daily overnight ferries also connect the town to Sicily, while mopeds are the best way of getting around the island.