The Aeolian Archipelago

Discover the Aeolian Islands: A Natural Paradise to Explore!

The Aeolian Archipelago faces the north-eastern coast of Sicily and is made up of seven islands: Alicudi, Filicudi, Lipari, Panarea, Salina, Stromboli, and Vulcano, each with volcanic origins and unique characteristics.

A tour of the Aeolian Islands will undoubtedly reveal one surprise after another. From a scenic and environmental perspective, the Aeolians are a unique gem in the southern Mediterranean, so much so that UNESCO included them on the "World Heritage List" in 2000. Discover the natural wonders of the archipelago with us. We offer boat rentals and unforgettable excursions to the Aeolian Islands from Lipari.

The Aeolian Islands

Lipari

The largest of the islands, known in ancient times as Meligunis, from the Greek word Melos (sweet), possibly referring to its climate, Lipari has been inhabited since the Neolithic period (3500 BC). A boat trip around the island reveals stunning landscapes, a varied coastline, deep caves, and wide bays.

The White Beach is one of the most famous attractions for its white seabed, covered in pumice sediment deposited over the years.

To the south of the island, towards the channel that separates Lipari from Vulcano, stand the two Faraglioni, majestic rock giants home to a high number of plant species, including the renowned Aeolian blue thistle.

Vulcano

Ancient Hierà (sacred), once thought to be the dwelling of the god of Fire, is the southernmost and closest island to Sicily. Vulcano comprises four volcanoes: Lentia, Vulcano Piano, Fossa di Vulcano, and Vulcanello.

Must-see destinations include the Venus Pool, a shallow and clear basin, and the Horse Cave, named after the seahorses (once present) that swam in its green and blue waters.

Salina

Salina is characterised by two large, now extinct volcanic cones, almost identical in shape: Fossa delle Felci and Monte dei Porri. This gives rise to its ancient name Didjme, meaning twins.

In a tour of the Aeolian Islands, don’t miss Pollara Beach, a charming stretch of land shaped like an amphitheatre with pebbles and gravel. Nearby is the Bay of Balate, named after ancient boat mooring places embedded in the rock.

Sailing northwards, you can enjoy the view of the Perciato Rock, a majestic and imposing natural arch.

Panarea

Panarea, the ancient Hjcesia, is the smallest of the Aeolian Islands, framed by the nearby islets of Lisca Bianca, Lisca Nera, I Panarelli, and the Formiche.

The island is known for significant Roman architectural remains found on the Basiluzzo Rock. Among the most beloved beaches are Cala Junco, a natural pool among the rocks, and Cala degli Zimmari, the only sandy beach, also known as the "Red Beach" due to the striking colour of the sand.

Stromboli

Famed touristically in the 1950s by Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman’s film Stromboli, Land of God, the island has been inhabited since the Bronze Age.

Its eponymous volcano, approximately 920 metres high, is the fifth active crater in the world. A tour of the Aeolian Islands to Stromboli will allow you to witness from the sea the dramatic eruptions and lava flows down the Sciara del Fuoco.

The island also includes Strombolicchio, the oldest volcanic mass in the Aeolians, standing 56 m high and about a mile from Stromboli, with a still-functioning lighthouse.

Filicudi

On Filicudi, the final stop of an ideal tour of the Aeolian Islands, once known as Phenicusa (rich in ferns), the imposing Fossa delle Felci stands out, an extinct volcano 774 metres high.

Don't miss a visit to the "Cave of the Monk Seal", the largest cave in the Aeolian Islands. Named after the monk seals that once inhabited it, the cave features unique light effects, along with the lapping and roaring of the sea against the rocks.

Also of interest are the ruins of the Neolithic village on the Capo Graziano promontory. Recently, additional ruins in the Capo Graziano area, named Filobraccio Ruins, have been uncovered. The finds indicate a thriving obsidian industry on the island during the Neolithic period. The island also houses a section of the Aeolian Archaeological Museum, with artifacts from the Capo Graziano excavations and other areas of the Aeolian Islands.

To the north, there is a protected nature reserve where you can admire the striking monolith "La Canna" and the "Montenassari" rock.

Alicudi

Alicudi is the westernmost island of the Aeolian archipelago, located about 34 nautical miles (nearly 63 km) west of Lipari. It is dominated by Mount Filo dell'Arpa, named after the local term for the buzzard. The island's shape is almost circular, with an area of about 5 km², and features steep and rugged coasts, rising from the 1,500 m deep sea floor.

The island's beaches are pebbly and rocky, with winter storms causing them to shift, sometimes leaving only small patches of dark sand. It is possible to circumnavigate the island, but it carries the risk of falling stones, dislodged by wind or wild goats, and requires swimming around some rocky formations.

The island is partially protected as part of a natural park with marked paths; visitors are encouraged to be mindful of summer fire risks and to protect local flora, fauna, and wildlife.