About Panarea

Panarea, the smallest yet most glamorous of the Aeolian Islands, is all about chic charm, turquoise waters, and a touch of celebrity sparkle. Here, you’ll find everything from intimate boutique hotels perfect for a romantic escape, to stylish luxury retreats with sweeping sea views, and laid-back stays suited to families or design lovers. Stay near the lively port for buzzing nightlife, or head to the hills for secluded elegance—Panarea’s hotel scene makes indulgence feel effortless.

Though small in size, Panarea brims with charm — its volcanic hills, terraced farmland, and car-free lanes in San Pietro create a dreamy, resort-like atmosphere where you can wander past whitewashed houses, chic boutiques, and lively cafes. Summer nights bring the island alive with music from the famous Hotel Raya, but the real draw is the coastline: from the glass-clear waters of Cala Junco and the sandy Cala de Zimmari to the steaming springs at Spiaggia della Calcara, beaches here are nothing short of magical. Snorkellers and divers will find shipwrecks and rich marine life offshore, while hikers can climb Punta del Carvo for panoramic views, though for most, simply soaking in the island’s slow, sunlit rhythm is adventure enough.

The Best Places to Stay on Panarea

For a beach break

  • Hotel Cincotta clings to a cliff above a private beach, with whitewashed arches, tiled rooms, and wrought-iron beds framing endless sea views. Terraces host a saltwater pool, hot tub, bar, and standout restaurant—romantic, family-friendly, activity-packed, and superb value.

For relaxation

  • Hotel Raya blends sophistication with island adventure: diving, sailing, a buzzing nightclub, plus an infinity pool and serene spa. Its 30 sea-view rooms and six-bed villa all feature private balconies, offering understated interiors in an atmosphere that feels effortlessly exclusive.

For romantics

  • Quartara Resort Hotel is a chic 14-room hideaway with breezy white-and-blue interiors, bougainvillea-framed terraces, and a serene spa. Daybeds overlook the sea, while the restaurant charms with a Sicilian menu. Intimate, elegant, and effortlessly Mediterranean.

Prefer a private apartment or villa?

  • If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel information

  • Panarea doesn’t have its own airport, the closest are on Sicily, or in Reggio Calabria. If you arrive into Palermo Airport you need to take the train or bus to Milazzo, then the ferry across to Panarea, which takes about two hours, depending on your ferry. Catania Airport requires a similar journey to the ferry terminal at Milazzo, or if you’re visiting in summer, you can arrive via Reggio Calabira Airport which is a spectacular journey across the Strait of Messina from Panarea, taking about five hours all in.
  • The Aeolian Islands have a Mediterranean climate, which broadly speaking means hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters, but because they’re islands they get some temperature regulation from the sea, so it’s only really hot mid-July through mid-August. The busy season for visitors runs throughout summer, though, and if you want to visit at any time in July or August you need to book early. For that reason our Gurus recommend April and June, or September as the best times to visit the Aeolian Islands. Spring is beautiful, and the tourist resources are just starting to open up again, whereas during September the water is still warm, but many visitors have left, so there’s more space on the beach! Travelling in these windows will probably mean you pay less too.

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The best hotels in Panarea

Hotel Cincotta

Panarea (Lipari)

A cliffside hotel with its own private staircase to the beach. Simple whitewashed walls and airy terraces conceal a salt-water pool and hot tub both offering breathtaking views. Interiors are unfussy yet smart, echoing classic seaside simplicity, and the top quality cuisine is a real draw.

  • Beach Life - With beautiful terraces overlooking the sea and a short walk from the port and beaches, an ideal Mediterranean seaside retreat
  • Great walks - Walk over the Isthmus, past some pretty ruins, to beautiful secluded swimming spots
  • Swimming Pool - Outdoor pool
  • Restaurant
from AU$146 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

Hotel Raya

Panarea

A very sophisticated island hotel meant for total relaxation, though there's sailing, diving and a nightclub. Chic rooms, suites, and a private villa all in white with attractive fabrics and private terraces. Spectacular views from the roof top restaurant. Romance on a peninsula.

  • Groups
  • Wellbeing
  • Views
  • Total relaxation
from AU$291 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees

Quartara Resort Hotel

Panarea (Panarea)

A small boutique hotel set on the small and beautiful island of Panarea. Chic rooms feature white on white style juxtaposed by elegant dark wood furniture and blue tiling. A large terrace is ideal for soaking in the spectacular views and there's a quaint Sicilian restaurant and a spa too.

  • Total relaxation - A luxurious and tranquil property on the small and picturesque Panarea Island, ideal for simply unwinding.
  • Diving - Discover the flora and fauna of the ocean on a diving excursion.
  • Spa
  • Restaurant
from AU$388 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees