Holiday apartment on the Aeolian Islands: Volcanic landscapes and culture

The Aeolian Islands combine an extraordinary volcanic history with historic sites and maritime experiences. Off the northern coast of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands lie in the sea. They provide an outstanding record of the formation and destruction of volcanic islands, as well as ongoing volcanic processes. The archipelago comprises seven main islands: Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, Stromboli, Panarea, Alicudi and Filicudi.

Nature

Lipari is the largest island in the Aeolian Archipelago and has a circumference of about 40 km. At 600 m, Monte Chirica is Lipari’s highest peak and offers a viewpoint over the entire archipelago. Volcanic phenomena can also be seen in various places: the Fanghi area is characterized by the intense smell of sulfurous fumes, and on the Aeolian Islands such phenomena can be observed up close in many locations.

In the immediate vicinity of Messina is Riviera del Ringo, a beach. The area around Messina also includes Monte Ciccia, a mountain, as well as Spiaggia di Marmora and Spiaggia di Archi, which are beaches. The different names and geographical areas therefore range from individual coastal locations to a mountain in the area surrounding Messina.

Culture

The Museo Luigi Bernabò Brea is located in the Castello di Lipari and is housed in several restored historic buildings. In themed exhibition pavilions, the museum presents the settlements and civilizations of the Aeolian Islands from prehistory to the early modern period. On Lipari, the museum also displays almost 3,000 tombs from the necropolis.

The fortress itself also dates back a long way. The Fortress of Lipari was already inhabited in prehistoric times; settlements date back to the Neolithic, Copper Age and Bronze Age. Lipari Castle is a fortified citadel. Its present appearance was shaped by the powerful Spanish fortifications that Charles V had built around the fortress.

The immediate vicinity of Messina is also home to several other historic and cultural sites: Monte di Pietà is a palace, the Museo del Tesoro del Duomo is a museum, il Castellaccio is a castle, and Villa Mazzini is a palace. All four are located in the immediate vicinity of Messina.

Sea and islands

A boat excursion can provide an up-close experience of the five islets near Panarea: Basiluzzo, Dattilo, Lisca Nera, Bottaro and Lisca Bianca. The Aeolian Islands offer opportunities for diving and snorkeling; near Filicudi, visitors can explore a large underwater archaeological area. Stromboli’s nighttime eruptions can be observed from a boat.

Local character

The island world also includes Lingua, a small fishing village south of Santa Marina. There are places there to stop for ‘u pani cunzatu. Here, the name refers to the specific local offering, while the volcanic areas with their sulfurous fumes reveal a completely different side of the archipelago.

Getting there

Lipari is connected year-round with Milazzo, Messina and Naples; in summer, there are additional connections with Palermo and Reggio Calabria. Liberty Lines lists Messina and Milazzo as Sicilian hydrofoil ports and names nine stops in the Aeolian Islands, including Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli and Vulcano. Lipari has two landing points: Marina Corta for small boats and Marina Lunga for ships and hydrofoils.

Other destinations

Other destinations: Trapani, Enna, Agrigento, Catania, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Caltanissetta.

To the higher-level travel overview: Sicily.