{"id":2688,"date":"2012-08-18T19:53:15","date_gmt":"2012-08-18T17:53:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=2688"},"modified":"2026-02-22T10:33:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T10:33:45","slug":"aeolian-islands-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/aeolian-islands-italy","title":{"rendered":"All About Sicily&#8217;s Aeolian Islands: Lipari, Panarea, Salina &#038; More"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Few of Italy&#8217;s islands are as beautiful as the Aeolian islands of Sicily, a group on the Mediterranean that includes Panarea, Lipari, and Salina. The water here is crystal-clear, and the islands&#8217; volcanic origins make for some fascinating\u2014and striking\u2014features, from dramatic cliffs to thermal springs.<\/p>\n<p>Want to head there? Here are three things you need to know about what Italians call the\u00a0Isole Eolie!<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/aeolian-islands-italy\/#Pick_your_base_island_carefully\" >Pick your base island carefully<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/aeolian-islands-italy\/#Lipari\" >Lipari<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/aeolian-islands-italy\/#Panarea\" >Panarea\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/aeolian-islands-italy\/#Salina\" >Salina<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/aeolian-islands-italy\/#Filicudi\" >Filicudi<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/aeolian-islands-italy\/#Come_for_the_views_volcanoes_and_the_water%E2%80%94not_the_beaches\" >Come for the views, volcanoes, and the water\u2014not the beaches<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/aeolian-islands-italy\/#Make_sure_you_rent_a_boat\" >Make sure you rent a boat<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pick_your_base_island_carefully\"><\/span>Pick your base island carefully<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/The-abandoned-factory-on-the-island-of-Lipari-Aeolian-Archipelago.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2691 size-full\" title=\"The island of Lipari, Aeolian Archipelago\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/The-abandoned-factory-on-the-island-of-Lipari-Aeolian-Archipelago.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"664\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/The-abandoned-factory-on-the-island-of-Lipari-Aeolian-Archipelago.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/The-abandoned-factory-on-the-island-of-Lipari-Aeolian-Archipelago-768x510.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a>\n<p>Although it&#8217;s relatively easy to island-hop the Aeolians, where you stay\u00a0<em>will\u00a0<\/em>have a big effect on your experience.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lipari\"><\/span>Lipari<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The largest island, <strong>Lipari,\u00a0<\/strong>is the most popular with summer tourists. Its town, the only sizable one in the Aeolians\u2014has its charms, but it&#8217;s also filled with souvenir stands and touristy restaurants. Still, Lipari is the easiest place to find a hotel or apartment on a budget, particularly if you haven&#8217;t planned long in advance.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Panarea\"><\/span><strong>Panarea\u00a0<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Tiny, exclusive, and expensive, <strong>Panarea\u00a0<\/strong>is stunning. It&#8217;s also the top island for nightlife, the handful of clubs and bars here are the main hangout for the rich and beautiful.\u00a0The other islands aren&#8217;t as popular for overnight stays, but better done as day-trips.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vulcano<\/strong>\u2014a tiny island that gave us the word &#8220;volcano,&#8221; thanks to the presence of several volcanoes\u2014is geologically fascinating, but without much in the way of restaurants or hotels.\u00a0<strong>Stromboli<\/strong>, too, is usually done as a day-trip, worth visiting for its dramatic, active volcano.<\/p>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Grand-Crater-island-Volcano-Lipari-Islands-Sicily1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6242 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Grand-Crater-island-Volcano-Lipari-Islands-Sicily1.jpg\" alt=\"The volcanic crater at Stromboli\" width=\"750\" height=\"501\" \/><\/a>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Salina\"><\/span><strong>Salina<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Salina,\u00a0<\/strong>the second-largest island, is also the greenest and possibly the most beautiful: It boasts a natural preserve and olive and grape vineyards. This is where <em>Il Postino\u00a0<\/em>was filmed, yet surprisingly, the island&#8217;s fame hasn&#8217;t rendered it as much of a tourist destination as Lipari or Panarea.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Filicudi\"><\/span><strong>Filicudi<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Remote\u00a0<strong>Filicudi\u00a0<\/strong>has a couple of small villages, but not much of an infrastructure for visitors, and\u00a0<strong>Alicudi\u00a0<\/strong>is simply a mountain rising from the sea, with about 100 full-time residents.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Come_for_the_views_volcanoes_and_the_water%E2%80%94not_the_beaches\"><\/span>Come for the views, volcanoes, and the water\u2014not the beaches<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_6240\" style=\"width: 760px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Clio-water-Panarea1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6240\" class=\"wp-image-6240 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/Clio-water-Panarea1.jpg\" alt=\"Spots like this one, not beaches, are the reason to go to the Aeolian islands!\" width=\"750\" height=\"563\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6240\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Spots like this one, not beaches, are the reason to go to the Aeolian islands!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The islands&#8217; dramatic, often sheer coasts mean that they&#8217;re stunning and spectacular\u2014but that beaches are relatively few. Even harder to find are sandy beaches, as most here are rocky. And from June to September, any accessible, sand beaches on the islands are toe-to-toe with sunbathers.<\/p>\n<p>The volcanic crater at Stromboli<\/p>\n<p>But the lack of long, sandy beaches hardly means you should skip the Aeolians! From hiking volcanoes to snorkeling offshore to relaxing at a stunning overlook of the sea to dipping in the volcanic, thermal baths to enjoying a natural mud spa, there&#8217;s plenty of opportunity for fun in the sun. But the\u00a0<em>best\u00a0<\/em>way to enjoy the sun and crystal-clear water is to&#8230;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_sure_you_rent_a_boat\"><\/span>Make sure you rent a boat<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_2697\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/DSC01464forweb.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2697\" class=\"wp-image-2697 size-full\" title=\"The best way to view the Aeolian islands: by boat!\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/DSC01464forweb.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/DSC01464forweb.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/DSC01464forweb-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-2697\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">If you&#8217;re looking for spots like this one, you have to be on a boat!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The main islands are stunning\u2014but tiny islands, coves and outcroppings are scattered in the Mediterranean around them, and can only be explored by boat. Plus, because of the scarcity of sand beaches on the islands, if you want to spend time in the water, this is one of the best ways.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of planning to just take ferries from one island to the next, therefore, make sure you plan for at least one day to go on a smaller boat. In high season, try to reserve the boat as soon as you get to your base island, as they can get booked out. If you don&#8217;t want to rent your own boat and take it around yourself, then at least opt for one of the smaller boats, which will stop more frequently and give you time to jump in the water.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read more:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/rome\/alternative-things-to-do-rome\">Alternative things to do in Rome<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Few of Italy&#8217;s islands are as beautiful as the Aeolian islands of Sicily, a group on the Mediterranean that includes Panarea, Lipari, and Salina. The water here is crystal-clear, and the islands&#8217; volcanic origins make for some fascinating\u2014and striking\u2014features, from dramatic cliffs to thermal springs. Want to head there? Here are three things you need [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2689,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[75],"ppma_author":[155],"class_list":["post-2688","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips","tag-sicily"],"authors":[{"term_id":155,"user_id":3,"is_guest":0,"slug":"walksofitaly","display_name":"Walks of Italy","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9f4cd4dd0c5ab4b4bae57f3500298e23?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog","last_name":"of Italy","first_name":"Walks","job_title":"","description":"Walks began life as the passion project of two guys with one simple mission: To share their love for, and knowledge of, the city of Rome. Since then, Walks has grown into a team of over 100 ground staff and at any time up to 600 guides, operating across 13 of the world\u2019s most exciting cities (and counting!)\r\n\r\nToday we provide some of the most exclusive and beautifully designed small group tours in the industry through Italy-based Walks of Italy and around the world at Walks, where we offer special access to some of the world\u2019s most iconic landmarks and attractions as well as unique cultural experiences."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2688"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2688"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2688\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24979,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2688\/revisions\/24979"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2688"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2688"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2688"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=2688"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}