“Our Aeolian Islands walking holiday visits each of the seven islands in turn: Alicudi, Filicudi, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Lipari, Vulcano. Some strenuous walking is rewarded with some memorable views.”
Quite rightly known as the “pearls of the mediterranean”, the seven islands that make up the archipelago of the Aeolians offer some exceptional walking opportunities. From the remote and tranquil Alicudi to the bustling port of Lipari, each island effuses a markedly individual character which distinguishes it from the others. And it is precisely the individuality of the islands that makes travelling to them so much fun.
Full Itinerary
Arrival in Sicily and transfer to Milazzo
We rendezvous at Catania/Palermo airport and transfer by minibus to Milazzo. Depending on arrival times, it may be possible to take a short walk in the afternoon at Capo Milazzo.
Evening meal and overnight in Milazzo.
Hydrofoil to Alicudi
Depending on departure times (posted early Spring) we either catch the hydrofoil to Alicudi in the early morning, or we catch the early afternoon hydrofoil and spend the morning visiting the castle in Milazzo. The hydrofoil to Alicudi from Milazzo takes in the region of 2.5 hours.
On Alicudi – the most remote and smallest of the islands – there are no roads, only steep tracks and steps over the hills and we walk above the terraces for some beautiful views back over the rest of the islands and to the North coast of Sicily beyond. Assuming we arrive there in the afternoon, there will be time to climb to the summit (for those who wish) before our aperitif in the island’s only bar.
Evening meal and overnight on Alicudi.
Filicudi
After breakfast, we depart for Filicudi. Along with Alicudi, with its natural beauty, sparse population, lack of cars, whitewashed houses, Filicudi is considered by many visitors to the islands to be the prettiest. The offshore stacks are a haven for birds, in particular the Eleonora’s falcon. We walk to find a Bronze Age village excavated on the Capo Graziano.
For those who wish, and weather permitting, there may also be the possibility of doing a tour of the island on one of the local fishing boats.
In the late afternoon, we depart for Salina.
Evening meal and overnight in Santa Marina Salina.
Salina
Salina is the greenest of the islands. We start early in the morning and climb to the summit of Monte Fossa delle Felci for some stunning views across to Lipari and Vulcano as well as to Stromboli and back to Alicudi and Filicudi. After lunch in Santa Marina, there will be time to relax by the pool before, in the early evening, we go to visit one of the local wine makers, still producing the local malvasia in the way it has been produced for centuries.
Evening meal and overnight in Santa Marina Salina.
Panarea
We transfer to Panarea and spend the day walking to the Porta del Corvo, on the way back returning via a fascinating Bronze Age village of the Milazzese culture, probably inhabited in the 14th century BC and excavated in 1948. Back in the village of Panarea, where the local architecture has been carefully preserved, there is time to enjoy the atmosphere of the fishing harbour before we return to the boat
Evening meal and overnight in Panarea.
Transfer to Stromboli
In the morning, we take the hydrofoil to Stromboli. We take a short walk around the flanks of the volcano to the observatory, from where we are able to see the volcanic activity at the summit. A continually active volcano, Stromboli is perhaps the most famous of the Aeolian islands. It consists of a single cone 924m high.
After lunch at the observatory, we return to the hotel for a couple of hours rest. Then, in the late afternoon, for those who wish we join one of the parties heading for the summit of Stromboli.
Undoubtedly one of the highlights of any visit to the Aeolian islands is the thrilling spectacle of the Strombolian eruptions from the volcano’s crater, which are best observed from the summit about 200m above the crater. It is long climb (about three hours) but we arrive just before dusk to see the magnificent sight of the sun setting behind Alicudi. We then spend up to an hour at the summit, in the dusk and enjoying the eruptions, before descending back to the town. The whole trip takes about 6 hours, but if we are lucky with the eruptions, it is definitely one of the great highlights of the tour.
Arriving back in the town, there is time for a beer and a pizza before we retire to bed.
Overnight on Stromboli.
Transfer to Lipari
After our ascent of Stromboli, we have a lazy morning the following day and in the late morning, take the hydrofoil to Lipari where we arrive in time for a late lunch.
After lunch, there is an opportunity for a walk along the beautiful Western coast of Lipari. This is a gentle walk by comparison with the previous day’s exploits, but nevertheless, there are some breathtaking views over to Salina, Filicudi and Salina. Alternatively, of course, it is also possible to spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool of the hotel.
Evening meal and overnight on Lipari.
Vulcano
In the morning we make for Vulcano – of outstanding interest for its geological structure and spectacular volcanic landscape. We climb up to the top of the crater (391 m) Fossa Grande from where there is a remarkable view down inside the crater. Compared to the hike up Stromboli, this is an easy walk, but the views from the top are nonetheless just as panoramic.
After lunch we return to spend the afternoon in Lipari. There is time to visit the museum – one of the best in Sicily – and perhaps do some souvenir shopping before we depart from Lipari the following day.
Evening meal and overnight on Lipari.
Return to Sicilian mainland and Departure
We depart Lipari in the early morning and hope to be back in Milazzo for 10am for transfers to the airport.
