Aeolian Islands
Latest update: 25 March 2023
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The Aeolian Islands (Isole Eolie) are located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, around 40 kilometres from the Sicilian port town of Milazzo which is also the best place to reach them from.
Since the year 2000 the islands have been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to their particular volcanic properties. There are seven inhabited islands with the transport and administrative hub, the island of Lipari which is also the most populous. |
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The seven Aeolian Islands
Lipari's near thirteen thousand inhabitants make up a large percentage of the overall population of the island group which stands at around fifteen thousand. The second most populous island is Salina which accounts for around 2,500 of the island group's remaining population.
Each island has its own unique character; Panarea for example is quite small but known for its designer boutiques, nightlife and generally lavish lifestyle which attracts the moneyed tourist. A fourth island, Stromboli, is a living, breathing volcano; its fumes and lava one of the main attractions for any day-trip. It also has beaches and around 400 residents.
Not to be confused with Stromboli is another volcanic island, neatly called Vulcano. Here you can bathe in the famous mud baths and this is also the island that's geographically closest to the Sicilian mainland.
Lipari's near thirteen thousand inhabitants make up a large percentage of the overall population of the island group which stands at around fifteen thousand. The second most populous island is Salina which accounts for around 2,500 of the island group's remaining population.
Each island has its own unique character; Panarea for example is quite small but known for its designer boutiques, nightlife and generally lavish lifestyle which attracts the moneyed tourist. A fourth island, Stromboli, is a living, breathing volcano; its fumes and lava one of the main attractions for any day-trip. It also has beaches and around 400 residents.
Not to be confused with Stromboli is another volcanic island, neatly called Vulcano. Here you can bathe in the famous mud baths and this is also the island that's geographically closest to the Sicilian mainland.
Making your way around the islands
The remaining two islands of Filicudi and Alicudi are the quietest of all, partly because it takes slightly longer to reach them. Visiting all seven islands in one day isn't feasible so most visitors pick a smaller number to visit with Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli and Vulcano the most popular.
The bulk of visitors to the Aeolian Islands come via the town of Milazzo on the Sicilian mainland. From there you can take either hydrofoils or ferries to each and any of the individual islands.
It's also possible to sail from the Sicilian ports of Messina and Palermo or further north from Naples. There are also ferry connections with the Calabrian ports of Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia or from the seaside town of Tropea from where you can take a private excursion.
The remaining two islands of Filicudi and Alicudi are the quietest of all, partly because it takes slightly longer to reach them. Visiting all seven islands in one day isn't feasible so most visitors pick a smaller number to visit with Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli and Vulcano the most popular.
The bulk of visitors to the Aeolian Islands come via the town of Milazzo on the Sicilian mainland. From there you can take either hydrofoils or ferries to each and any of the individual islands.
It's also possible to sail from the Sicilian ports of Messina and Palermo or further north from Naples. There are also ferry connections with the Calabrian ports of Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia or from the seaside town of Tropea from where you can take a private excursion.
Vulcano
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Isole Eolie
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Province: Metropolitan City of Messina
Region: Sicily Total population: 15,491 Number of islands: 7 Total size: 114 km² Total island group hotels: 29 |
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Main arrival port: Lipari
Journey time from Sicilian mainland: 40 minutes (to Vulcano) Distance from nearest Sicilian mainland port: 40 km |
Arrive by: ferry, hydrofoil, private excursion
Arrive from: Milazzo, Messina, Palermo, Naples, Reggio Calabria Best airports: Catania Airport, Palermo Airport, Naples Airport |
