On the southern tip of Pantelleria lies Balata dei Turchi, a hidden cove at the base of cliffs that in places reach nearly 300 meters high. The name “balata” comes from the Arabic balat, meaning stone slab: indeed, the bay features a broad rock platform perfect for sunbathing or diving. It is accessed via an unpaved track of about four kilometers that starts from the main road and leads directly to the sea.
Archaeological research confirms ancient activity linked to obsidian extraction. According to tradition, the site’s full name recalls an Ottoman landing repelled by local inhabitants