Gadir thermal pools

About Gadir thermal pools

Gadir is a tiny hamlet on the north-east coast of Pantelleria, with a small fishing harbour and a few houses of lava stone. Right on the quay, carved into the rock, are some natural thermal pools where hot water rises from the volcanic ground. It's one of the most characteristic places on the island: you soak in hot water with the sea just a step away.

The pools reach temperatures of about 39 to 50 °C, so some are really hot and should be used for just a few minutes. One of the best things to do is to alternate a hot soak in the pools with a dip in the cool sea of the harbour, like a kind of open-air hammam.

The pools are small and fill up quickly in summer: you often have to wait your turn. To enjoy them at leisure, go at sunset, in the evening or out of season, when there are few people on the island. Nearby there are small bars where you can get something simple to eat.

Gadir is about ten kilometres from the town of Pantelleria: leave the car along the road and walk down to the harbour. There are no changing rooms or showers, so come prepared. Because of the high temperatures and limited space, the pools are not ideal for small children.

From Gadir you can continue along the coast to Cala Tramontana and Cala Levante, with the Arco dell'Elefante (Elephant Arch), one of the most iconic sights of Pantelleria. On the way back, a stop at the Specchio di Venere lake completes a perfect hot spring itinerary.

As at all the island's hot springs, respect for the place is essential at Gadir: it is a small inhabited hamlet, with fishermen and residents who use the harbour every day. Behave discreetly, don't leave towels to reserve the pools and give up your place when others are waiting.