Let's fly today to a destination that I particularly like in Europe, Sicily. I had the opportunity to travel 3 times on this big island but also on these smaller islands: the aeolian islands located not far from the north coast of the main island. It is about these islands that I am going to speak to you today. The Aeolian Islands are a must on a road trip in Sicily.
Summary:> The Aeolian Islands
> Which Aeolian islands to visit?
> Getting to the Aeolian Islands: ferry to the Aeolian Islands
> When is the best time to visit the Aeolian Islands? Direct link :
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The Aeolian Islands
17 in number, only 7 are inhabited. They all have a particularity and it is very often difficult to make a choice between these islands. Indeed, even if these Aeolian islands are all from the eruption of an underwater volcano more than 2 million years ago, these islands have some differences all the same. Note that these islands, which attract more than 200 visitors each year, were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 000. Here is an article that will help you visit the Aeolian Islands and see more clearly.
> Lipari
> Salina
> Vulcan
> Stromboli
> Panarea
> Filicudi
> Alicudi
Lipari
Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands, it is inhabited by more than 16 people all year round. It is therefore the largest of the islands but also the liveliest. It has several towns, the largest of which, Lipari, is populated by more than 000 inhabitants, which makes it much more dynamic than the other much smaller islands. The history of Lipari is rich since the Greeks settled there during antiquity. The city was later exploited for its obsidian (a volcanic rock rich in silica) but also for its pumice stones. Quarries are still visible today.
The island measures 37 square kilometres, about ten kilometers wide, the furthest points are about 20 kilometers apart (by road). The island also has some pretty beaches like Spiaggia Bianca beach. White sand beaches are rare on the Aeolian Islands since they are volcanic islands (the sand is therefore rather black). Note that the Lipari volcano is a dormant volcano, its last eruption dates from the XNUMXth century BC
Lipari being the main island, it is from this island that the number of ferries is the most important. It is also connected with the other islands of the archipelago.
Where to sleep in Lipari?
As said before, Lipari is the largest of the Aeolian Islands, so the choice of accommodation there is relatively large. If you are looking for a hotel you can turn to the hotel Borgo Eolie, one of the best rated on the island at an affordable price and offering a transfer from the free port or to the hotel A Pinnata located nearby port.
Salina
Salina is the second most important island of the archipelago by its size but also by its population. The island is populated by 2 inhabitants divided into 300 main towns. The island has a unique and quite amazing history. Indeed the island alternated different periods which made, at times, Salina, the most populated island but also the most important of the Aeolian Islands with periods of complete abandonment.
Unlike its neighbour, Liapiri, the island is not exploited for these rocks but for the richness of its soil. Indeed, grapes but also capers are widely grown on the island and make it rich. The island is much less touristy than Lipari or even Stromboli and Vulcano. The island has a nature reserve, the reserve of the two mountains. The island has 6 volcanoes, among them the highest peak of the archipelago, Mount Fossa delle Felci whose summit rises to over 900 meters.
Volcano
Vulcano is the closest island to Sicily and the most easily accessible. This island, the third largest of the archipelago, has just over 700 inhabitants. it is above all its volcano, still active, that attracts tourists. Indeed the island of Vulcano is easily accessible for a day from Millazo. Its volcano, at an altitude of 500 meters can easily be climbed in order to contemplate its huge crater but also the many fumaroles that escape from it. Another peculiarity of the island that attracts tourists is its sulphurous and hot mud baths which, it is said, have beneficial effects for the body. The island also has beautiful beaches, it is possible to swim there and to contemplate more closely these bubbles which rise to the surface.
Many trails allow you to visit Vulcano and discover its "valley of monsters" and its surprising rock formations. The last eruption of the volcano dates back only a hundred years. Small precision if you visit Vulcano, the smell of sulfur on the island is, in places, very strong!
If you are interested in a visit to Vulcano, then do not hesitate to read the story of my trip to this island.
Where to sleep on Vulcano?
On the Vulcano side, the island being smaller, the choice of accommodation is a little less wide. However, the island being touristy, it still offers very beautiful hotels such as the Hotel Aura, one of the best rated, the hotel with swimming pool has a crazy charm.
If you have a slightly more comfortable budget then do not hesitate it is at Therasia Resort Sea and SPA that you have to go. One of the most opulent on the island.
Stromboli
Now let's move on to the island that struck me the most, certainly the most famous of the Aeolian Islands: Stromboli. The island of Stromboli is known throughout the world for the simple reason that the island's volcano, Stromboli, has been constantly erupting for several centuries. The volcano spits sheaves of lava at regular intervals of a few tens of minutes. The volcano nevertheless remains dangerous since, regularly, larger eruptions occur and sometimes cause damage in the two surrounding towns. The ascent, guided, of Stromboli is possible in order to see these eruptions day and night. The ascent is, however, not easy.
The island is populated by about 500 inhabitants who live from tourism but also from the crops of the island such as olives, figs or even vines. The island is the furthest of the Aeolian Islands and is about 3 hours by boat from Milazzo.
If you are interested in visiting this island, do not hesitate to read the story of my visit to Stromboli.
Where to sleep on Stromboli?
The choice of accommodation on Stromboli is even narrower. The island still has a few hotels or aparthotels. You can head to Villa Petrusa, a simple but quality hotel. If you are looking for something more upscale then Il Gabbiano Relais, with its swimming pool and stunning views will be the perfect choice.
Panarea
Panarea is the smallest of the Aeolian Islands, but not the least populated. 280 inhabitants live on this island all year round. Its particularity: being the favorite island of Italian high society who come to cut themselves off from the world on this small island and enjoy these luxury hotels and restaurants. The magnificent white villas on the heights of the island are also part of the landscape of Panarea.
Indeed the island lives, almost exclusively from luxury tourism. The seabed of the island is also very famous and preserved. The island is one of the furthest from Sicily since only Stromboli is located further from the coast.
filicudi
Let us now head to the last two inhabited islands of these Aeolian Islands. The first: Filicudi. Inhabited by 230 inhabitants all year round, this island is not very touristy despite the magnificent sea caves that can be reached by boat. The island rests on 3 dormant volcanoes which offer beautiful hikes.
alicudi
Alicudi is an island a little apart from its neighbours. Geographically apart since the island is the westernmost of the Aeolian islands but also of the life that takes place there. The island is not touristic at all, only a hundred inhabitants live there and live exclusively from fishing and agriculture. The island was supplied with electricity only in 1990. Alicudi will suit hikers wishing to try the very steep slopes of the island. The island has no cars, the only means of transport being the mule.
Which Aeolian islands to visit?
The question that many are asking is: Which Aeolian Islands to visit?
It all depends on the purpose of your trip. If your trip is dedicated to discovering the Aeolian Islands in Sicily, then the advice is simple. Stay on Lipari, the largest and most dynamic of the islands, then plan a day to discover Vulcano and another day to discover Stromboli. These three islands are the main Aeolian islands to visit during a stay in the archipelago.
If you are on a road trip in Sicily and want to take a one or two day excursion to the Aeolian Islands then I recommend either Volcano, which can easily be done on the day from Milazzo or Stromboli.
For the latter it is preferable to plan two days. The island is the furthest from Sicily and a three hour ferry ride is required to reach it. In addition, one of the main activities on the island is the ascent at the end of the afternoon to see the lava of the volcano at night.
How to get to the Aeolian Islands: Ferry to the Aeolian Islands
First of all you should know that to get to the Aeolian Islands, you will have to take the boat. No airport on these islands. The ferry will therefore be the only means of transport. In reality there are two types of boats, "classic" ferries and hydrofoils. Depending on the island you want to go to, it is possible to embark from different ports knowing that regardless of the island, the most direct route will be take the ferry from Milazzo to reach the Aeolian Islands.
To join Lipari it is possible to take the ferry from:
- Milazzo (Sicily): count 1h05 crossing
- Messina (Sicily): count 1h50 crossing
- Palermo (Sicily): count 4h00 crossing (depending on the season)
- Naples (Italy): count 6h50 crossing
Lipari is connected with all the other Aeolian Islands:
- Allow 10 minutes to reach the closest island: Vulcano, up to 1h20 for the furthest island: Stromboli
To reach the islands of Vulcano and Stromboli by ferry, it is possible to leave from:
- Milazzo
- Messina
- Naples
- Palermo (depending on the season)
The other islands being smaller and less frequented, departures are mainly from the nearest town in Sicily: Milazzo.
You would have understood it, Milazzo is the city from where all ferries to the Aeolian Islands depart..
When is the best time to visit the Aeolian Islands?
When one wishes to visit the Aeolian Islands it is important to ask the question of the period. To know when to visit the aeolian islands is paramount.
To answer this question, let's take a look at the climate. It is mainly this that will make a period favorable or not for visiting the Aeolian Islands. The climate in this region is particularly mild. Summer is hot, but not too hot, winter is mild. Let's not forget that the Aeolian Islands remain islands! Therefore the weather can change quickly. Nevertheless, apart from a little more rainfall during the winter, no period is really bad for visiting the archipelago. The summer will, of course, be favored because the rainfall is much lower there and the temperatures are milder.
In addition to the climate, depending on the islands you want to visit, it is possible that some are a bit "desert". Indeed tourists mainly visit these islands in summer and much less in winter. On Stromboli, for example, the accommodation offer will therefore be vast, and excursions are less frequent.
To conclude on the best time of year to visit the Aeolian Islands, I would say that even if there are no "real" bad times, it will still be better to avoid winter to favor spring. , summer and early fall.
