Aeolian Islands

©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd

Aeolian Islands

Why Go? Lipari...... 133 Rising out of the cobalt blue seas off Sicily’s northeastern Lipari Town...... 135 coast, the Unesco-protected Aeolian Islands (Lipari, Vulca- no, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi) are a Vulcano...... 142 little piece of paradise, a magical outdoor playground offer- Salina...... 145 ing thrills and spills at every turn. Stunning waters provide Panarea...... 148 sport for swimmers, sailors and divers while trekkers can Stromboli...... 150 climb hissing volcanoes and gourmets can sup on honey- Filicudi...... 156 sweet Malvasia wine. The obvious base is Lipari, the larg- est and liveliest of the seven islands, but it’s by no means Alicudi...... 157 the only option. Salina boasts excellent accommodation and good transport links, while Stromboli and Vulcano enter- tain nature lovers with awe-inspiring volcanic shenanigans Best Places and black-sand beaches. Ultrachic Panarea offers luxurious living at lower prices in the off-season, while Filicudi and to Eat Alicudi have an end-of-the-line appeal that’s irresistible for ¨¨A Cannata (p147) fans of off-the-beaten-track adventure. ¨¨Ristorante Villa Carla (p147) ¨ ¨La Sirena (p156) Road/Sea Distances (KM) ¨¨Le Macine (p140) ¨¨Trattoria da Paolino Messina 50 (p149) Milazzo 35 40

Santa Maria Salina 20 80 65 Best Places to Stay Stromboli 45 75 70 45 ¨¨Hotel Signum (p259) ¨¨Hotel Raya (p260) ¨¨Casa del Sole (p260) ¨¨Diana Brown (p258) ¨¨Capofaro (p259) Lipari Messina Milazzo Santa Maria Salina - Far from Far shore

western

DAYS

forgotten

For sheer solitude, nothing trumps nothing solitude,sheer For This gorgeous island rarely gets very busy, busy, very gets rarely island gorgeous This Alicudi

PERFECT

to Stromboli’s

Filicudi

on to

out

Pamper Yourself on Salina Island-Hop DropTill You can tour a boat up on, wake what island you No matter - typi operators Local in a hurry. horizons your expand offer to multiple islands in a single day, tours offer cally Scale a Pair of Active Volcanoes volcanoes active climb two can you day every not It’s the 7:50am catch how: Here’s hours. than 24 in less the island’s and reach Vulcano, to Lipari from hydrofoil the heat before by midmoming, summit steam-belching Lipari’s to Return arrive. trippers day of and the hordes boat then hop on a tour lunch, for (p136) Marina Corta in the party trekking join your in time to Stromboli to be oohing and ahing you’ll sunset, By afternoon. late most active Europe’s of the stunning fireworks over then in the piazza, pizza for down back Trek volcano. bed. Lipari familiar your home to ride a boat to even varied personalities Aeolians’ of the ing a taste time. with limited those THREE meal- at its stuff island struts greenest Aeolians’ The abundant seafood produce, with garden-fresh times among are here Hotels wine. Malvasia grown and locally cappuccino to up late Wake too. cushiest the islands’ in a ciclo indulge benessere view, with an ocean (spa a pack in Malfa, (p259) Signum at Hotel treatment) the lo- or visit one of (p146) Pollara photogenic picnic to Cannata A Carla (p147), Villa then dine at vineyards, cal restaurants. standout other the island’s of or any (p147) Flee Sail Stay ¨ ¨ ¨ the tourist bustle, tiny Ginostra village has just enough just has village Ginostra tiny bustle, tourist the rocks. lava on sleeping from you save infrastructureto ¨ season.peak in even ¨ spots. isolated most Mediterranean’s the of one Alicudi, Getting Away from It All ¨ Getting Around Transport in the Aeolians means settling into and Siremar Lines rhythm. run Ustica hydrofoils frequent a slower connecting all seven islands; ferries ply the same routes, costing less but taking twice as long. and Lipari, Vulcano networks; road significant with are the islands only Salina here, rental and scooters local buses are your best means Walking pricey. but available are cars rental of locomotion; and footpaths scenic to thanks islands, seven all on a is joy traffic. limited (www.

Book a Book English- (www.

MISS

Eolie (www.eolnet.it/

Booking

bus from Catania from bus

A grab bag of Aeolian of bag grab A

The scenic boat ride boat The scenic Spiaggia from back at Lipari i Muria to Valle the by passing sunset, sea-rock awe-inspiring Lipari’s of formations shore. western DON’T Eolnet Estate Eolie Fossa delle Felci (p145) (p145) Felci delle Fossa (p153) Fuoco del Sciara (p146) Pollara Quattrocchi(p138) (p143) Grillo Capo Filo dell’Arpa (p157) dell’Arpa Filo Corvo(p149) del Punta Stromboli Crater (p151) (p151) Crater Stromboli to Pianoconte (p156)Grande Zucco ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ recipes and more. and recipes eng) includingresources, reports, weather Aeolian ¨ language news and practicaland news language islands. seven all on tips ¨ estateolie.net/en) shuttle Milazzo. Airportto ¨ eoliebooking.com) Resources ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Best Views ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Quattropani(p138) ¨ Best Hikes

 Islands

Aeolian 132