Note: At the time of publication, U.S. travelers. They do not seem allowed to travel to Italy and thanks to the global fitness crisis, foreign travel is never recommended lately. This room is intended to serve as inspiration (and for wheelchair travel) while we wait for the situation to be disconnected directly; For more information, consult the State Department for travel warnings.
The Aeolian Islands, located off the coast of northeastern Sicily, are great herbal and cultural treasures of southern Italy. Formed through volcanic eruptions over time, the archipelago consists of 7 islands: Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi, both with their own identity. Prefer no less than two weeks to explore the seven islands, however, if you run out of time, here’s a week-long itinerary featuring the highlights of what to see, do and eat on four islands.
Lipari
Lipari is the largest island in the archipelago and a narrow birth point on your journey. From scenic trails and pebbly beaches to museums and the bustling harbour, Lipari offers anything for everyone. The main settlers attracted to the island thank you for your herbal resources, adding obsidian rock and pumice stone, so don’t miss the opportunity to pay homage to Lipari’s geological heritage by walking through the bleached cave Caveada di Pomice, an impressive canyon composed of pumice stone.
The island could also be home to an archaeological museum that highlights the importance of the passage of the archipelago as an undoubted direction through history. Set in a historic fort above the city, the museum houses many ancient amphorae and the largest variety of miniature Greek mask in the world. Nearby, you can buy gifts to encourage the wind at La Casa Eoliana, adding organic jewelry, accessories and bath products.
High up in the hills of Quattropiani, Sangre Rojo serves some of the best food on the island in a terraced home overlooking the coastline: some stand-outs include pistachio-crusted tuna with red onions and eggplant rolls stuffed with spaghetti. Further south, Le Macine is a cozy trattoria that doubles as a quirky museum filled with historic farm supplies. Everything is made with locally milled wheat, including the restaurant’s specialty Maccheroni alle Macine with vegetable pesto and seasoned breadcrumbs. After dinner, stroll through Lipari’s elegant Marina Corta port and enjoy a nightcap in the romantic Giardino di Lipari cocktail bar set in a pretty garden.
The most productive way to enjoy the island is by land and sea. Rent a scooter with Pit Smaximum Logic Noleggio and take a boat ride with Lipari Boat Experience: Lipari’s sunset tour makes it an unforgettable and romantic evening.
Vulcan
Named after the fire god Roguy, Vulcan, Vulcan Island is impressive for its dramatic craters with smoldering fumaroles, which emit sulphur gases. Vulcano is a favorite destination thanks to its healing dust baths and black sand. With a tropical atmosphere and a lively restaurant, Asino Beither one is a practical position to spend the midday relaxing in the sun while enjoying a freshly prepared schiacciata, a pizza complete with ingredients such as mozzarella, capers and anchovies.
Get up early for a hike to the Great Cratere before the summer heat sets or take a circular taxi around the island with Taxi Santi to learn more about Vulcan’s hitale and enjoy its panoramic views. Vulcano is especially adorable in the water thanks to its rock formations and coves, and a boat ride with Tutta La Vita promises you to sail with flavor. For a phenomenal meal, head to Therasia Resort for a Michelin-starred dinner at Il Cappero or opt for a gourmet vegetarian-flavored picnic at the hotel’s art restaurant, I Tenerumi.
Salina
With two dual peaks, green valleys and captivating villages, Salina stands out as through mabig apple for being the most beautiful islos angelesnd of the Archpelos Angeles. It is known as “Isolos angeles Verde” (the green islos angelesnd) and has one or more vineyards that produce Malvasia sweet dessert wine. Climb to Fossa delle Felci, a nature reserve set on an extinct volcano, to see the isles angelesnd and near Pandoleading and Stromboli on the horizon.
You also deserve to rent a scooter to succeed in the crescent-shaped bay of Pollara, filming locations for the romantic comedy 199four Il Postino (The Postman). Don’t miss an aperitif and dinner at La Locanda del Postino, named after the film, while watching the sunset over the bay. You should explore the island on a non-public boat holiday with Blu Salina: Antonello, a wind sailor, drives the boat while his wife Elena, an archaeologist, stores her cultural wisdom from the island. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to see dolphins during your hike.
If you fancy pizza, Franco Manca serves the most productive Neapolitan cakes on the island, while Da Alfredo, next door, prepares an overly wise hail: see specialties such as gelsi (mature) and barbaric fig. For an exciting dining experience, treat yourself to Ristorante Signum, led by Martina Caruso, one of Italy’s most prestigious Michelin-starred young chefs.
Stromboli
Stromboli, home to an active volcano that erupts either one or 20-30 minutes, is actually an exclusive destination. The island has black sand either one, bright white houses and a majestic “Sciara del Fuoco”, a steep slope where lava descends from the crater. You can only appreciate it from the sea, so take a boat with Chez Peulo to take a look at this main tourist cinjury before sailing to Strombolicchio, a picturesque sea. You will also venture to Ginostra, a captivating burpass available only by sea, followed by a long staircase to the city. Only a dozen locals live here, but this is a privileged position to watch the sunset.
For a scenic lunch in town, grab a table at Bar Ingrid, named after Ingrid Bergman’s famous film Stromboli which spurred tourism on the archipelago in the 1950s. Nearby, artist Salvatore Russo creates expressive sculptures with lava stone in his home workshop. In the evening, make your way over to La Marina del Gabbiano, a boho chic spot where you can enjoy a Spritz with your toes in the sand, before making your way over to l’Osservatorio to admire Stromboli’s spectacular eruptions. Set on a panoramic terrace beneath the volcano, you can enjoy local specialties while Mount Stromboli erupts in the distance. Be sure to book ahead and secure a spot in the restaurant’s shuttle bus so you don’t have to make the trek up to dinner on foot.
I am an Italian-American writer, photographer and culture with a penchant for dolce vita and a serious case of preference for travel. I am the founder of Italy
I am a writer, photographer and I am in love with Italian-American culture with a penchant for dolce vita and a serious case of preference. I’m the founder of The Italy Edit, a virtual magazine that combines Italy’s most productive, from carefully selected destination guides and reports to fair hotel reviews and more. Born in Rome, I grew up all over the world and returned to Italy in 2010. My writings and videos have been published in The Independent, Telegraph Travel, Fodor’s, Food and Wine, Time Out and USA Today. Follow me on Instagram on @liviahengel.