Cala Madonna

Cala Madonna is a cove on Lampedusa, the Sicilian island, reached by a stone staircase. Its pale sand and calm, clear water make it a peaceful place for a swim, including for families with children. You can rent a sunbed and umbrella, explore the rocky edges or stop for lunch at the beach establishment. Above the shore, the valley is also tied to the Sanctuary of Cala Madonna, a small church set into the rock among caves.

The cove and its shore

Cala Madonna is a beach cove on Lampedusa. A stone staircase leads down to the shore, where pale sand meets calm, clear water. Families with children may appreciate the gentle conditions described for swimming. Rocky areas offer a change from the sandy stretch.

Sunbeds and umbrellas are available through the beach establishment. Free space on the shore is limited, so arrive early if you want to choose a spot without renting a place. The establishment also serves lunch, giving you the option to stay by the cove for a meal.

The sanctuary and caves

The name Cala Madonna is also associated with a small sanctuary carved into the rock in a landscape of caves. The valley has a long human history: people lived in its caves during the Neolithic period, between 5,500 and 2,500 BC.

Local legend connects the area with a hermit of Lampedusa. In a period said to follow the decline of the Eastern Empire, around 1452, he is said to have practised both Christian and Muslim worship. The story links the site with the island’s history of contact between different faiths.