The Sicilian Islands

main gateway for the Aeolian Islands

gateway for the Egadi and, in summer, the Aeolian Islands

closest airport for the Egadi Islands

limited domestic flights

year round flights from Palermo and Trapani, with seasonal routes from mainland Italy

year round flights from Palermo and Catania, with seasonal routes from mainland Italy

The greenest Aeolian island, with vineyards of Malvasia, caper fields and two extinct volcanoes; elegant and low key.

The smallest and most glamorous of the Aeolians, with whitewashed villas, no cars and a lively summer scene.

The largest Aeolian island and the hub for ferries, with a castle, a fine museum and the most choice of restaurants.

An active volcano rising straight from the sea, with black sand beaches and a village of white houses at its foot.

A flat butterfly shaped island of limestone quarries and turquoise coves, best explored by bicycle.

A wild volcanic island of domed stone dammusi, terraced vineyards and dramatic lava coastline.

Sicily's southernmost island, with white sand coves and some of the clearest water in Italy.

Positions are approximate: the exact address is shared once your stay is confirmed.

On one side of the island, a steep slope carries lava and glowing debris from the craters to the sea. Watch the eruptions at night from a boat or from the observation points.

The archipelago is listed by UNESCO for its importance in the study of volcanoes. Each island shows a different stage of volcanic life.

Housed within the castle complex, the museum traces thousands of years of island history, from obsidian tools to Greek theatrical masks.

A village in an ancient crater facing the sea, known from the film Il Postino. The sunsets here are legendary.

A small cove of polished rocks and emerald water beneath a prehistoric village on the headland of Capo Milazzese.

A bay of extraordinary turquoise water framed by old tufa quarries. Arrive early or by boat in summer.

The vast former tuna cannery of the Florio family is now a museum telling the story of the tuna fishery that shaped the island.

A lake of milky blue water in an old volcanic crater, fed by warm springs and edged with mineral mud.

A small island and beach of white sand inside a nature reserve, where loggerhead turtles come to nest. Access is limited in summer to protect the site.

Sail between islands with a skipper, swimming in coves and stopping for lunch on Salina or Panarea.

Climb the volcano with an authorised guide to see the eruptions at dusk; the altitude allowed varies with the current safety rules.

Visit family wineries producing the sweet amber Malvasia delle Lipari.

The island is flat and compact, perfect for exploring coves by bicycle.

Circle the island to see the Arco dell'Elefante, sea caves and hot springs reachable only from the water.

The water is famously transparent, with rich marine life in the protected areas around the island.

Repeatedly voted among the world's finest beaches, with access limited in summer.

Turquoise water in a bay of old stone quarries.

A pebbly beach below the old pumice quarries on the island's east coast.

A long stretch of black volcanic sand facing Strombolicchio.

A small cove with crystal water and an underwater archaeological trail of Roman amphorae.

What to eat

What to drink

Black sand beaches and a walk on a dormant volcano, subject to current access rules.

The wildest Aeolians, with tiny villages and almost no roads.

A tiny island with prehistoric cave art in the Grotta del Genovese.

The most remote Egadi island, with sea caves and mountain paths.

A small volcanic island of colourful houses and black lava rocks.

From May the islands reopen, flowers bloom and the sea warms; hydrofoil timetables grow fuller. It is ideal for walking and volcano hikes.

July and August are hot, sunny and busy, especially on Panarea and Lampedusa. Book boats, transfers and restaurants well ahead.

September is perfect, with warm water and fewer visitors, and the grape harvest on Salina and Pantelleria. By late October many places close.

Most villas, hotels and restaurants close and sea connections are reduced and often cancelled by weather. Winter suits those seeking total peace on the larger islands.