Today, let's go to what is undoubtedly the most famous of the Aeolian Islands: the island of Stromboli. The volcanic island attracts a large number of curious people every year, curious people who come to climb Stromboli, an active volcano on which it is possible to climb, accompanied by a guide, to see its crater spitting lava.
In this article, we will see all the practical aspects of a visit to Stromboli. How to come to the island of Stromboli, the various possible crossings, the excursions on the spot like the hike to the top, but also the accommodation on the island of Stromboli.
I will also tell you about the course of a particular day. During my road trip in Sicily, in February 2014, our goal was to climb Stromboli. Unforgettable day, filled with many adventures.
Summary:- Reach the island of Stromboli by boat
- Climb the Stromboli with a guide
- Where to sleep on Stromboli? What accommodation?
- Practical tips for visiting Stromboli
- Account of my visit to the island of Stromboli and my ascent
The summit of Stromboli and the viewpoint on the crater are only accessible with a guide. Book your guided hike to the summit of Stromboli at sunset. Book your visit Book your ferry crossing:
The easiest way to reach the island of Stromboli is to opt for a ferry crossing from Milazzo. Book your crossing
Reach the island of Stromboli by boat
The first step of your visit to Stromboli will be to reach the island. Whether you come from Sicily, mainland Italy or another of the Aeolian Islands, the boat will be the only way to reach Stromboli.
When you choose your crossing, be careful not to make a mistake. The island of Stromboli has two ports. The main port is “Stromboli”. The second port is “Ginostra” but most of the activity (accommodation, restaurants, departure of hikes,…) is done from “Stromboli” and not “Ginostra”.
Reaching Stromboli from Sicily
To reach the island of Stromboli from Sicily, you will, of course, have to take a boat. The island of Stromboli is the furthest of the Aeolian Islands, it is about 2h45 by boat from Milazzo and 1h25 from Messina. The crossing time depends mainly on the boat and the company used.
Two companies connect Sicily (Milazzo and Messina) to Stromboli: LibertyLines and Siremar.
It is possible to reach the island of Stromboli from the following towns in Sicily:
- Milazzo: 2:45 minimum (1:50 for Ginostra)
- Messina: 1h25 minimum
In order to make the most of the island, but also to reduce the cost of the trip, I advise you to leave early in the morning from Milazzo or Messina, to spend the night there, the day before, so you will arrive on the island from Stromboli at the end of the morning, you will have all afternoon, evening and part of the next day to discover the island and its volcano.
Reach Stromboli from Milazzo:
Let's look at the city of Milazzo which will be with Messina one of the best ways to reach Stromboli. Indeed, it is from this city that the crossings are the shortest but above all the most frequent: two per day. The crossing to reach Stromboli is about 1h50. It is imperative to book your crossing in advance to be sure of availability on the desired day.
For this you can go through DirectFerries, the number 1 in the sale of ferry crossings.
Where to stay in Milazzo the day before your departure?
The town of Milazzo has a fairly large supply of accommodation. Indeed, the city is the real starting point for all the Aeolian Islands. Here are some of the best places to stay in Milazzo, these hotels benefit from very good value for money but above all from an excellent location to catch your ferry the next morning early.
High-end housing in Milazzo
The Eolian Milazzo Hotel is one of the best rated and most luxurious in the city. For around 80€ per night, you benefit from all the comfort expected of a top-of-the-range hotel with spacious rooms as well as a swimming pool offering an unobstructed view of the bay as well as a restaurant.
Hotel La Bussola is also an upscale property located just in front of the pier.
Affordable accommodation in Milazzo
For tighter budgets, I recommend three hotels, located a few hundred meters from the pier. For fifty euros per room, you can enjoy a very comfortable room located in the city center. The B&B Varadero, the Hotel Il Principe or the Alterego B&B are accommodations to which I advise you to turn.
See hotels in MilazzoReaching Stromboli from Messina:
Messina is one of the largest cities in Sicily after Palermo and Catania. Messina is a very pleasant city located at the level of the Strait of Messina. It is the main crossing point between Italy and Sicily.
Even if Messina is slightly further from Stromboli than Milazzo, the company LibertyLines offers fast crossings to reach Stromboli in less than 1h30.
If your visit to Stromboli is part of a road trip in Sicily, then a stopover in Messina for a few days, including an excursion to Stromboli, may be a good idea.
Where to sleep in Messina the day before your departure?
The third largest city in Sicily, Messina, relatively touristy and the main entry point to the island from Italy, offers a large number of accommodations.
A true maritime hub between Italy and Sicily, but also a departure point for the Aeolian Islands, Messina has a wide choice of accommodation.
High-end accommodation in Messina
If you are looking for high-end accommodation, then I advise you to turn to the Vmaison Hotel. A 4-star hotel, among the best rated in the city.
Located in the center of the city, the hotel offers spacious, perfectly equipped suites, some with a beautiful terrace. The hotel is also renowned for its restaurant.
Cheap accommodation in Messina
If you are looking for inexpensive accommodation in Messina, I recommend two addresses.
The first, a very well rated B&B (9,5/10) having received more than 400 reviews on the booking.com site, the Caio Duilio B&B. Located in the center of Messina just 200m from the ferry pier taking you to the Aeolian Islands, the accommodation offers single or double rooms at very competitive prices. Modernly decorated rooms offering the essentials for a short stay in the city.
The second accommodation, the Elysium B&B, also benefits from a prime location, close to the pier and the town centre. It also offers spacious, nicely decorated rooms.
Join Stromboli from the Italian west coast
Two crossings are possible from the Italian west coast, the first will allow you to reach Stromboli from Naples, the other from Vibo Valentina.
- Vibo Valentina is relatively close to Stromboli, at 1h30, but offers relatively little crossing. Only the company LibertyLines offers the crossing.
- Naples : much further from Stromboli, Naples is also a starting point to reach Stromboli. Three companies offer crossings: SNAV, Siremar and Alilauro. Count at least 5 hours of crossing.
Reach Stromboli from another of the Aeolian Islands
The Aeolian Islands are linked by two companies: LibertyLines and Siremar, which offer several crossings per day.
It is therefore possible to connect Stromboli to Panarea, Salina, Vulcano, Lipari Rinella and Filicudi easily.
It is even possible to connect Stromboli to Ginostra, the town located on the other side of the island in about ten minutes.
Climb the Stromboli with a guide
The main attraction of a visit to Stromboli is, of course, its ascent! This volcano is constantly erupting and has the particularity of spitting volcanic bombs at regular time intervals. For this, you have to climb Stromboli to its summit. The crater being lower than the summit.
You will see it a little further down, in the story of my ascent, climbing Stromboli alone is NOT recommended AT ALL!
A guided tour is strongly recommended or even mandatory above a certain altitude. The disadvantage is that these guided tours of Stromboli do not take place all year round. Too bad for us who visited Stromboli in winter. Guided tours take place exclusively between the months of April and October.
The guided tour now exists in French, but be sure to book your excursion in advance.
The departure of the guided hike begins approximately 2 hours before sunset. This gives the group time to reach the 400m altitude up to the Sciara Del Fuoco viewpoint, this steep, black slope which lets lava flow from time to time.
On your way you will have the opportunity to visit the old cemetery of Stromboli.
At sunset, after about 2 hours of walking, you will reach the top of Sciara Del Fuoco. From there, you can enjoy an extraordinary view of the volcano's crater.
The return will be at night, but you will be provided with headlamps, helmets and walking sticks.
Where to sleep on Stromboli?
In view of the size of the island, the choice of accommodation on Stromboli is not very substantial. Nevertheless, the island being relatively touristy, you will easily find accommodation within your budget. Be careful though during off-peak periods, many establishments close their doors.
3 good places to stay in Stromboli
For the most comfortable budgets, you will have the choice between several accommodations. The first, an Apart'hotel, is located about 15 minutes walk from the port of Stromboli, the Il Gabbiano Relais in Stromboli is an upscale accommodation with a swimming pool but also a breathtaking view of the sea and offering direct access to the beach. The apartments all have a small kitchen. One of the best rated accommodations in Stromboli, enough to spend a most pleasant stay at the foot of the volcano.
Stromboli's second upscale accommodation is Hotel La Sirenetta Park Hotel. Located by the sea, the hotel offers spacious rooms, a beautiful swimming pool and a restaurant. The hotel also offers a shuttle between the port of Stromboli and your accommodation. An address particularly appreciated by tourists passing through the island.
Let's finish with the Hotel Ossidiana Stromboli, a 3-star hotel, very well rated, in the immediate vicinity of the pier of Stromboli. You will have the choice between several types of rooms and even apartments with a small kitchenette. Some units have a balcony offering a nice view of the sea.
3 cheap accommodations on Stromboli
For tighter budgets, we have selected 3 more affordable accommodations that offer great benefits.
The first accommodation, the Villa Petrusa is a hotel offering simple rooms but with all the necessary comfort. The location of this accommodation is ideal, located between the port and the start of the hikes to the summit of Stromboli. You can reach the hotel in 15 minutes on foot from the port, or via a shuttle. Villa Petrusa has a very nice terrace.
The second inexpensive accommodation is an aparthotel, La Pergola, which also offers basic rooms, equipped with a private bathroom and a kitchenette. The affordable price is the major asset of this accommodation. Its location is also ideal, very close to the port of Stromboli and the museum.
Let's finish with a guest room, La Lampara. One of the addresses offering the best “note/price” ratio. Rates of around €50 per night for a large number of glowing reviews of the establishment, particularly on the welcome. There are also basic rooms, equipped with a private bathroom and a pretty terrace. La Lampara also offers a restaurant, popular with travelers passing through the area.
Practical tips for visiting Stromboli
Now let's move on to the practical advice part. In this part we will try to answer the most frequently asked questions about visiting Stromboli and its ascent.
If you have any other questions, please let us know in the comments to this article.
When to go to Stromboli: the best times to visit Stromboli?
There really isn't a bad time to explore the Aeolian Islands and Stromboli. However, you will see it by reading my story, there are bad days! Indeed, to hope to perform the ascent of the Stromboli, good weather is essential. If the day planned on Stromboli promises to be rainy, then try to shift your visit to Stromboli by one or two days. The visits will certainly be canceled and the ascent of Stromboli will prove to be perilous.As for the time of year, the climate in Sicily is quite mild. The months from October to February will be the rainiest and coolest but will still be possible.
Be careful though, the guided excursion is only available between the months of April and October.
Summer will undoubtedly be the best time to stay in the Aeolian Islands and on Stromboli.
| January | Not advised |
| February | Not advised |
| Mars | Not advised |
| April | Unfavorable |
| Mai | Favorable |
| June | Favorable |
| July | Favorable |
| August | Favorable |
| September | Favorable |
| October | Favorable |
| November | Unfavorable |
| December | Not advised |
What are the different access routes to the summit of Stromboli?
There are three different paths to reach the summit. The highest point is 918 meters. The crater is located slightly lower, at 830 meters above sea level. Beyond 400 meters, you must be accompanied by a guide, under penalty of a heavy fine.
How long does the ascent of Stromboli take?
The ascent takes about 2 hours, but the guided excursion to the top of Stromboli takes 5 hours.What to take with you when climbing the Stromboli?
Don't forget to take water, good shoes, rain gear and your camera with you. If you opt for a guided excursion, you will be provided with hiking sticks and a headlamp.How much does the guided hike on Stromboli cost?
The most popular excursion is “Sunset on the Sciara Del Fuoco”. A 5-hour excursion accompanied by a guide. This costs 25€.How to book your ascent of Stromboli with a guide?
To book your climb, nothing could be simpler, go to one of the many activity booking platforms that offer it, like here for example.What are the latest eruptions of Stromboli?
- July 3, 2019: a major eruption produces a smoke plume of more than 2km. Lava flows appear and falling projectiles cause fires. A hiker will lose his life during this eruption.
- May 19, 2021: Stromboli and Mount Etna erupt after a period of intense activity. A lava flow descends the Sciara del Fuoco. A large plume of smoke rising to 1,5km altitude is forming.
How tall is Stromboli?
The height of Stromboli is 924m.How long does it take by boat to reach Stromboli?
At the shortest, 1h25 from Messina.What is the closest airport to Stromboli?
The nearest airport is Catania airport, located 100km or 1h15 from Messina. To this add at least 1h25 to connect Stromboli from Messina.What are the main towns of Stromboli?
The main villages of Stromboli are: Stromboli, San Vincenzo and Ginostra.How many inhabitants live on the island of Stromboli?
750 people live on the island of Stromboli.Account of my visit to the island of Stromboli and my ascent
The day begins in Milazzo, the city in which we arrived the day before and from which we embark, at 6am (just that) for the island of Stromboli. The weather forecast is good in Milazzo, a little less on the island of Stromboli, but our schedule and our reservation impose this date on us.
Arrival on the island of Stromboli
After 1h30 of crossing, we arrived on the island. First disappointment. We arrive in the pouring rain, we can barely see the volcano, the summit is totally in the clouds. Our hotel being 2 km from the port, we decide to wait inside a small hut placed on the port. After 45 minutes of waiting, we decide to venture inside the island, deserted. It is an almost phantom island, which is offered to us. The streets are deserted, the hotels and the few shops on the port are closed. It is after a few minutes of walking that we find a café where we can warm up and have something to eat.
The island of Stromboli can be reached from the town of Milazzo. Two companies operate the route, LibertyLines and Siremar. Count 70 euros for the round trip. The trip lasts between 1 hour, for a direct, and 3 hours if you take a boat stopping on the other Aeolian Islands.
Finding our hotel
After an hour, we decide to go looking for our hotel. Long walk across the island, still so deserted, looking almost desperately for our hotel. After a good hour of walking we meet, by chance, inhabitants of the island moving with the help of small vans, cars being prohibited on the island. Luck finally smiles on us, we are transported to our hotel and it is therefore at the end of the morning that we arrive safely, our morale in our socks in view of the still overcast sky. Leaving the next morning, we decide to do some shopping in the only open store on the island.
The endless ascent of Stromboli
At the beginning of the afternoon, the weather seems to be slightly uncovered, we study the different paths that will allow us to climb Stromboli and decide, first of all, to climb to 420 meters where we should have a nice point of view on the lava flowing in the water of the sea. First error, we rather badly judged the distances on the island, as well as the difficulty of the ascent of Stromboli. So we leave the hotel in the early afternoon and reach this place, after 2 long hours of walking. In height, a violent wind is felt. Nice panorama on the side of the volcano by which the lava descends, yes but now, today there is no visible lava flowing.
We do not give up, certainly these 2 hours of walking, almost in vain, have tired us, but a slight thinning appears. We didn't need more to re-motivate us. We therefore decide to attempt the ascent of Stromboli by the path that should lead us to the summit. We decide to do without a guide, mandatory beyond 400 meters. We begin the ascent in the middle of the afternoon hoping to see the magnificent spectacle of the lava at night. So we left for several hours of walking, quite trying. A small error in trajectory further, here we are at the famous 400 meters. Night begins to fall, so we decide to speed up to get closer to the summit as quickly as possible. 18 p.m., night falls, we are 600 meters high and the ascent becomes more and more difficult. Seeing that our journey is not about to end, the fatigue being more and more felt and our lack of equipment to go higher, it is with great disappointment that we decide to turn back. No lava in sight, just rumblings that are heard at regular intervals. Back in the city, we find one (the only) restaurant open to eat and join the hotel exhausted.
Leaving the island
Departure the next morning, at 7 a.m., after a day where we will have totaled nearly 20 kilometers of walking for more than 3 meters of elevation. Ironically, we set off under completely clear skies, with a magnificent view of Stromboli.
I hope this article has been useful to you in preparing for your visit to Stromboli, a visit that I highly recommend. If you are interested in the volcanoes of the Aeolian Islands, do not hesitate to take a look at our article on the ascent of Vulcano, another volcano that is part of the Aeolian Islands. Its ascent is much easier, but you will not have the opportunity to see lava coming out of it! However, the island is famous for its mud baths!
