The Aeolian archipelago between Sicily and Italy

The Aeolian Islands are located in the Northern Sicilyin the sea Tyrrhenianin Italy. They were formed from water by volcanic eruptions during the Last 200,000 years. This archipelago, which is surrounded by small islands and basaltic rocks, is well known to volcanologists and geologists who have visited it many times over the last two centuries. The Aeolian Islands are a sign of the separation between the African and European plates. They can be identified by their alignment!

Despite their conical shape, each of the seven inhabited islands is unique. From 2000They are listed as a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee.UNESCO. They are now a popular destination for tourists seeking authenticity, peace and quiet, unique landscapes and crystal clear waters.

The capital of the Aeolian archipelago: Lipari

Lipari is the largest island of the archipelago and offers the largest number of accommodations and services. Lipari is a paradise for everyone: from beautiful beachesThis is a perfect destination, with picturesque villages, architectural gems and breathtaking panoramas.

What is the main attraction of Lipari? It is its old castlebuilt in 837 during the Arab domination of Sicily. It was impregnable at the time!

You can get to Lipari by ferry from the Sicilythe Calabria and the regions of Campania. Ferryhopper allows you to easily plan your trip by checking ferry routes from Milazzo to Lipari, from Palermo to Lipari and from Naples to Lipari.

What date should I choose to visit the Aeolian Islands?

The islands are home to approximately 10,000 people all year round. This number is 20 times higher in summer!

We mentioned that the archipelago has a limited accommodation capacity. It is difficult to find a hotel room or a rental in high season. July and August are the hottest months. We recommend you to visit the Aeolian Islands in spring or autumn. You will find the temperatures more pleasant, especially if you intend to go hiking. The rental rates will be lower, which is an advantage for you.

However, some autumn storms in October, and even more so at the end of October, can cause ship cancellations.

If you have a flight to take, plan a few days in advance.

How to get to the Aeolian Islands?

First of all, you should know that you will need to take a boat to reach the Aeolian Islands. These islands have no airport. The only way to get around these islands is by ferry. There are two types of boats: the classic" ferries or the hydrofoils. Depending on your destination, you can embark at different ports. However, no matter which island you are on, the best way to get to the Aeolian Islands is by Milazzo ferry.

You can take the ferry to Lipari from :

• Milazzo (Sicily), count 1h05 for the crossing.
• Messina (Sicily), : 1h50 crossing
• Palermo (Sicily), 4 hours crossing time (depending on the season).
• Naples (Italy), 6h50 crossing time
• Lipari is connected to all the other Aeolian Islands:

Count on 10 minutes to achieve Vulcanothe nearest island. Count on 1h20 to achieve Strombolithe most remote island.

It is possible to leave from here to reach the islands of Vulcano and Stromboli by ferry, but also from Milazzo, Messina, Naples and Palermo, depending on the season

As the other islands are smaller and less popular, departures are mainly from Milazzothe nearest town in Sicily.

As you can see, Milazzo is the departure point for all ferries to the Aeolian Islands, so it is ideal to start from this town.