Lipari & surroundings
The Aeolian archipelago, consisting of seven beautiful islands, is characterized by a wild and uncontaminated nature, it also includes two active volcanoes, Stromboli and Vulcano, visited every year by tens of thousands of tourists.
Lipari, among the Aeolian Islands, is the largest and is the one that offers more services than the other islands, being wilder and more distant. An excellent starting point for comfortably visiting the Aeolian archipelago is moving by hydrofoil or by boat with organized excursions.
Here are some recommended itineraries:
Lipari
The Belvedere Quattrocchi is located just 4km away from the historical centre of Lipari. One of the most beautiful panoramic points of the island, since it is positioned on a hill from where it is possible to enjoy the beauty of Lipari in the foreground and in the background the island of Vulcano and a splendid view on the faraglioni of Pietra Lunga and Pietra Menalda.
To admire the beauty of nature we also recommend a boat trip to the cale del Fico, Valle Muria, Punta della Castagna and Capo Rosso.
Climbing the Stromboli
Stromboli, located on the island of the same name, is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Emerged from the sea 160,000 years ago, it is 926 m high, with eruptive vents located at a height of 750 m.
Its activity consists of intermittent explosions of variable duration (from 1 to 10 seconds). The climbing of Stromboli up to the summit craters is not an activity for everyone, good physical shape is required and absence of pathologies.
It is possible to climb independently up to an altitude of 400 m, beyond it is mandatory to have a guide, which can bring groups to the top of no more than 20 people.
Salina and the Belvedere of Pollara
The Pollara Belvedere consists of an equipped panoramic point near the Semaforo of Pollara.
From here the view is breath-taking: the sunset lights illuminate Pollara, a group of houses placed on the collapsed crater of an ancient volcano; the Scoglio Faraglione stands out over the bay of Pollara and in the distance the islands of Filicudi and Alicudi.
The island of Salina is the second largest island and with the highest peaks in the archipelago, you will find the beautiful forest of ferns (la Fossa delle Felci), overlooking marvellous beaches such as the one of Pollara. Salina is also famous for being the set of the movie “Il Postino” by Massimo Troisi.
The Gran Cratere della Fossa in Vulcano
The Gran Cratere della Fossa has a height of 386 m and a diameter of 500 m. and it is one of the most scenic panoramic views of the Aeolian Islands.
Nowadays, only the activity of fumaroles has been recorded: volcanic fumes consisting of jets of vapor containing boric acid, ammonium chloride and sulphur (in the case of Vulcano it is especially sulphur).
Sulphur, thanks to the action of bacteria, contributes to the formation of a rose-coloured patina with red shades on the surfaces of the ground and the rocks, recognizable, as well as on the crater, and in different parts of the island.
Archaeological Museum
The Luigi Bernabò Brea Museum is located on the Rocca of Lipari, surrounded by high inaccessible cliffs.
This place has represented a natural fortress offering, since prehistoric times, a safe home for the inhabitants. The fortress was inhabited from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age, it became Acropolis in the Greek and Roman ages and then fortified citadel, today called Castello.
The Museum is made up of: History of the Museum, excavations and a didactic room; Prehistory of Lipari and foundation of the island; Prehistory of the smaller islands; Territory man environment and volcanology Greek and Roman Age; Garden and epigraphic pavilion; Contemporary art “Mare Motus” in the old prison; the old ex church of Santa Caterina for temporary exhibitions.
The Greek acropolis and the Cathedral of Norman origin are also beautiful.