Discover Messina and the Aeolian Islands

Volcanic Islands, Culture and Regional Delights

In the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, north of Sicily’s northern coast and opposite Messina’s Tyrrhenian coast, lie the Isole Eolie. The archipelago comprises seven main islands – Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Alicudi, Filicudi, Stromboli and Panarea – as well as the five small islets of Basiluzzo, Dattilo, Lisca Nera, Bottaro and Lisca Bianca. Together, the Aeolian Islands preserve an outstanding record of the formation and destruction of volcanic islands. Their volcanic morphology is considered a classic example of the development of volcanology; the Isole Eolie are listed under UNESCO criterion (viii). For planning your trip, this creates an unusual range of options: you can combine volcanic landscapes, island culture, archaeology and regional cuisine, or focus on individual themes. All the Aeolian Islands except Lipari are designated wholly or partly as nature reserves under the European Habitats and Birds Directives. On Salina, the Riserva Naturale Le Montagne delle Felci e dei Porri protects the Mediterranean vegetation and wildlife of the extinct volcanoes Fossa delle Felci and Monte dei Porri. The coast of Lipari complements this natural setting with numerous white pumice beaches.

Islands with Different Experiences

Lipari combines several historic points of interest. The Castello di Lipari includes an old Norman cloister, while the Cattedrale di Lipari dates from the 13th century. The Terme San Calogero on Lipari also tell the story of a long history of use: they preserve a tholos oven from the Early Bronze Age, as well as Greek and Roman basins and channels for directing hot sulfur water. A small church on Lipari also offers an exceptional view of Salina, Filicudi and Alicudi. In Lingua on Salina, the Museo Civico di Lingua is located by Lake Lingua. It brings together ethnographic-anthropological and archaeological departments in two buildings. Salina also reveals a strong agricultural side: the fertile basin of Valdichiesa is planted with Malvasia vineyards. Malvasia delle Lipari is a naturally sweet passito wine produced exclusively on the Aeolian Islands. Stromboli represents a different kind of volcanic experience. It is the only island in the Aeolian Archipelago with permanent volcanic activity. Depending on the eruption phases, guides lead nighttime ascents gradually towards the summit. On Vulcano, climbing the crater provides panoramic views over the island and the other six Aeolian Islands. In the open sea, there are sulfurous areas with warm water that are considered natural bathing and thermal experiences. Around Panarea, intense underwater fumaroles are associated with diving activities; boat trips can explore the five islets up close.

Food, Village Culture and Choosing Where to Stay

Culinary discoveries are also part of the character of the islands. In Lingua, “u pani cunzatu” is served with caper pesto, almonds, grilled aubergines, Cucunci, tomatoes, mint and grated baked ricotta. In Pollara, the Chiesa di Sant'Onofrio is an example of local religious architecture dating from 1853. These differences can help you determine your preferred travel rhythm: your focus may be nature and volcanism, historic sites, local cuisine or a combination of several islands. When looking for accommodation around Messina, it is therefore worth defining your personal priorities first and then taking a closer look at the most suitable places. Liberty Lines provides real-time departures from the Aeolian ports of Alicudi, Filicudi, Ginostra, Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli and Vulcano, as well as from Santa Marina and Rinella on Salina. For further orientation, you can also view the destinations [Rometta](Rometta), [Brolo](Brolo), [Capo d'Orlando](Capo d'Orlando), [Milazzo](Milazzo), [Capri Leone](Capri Leone), [Castel di Tusa](Castel di Tusa), [Gioiosa Marea](Gioiosa Marea), [Messina](Messina), [Mirto](Mirto), [Mongiove](Mongiove), [Naso](Naso), [Oliveri](Oliveri), [Calderà](Calderà), [Rocca di Capri Leone](Rocca di Capri Leone), [Rodi Milici](Rodi Milici), [Rometta Marea](Rometta Marea), [Sant’Alessio Siculo](Sant’Alessio Siculo), [Santa Teresa di Riva](Santa Teresa di Riva), [Taormina](Taormina), [Torrenova](Torrenova), [Venetico](Venetico), [Terme Vigliatore](Terme Vigliatore), [Sant’Angelo di Brolo](Sant’Angelo di Brolo), [Letojanni](Letojanni), [Giardini Naxos](Giardini Naxos), [Nizza di Sicilia](Nizza di Sicilia), [Graniti](Graniti), [Motta Camastra](Motta Camastra), [Sant'Agata di Militello](Sant'Agata di Militello), [Tindari](Tindari), [Roccalumera](Roccalumera), [Torregrotta](Torregrotta), [Santa Domenica Vittoria](Santa Domenica Vittoria), [Montalbano Di Elicona](Montalbano Di Elicona), [Malfa](Malfa), [Lingua](Lingua), [Leni](Leni), [Francavilla Di Sicilia](Francavilla Di Sicilia), [Caronia](Caronia), [Lipari](Lipari), [Panarea](Panarea), [Castelmola](Castelmola), [Fondachello](Fondachello), [Patti](Patti), [Piraino](Piraino), [Santo Stefano Di Camastra](Santo Stefano Di Camastra), [Tripi](Tripi), [Longi](Longi), [Marina Di Patti](Marina Di Patti), [San Cono](San Cono), [Scafa](Scafa), [Montagnareale](Montagnareale), [Castello](Castello), [San Saba](San Saba), [Canneto](Canneto), [Cesarò](Cesarò), [Villafranca Tirrena](Villafranca Tirrena), [Forza D'agrò](Forza D'agrò), [Mazzeo](Mazzeo), [Savoca](Savoca), [San Piero Patti](San Piero Patti), [Basicò](Basicò), [Tusa](Tusa), [Furci Siculo](Furci Siculo), [Alcara Li Fusi](Alcara Li Fusi), [Falcone](Falcone), [Pollara](Pollara), [Alì Terme](Alì Terme), [Santa Marina Salina](Santa Marina Salina), [Librizzi](Librizzi), [Condrò](Condrò), [Gaggi](Gaggi), [Calvaruso](Calvaruso), [Campogrande](Campogrande), [Barcellona Pozzo Di Gotto](Barcellona Pozzo Di Gotto), [Pettineo](Pettineo), [Trappitello](Trappitello), [Filicudi Porto](Filicudi Porto), [San Giorgio](San Giorgio), [Monforte San Giorgio](Monforte San Giorgio), [Acquedolci](Acquedolci), [Vulcano Porto](Vulcano Porto), [San Fratello](San Fratello), [Fondachelli-Fantina](Fondachelli-Fantina), [Stromboli](Stromboli), [Monforte Marina](Monforte Marina), [Mistretta](Mistretta), [Ficarra](Ficarra), [Galati Mamertino](Galati Mamertino), [Spadafora](Spadafora), [San Filippo Del Mela](San Filippo Del Mela), [Castroreale](Castroreale), [San Francesco Di Paola](San Francesco Di Paola), [San Pier Niceto](San Pier Niceto), [Calavà](Calavà), [Vulcano Piano](Vulcano Piano), [San Marco D'alunzio](San Marco D'alunzio), [Reitano](Reitano), [San Salvatore Di Fitalia](San Salvatore Di Fitalia), [Ginostra](Ginostra), [Santa Barbara](Santa Barbara), [Raccuja](Raccuja), [Quattropani](Quattropani), [Alì](Alì), [Roccella Valdemone](Roccella Valdemone), [Faro Superiore](Faro Superiore), [Moio Alcantara](Moio Alcantara), [Tortorici](Tortorici), [Rodia](Rodia), [Salice](Salice), [San Leonardo](San Leonardo), [San Nicolò](San Nicolò), [San Paolo](San Paolo), [Pianoconte](Pianoconte), [Acquacalda](Acquacalda), [Mitta](Mitta), [Furnari](Furnari), [Roccavaldina](Roccavaldina), [Castel di Lucio](Castel di Lucio), [Scaletta Marina](Scaletta Marina), [Itala](Itala), [Locadi](Locadi), [Pistunina](Pistunina), [Sorrentini](Sorrentini), [Mongiuffi](Mongiuffi), [Gallodoro](Gallodoro), [Capizzi](Capizzi), [Rinella](Rinella), [Floresta](Floresta), [Chianchitta-pallio](Chianchitta-pallio), [Fiumedinisi](Fiumedinisi), [Militello Rosmarino](Militello Rosmarino), [Malvagna](Malvagna), [Sparta](Sparta), [Alicudi Porto](Alicudi Porto), [Misserio](Misserio) and [Contrada Lacco](Contrada Lacco) ansehen.