Levanzo Overview

Levanzo (LE-van-zo; pop. 220) is the smallest and least-developed of the three Egadi Islands. Little more than a row of white-washed, blue-shuttered buildings, the centro is host to two bars above the docks which serve as the island’s quiet social center. Head left down the lungomare to visit the island’s primary attraction, the Grotta del Genovese, a cave that contains 14,000-year-old Paleolithic stone cuttings and slightly younger ochre-grease paintings of tuna fish rituals and dancing men. (www.grottadelgenovese.it. €6, ages 5-10 €4.) Natale Castiglione, in the ceramics shop of Grotta del Genovese, offers info on the site. (☎0923 92 40 32; nacasti@tin.it. Access to the cave is only permitted with a guide. Reservation at least 1 day ahead required. Boat or jeep excursions around the island €16. Shop open daily 10:30am-4pm.) Down the coastal road, grottoes and beaches await. Cala Tranate and Capo Grosso (the end of the island where there is a lighthouse) are both about a 1hr. walk. Be careful—the clear water between the rounded rock beach and the neighboring island has a ripping current when the wind picks up. Sandy Cala Fredda and Cala Minnola, on the south-eastern side of the island, are about a 15 and 20 minute walk, respectively, along the lungomare to the right when facing away from the port.

Pensione dei Fenici , up on the hill above the port, offers a comfortable common area and spacious yellow rooms with private baths and A/C. The hotel’s Ristorante Fenici, serves pizza and local cuisine. (}/fax 0923 92 40 83. Singles €30-40; doubles €60-80. MC/V.) Bar Arcobaleno, V. Galvario 8, serves homemade almond and pistacchio gelato (€2) on a large terrace. (☎0923 92 40 12. Gelato €1.50-3.50. Drinks €0.90-4.50. Open 7:30am-1am. Cash only.) The Ustica and Siremar hydrofoil offices are on the dock; Siremar is off the lungomare.