Have you heard of the Aeolian islands? Having traveled all over Italy and Sicily for years, these volcanic islands are still a bit of a secret despite having so much to offer visitors. We love spending time here so in case you’ve ever wondered what these islands are or why you should visit, this guide is for you.

What are the Aeolian Islands?

The Aeolian islands are made up of seven islands off the northern coast of Sicily, west of the region of Calabria, along with some other minor rocky islands. Also known as the Lipari islands (named after the largest island), together they make up a volcanic archipelago with two active volcanoes on the islands of Stromboli and Vulcano.

The significant seven Aeolian islands are Lipari, Stromboli, Vulcano, Salina, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea. Despite the volcanic activity, the islands have been inhabited since pre-historic times and today are officially part of Sicily. They are also a UNESCO World Heritage site, due to the special structure of the islands and the relationship with the volcanoes all around.

There is plenty to do and see on the seven islands, so while you can easily visit on a day trip from the north coast of Sicily or from Calabria, we recommend spending at least a few days here. Sicily is undoubtedly a fascinating place, that we return to year after year, but we believe the Aeolian islands need dedicated time to really get to know them.

Which Island is the Best Place to Stay?

If you do plan to stay overnight on the Aeolian islands, there are a few options for where to stay.

We generally opt for Lipari as our base, which is the largest island and also at the center of the archipelago. This is where most ferries dock, and with the large Lipari town along with smaller villages, there are more accommodation options. As well as being the most convenient island, Lipari is the most vibrant, with plenty of bars, restaurants and shops, along with lovely beaches. You can easily reach the other islands too.

Nearby Salina is another good option. It is also central and while there are not as many ferry connections as to Lipari, there are plenty that stop here (especially in the summer). Known as the Green Island, Salina has large freshwater reserves and a distinctive structure of ancient, extinct volcanoes that allows a lot more to grow here. The atmosphere on Salina is calm and more luxurious – this is where you will find great boutique hotel options.

The other Aeolian islands have some accommodation options but we would not recommend selecting them as the base for your trip if you really want to get to know all of them. Connections between the smaller islands are more limited, choices for food and drink are more restricted and overall we find that Lipari or Salina are the best islands for exploring.

Best Time to Visit

While it is possible to visit the Aeolian islands year-round, you will have a very different experience in July compared to December.

If you want to relax by the beach and make the most of the beautiful waters, head to the islands in the peak summer months of July and August. Yes, this is a popular time to visit, especially with Italians, but the summer weather is perfect for switching off completely. If however you would like to do some sightseeing or hiking, take some boat trips to the different islands and travel around more, the heat of July and August makes this more challenging.

September and October are great months for this type of trip, but we absolutely love the Aeolian islands in May and June. The combination of late spring/early summer temperatures, the bright sunshine, colorful flowers and blue sea is ideal. The sea conditions in May and June are particularly good too for being out on the water.

Outside of May to October, the sea can be unforgiving so the ferry services are much more infrequent and have limited routes. Most businesses close up and on the smaller islands in particular, there is nothing much to do.

For us, late June is the perfect timing for an Aeolian islands adventure – and this is exactly when we are going this year.

How to Get to the Aeolian Islands

Unsurprisingly, getting to and between the Aeolian islands is all done by boat. There is no airport on any of the islands, so you will need to take a ferry or hydrofoil no matter where you are going.

The best port for connections to the islands is in the town of Milazzo in Sicily. From here you can take boats going to all of the islands, with regular departures through the day. From Sicily you will also find connections from Palermo and Messina, but these are less frequent and take longer.

You will find options for the hydrofoil and ferry, which are slightly different. The hydrofoils are smaller and lighter, designed only for foot passengers, and are much faster. Ferries are slower and take on vehicles too but are less likely to be affected by weather conditions. Both are very reliable and safe, but check your options before booking to be sure you know which one you are getting.

On mainland Italy you will also find ferries available from the cities of Reggio Calabria and Naples to Lipari and Salina, but these are slow and generally go only once a day.

Once you are in the Aeolian islands, there are regular ferries to all seven volcanic islands, so no matter where you are staying, you will be able to reach the other islands. The busiest ports are at Lipari town and Santa Marina, Salina but there are lots of different boat options to choose from everywhere.

Aeolian Island Activities

When it comes to deciding what to do on the Aeolian islands, you will have a lot to choose from. There are lots of different beaches and hiking routes to find, as well as historical sites like the prehistoric village on Panarea or the medieval Lipari castle. It is also essential to do at least one boat trip to see some of the places hard to reach by land – being out on the Tyrrhenian sea under the Italian sun is one of the best ways to explore.

However, there are some real stand-outs for us beyond these things to do. After many trips here, these are the must-do activities we always try to include in our tour itinerary:

Visit Stromboli and See the Volcano at Night

Stromboli is spectacular. The island is a volcano, and one of the most active volcanoes in the world at that, with continuous eruptions at the crater.

For us, the best way to experience this is to visit Stromboli in the afternoon, spending time in the small towns of San Vincenzo and San Bartolo on the eastern side of the island. Wander the narrow streets and whitewashed houses, take a swim in the sea and enjoy aperitivo before the sun starts to set.

From here, you can board a boat that will take you to the perfect viewing location to see the red and orange lava bursts from the volcano. These nighttime experiences are incredible, we are always taken aback at the sight of the lava and being out on the water makes it even more special.

Take a Day Trip to Alicudi and Filicudi

These two islands are the most western of the archipelago, which are both home to a very small population, stunning views and beautiful water to swim in. Alicudi is smaller and more remote – there are no roads, just paths crossing the island – but even though Filicudi is more developed, there is still a real feeling of getting away from it all here.

We love taking a boat trip here, where you can stop in multiple places for a swim before a delicious lunch on one of the islands. These islands have fewer crowds even in high season, so they are the perfect place to escape to for the day.

Taste Local Malvasia Wine on Salina

Salina is home to a very special wine variety; Malvasia delle Lipari. This white grape is used to make a fabulous selection of wines, and because they are only grown here, surrounded by the sea and soaking up the minerals in the volcanic soil, the end result is something really special.

There are multiple Malvasia vineyards across Salina, and when you’re here you have to taste some of this local wine. We have tried many glasses of wine in our adventures around the world, but with the unique setting on the slopes of Salina’s extinct volcanoes, Malvasia tastings are incredibly memorable.

Get up Close to the Volcanic Activity on Vulcano

Our other favorite Aeolian islands activity involves the archipelago’s other active volcano on Vulcano.

Less visibly active than Stromboli (no bright lava here), Vulcano emits gases and smoke regularly. This does often give the island a sulfur-like smell, but there are few other places where you can get to know an active volcano so well.

For active travelers, the climb up to the crater of Vulcano is absolutely worth the views. From here you can see all the other islands and even to the coast of southern Italy on clear days. If this doesn’t grab your interest, you can instead relax in the thermal waters and take a mud bath with the natural, enriched mud. This admittedly feels odd at first but our skin felt amazing afterwards.

Food and Wine on the Aeolian Islands

We cannot talk about any Italian destination without talking about the delicious things to eat and drink while you’re here. The Aeolian islands are Sicilian, but they have some specialties that are specific to this archipelago too.

The main characteristics of the local cuisine are the intensely-flavored herbs that grow here; oregano, rosemary and mint, as well as the famous capers from Salina. You’ll find lots of fish and vegetables of course, but there are also many traditional dishes using rabbit and cheese made from sheep or goat milk, and plenty of pasta dishes too.

One thing everyone has to try at least once while here is the pane cunzato, a type of flatbread topped with all sorts of fresh produce such as ricotta, tomatoes, capers and more. They are messy to eat but wow, the freshness and flavor combination is definitely a winner.

The classic Sicilian granita is everywhere, served for breakfast with a brioche bun but all through the day and into the evening to keep cool in the summer too. There are also delicious sesame cookies to try, made with Aeolian sesame seeds, and often served with the Malvasia dessert wine for the perfect end to a meal.

Travel to Italy’s Volcanic Islands With Us

There is so much to explore in the Aeolian islands that we have designed a tour focused solely on these volcanic islands. If you’re excited to go on an Italian island adventure with us, check out the full details of the itinerary here and of course, if you have any questions or want to know more, don’t hestitate to get in touch.