How to hiking in Stromboli and travel advices on the Aeolian islands

{ 2008 03 02 }

Browse the guide by: | Worth a visit | Travel Ideas | How to get there |

Places worth a visit

The Aeolian islands are an archipelago of 7 islands of volcanic origin situated at the north East of Sicily in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The islands are:

Lipari is the main island and the base point to visit all the arcipelago. Worth a visit the archeological museum and the “Terme di San Calogero”.
Salina is the second biggest island. It’s formed by six inactive volcanoes. The island is famous for its production of Malvasia wine and capers.
Vulcano is an ancient volcano close to Lipari. Worth a visit its beaches, hot springs and sulfur mud baths.
Stromboli is also the 2° active volcano of Italy. The main attraction to visit is the Sciara del Fuoco where see the lava explosions.
Panarea is the most “Luxurious” island: its hotels and nightclubs are crowded with VIPs every summer.
Alicudi and Filicudi (3/4 Natural Reserve) are isolated and inhabited by few people.

Here a list of holiday ideas to visit the Aeolian islands.

A medium difficulty trip available from April to October

Day 1: Arrival and accommodation in Catania, visit of the city
Day 2: Transfer to the Aeolian Islands, trekking on Lipari island. Night in Lipari
Day 3: Hydrofoil to Vulcano, hiking up to the crater and tour of the rim. Night in Lipari
Day 4: Hydrofoil to Stromboli. Trekking to 400 mt to see the "Sciara del Fuoco"
Day 5: Relax in the morning and trek on the top of the volcano at the sun set
Day 6: Hydrofoil to Milazzo and transfer to the southern side of Mt Etna. Short walk, dinner and night
Day 7: The summit craters of Mt Etna (3350 mt).
Day 8: Transfer to Catania airport.

Day 1: Arrival and check-in at Catania hotel, visit of the town
Day 2: Transfer by public bus to the southern side of Mt Etna and start of our Tour of Mt Etna over the " Pista Altomontana " Bivouac
Day 3 : Prosecution on the track towards west. Arrival in the laste afternoon at a chalet and overnight stay.
Day 4: The "Bottoniera" craters dating 2002-2003. Overnight stay at the chalet.
Day 5: Private transfer to Milazzo. Hydrofoil to Stromboli, trekking until 400 mt to look at the "Sciara del Fuoco".
Day 6: Hydrofoil to Panarea, trekking over the top of the island and back to Stromboli in the afternoon
Day 7: Free morning to enjoy the black beaches and trekking in the afternoon to climb the top of the volcano. Back at night.
Day 8: Hydrofoil to Lipari, where the guide leaves the group. Day of relax
Day 9: Hydrofoil to Vulcano, trekking over the crater and tour of the edge. Mud baths and hydrofoil to Lipari
Day 10: Hydrofoil to Salina, trekking over Monte Fossa delle Felci. Hydrofoil back to Lipari
Day 11: Hydrofoil to Milazzo and private transfer to Catania
Day 12: Departure

Day 1: Arrival and accommodation in Catania, visit of the city
Day 2: Transfer to the Aeolian Islands, trekking in Vulcano, mud baths. Night in Lipari
Day 3: Hydrofoil to Salina, hiking Mt Fossa delle Felci. Back to Lipari
Day 4: Relaxing morning and trek in Lipari in the afternoon
Day 5: Hydrofoil to Stromboli and hiking the top of the crater at the sun set. Night in Stromboli
Day 6: Hydrofoil to Milazzo. Private transfer to the beginning of the trek in the Nebrodi Park. Bivouac
Day 7: Trekking in the Nebrodi Park with arrival in Randazzo. Night in Randazzo
Day 8: Transfer by train to Maletto and trekking over the west side of Mt Etna. Bivouac
Day 9: Trekking to reach the Ragabo pine forest. Night in mountain hut
Day 10: Trekking on the 2002-2003 "Bottoniera". Transfer in the afternoon to Noto region. Camping
Day 11: Day of relax in Vendicari natural reserve. Camping
Day 12: Trekking to Cavagrande del Cassibile gorges and in the afternoon visit to Noto. Camping
Day 13: Transfer to Syracuse and visit of the Archeological Park. Transfer to Catania and overnight stay
Day 14: Transfer to Catania airport and departure

Day 1: Arrival and accommodation in Catania, visit of the city
Day 2: Transfer to the Aeolian Islands, trek on Lipari island and night in Lipari.
Day 3: Hydrofoil to Vulcano, trek to the crater, tour of the rim. Mud bath and hydrofoil back to Lipari
Day 4: Hydrofoil to Salina, trek to Mt Fossa delle Felci. Hydrofoil back to Lipari
Day 5: Hydrofoil to Stromboli, trek to the top of the volcano with volcano guide. Night in Stromboli
Day 6: Day of relax in Stromboli, and in the evening ferry to Naples. Night on the ferry
Day 7: Vesuvius: trek to the top and tour of the rim. Night on the "Costiera Amalfitana", in Agerola
Day 8: Tour de la "Costa Amalfitana" and trekking to the villages of Ravello and Atrani. Night in Agerola
Day 9: Positano, "Sentiero degli dei", return in Amalfi and transfer towards Agerola
Day 10: Transfert to Pompei and visit to this site. Transfer in Napoli and overnight stay
Day 11: Capri, Hermitage of Santa Maria a Cetrella. Ferry to Catania
Day 12: Taormina, visit of this very well known town. Transfer to the northern side of Mt Etna and overnight stay
Day 13: Excursion to Mt Etna, trekking over the "Bottoniera" and the 2002/2003 craters
Day 14: Transfer to Catania airport and departure

If you come from Italy the best way to arrive in the Aeolian islands is by ferries from Naples -Napoli to Stromboli- (Week departs).
From Sicily (Messina and Milazzo) and Reggio Calabria there are frequent ferries and hydrofoils.(Daily)
The main hydrofoil and ferry operators are