The beaches of Panarea
Panarea's water is the clearest in the archipelago, but real beaches are few: here you swim mostly off the rocks and in the coves, and the best ones are reached on foot or by boat.
The cove worth the walk
A rock amphitheatre enclosing a natural pool, below the prehistoric village of Capo Milazzese. It's twenty minutes on foot from Zimmari: no services, no shade, and the most transparent water you'll see.
Zimmari, the only sandy one
The island's single sandy beach, reddish, with a lido. It's also the trailhead for the walk to Cala Junco.
Swimming above the fumaroles
Between the islets of Lisca Bianca and Bottaro the seabed releases bubbles of gas: you stop the boat and snorkel above the underwater fumaroles. It's like nothing else in the Mediterranean.
Getting around
There are no cars. For the islets and hidden coves you need a boat: hire one on the island, or arrive in your own.
Cala Junco
Pebbles, turquoise water · Snorkelling and photos
The rock amphitheatre below the prehistoric village of Capo Milazzese: the most photographed cove in the archipelago.
Zimmari
Reddish sand · Convenience
Panarea's only true sandy beach, twenty minutes on foot from the port, on the way to Cala Junco.
Stay in Capo d'Orlando
A base in the centre — and everything else becomes a day trip.
The port for the Aeolians is 45 minutes away, the Nebrodi right behind. Breakfast served early for dawn departures.
Direct booking, no intermediaries · See the rooftop →