Lampedusa, Sicily
Lampedusa
is an island located in the Pelagie group of Islands in Sicily in Italy. The
island is the largest one in the group of islands and is the southernmost
island in Sicily; it is situated in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The
island is only 3 Km wide and is 12 Km long. Lampedusa has a very vibrant
culture and a historic past since over the centuries it had been inhabited by
quite a lot of different nationalities and tribes including the Romans, Arabs
and Greeks.
Lampedusa Island,
Sicily
The
buildings, culture and the architecture here still retains the influences of
all these different inhabitants from centuries ago. Agriculture, tourism and
fishing are the main industries here. However, the island is mainly known for
illegal immigration that it has suffered from in the recent years.
Getting to Lampedusa Island
The
only way to reach the island is by boats and ferries. The large boats and
ferries depart every few minutes from several destinations in Sicily. Porto
Empedocle is located quite close to Lampedusa and most ferries coming in to the
island are from there. The ferries do not take long to reach the island from
Porto Empedocle. During summers, hydrofoil services are generally used instead
of ferries. The hydrofoils are much quicker than the traditional ferries, but
these also tend to be very crowded due to hordes of tourists that visit the
island in the summer months. The tickets are very inexpensive and it doesn't
take long to reach the island. It is best to avoid travelling during the peak
rush hours
Moving Around the Island
Lampedusa
is a fairly small island and there are only a handful of places to visit here.
The best option is to explore the island on foot. The main attractions on the
island are all centrally located and concentrated in one area which makes it
easier to visit them on foot. Another great way to explore the island is by
hiring a scooter or a moped. Mopeds and scooters are available on rent in
several places on the island and they are not very expensive. However, visitors
must be careful with the fuel since there are only a few gas stations on the
island.
Attractions in Lampedusa Island
Rabbit beach, Lampedusa Sicily
Lampedusa
is quite a very island and the best thing to do here is to enjoy the natural
beauty of the island. Most visitors come to the island to visit the beautiful
beaches here and spend time relaxing in the sun and to swim in the cool waters.
There aren't many activities to do here; except for the beaches and the nature
trails. The island is about sun, sand and the surf. It's best to relax on the
beaches here and spend days sunbathing and reading or just swimming.
The Beaches
Rabbit beach,
Lampedusa Sicily
Lampedusa
has quite a lot of beaches; several of them are quite famous and tend to get
very busy and crowded during the main tourist seasons. However, there are
plenty more beaches on the island which are still hidden from the tourists and
are mostly known only to the locals. Visitors who have rented a scooter or a
moped can easily spend their time looking for a few beautiful deserted beaches
to spend their time in solitude and privacy. Most beaches here are good for
swimming and the surf is not very strong so they are even perfect for families
with kids.
The Island of the Rabbits
The
island of the rabbits or as it is popularly known here, l'Isolotto dei Conigli
is a good place to visit as a day excursion from Lampedusa. The island got its
name since it was once filled with rabbits, however, now only a few rabbits can
be spotted here. The island is quite small and is a good place to visit to
enjoy its lovely beaches and to just relax with an afternoon picnic lunch. The
island remains mostly deserted during the weekdays and only a few people visit
here on weekends. Ferries and boats are available from Lampedusa for reaching
this island. Visitors can also hire their own motor boat and visit the island
on their own.
Hiking Trails
Lampedusa Island,
Sicily
The
island of Lampedusa is quite lush and is rich in local flora and fauna. There
are several different nature and hiking trails around the island, marked and
unmarked. Since many parts of the island remain relatively deserted it is an
enjoyable experience to just walk around the trails and enjoy the beautiful
views of the sea. Those who are interested in nature would definitely love to
walk around the island.
Scuba Diving
Lampedusa
is also quite popular for scuba diving since there are a few diving sites
around the island. The water here is quite clear and is reach in sea life which
makes it quite enjoyable to dive and explore the marine life. Those who are
experienced can rent the diving gear from the shops on the island. The exact
location of the diving spots can be found out at the same shops. There are also
a few places that have their own diving instructors for those who are still new
to scuba diving.
Stay and Accommodation
Lampedusa
is not a very large island; however, since it is seeing a rising trend in
tourism it does have some good places for accommodation. There are some
expensive as well as some budget hotels on the island, most of which are quite
comfortable and clean. Some good hotels to try while on the island are Le
Pelagie Hotel, Villagio La Rocca, Medussa Hotel SRL and Hotel Baia Turchese.
Eating Out on Lampedusa
There
are a few good restaurants on the island that serve Sicilian and Italian
cuisine. There are also a few places that serve good pizza and other European
fare. Ristorante Gamilli, Borge Cala Creta and Ristorante Belvedere are the
best known places to eat in Lampedusa.
Shopping in Lampedusa
There
are quite a lot of places on the island that sell locally made pottery, wooden
items, souvenirs and some good places to purchase Italian wines.
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