Pantelleria is a stunner. It lies closer to Africa than to Sicily, and on a clear day you can see the Tunisian coast, about 70 kilometers (45 miles) away. Even though Giorgio Armani has long had a summer house here, the island has remained a hidden gem in the middle of the Mediterranean.
Parco dei Sesi sits on the island’s northwest coast, just a few hundred meters from the water, with the Mediterranean on one side and dark volcanic slopes on the other.
As we passed through the arched gate and drove down the avenue of palms swaying in the wind, we were welcomed by the scents of rosemary, lavender, lemon trees and capers, and by the two lovely owners, Margot and Massimiliano. Quite a start to a vacation in this incredible oasis.
The Hosts
In 2018, Margot and Massimiliano moved to Pantelleria to renovate the dammusi, the island’s traditional stone houses, and open them to guests. The ones at Parco dei Sesi were built in the 1970s by Massimiliano’s father, the artist Filippo Panseca. The Pansecas are a well-known artist family, so art and design run through the whole project.
Parco dei Sesi is first and foremost a unique guesthouse in the middle of the Mediterranean, but it also sees itself as an artist residency: Twice a year, a curated program invites artists to create work inspired by the island’s landscape and way of life. You can admire the results all over the estate, on the rooftops and in the rooms.
We fell in love with the rooms and apartments, put together with impressive attention to detail, from antique doors to one-of-a-kind finds from French and Italian flea markets, blended with contemporary art and design. If you appreciate simplicity, you will love the atmosphere here.
The Rooms
After three years of renovation, Parco dei Sesi now has 12 different rooms, suites and apartments. The largest is the Dammuso Grande, which has two large bedrooms and a twin room, a kitchen and a large living room with a fireplace. Then there’s the Ossidiana, for example, with its super-beautiful window overlooking the sea, or Pietra, with a spectacular roof terrace that also looks out to sea (highly recommended for city dwellers).
Or Sesi, with a kitchen under the pergola, surrounded by ancient walls. And Gelkamar, Ulivo and Gelsifer: Each is a treasure chest of memories, artworks and design pieces carefully chosen by the couple. Then there are the Barracks, a creative space overlooking the waves.
Culinary
At the heart of any Italian home are food and festivity, and Parco dei Sesi is no exception.
The farm-to-table restaurant, La Cucina di Parco dei Sesi, serves a seasonal menu rooted in Sicilian culinary tradition and shaped by exceptional ingredients from the owners’ own farms on Pantelleria and in Salemi and from local producers. Guests dine together under the pergola. There is no reinvention, just simplicity, care and the quiet luxury of food prepared with respect for the soil and the people who work it.
The Surroundings
Parco dei Sesi is next to the Sesi archaeological park, with the remains of the fortified Bronze Age village of Mursia and the sesi, the stone burial mounds built some 3,500 to 4,000 years ago by an ancient people about whom little is known. A wild and remote corner, but a strategic point to reach the many beautiful parts of the island.
Parco dei Sesi also offers curated excursions around the island, from boat trips to hikes and visits to caves and canyons. In summer, there is also a yoga and wellness therapist on site.
Children
Parco dei Sesi is adults only: For safety reasons, with accessible rooftops and a deep pool, the property is not suitable for minors.
Season
Open from mid-April to early November.
Getting There
The best connections are via Palermo and Catania, both with direct flights to Pantelleria. We recommend renting a car on arrival. If you have time, you can also come by ferry from Trapani in Sicily.
Prices
From 250 euros for a deluxe room in low season to 720 euros for a master suite with sea view in high season, for two, including breakfast. The Dammuso Grande costs 1,200 euros in high season.
Booking & Contact
Parco dei Sesi
Strada perimetrale Ovest 95
91017 Pantelleria TP
Italy
