Aeolian Islands Holidays

A dreamy cluster of volcanic islands off the coast of Sicily, with quaint harbour towns, therapeutic mud baths and black-sand beaches.

Shaped by volcanic eruptions over thousands of years, the Aeolian Islands are wild, rugged and untamed. This staggering island chain neighbours Italian hotspot Sicily, but life is different here. The pace is slower, beaches are quieter, and the scenery take on a more rustic edge. Once inhabited by Greek pirates, the seven islands of the Aeolian archipelago all have fascinating stories to tell. Now, they are a place where you can kick back on black-sand beaches, trek to volcanic craters and swim in clear-as-glass Mediterranean waters.

Hop between the islands to make the most of every second. On Lipari, you can climb coastal castles, wander cobbled lanes, marvel at archaeological artefacts, and go wine tasting at dusk. To the south lies Vulcano. Towering over this small island is an active volcano which you can explore on a steep hike to the Gran Cratere, then soak achy legs in its natural mud baths. A must-do on the pocket-sized isle of Stromboli is a night-time boat trip or sunset trek, where you can watch fiery bursts of lava explode from its active volcano.

Talk to us today and we’ll take the time to plan an Aeolian Island adventure that’s right for you.

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Aeolian Islands Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Aeolian Islands

Hotel Mea Lipari

A boutique hotel in the hills above Lipari town and the island’s bustling port.

Therasia Resort Sea & Spa, Vulcano

A hidden gem on the coast of the island of Vulcano with a relaxed, yet sophisticated style.

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Get to know the Aeolian Islands and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

Capital
TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT +1 hour

CURRENCY

Euro

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

Sicily: 3¼ hours

RELIGION

Christianity (Roman Catholic)

LANGUAGE

Italian

Where are the Aeolian Islands?
The Aeolians are a string of Italian islands scattered like gemstones in the Tyrrhenian Sea. North of Sicily and west of the mainland, the Aeolian Islands were formed a million years ago following a succession of volcanic explosions. The islands are easily reached via regular ferry crossings from Sicily.

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Lipari
Lipari is the largest and most populous of the island chain. You’ll arrive by ferry into the bustling main town which has a pretty harbour and an ancient Greek acropolis that has borne witness to centuries of attacks, sieges and conquests. The pretty cobbled alleyways and streets that radiate away from the waterfront are lined by charming old buildings that play host to restaurants, bars and shops catered towards both visitors and locals. One of the town’s most popular attractions, aside from the acropolis, is the Aeolian Archaeological Museum which contains fascinating artefacts from all over the archipelago.

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Stromboli
The tiny island of Stromboli, the furthest island from mainland Sicily, is home to one of Italy’s three active volcanos. Mount Stromboli has the only crater with permanent eruptive activity and has been continuously erupting for almost 2000 years. One of the most popular activities for those exploring the archipelago is a boat trip to the coast of the island at night – the island has the nickname the ‘lighthouse of the Mediterranean Sea’ and is an incredible sight to behold as lava erupts like fireworks from one of the three active craters.

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Multi-centres
A stay here is a fantastic addition to a Sicilian holiday as they are easily reached by hydrofoil or ferry from the ‘mainland’. It’s also very easy to hop between the volcanic islands, with regular ferries running from harbour to harbour. Our featured resorts are located on the islands of Lipari and Vulcano.

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