Getting There

Levanzo is most commonly visited as a side trip from Favignana (6km/3 3/4 miles to the south), but you can also get here directly from western Sicily. Day-trippers can avail of Siremar's and Ustica Lines' scheduled boat service (6.20€ for the 15-min. hydrofoil ride from Favignana); otherwise, it's easy to arrange private boat transfers between Favignana and Levanzo. Siremar (Molo Sanità, Trapani; tel. 0923/24968; www.siremar.it) has at least a dozen daily boats (ferries and hydrofoils) between Trapani and Levanzo (90 min. by ferry/8.20€, 25 min. by hydrofoil/10€). Siremar has a ticket office on Levanzo at Via Calvario 29 (tel. 0923/924128). Ustica Lines (Via Ammiraglio Staiti, Trapani Porto; tel. 0923/873813; www.usticalines.it) is the other carrier offering sea connections from Sicily to the Egadi, running hydrofoils only from both Trapani and Marsala. From Trapani, trip frequency, crossing times, and ticket prices are the same as Siremar's hydrofoils. From Marsala (Piazza Piemonte Lombardo; tel. 348/3579863), the hydrofoil to Levanzo takes 55 minutes (changing boats at Favignana). Ustica Lines has an office on Levanzo (Molo Aliscafi; tel. 348/8042681).

Getting Around

Boats arrive at Cala Dogana, an inlet on the south side of the island. This is also where Levanzo's only village is, with its few pensioni, restaurants, and basic shops. Round-island tours, offered by Levanzo in Barca (tel. 339/7367785 or 0923/924028; www.levanzoinbarca.it), cover the island's coastline in under 2 hours, but Levanzo is the one Italian island where, if pressed for time, you can forgo the boat tour. In fact, I prefer exploring Levanzo via its well-kept, scenic hiking paths. Mountain bikes, available for rent at the port, can also be taken on the trails. With a total surface area of just 6km (3 3/4 miles) and a maximum altitude of 278m (912 ft.), distances and heights are never great, and the swimming spots can all be reached by land. Levanzo in Barca also provides "taxi" service to the swimming coves and beaches, picking you up at an agreed-upon time for transport back to town, as well as nighttime connections to Favignana when the hydrofoil isn't running.

Fast Facts

There are no banks on Levanzo, so hit the ATM on Favignana or in Trapani before making a trip here. A few restaurants accept credit/debit cards, but you'll need cash for excursions, coffee, and snacks. The post office is at Via Salita Scuole 5 (tel. 0923/924051). The nearest pharmacies are on Favignana, but for medical assistance on Levanzo, contact the Guardia Medica at tel. 0923/924092. An Internet point is at Panetteria Olimpia, Via Pietre Varate 5 (tel. 0923/924024).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.