Guidebook to the other Eolian Islands
Sightseeing
Lipari is the largest of Eolian Islands which provides an interesting combination of secluded beaches and a rich and vibrant historic center. One can easily reach the town of Lipari by aliscafo from Santa Marina Salina.
However, to fully enjoy the island, including its secluded beaches, one can rent for the day a small boat in Santa Marina or on the beach of Lingua. Even without a maritime license, one can visit the islands of Lipari and Vulcano. The other islands are further away from Salina and require a license.
The town of Lipari, is the richest of the islands in terms of archaeological history. Here you will get a flavor of the importance these islands held during ancient Greek times and during the early Roman Republic. In the bay in front of the castle of Lipari, was fought the first maritime battle of the First Punic War, between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire, for the control of Sicily.
The center of the town of Lipari is a beautiful collection of 18th and 19th Century houses and churches. However, the crown jewel is the fortress of Lipari, which has been inhabited and fortified since Neolithic times. The most picturesque views of the castle are from the port of Lipari (where the fishing boats arrive, not the port of the aliscafi) or from the sea.
A visit to the castle itself, is highly recommended. To fully appreciate the Spanish and Bourbon fortifications, entrance the castle along the steps of Via Castello, off of Via Giuseppe Garibaldi. Inside the castle, one should visit the Archaeological museum, where one can learn about the rich history of the islands and enjoy a world-class collection of Greek vases.
If beaches are what you are looking for then it is highly recommended to visit the Spiagge Bianche. The best way to reach them is by boat. The waters around these beaches are turquoise due to the, now defunct, white pumice quarry which unloaded white dust into the waters.
A few recommendations for the Spiagge Bianche. The waters are beautiful seen from the surface, although there is little to see underwater. Also, if you visit the beach itself and lie in the white pumice sands, be careful to remove watches, jewelry and diving masks, because the pumice sands are extremely abrasive and can easily scratch the surface. Also, be careful (especially for kids) not to get the pumice sand in the eyes because it can be very irritating (it's suggested to have kids wear goggles which can protect their eyes).
Lipari has an abundance of secluded beaches, especially on its southern and eastern coasts (including a natural arc which one can swim through, but not take the boat through).
28 warga lokal merekomendasikannya
Lipari
Lipari is the largest of Eolian Islands which provides an interesting combination of secluded beaches and a rich and vibrant historic center. One can easily reach the town of Lipari by aliscafo from Santa Marina Salina.
However, to fully enjoy the island, including its secluded beaches, one can rent for the day a small boat in Santa Marina or on the beach of Lingua. Even without a maritime license, one can visit the islands of Lipari and Vulcano. The other islands are further away from Salina and require a license.
The town of Lipari, is the richest of the islands in terms of archaeological history. Here you will get a flavor of the importance these islands held during ancient Greek times and during the early Roman Republic. In the bay in front of the castle of Lipari, was fought the first maritime battle of the First Punic War, between the Roman Republic and the Carthaginian Empire, for the control of Sicily.
The center of the town of Lipari is a beautiful collection of 18th and 19th Century houses and churches. However, the crown jewel is the fortress of Lipari, which has been inhabited and fortified since Neolithic times. The most picturesque views of the castle are from the port of Lipari (where the fishing boats arrive, not the port of the aliscafi) or from the sea.
A visit to the castle itself, is highly recommended. To fully appreciate the Spanish and Bourbon fortifications, entrance the castle along the steps of Via Castello, off of Via Giuseppe Garibaldi. Inside the castle, one should visit the Archaeological museum, where one can learn about the rich history of the islands and enjoy a world-class collection of Greek vases.
If beaches are what you are looking for then it is highly recommended to visit the Spiagge Bianche. The best way to reach them is by boat. The waters around these beaches are turquoise due to the, now defunct, white pumice quarry which unloaded white dust into the waters.
A few recommendations for the Spiagge Bianche. The waters are beautiful seen from the surface, although there is little to see underwater. Also, if you visit the beach itself and lie in the white pumice sands, be careful to remove watches, jewelry and diving masks, because the pumice sands are extremely abrasive and can easily scratch the surface. Also, be careful (especially for kids) not to get the pumice sand in the eyes because it can be very irritating (it's suggested to have kids wear goggles which can protect their eyes).
Lipari has an abundance of secluded beaches, especially on its southern and eastern coasts (including a natural arc which one can swim through, but not take the boat through).
A highly recommended day trip is to visit by private boat, the island of Basiluzzo and the Le Formiche, located off of Panarea, and the town of Panarea.
My recommended itinerary is to take an early morning aliscafo from Santa Marina Salina to Panarea. At the port of Panarea, you can ask the local fisherman to hire one of their wooden fishing boats. Depending on how good your negotiating skills are, this should be between 80-120 Euros for the day with gasoline included.
You can then take the boat to visit the island of Basiluzzo just in front of Panarea and Le Formiche, which are volcanic rocks protruding from the sea. The marine life around these rocks is amazing, as is the beauty of ancient volcanic activity such as the amazing layered sculptures of Basiluzzo and the underwater volcanic bubbles, which in some points feels like being in a jacuzzi. Basiluzzo provides also secluded beaches and coves where, if not too crowded, you can escape from the sun and have lunch.
It is recommended that you take this trip, armed with good sunscreen, sunglasses, cap, food and plenty of water.
After this maritime excursion, one can return the boat in Panarea and, before taking the afternoon aliscafo back to Salina,one can stroll through the streets of the town.
The town of Panarea was developed in the 1960s and 1970s as a VIP destination. The town's architecture is reminiscent of the white houses of Ibiza, and is not typically Eolian. However, it has a laid back feel and is an interesting contrast to what you may find on Salina.
23 warga lokal merekomendasikannya
Panarea
A highly recommended day trip is to visit by private boat, the island of Basiluzzo and the Le Formiche, located off of Panarea, and the town of Panarea.
My recommended itinerary is to take an early morning aliscafo from Santa Marina Salina to Panarea. At the port of Panarea, you can ask the local fisherman to hire one of their wooden fishing boats. Depending on how good your negotiating skills are, this should be between 80-120 Euros for the day with gasoline included.
You can then take the boat to visit the island of Basiluzzo just in front of Panarea and Le Formiche, which are volcanic rocks protruding from the sea. The marine life around these rocks is amazing, as is the beauty of ancient volcanic activity such as the amazing layered sculptures of Basiluzzo and the underwater volcanic bubbles, which in some points feels like being in a jacuzzi. Basiluzzo provides also secluded beaches and coves where, if not too crowded, you can escape from the sun and have lunch.
It is recommended that you take this trip, armed with good sunscreen, sunglasses, cap, food and plenty of water.
After this maritime excursion, one can return the boat in Panarea and, before taking the afternoon aliscafo back to Salina,one can stroll through the streets of the town.
The town of Panarea was developed in the 1960s and 1970s as a VIP destination. The town's architecture is reminiscent of the white houses of Ibiza, and is not typically Eolian. However, it has a laid back feel and is an interesting contrast to what you may find on Salina.
Stromboli is the most active volcano in Europe, erupting every 10-20 minutes. Literary fans will know that Stromboli was the exit point from which emerged the adventurers of Jules Vernes classic 'Journey to the Center of the Earth'.
Visiting the summit is a must when in the Eolian Islands, health and fitness permitting. The volcano has become increasingly active over the years, which requires visits to the summit to be ONLY undertaken with professional guides. If you are interested in visiting the summit of Stromboli, please let me know, as I have a guide on Salina who organizes frequent evening trips from Santa Marina (leaving around 3pm and returning around midnight).
Hikes up to the summit, depart from the town of Stromboli in the late afternoon, in order for the eruptions to be enjoyed in the evening, after sunset. The climb takes around hours and is strenuous.
It is advised to bring hiking boots, good headlight or flashlight, hiking pants (jeans are not advised), long hiking socks (not short, in order to prevent volcanic sand getting into the shoe and scratching the skin), windbreaker jacket and an extra shirt, to change into when up on the summit in the evening. Hiking boots and flashlight can be rented at the excursion departure point in Stromboli. It is also advised to bring sandwiches and plenty of water. You can have sandwiches prepared at one of the delicatessens in Santa Marina, before departing for Stromboli.
41 warga lokal merekomendasikannya
Stromboli Vulcan
Stromboli is the most active volcano in Europe, erupting every 10-20 minutes. Literary fans will know that Stromboli was the exit point from which emerged the adventurers of Jules Vernes classic 'Journey to the Center of the Earth'.
Visiting the summit is a must when in the Eolian Islands, health and fitness permitting. The volcano has become increasingly active over the years, which requires visits to the summit to be ONLY undertaken with professional guides. If you are interested in visiting the summit of Stromboli, please let me know, as I have a guide on Salina who organizes frequent evening trips from Santa Marina (leaving around 3pm and returning around midnight).
Hikes up to the summit, depart from the town of Stromboli in the late afternoon, in order for the eruptions to be enjoyed in the evening, after sunset. The climb takes around hours and is strenuous.
It is advised to bring hiking boots, good headlight or flashlight, hiking pants (jeans are not advised), long hiking socks (not short, in order to prevent volcanic sand getting into the shoe and scratching the skin), windbreaker jacket and an extra shirt, to change into when up on the summit in the evening. Hiking boots and flashlight can be rented at the excursion departure point in Stromboli. It is also advised to bring sandwiches and plenty of water. You can have sandwiches prepared at one of the delicatessens in Santa Marina, before departing for Stromboli.
Vulcano is a dormant volcano which last erupted in 1888. Volcanic activity is still present and testified by the sulfuric, rotten egg smell which greets you upon arrival to the island.
The summit of the island is 500m above sea level, and can be hiked in between one and two hours. At the summit, you will have before you the huge dormant crater of the volcano with sulfuric gas emissions at different points. Around the emission points are multicolored sulfur crystal deposits. BE CAREFUL not to touch the emissions points, which are extremely hot, are walk through the gas vapors which are toxic.
For a spectacular view of Lipari and Salina, hike to the high point of crater, where a white cement pole rises from a pile of stones.
Due to the heat from the sun, its advised to hike the crater in the early morning and with closed shoes. At midday, the black volcanic sand, becomes very hot and can burn feet if hiking in sandals or open shoes.
Make sure you bring an old bathing suit, in order to enjoy the volcanic mud pools, located next to the arrival point of the aliscafo. BE CAREFUL not to put the mud on your face because it can irritate and burn your eyes. Alternatively, you can swim in the sea next to the mud pool, and enjoy the gas emissions coming out from the underwater.
44 warga lokal merekomendasikannya
Vulcano
Vulcano is a dormant volcano which last erupted in 1888. Volcanic activity is still present and testified by the sulfuric, rotten egg smell which greets you upon arrival to the island.
The summit of the island is 500m above sea level, and can be hiked in between one and two hours. At the summit, you will have before you the huge dormant crater of the volcano with sulfuric gas emissions at different points. Around the emission points are multicolored sulfur crystal deposits. BE CAREFUL not to touch the emissions points, which are extremely hot, are walk through the gas vapors which are toxic.
For a spectacular view of Lipari and Salina, hike to the high point of crater, where a white cement pole rises from a pile of stones.
Due to the heat from the sun, its advised to hike the crater in the early morning and with closed shoes. At midday, the black volcanic sand, becomes very hot and can burn feet if hiking in sandals or open shoes.
Make sure you bring an old bathing suit, in order to enjoy the volcanic mud pools, located next to the arrival point of the aliscafo. BE CAREFUL not to put the mud on your face because it can irritate and burn your eyes. Alternatively, you can swim in the sea next to the mud pool, and enjoy the gas emissions coming out from the underwater.
Alicudi and Filicudi are the smallest of the Eolian Islands and the most remote. This means that they have especially rich marine life and are excellent places to snorkel or scuba dive.
Due to their distance from Salina, the way to visit them is on an organized boat tour from Santa Marina, which is offered by several companies.
There are various stands, which offer information about tour times and prices, in the piazzas of Santa Marina, Malfa and Lingua.
8 warga lokal merekomendasikannya
Alicudi
. .Alicudi and Filicudi are the smallest of the Eolian Islands and the most remote. This means that they have especially rich marine life and are excellent places to snorkel or scuba dive.
Due to their distance from Salina, the way to visit them is on an organized boat tour from Santa Marina, which is offered by several companies.
There are various stands, which offer information about tour times and prices, in the piazzas of Santa Marina, Malfa and Lingua.