Aeolian Islands

The Aeolian Islands, also known as the Lipari Islands, are an archipelago belonging to the Aeolian arch located in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea, north of the Sicilian coast. Of volcanic origin, it includes the two active volcanoes of Stromboli and Vulcano and various secondary volcanism phenomena; administratively it is part of the metropolitan city of Messina. The archipelago is a very popular tourist destination: the islands, in fact, attract up to 600,000 annual visitors.

The Aeolian Islands form an archipelago, consisting of seven real islands, to which are added numerous islets and rocks emerging from the sea. The seven islands are arranged in the shape of a lying Y, with the shaft pointing west; they are located off the coast of northern Sicily, facing the Tyrrhenian coast of Messina. They are visible from most of the Tyrrhenian coast of Sicily and the southern part of the Calabrian coast, when the visibility is excellent and there is no mist.

The seven islands are:

• Lipari (37.6 km² - about 10,700 inhabitants).
• Salina (26.8 km² - about 2,300 inhabitants), with the Scoglio Faraglione.
• Vulcano, at the southern end of the archipelago (21 km² - about 300 inhabitants).
• Stromboli, with the islet of Strombolicchio, at the north-east end of the archipelago (12.6 km² - about 450 inhabitants).
• Filicudi (9.7 km² - about 250 inhabitants).
• Alicudi, at the western end of the archipelago (5.2 km² - about 100 inhabitants).
• Panarea (3.4 km² - about 240 inhabitants), with the islets of Basiluzzo, Dattilo and Lisca Bianca.

The Aeolian Islands, all of volcanic origin, are located in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea facing the north coast of Sicily at Capo Milazzo, from which they are less than 12 nautical miles away.

Islands of fire and wind. Where primeval nature and Homeric myths coexist with resorts hidden among the vineyards and gourmet restaurants, new clubs and boutique-ateliers, terraces overlooking the sea and wellness centers. Here is a guide to the seven sisters scattered like pearls in the north of Sicily - each with different characters, but with common roots.

Map: Aeolian Islands