Visit Pantelleria: hot springs, caves, complete guide
- Nature Source Chaude
- Published on
- Updated on 23 August 2025
Closer to the African coast than the ‘mainland’ of Sicily, Pantelleria is the largest of the Sicilian islands, but also the most remote. This solitary island in the Mediterranean is fascinating not only for its rugged beauty, but also for the many untapped hot springs, located in inconvenient places (sea, lake).
In fact, the island of Pantelleria, which has no shortage of elegance, is a spa with a wide range of natural thermal treatments. During my stay of a few days, I invite you to discover the thermal wealth of this island of volcanic origin, nicknamed ‘the Black Pearl of the Mediterranean’.
Table of Contents
How to get to the island?
To reach Pantelleria in the low season, you must take a Siremar ferry from Trapani. The crossing is made once a day, all year round. Tickets can be booked at the port of Trapani or online via the official website (directferries). Without a vehicle, the ticket cost me 47 euros. A shuttle (a minibus) picks up passengers without a vehicle outside the agency two hours before departure. It will then drop you off near the ferry, which is docked at the port exit (saving you a 45-minute walk). The crossing takes about seven hours and takes place at night.
During the high season (from 1 June to September), Liberty Lines (official website here) offers a 2.5-hour hydrofoil (speedboat) crossing. The agency is located in front of the port.
Pantelleria also has a small airport with daily flights. There are flights from Palermo, Trapani and Catania (twice a week).
How to get around Pantelleria?
There are several car hire companies on the island. Vehicles can be rented for less than €30 per day. Scooters and electric bikes are also available.
Alternatively, public transport (official website and timetables: Marsala Travel Bus) allows you to get around the main roads of the island. That’s what I did. In the south of the island the bus will take you to the village of Rekhale and in the north to the village of Tracino. There is also a service to the airport. Tickets can be bought from the driver.
Buses leave from the post office. The post office is just 200 metres from the fortified castle of Barbacane, built during the reign of Frederick II, a colossal structure that stands majestically on the seafront.
In a way, this building marks the identity of the island. It was the beginning of my journey into this territory of 7,000 inhabitants.
Built (the castle) of lava stone (hence the nickname ‘Black Pearl’), it is a striking contrast to the other buildings in the port, which are constructed of more conventional, ‘modern’ materials. But here we are in the capital of the island: the town of Pantelleria.
This volcanic stone has many advantages: it doesn’t deteriorate, it can withstand the island’s harsh climate and weather conditions, it is economical and requires no maintenance.
This castle, which houses a museum, may be of historical interest to visitors to the island.
Map of the hot springs of the island of Pantelleria and information
The map shows the location of the island’s hot springs, which are a must during your stay.
When to go to Pantelleria? From April to October. Winter can also be a good time to enjoy the hot springs, with fewer visitors and a more peaceful atmosphere. You can go hiking here all year round.
Another point: the more crowded it is, the more difficult it can be to get a bath or a place in certain thermal sites where space is relatively limited (Gadir Baths, Sataria and Benikulà).
Grotta di Sataria
Leaving the town of Pantelleria by bus, I noticed that many of the houses scattered around the hills have lava stone walls. In fact, these particular buildings, typical of the island, are known as Dammuso. You can feel the influence of an Arab civilisation that exploited the island’s powerful resources.
The bus journey to the stop near Sataria Cave takes around ten minutes. There is a car park with four or five spaces a few dozen metres away. You’ll find the Sataria Cave descending a staircase along the steep coast (which is illuminated at night).
In 2024, the cave was restored. If you go outside, you will find a seaside area where you can swim in calmer waters. This beach is also one of the most accessible on the island of Pantelleria: Spiaggia di Sataria.
Once inside, you must cross the concrete platform to reach two pools of hot water full of mystery.
The colour of the concrete platform adds an aesthetic touch to the cave. The pastel colour also reflects the light better.
These pools may contain algae washed in from the sea, which is best removed. These algae are mixed with thermal water of about 40 degrees. However, one of the 2 pools is cooled down (to around 32 degrees) by the infiltration of sea water. A few metres away, the sea rushes into the cave. This creates a very special echo.
Finally, all night long, the view of the pools illuminated by LED spotlights (even under water) is a real eye-catcher. You can even see the clarity of the water.
This hot spring, which is rich in sodium chloride, has been renowned since ancient times for its therapeutic properties in treating conditions such as rheumatism, skin problems, and arthritis. Situated directly on the seafront, the thermal baths offer a unique experience, particularly at night.
The hot springs of the port of Scauri
How do you get there?
The thermal site is located in the small fishing and marina port of Scauri. There is on-site parking available.
🍽️ Where to eat? Where to drink?
The village of Scauri has many small, well-stocked, traditional restaurants where you can enjoy food and drink. Some of these restaurants overlook the port and are located near the thermal site.
I noticed that the entrance to the establishment had been blocked off with a metal fence.
Behind this metal fence are sinks that were once used for washing clothes. Three old photos hanging on the wall remind us that the island was also affected by the Second World War. Its capital, Pantelleria, was bombed by the Americans in 1943 and subsequently rebuilt without any proper urban planning.
The pool can be accessed by going down a few steps. Due to its small hot water pool, this establishment can only accommodate one or two people at a time.
However, its waters have grown in popularity in recent decades. During the high season, the attraction became so popular that long queues formed. Clearly, given their location and the fact that their flow rate needs to be improved, these thermal waters cannot be expected to undergo significant development. Although this flow rate would have been sufficient for a buvette, it is perhaps a little limited for baths.
In this ancient thermal resort, which has been frequented since ancient times, the waters spring naturally from the ground and feed a stone pool. No treatment is applied to the water (cooling, heating, filtration, etc.). Thus, this spring has been spared the various water capture and supply techniques generally employed by thermal establishments. These techniques affect the living conditions and diversity of the microorganisms that develop there.
Although taking a bath in these cramped conditions may be uncomfortable for some, these waters, kept at around 37-38 °C, produce effects that would be impossible to achieve in any other way. However, a rectangular trough next to the pool is filled with rubbish (cigarettes, plastic, etc.), as the drainage channel is obstructed and requires cleaning.
The hot springs of San Gaetano
Translation in progress
Grotta del Freddo di Bukkuram
Translation in progress
Terme di Nikà
The Nikà thermal baths are fed by thermal springs, with water bubbling up from the seabed. There is a car park with six to seven spaces at the start of the path to the baths. The path then becomes impassable for vehicles, but Cala di Nikà (Nikà Cove) can be reached on foot.
First option:
After descending for about ten minutes, you will reach a cove where old boats have been abandoned. The sea crashes against the rocky outcrops.
To reach the cliff on the left, follow the rock formations. However, to reach the Nika thermal bath, you will need to swim around the cliff.
Alternatively, the site can be reached by boat (in the summer) or, in calm weather, by swimming.
Second option:
Almost at the beginning of the path leading down to the cove, an abandoned dammuso can be seen on the left. The Terme di Nikà are a short distance below.
But there is no really wide or comfortable path across the rocky coast. So, it’s best to stay away from the Terme di Nikà outside the summer months, and stick to the Sataria Cave or the Baths of Gadir, which are completely safe.
Third option:
During the summer, it is possible to reach the site by boat.
🤿 If you dive into the sea, you can observe the rocks from which hot water gushes out (don’t forget your mask and goggles).
This thermal water, rich in minerals, mixes with the cold sea water, nourishing it and giving it undeniable therapeutic virtues. The water temperature can reach 40 degrees in some places. In winter, however, the sudden change from hot to cold can be uncomfortable for some bathers.
Bagno Asciutto - Grotta di Benikulá
A beautiful walk to the cave of Benikulà
The Benikulà cave, also known as the Bagno Asciutto (Dry Bath), is situated on the slopes of the mountain overlooking the village of Scauri. To reach it, head to the large lava stone-paved car park, which is the starting point for many hikes.
The island of Pantelleria is particularly hilly. Its highest point, Montagna Grande, is 860 metres above sea level.
A well-marked path leads to the cave in about ten minutes, past cacti, holm oaks and beautiful Mediterranean flora, with the sea in the distance. The beauty of the path and the natural decoration (low volcanic stone walls, wooden fences) give the impression of being in a garden.
Discover the natural sauna
Hidden in the cave, I discovered this vaporarium, which is like a real ‘natural sauna’. This natural steam room, which emits steam and gases, is explained by the intermittent rise of thermal water from a natural underground spring. This water is filtered through the rock walls and the result is a gentle, humid heat of 38°C.
You can lose up to a litre or more of sweat per session (10 to 15 minutes is recommended). The sauna is very effective. The vaporarium is a powerful and complete metabolic stimulator. The body speeds up blood circulation, perspiration, ventilation and the elimination of toxins.
For the more sensitive, it is possible to lie on the floor under the vapours, making the experience more tolerable. This is what the Finns do in their artificial sauna. The benches are arranged in tiers around the room, and the more energetic bathers lie down on the upper tiers (the vapours rise naturally).
The cave holds 5 or 6 people.
Outside, the chamber next to the cave is the frigidarium.
In the history of bathing, the frigidarium was often the last exercise for the bather. The bather must return to a room near the entrance or exit.
Here, a terrace surrounded by stone benches allows the bathers to return to their normal body temperature after a powerful cool-down.
In the meantime, you can admire the beauty of the landscape and the enchanting panorama (the plain of Monastero and its crops, the sea).
The best sauna?
The Benikulà cave represents an unrivalled level of sauna sophistication.
It’s thanks to the Pantelleria volcanoes, which never cease to heat up, that the cave is filled with beneficial vapours. There’s no need to heat a fireplace with wood for 3 hours and then throw buckets of water on glowing stones. This natural sauna is free of charge and open 24 hours a day.
A large opening (the entrance to the cave) also serves to evacuate the excess carbon dioxide, ensuring good ventilation. I found a level of 500 ppm CO2 at the bottom of the cave. If you would like to know more about the importance of air renewal and adequate levels of CO₂ in a room, I invite you to read this article: How to Cleanse your Lungs with Simple, Natural Ways?
The cave is also a living medium rich in micro-organisms (good bacteria and fungi), even more so when there is humidity. On the other hand, high humidity can be a problem in “artificial spaces”, as it encourages the proliferation of moulds and fungal spores, which can be harmful to the respiratory tract.
Finally, the air is more ionised. A cave releases mineral salts that are full of negative ions.
Therapeutic properties
This natural sauna is used by tourists and locals alike to treat rheumatism. The Favara can also be used as a sauna.
In addition to the benefits you’d expect from a sauna, the invigorating thermal vapours and gases (from the caves and the Favare) are good for the respiratory system.
These fumes release a mixture of gases with stable concentrations and ratios. According to an analytical report published in 1994, there are high concentrations (several thousand ppm) of hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH₄). Methane is also present in lower concentrations in all the hot springs of the island.
There are also varying amounts of helium, depending on the favara. Concentrations of 10 ppm and more have been recorded. Its (natural) concentration in the atmosphere is around 5 ppm.
All these gases: hydrogen (H2), helium (He), methane (CH₄) have particularly interesting properties for the treatment of the respiratory tract. To find out more, I invite you to read our article: How to Cleanse your Lungs with Simple, Natural Ways?
The Favare
After visiting the Benikulà cave, you can continue your hike along the clearly marked, easy ‘Favara Grande‘ route. The Favara is an intermittent emission of steam and gas produced by the volcanic activity of Pantelleria. The temperature can reach 100°C.
The trail to the Favare Volcanic Activity Zone winds through a beautiful plateau and takes about 50 minutes. This place is a geothermal wonder where you can see numerous fumaroles (favare).
Just before you reach Favara Grande, the fumaroles (‘Fumarole della Vecchia Caserma’) emit impressive vapours from a slab next to a disused building (an old military barracks made of lava stone), which is well worth a stop. This former barracks is located near a peak and not far from the marked trail. It takes less than two minutes to reach it.
On the surface you can see a large number of fissures from which steam escapes.
If you go to the ‘Favara Grande’ site, about ten minutes away, the scene is similar. But one of them is a real marmite. This is Favara Grande, the most spectacular of all. This is where you realise that if you get a little too close, your body will get wet and then quickly soaked. In fact, the locals use it as a natural sauna. Wooden planks resting on stones on either side are evidence of its use.
More favare to discover!
- Kuddia Mida
- La Grotta del Freddo di Bukkuram (a cool cave to visit in summer).
The Baths of Gadir
On the north side of the island, a road provides direct access to the sea and the charming village of Gadir. Needless to say, access to the sea is easier here than elsewhere, and the hot springs attract crowds who can’t resist a dip. Parking is also easy (large car park).
If you don’t have a car, the bus (Pantelleria-Tracino line) will drop you off at the ‘Bivio Kamma Gadir’ stop, less than a kilometre away (10 minutes walk).
Along the coast, you can admire an elegant landscape with its scattered white roofs and terraces overlooking the sea.
The vaulted, whitewashed roofs of these dammusi (island houses) allow rainwater (scarce on the island) to be collected in cisterns.
In this small fishing port, the atmosphere is peaceful, clean and comfortable. You’ll find three warm water pools here.
These 2 hot water pools are very popular when the harbour is busy, so you’ll need to be patient. These shallow pools are for 1 person. The hot water comes in at the bottom and is perfectly clear. The 2 smaller pools have a lower temperature (variable) than the larger pool (55 degrees). Their connection to the sea allows the user to choose the desired temperature. In any case, these hot thermal waters must be cooled by the sea water.
A little further along the coast (200 metres away), there is a large area protected by a jetty where bathers can soak in the warm water and get some exercise.
In summer, those who like to splash around or chat with others may prefer the large pool to the smaller ones, all of which are fed by thermal waters. However, be careful as these pools can be covered by the sea at high tide.
The Gadir springs (like the Sataria spring) all produce fine bubbles that rise to the surface. They contain dissolved CO₂ and are enriched with bicarbonate ions, which give them special properties. These thermal waters are said to cure rheumatism, arthritis and skin diseases.
Arco dell'Elefante
Just 4 or 5 kilometres from Gadir is the village of Tracino. From here, a fairly quick descent leads to one of the most famous places on the island of Pantelleria: the Arco dell’Elefante (Elephant Arch).
The rocky coastline here, formed in steps, offers beautiful lines that make up a magnificent landscape. The road brings you very close to the sea and provides easy access to some of the most popular coves: Cala Levante and Cala Tramontana.
In this incredible landscape, a bridge that looks like an ‘elephant’s trunk’ juts out over the sea and delights the eye. In fact, this picturesque spot so aptly justifies its name: Arco dell’Elefante (Elephant Arch). This is also the place to see a great natural spectacle: the sunrise.
Lago Specchio di Venere
To reach Lake Specchio di Venere (Mirror of Venus), take the bus (Pantelleria-Tracino line) and get off at the Bivio Lago di Venere stop, which is ten minutes’ walk away.
Once there, you’ll be rewarded with a splendid panorama. This cone, an ancient volcano, is home to a heart-shaped mass of rainwater and thermal water. In other words, this lake brings a touch of freshness to the traveller.
The lake, which is 12 metres deep, is partly fed by thermal water from three springs. These hot waters flow at temperatures between 30°C and 60°C and are almost all concentrated on the southern shore, where the lake narrows slightly between wooded hills.
These hills are home to many endemic plant species, which can only be found on this island.
One of them has these waters that come out of the rock, in a place surrounded by reeds. It is called Sorgente termale del lago (thermal spring of the lake). This spring has a temperature of over 50 degrees, a low flow rate and recognised therapeutic virtues. However, there is no stone basin on the site.
Several stone-lined pools have been built along the sandy shoreline to the west to stop water seeping from the lake into the springs.
The thermal water that feeds the pools escapes from the ground, releasing large amounts of carbon dioxide. These bubbles of gas have a significant effect on blood microcirculation while you are bathing. You can read more in the article ‘The amazing benefits of hot bath‘.
The water from this volcanic lake has remarkable effects on all skin diseases and chronic conditions. However, mineral water that flows directly into the pools offers greater regularity and more consistent mineralisation. It arrives entirely pure and unadulterated by ordinary water, giving it superior therapeutic properties.
This salt lake also has the distinctive feature of containing nutritious natural muds. The bathers collect sulphur mud and apply it to their bodies. I imagine that this clay, which has been exposed to air, sun and water for a long time, must be rich in active ingredients.
But you have to be careful about rinsing your skin before it dries, because this bad habit can actually be harmful and irritate the skin. What’s more, these sulphur muds are not inexhaustible.
Good to know:
The lake reaches its highest level in February. The hot water pools are completely submerged and the water is cold. These fluctuations also alter the chemical composition of the lake water.
