It looks exactly like Santorini. The iconic whitewashed walls, the deep cobalt shutters, the blindingly blue sea. Except it isn’t Greece—and it’s completely empty.
If you’re looking for the Santorini vibes, minus the all-white, daytime influencer meet-ups, eye-watering prices, and arguably with more authenticity, this tiny 2.25-square-mile landmass may not look like much at first glance, but it packs quite the punch.
Oh, and believe it or not, it belongs to a country that’s practically groaning under the weight of overtourism these days… except this little corner seems to have escaped the memo.
The Ultimate Mediterranean Escape
Levanzo feels like a Mediterranean dreamscape personified when you pull up to its quaint harbor with the ferry:
Cubic, chalk-white houses with distinctly cobalt-blue shutters, waterfront trattorie that still cater primarily to locals rather than tourists, and seas so turquoise they look like they should belong in a remote islet somewhere in the Indian Ocean rather than a place where people actually live.
To sum it up, it feels more like landing on a new Greek island than, ahem, Italy proper.
I’m not the biggest Levanzo expert out there, as I was regrettably on the island only for a day, but given its small size and the fact that you can pretty much walk anywhere from the port, I’d say I got a pretty decent overview of the place.
Start with Cala Dogana, the cluster of whitewashed buildings stacked on top of each other, arranged amphitheater-style around a protected harbor.
Grab a pistachio cornetto or padded sandwich from Panetteria La Chicca, a cozy family-run bakery literally steps from the water, and start wandering the stone-paved streets.
This is less about sightseeing or hitting up any landmark in particular, and more about switching off, letting the island’s slow-paced rhythm seep in through your senses, and feeling the sun on your face.
Not Just Whitewashed Streets
Once you’re done with ‘town’, walk to the west of the port for around 20 minutes, along the cliffside promenade overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and Favignana in the distance, and you’ll eventually reach one of the most beautiful, hidden calas in the Aegadians.
Cala Minnola has crystal-clear, shallow water, perfect for swimming, and if you’ve brought your snorkeling gear, which I instantly regretted I didn’t, there’s even a whole Roman shipwreck just offshore you can swim around.
Walking about 30 minutes east of town, Il Faraglione is Levanzo’s second standout beach: a narrow stretch of pebbles directly beneath a rugged rocky outcrop.
Due to the limestone cliffs that form a natural barrier along the shoreline, the sea here itself is particularly calm and teal-colored, so much so it feels more like being in a natural infinity pool rather than the Mediterranean.
Check Travel Requirements For Europe Before Flying
If you’re heading to Europe at some point in the near future, you should know local travel rules are changing pretty fast.
Americans are now subject to being fingerprinted on arrival, and in case you aren’t aware, from September onward, you’ll need a mandatory travel permit to even fly across the pond, in the first place.
Use Travel Off Path’s Entry Requirement Checker to stay up to date with the ever-changing regulations and avoid those unnecessary travel hiccups.
The Undeveloped North Of Levanzo
That’s all in the south. If you like walking, and I strongly recommend you do if you don’t want to miss out on all that Levanzo has to offer, you’ll take the moderately challenging, mildly elevated hike to Faro di Capo Grosso, on the northern tip of the island.
There’s a historic lighthouse here offering panoramic views over the sea and neighboring islands, and the vibe up there is pure isolation.
Beaches and wandering aside, there’s no leaving Levanzo without visiting Grotta del Genovese: a prehistoric cave covered in prehistoric paintings and engravings that date over 12,000 years, it is Levanzo’s one must-see attraction, though you might want to plan ahead and book in advance as you can only visit with a guided tour.
Ahead of traveling, check all the safety updates and travel alerts applying to Italy, including national strikes and other disruption, on the Traveler Dashboard.
I was in Sicily recently myself, and had to cancel a day trip to Cefalù by a couple of days due to an island-wide railway strike. Were it not for the Traveler Dashboard, I’d probably have rocked up to Palermo Centrale, bag in hand like an idiot, only to be told no trains were leaving that day.
Also, in case you’re wondering just how stable the security situation is in Italy is at the minute, it scores a 92 out of 100 on the Traveler Safety Index:
How Affordable Is Levanzo?
For those staying in Cala Dogana for the remainder of their day, I have a final spot to recommend.
Ristorante Bar ROMANO is the island classic, known for its oven-cooked sourdough pizza and unbeatable harbor views.
I ate here for lunch, and I was quite surprised by how affordable it was: the whole bill, including a Margherita pizza, a glass of Aperol, and sparkling water, set me back by around $25 tops (or the equivalent in euros).
I also heard Ristorante Bar Arcobaleno dishes up some real fresh, rustic seafood, and other Sicilian specialties, but as I was short on time, I didn’t get to try those, but their menu seemed quite reasonable, with aperitivi ranging from $6 to $15 and primi/secondi piatti $14 to $19.
In general, Levanzo is a super affordable island either by Italian or by its Santorini dupe standards.
- Takeout meal: $10 or under
- Pizza at a local trattoria: from only $12
- 3-course meal in a mid-range eatery: $35–$45
- Overnight at a guesthouse: $80–$130
If you’re used to spending upwards of $180-a-night on your Eurosummer hotel, you’ll be glad to learn budget guesthouses in Levanzo range from $80 to $130 in peak summer.
This is a small destination catering to weekend visitors from Trapani (over in Sicily) or the neighboring island of Favignana, so instead of full-fledged hotels, expect more small guesthouses, locally owned apartments, and boutique eco stays.
In terms of activities, a shared boat tour, which I highly recommend if you’re short on time and would like to hit up all of Levanzo’s top beaches without the hiking, costs around $75 per person. It includes a skipper, stops for swimming and snorkeling, and aperitif and drinks, usually lasting 8 hours.
For those visiting the Grotta del Genovese, which I cannot recommend enough, prices range from $25 to $50 depending on the option. Usually, the guided tour and transport are included, and reservations in advance are strongly advised.
In total, I’d say a weekend-long stay in Levanzo, just enough time to check out the main sights and unwind at a local cala, will set you back by $450–600, give or take.
Shall we compare it to Santorini… not?
John
Tuesday 14th of July 2026
Nice article…