Lampedusa itinerary: 1 to 2 days
Plans for one and two days in Lampedusa, day by day: the Porta d'Europa memorial, the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Porto Salvo, Tabaccara bay, Cala Pulcino and Rabbit Beach, Capo Ponente and an evening on Via Roma, then a boat tour around the island, the town beaches of Cala Croce and Cala Guitgia and the Capo Grecale lighthouse with a second day. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 2 days
Lampedusa in 1 day
Day 1
Porta d'Europa monument
Mimmo Paladino's tall ceramic and metal doorway facing the sea, a memorial to the migrants who died trying to reach Europe.
Santuario Madonna di Porto Salvo
The island's sanctuary of its patron, the Madonna of Porto Salvo, in a green valley with a garden, celebrated each September.
Tabaccara bay
Sheltered bay of very clear turquoise water below the cliffs on the south coast, a classic stop on boat trips.
Cala Pulcino
Small, quiet cove on the south-west coast reached by a footpath down the rocks, with clear water for swimming.
Rabbit Beach and Isola dei Conigli
White sandy beach in a nature reserve facing the small Isola dei Conigli, with shallow clear water and turtle nests.
Capo Ponente
The rugged western tip of the island, high cliffs over the open sea and a favourite place for watching the sunset.
Via Roma in the evening
The town's main street, where the island comes out after dark for gelato, granita, aperitivi and fish dinners.
Lampedusa in 2 days
Day 1
Boat tour around Lampedusa (from the harbour)
Day boat trip from the harbour around the coast, with swimming stops in coves and grottoes that are hard to reach by land.
Cala Croce
Small sandy beach next to the harbour and Cala Guitgia, with shallow turquoise water and a relaxed feel.
Cala Guitgia beach
Sandy town beach a short walk from the harbour, with shallow water, beach bars and sunbeds, handy for an easy swim.
Porta d'Europa monument
Mimmo Paladino's tall ceramic and metal doorway facing the sea, a memorial to the migrants who died trying to reach Europe.
Via Roma in the evening
The town's main street, where the island comes out after dark for gelato, granita, aperitivi and fish dinners.
Day 2
Capo Grecale Lighthouse
Lighthouse on the high north-eastern cliffs of the island, with wide sea views and often strong winds.
Santuario Madonna di Porto Salvo
The island's sanctuary of its patron, the Madonna of Porto Salvo, in a green valley with a garden, celebrated each September.
Tabaccara bay
Sheltered bay of very clear turquoise water below the cliffs on the south coast, a classic stop on boat trips.
Cala Pulcino
Small, quiet cove on the south-west coast reached by a footpath down the rocks, with clear water for swimming.
Rabbit Beach and Isola dei Conigli
White sandy beach in a nature reserve facing the small Isola dei Conigli, with shallow clear water and turtle nests.
Capo Ponente
The rugged western tip of the island, high cliffs over the open sea and a favourite place for watching the sunset.
When to go to Lampedusa
June to October is the season for swimming, with the warmest sea in August and September, when the island is also busiest. May and October are quieter and still warm. In winter many hotels and restaurants close, and strong winds can stop ferries and boat trips; the feast of the Madonna di Porto Salvo is held in September.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Lampedusa on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Lampedusa on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Lampedusa on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for Italy from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Lampedusa
- Rent a scooter, a car or an e-bike: the island is small, but the beaches and capes are spread along its coast and buses are few.
- Access to Rabbit Beach is limited in summer to protect the loggerhead turtles that nest there; check the current rules and book ahead if required.
- Boat tours leave from the harbour in the morning and stop at coves only reachable by sea; choose a calm day, as the wind decides the route.
- Bring water, sun protection and shoes for rocks: many coves have no shade or services, and paths down to them are rough.
- Fly from Palermo or Catania, or take the ferry from Porto Empedocle, which is long and depends on the sea.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Cala Pulcino: The Cosmonaut, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
- Capo Grecale Lighthouse: Samoano~commonswiki, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Porta d'Europa monument: Vito Manzari, CC BY 2.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
