Aeolian Islands Travel Guide

Travel to Aeolian Islands - Amazing Volcanic Archipelago

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There are seven inhabited islands in this volcanic archipelago scattered over 90 miles of sea: Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, Stromboli, Panarea, Alicudi and Filicudi. The earliest settlements go back as far as 4000 years and a well-known museum on the main island of Lipari traces the islands’ history starting from the Palaeolithic age, when the islands are thought to have emerged from the sea. Traditional activities on the islands were viticulture, the extraction and processing of pumice stone, fishing and the gathering of capers.

Attractions in Aeolian Islands

The most famous of all the Aeolian Island’s is of course Stromboli. As well as being known for its beaches Lipari is the most interesting of the islands. The charming town boasts a largely reconstructed Norman-era church, a superb archaeological museum and archaeological park, spa baths and a Roman sauna cave. Explore the island and its small villages by scooter and admire the breathtaking views of the other islands.

Vulcano's volcanic past has shaped its rocky coastline, its last eruption being in 1890. It is possible to walk to the crater's peak and experience its pungent smell of the sulphurous gas. Its famous thermal mud baths are open year round.

Activities in Aeolian Islands

The crystal clear waters surrounding the Aeolian Islands make it a superb place for diving and snorkelling but most people come to walk and hike on the volcanoes. A guided climb to the volcanic crater on Stromboli, the only volcano in Europe with permanently eruptive activity, can be a rewarding trek taking around 3 hours to reach the top and 2 hours to come down.

Relaxing

Relax with a drink in the old quarter of Lipari town, sunbathing at Canneto beach on Lipari or indulge yourself at the thermal mud baths on Vulcano.

Getting Around

To get to the islands there are frequent car ferries and much quicker hydrofoils from Milazzo and Messina on Sicily , calling first at Lipari before proceeding to the other islands. Ferries are frequent in summer, with fewer during spring, autumn and winter and a reduced service year-round on Sundays. Check the timetables in advance and allow plenty of time for connections, as boats can be early or late. Once there, the larger islands of Lipari, Vulcano and Salina have quite good bus services and timetables are available at the tourist offices in each island's port, alternatively scooters are available for rent. Boats can be rented for touring the coastline of each island but are not large enough for travel between the islands.

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