THE PARADISIAC AEOLIAN ISLANDS
The island group consists of seven islands, which have a volcanic origin, and are listed as UNESCO World Natural Heritage since 2000. It lies offshore the northern east coast of Sicily and can be reached with ferry boats from Messina, Palermo or Milazzo.
The history of the Aeolian islands
The islands belong to a chain of volcanos, which stretches from the Vesuvius in Naples to the Etna. They emerged from the ocean in three phases. In the first phase, the islands Filicudi, Salina and parts of Lipari and Alicudi appeared. During the second phase, further parts of these islands formed and in the last phase, the still active volcanic islands Vulcano and Stromboli emerged. The first traces of human settlement reach back to the 5th millennium B.C.!
The largest islands Lipari and Salina
Lipari is the tallest and most densely settled of the islands but has preserved its natural and wild untouched landscapes. It dazzles with wonderful beaches, bays and coastlines and picturesque villages, and offers amazing panoramic views of the neighbouring islands swimming in the azure ocean. In the eponymous capital of the island, especially the archaeological museum Museo Eolio Archeologico is worth a visit. It is one of the most beautiful museums in Italy and lies near the old castle from the Spanish time, which thrones with its mighty walls up on a lava rock.
The island Salina is the second largest island and is fertile, green and rich in water. Both volcanic mountains are not active any more. The coastline is mainly characterized by craggy and steep cliffs and offers just a few sandy beaches. Therefore, the tourist industry is not the main income of the inhabitants. The island is famous for the thriving capers and the sweet Malvasia wine, which is cultivated in the vineyards of Vadichiesa.
The active volcanic islands Vulcano and Stromboli
The island Vulcano is the closest to Sicily and famous for its curative mud baths. The crater of the Vulcano is constantly releasing smoke, it steams and bubbles everywhere on the island and it smells like sulphur.
The volcano is only resting and could erupt immediately! But the lava beaches, as well as the steam sources of Porto di Levante, which let the sea water bubble, attract many tourists.
For many visitors, Stromboli is the highlight of the island group. The volcano has an altitude of 924m and spits out glowing lava fountains skywards several times per hour – a spectacle that you don’t see every day! The volcano is active since almost 2,000 years and was used from the early mariners as a natural lighthouse. It has around 500 inhabitants, which split on the two small villages. If you visit San Vincenzo, you should not miss the spectacular views of the black sandy beaches of the island and the bizarrely formed rocks of the mini island Strombolicchio.
The island Filicudi lies west of Lipari and is untouched and has not yet fully been developed for tourism. It hast three picturesque villages and craggy coastlines with numerous sea grottos, which are waiting to be discovered and explored! Alicudi is the remotest of the islands and has just one village with one hotel and restaurant and a perfect spot to relax. The smallest but most famous island is Panarea, where the VIPs of Northern Italy love to spend their leisure time in picturesque bathing resort.
Booking and further information
Discover the beauty of the volcanic island group in the Mediterranean Sea! We will be glad to provide the detailed travel schedule of the sightseeing-trip to Italy upon your inquiry. We are looking forward to your no-obligation request via our contact form, e-mail or by telephone at +49 611 945879 42.
Sicily is a picture-postcard island.
Geographical location
Most beautiful villages
Provinces & capitals
Sicilian delicacies
Sightseeing highlights
The Aeolian islands
The Egadi islands
The active volcano Etna
The beaches of Sicily
UNESCO World Heritages
