DK Travel : Sicily : Aeolian Islands

Aeolian Islands

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With a mix of history, small town atmosphere, intensely flavoured cuisine, and natural beauty, each of these islands has its own character. Rich in pumice, Lipari is bright white; the fertile volcanic soil of Salina grows verdant grape vines and forest; on Vulcano cooled molten lava has left entire cliffs looking like a row of elephants’ legs; while on Salina rock formations rise like mounds of whipped cream. Beaches are white with pumice or black with powdered lava and the sea is clean, clear and full of marine life. The islands’ culture extends back 6,000 years, and there is evidence of trade with virtually every important Mediterranean culture, from the Etruscans to the Greeks.
There are ferries to the islands from Naples, Palermo, Messina, Reggio Calabria and Cefalù.

Top 10 Sights

1. Aeolian Archaeological Museum, Lipari

The museum’s collection reveals the original Neolithic settlement and includes obsidian knives and fabulous Greek vases.
2. Marina Corta, Lipari

2. Marina Corta, Lipari

Under the castle rock, this is where the hydro-foils and smaller craft dock . It’s always bustling with visitors and locals hawking rooms for rent and boat excursions.
3. Pumice Quarries, Lipari

The biggest industry on Lipari, alongside tourism, is the thriving pumice industry. Pumice is so plentiful you’ll find little bits of it washing up onto the beaches, bobbing in the water and on sale in shops. Thanks to pumice dust on the seabed, the water refracts gorgeous colours, from turquoise to bright emerald.
4. Pollara Beach, Salina

4. Pollara Beach, Salina

The beach at Pollara has black volcanic sand and a dark blue sea. The water is great for snorkelling, with sea urchins and octopuses.
5. Perciato di Pollara, Salina

5. Perciato di Pollara, Salina

This stone bridge swoops down from the cliff and rests in the water, creating a natural rock bridge . You can get to the breath taking Perciato via land or sea and then swim around the rocks.
6. Sulphur Emissions, Vulcano

Although it’s a spent volcano, Vulcano still has constant sulphur emissions seeping out of the main crater, and all over the island the vapour rises out of the craggy ground. It turns the earth lurid yellows and reds and forms the fanghi (mudbaths) and hot bubbles in the sea.
7. Malvasia delle Lipari

This is the famed product of the islands. White grapes are cultivated, harvested late and left to shrivel on cane mats before fermentation.
8. Stromboli

8. Stromboli

Stromboli volcano has been active for more than two millennia, spewing sparks and red-hot rocks into the air, although you can only see them at night. Excursions are popular and available from the other islands.
9. Panarea

This is the smallest island of the archipelago and the most exclusive. Chic Panarea is known for its coves, clear water, rocky islets and nightlife. It also has an archaeological site: a Bronze Age settlement on the Punta Milazzese.
10. Alicudi and Filicudi

Tiny Alicudi and Filicudi are the westernmost and least developed islands of the archipelago. Many visitors and locals call these the prettiest of the Aeolian Islands, with their natural beauty, sparse population, lack of cars and whitewashed houses with breezy terraces.

Practical Information

Stick to small, unassuming trattorie for good food at better prices. The islands are made up of fragile volcanic stone so watch out for falling rocks (cadute masse ). Aeolian Archaeological Museum: Lipari Castle 090 988 01 74 Open 9am–1pm Mon–Sat, Classical Section: 9am–1pm & 3–6pm Mon–Sat Adm €4.50