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Off the north coast of Sicily, seven volcanic islands rise out of the Tyrrhenian Sea: Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi. Together they form the Aeolian Islands, listed by UNESCO in 2000 for their volcanic landscapes. Two types of eruption, Vulcanian and Strombolian, are named after islands here. There are no airports, so every trip starts on the water, and how you travel shapes the whole experience.
This guide covers the three ways to see the islands by boat: a day trip, island hopping by hydrofoil and a charter of your own.
Plan Your Trip
- Transfer from Catania or Palermo airport to Milazzo with Kiwitaxi
- Ferry ticket from Vulcano to Lipari for island hopping
- Ferry ticket from Lipari to Filicudi for the quieter western islands
- Luggage storage on your departure day
- eSIM for Italy, set up before you travel
The Islands at a Glance
| Island | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Lipari | The largest island and the main hub, with the most ferries, shops and restaurants | A practical base |
| Vulcano | The closest island to Sicily, known for its crater and sulphur-scented landscape | A day trip from Lipari |
| Salina | The greenest island, with vineyards and capers | Food, wine and slower days |
| Panarea | Small, white-washed and fashionable in summer | Yachting and nightlife |
| Stromboli | An active volcano with regular eruptions | Seeing a volcano at work |
| Filicudi and Alicudi | Remote, quiet, few cars | Getting away from everything |
The Islands One by One
Lipari
The largest island and the transport hub. Its old town is crowned by a fortified acropolis, home to the Aeolian archaeological museum, one of the most important in Sicily, with finds that span thousands of years of island history. Lipari has the widest choice of hotels and restaurants, which makes it the most practical base for a first visit.
Vulcano
A short crossing from Lipari, Vulcano is the island of sulphur and steam. The walk up to the rim of the Gran Cratere is the classic excursion, and the island is known for its volcanic mud pool and warm seawater springs. Access to the crater and the mud pool has been restricted at times for safety, so check the current situation locally. Ferry tickets between Vulcano and Lipari can be booked in advance.
Salina
The greenest island, formed by two extinct volcanoes and covered in vineyards and caper bushes. Salina produces much of the islands’ Malvasia delle Lipari, a golden sweet wine, and its capers are prized across Italy. It is the most relaxed base for food and wine lovers.
Panarea
The smallest of the inhabited islands, white-washed and car-free, with a lively summer scene of yachts and beach clubs. On the Capo Milazzese headland are the remains of a Bronze Age village, and the islets just offshore are some of the best swimming spots in the archipelago.
Stromboli
A near-perfect volcanic cone that erupts regularly. The main village sits on the north-east coast, and the tiny village of Ginostra, on the south-west side, is one of the most remote places in Italy. Most visitors watch the eruptions from the sea at night.
Filicudi and Alicudi
The two western islands are quiet, rugged and very traditional, with few cars and limited services. Come here for walking, swimming and silence; hydrofoils from Lipari connect them with the rest of the archipelago.
Getting There: Milazzo and the Hydrofoils
Milazzo, on Sicily’s north-east coast, is the main gateway. Liberty Lines runs fast hydrofoils from Milazzo to the islands; the crossing to Lipari takes about an hour and ten minutes. Siremar operates the slower car ferries, and in season there are also connections from Palermo, Messina, Reggio Calabria and Naples. Leave your car on the mainland if you can: the islands are small, and on most of them you get around by boat, bus, taxi or scooter.
From Catania airport the drive to Milazzo takes a couple of hours, so a pre-booked transfer is the easiest way to make a hydrofoil departure after a flight. If you are combining the islands with a road trip, compare car hire on Localrent and leave the car in a secure car park in Milazzo.
Option 1: A Day Trip from Sicily
Day trips to Lipari and Vulcano run from Milazzo and, in season, from Taormina and Cefalù, usually by boat with free time on each island. They are a good taster if your base is on the Sicilian mainland, but most of the day is spent travelling, and you see only the two closest islands. If you have the time, stay at least two nights.
Option 2: Island Hopping by Hydrofoil
The most flexible way to explore is to base yourself on one island, usually Lipari or Salina, and hop between the others on the scheduled hydrofoils. Tickets are inexpensive, and you can book single legs in advance, such as the short crossing from Vulcano to Lipari or the longer run from Lipari to Filicudi. In summer, book popular sailings a day or two ahead, and remember that rough seas can cancel services, so do not plan an island hop on the day of your flight home.
A good five-day plan: two nights on Lipari with a day trip to Vulcano, then two nights on Salina with a boat trip around Panarea and an evening trip to see Stromboli erupt.
Stromboli After Dark
Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and watching it erupt is the highlight of many trips. Evening boat excursions from Lipari and the neighbouring islands sail to the Sciara del Fuoco, the volcano’s scarred north-western slope, to watch the eruptions from the water. Hiking on the volcano is regulated and has been restricted at times for safety, so check the current rules locally and only go up with an authorised guide.
Option 3: Your Own Charter
For a luxury trip, nothing beats your own boat. A skippered motor yacht or sailing yacht lets you anchor in coves that ferries never reach, swim off Panarea’s islets and watch Stromboli from your own deck. The Aeolian Islands are among the stops in our guide to the best yacht spots in Sicily, which covers marinas, anchorages and how to plan a week on the water.
What to Eat and Drink
Island cooking is built on capers, wild fennel, tomatoes, fish and sweet wine. Look for pasta with capers and almonds, grilled swordfish and fresh tuna in season, pane cunzato (bread loaded with tomato, capers, cheese and herbs) and granita for breakfast. End the meal with a glass of Malvasia delle Lipari, ideally on Salina where much of it is made.
Where to Stay
For a first trip, Lipari is the most convenient, with the most hotels and connections. Salina suits travellers looking for boutique hotels, food and quiet; Panarea suits those who want style and nightlife in summer. For the ultimate luxury trip, stay aboard: a skippered charter is the only way to wake up anchored off a different island each morning.
When to Go
- June and September: warm sea, full ferry timetables and fewer crowds than August.
- July and August: peak season, busiest on Panarea and Lipari; book accommodation and boats well ahead.
- Spring and October: quiet and pleasant for walking, but with fewer connections and some hotels closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to the Aeolian Islands?
Most visitors take a hydrofoil from Milazzo, which reaches Lipari in about an hour and ten minutes. Transfers from Catania or Palermo airport to Milazzo make the connection easy after a flight.
Which island is best for a first visit?
Lipari for convenience, Salina for atmosphere. Both are well connected for day trips to the other islands.
How many days do you need?
At least three to four days to see Lipari, Vulcano and one more island. A week allows Salina, Panarea and an evening trip to Stromboli.
Can you see Stromboli erupt?
Yes. Evening boat trips sail to the Sciara del Fuoco to watch the eruptions from the water. Hiking rules on the volcano change with its activity, so check before you go.
Do you need a car on the islands?
No. Distances are short, and most visitors use hydrofoils, buses, taxis, scooters and boats. Leave the car in Milazzo.
Where to Stay: compare hotels and current prices in Lipari on Trip.com.
Combine with the Rest of Sicily
The Aeolian Islands pair well with Taormina on the east coast and with the best bays and coves of Sicily for more time on the water. For hotels on the main island, see our guide to the best luxury hotels in Sicily, and for the bigger picture, our Sicily travel guide.
Related guides: read our articles on Taormina boat tours, getting from Catania Airport to Taormina and Syracuse and boat tours from Syracuse and Ortigia.
Heading to western Sicily? See our guide to the Egadi Islands: Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo.
