Sights in Aeolian Islands
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Fossa di Vulcano
Climbing Fossa di Vulcano (391m) is one of the island's main attractions. The walk up to the crater is self-evident. Follow the intermittent signs for 'Al Cratere' (or ask for directions), which take you south out of the port area along Via Provinciale. About 500m further, a track slopes off to the left (not well signposted; look out for a gravel track) which leads up to the crater.
reviewed
-
Stromboli crater
The Stromboli crater was formed only 40,000 years ago and, like a champagne bottle, it is full of gases, which is why it almost constantly launches showers of incandescent lava into the air. The most recent eruptions took place on 27 February 2007, opening two new craters on the summit.
Recent crater activity has made it illegal to attempt to climb the volcano without a guide, and local authorities have limited the number of people allowed to go up in a day. You must book in advance (a day before is usually fine, but allowing a couple is advisable in August), and the limit is 20 people per guide.
You'll meet your guide between 4.30 and 17:30, and start your trek up, reachi…
reviewed
-
A
Santuario della Madonna del Terzito
The Santuario della Madonna del Terzito (Sanctuary of the Madonna of Terzito) is in the valley separating the two volcanoes. It is a place of pilgrimage, particularly around the Feast of the Assumption on 15 August. From the church you can follow the track (signposted) all the way to the peak (about two hours).
reviewed
-
Observatory
Just south of the town is Lipari's observatory, a small place with a big job - monitoring all the volcanic and seismic activity in the Mediterranean. Follow signs south to the Hotel Carasco and Porto delle Gente, which will lead you out to a promontory formed by Monte Giardina and Monte Guardia. From here a track leads through the vineyards to the Observatory with fantastic views across the water to Vulcano.
The route is clearly marked on the Isole Eolie o Lipari 1:25,000 map produced by Litografia Artistica Cartografica.
reviewed
-
B
Museo Archeologico Eoliano
The fabulous Museo Archeologico Eoliano is one of the very best museums in Sicily, tracing the volcanic and human history of the Aeolian Islands. It is divided into three sections: an archaeological section devoted to artefacts from the Neolithic period and Bronze Age to the Roman era; a classical section with finds from Lipari’s necropolis (including the most complete collection of sensational miniature Greek theatrical masks in the world); and a section on vulcanology and finds from the other islands.
reviewed
-
Cattedrale di San Bartolomeo
You enter the castle via a set of steps that leads up to the 17th-century Cattedrale di San Bartolomeo. It was built to replace the original Norman cathedral, which was destroyed by Barbarossa who, despite his Arab name (Khair-ed-din Barbarossa), was actually an Italian mercenary. The only original element to survive is the 12th-century Benedictine cloister. The interior is hung with chandeliers.
In the northern transept is a silver statue of St Bartholomew (1728) with his flayed skin tucked under his arm.
reviewed
-
Sciara del Fuoco
If you don't fancy going all the way up the volcano, you can go up to 400m, from where you get fabulous views of the Sciara del Fuoco and the explosions at the crater. You're allowed to go to the Sciara on your own, but do bring a torch if you're walking at night. The explosions usually occur every 20 minutes or so and are preceded by a loud belly-roar as gases force the magma into the air. It is incredibly exciting. On a still night the livid red Sciara and exploding cone are dramatically visible.
reviewed
-
Bronze Age Village
Head south to Punta Milazzese, about a 30-minute walk past a couple of beaches, to see the Bronze Age Village, made up of 23 huts, which was discovered in 1948. It is reckoned that the headland here was inhabited as far back as the 14th century BC, while pottery found at the site shows distinctly Minoan influences, lending credence to the theory that there were ties between the islanders and the Cretans. The artefacts found here are on display in the Museo Archeologico Eoliano on Lipari.
reviewed
-
Parco Archeologico Contrada Diana
The only worthwhile sight outside the citadel is the Parco Archeologico Contrada Diana, which has revealed part of the original Greek walls (5th and 4th centuries BC) and Roman houses. At the southwestern end of the park is the necropolis, where the tombstones are still visible in the overgrown grass. The park, alas, is rarely open but all of the important finds are in the museum.
reviewed
-
C
Archaeological Dig
Around the Cattedrale di San Bartolomeo are a couple of other ruined baroque churches, but the real area of interest is the archaeological dig where finds from the Neolithic period to the Roman era have been unearthed. You won't make much sense of what's here without visiting the museum.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Citadel
After Barbarossa rampaged through the town in 1544, murdering most of the citizens, enslaving the women and desecrating the relics of St Bartholomew (charming fellow that he was), the Spaniards rebuilt and fortified Lipari with the citadel.
reviewed
-
Gruppo Nazionale Vulcanologia
Sedentary volcano-watchers can visit the small museum administered by Gruppo Nazionale Vulcanologia, which has displays about Vulcano and a video (in English, French and Italian) about Stromboli’s last big eruption.
reviewed
-
Museo dell'Emigrazione Eoliana
The Museo dell'Emigrazione Eoliana in Palazzo Marchetti gives visitors an idea of the scale and effect of emigration from the Aeolian Islands.
reviewed
-
D
Fossa delle Felci
If you're feeling energetic, climb the Fossa delle Felci (962m) volcano.
reviewed
-
Spiaggia Valle i Muria
reviewed
-
Spiaggia Sabbia Nera
reviewed
-
Spiaggia dell’Asina
reviewed
-
Spiaggia della Papesca
reviewed
-
Spiaggia Bianca
reviewed
-
Advertisement
-
-
Forgia Vecchia
reviewed
-
Ficogrande
reviewed
