The Aeolian Islands at a glance
The Aeolian Islands (Isole Eolie in Italian, also called the Lipari Islands) are a chain of volcanic islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, north of Sicily. UNESCO listed them as a World Heritage Site in 2000. Lipari is the usual base, with the castle, the archaeological museum and boats to the other islands. Vulcano lies right next to it. Salina, Panarea, Filicudi and Alicudi are the other inhabited islands, and Stromboli, the active volcano at the northeastern end of the chain, has its own guide.
Most visitors arrive by boat from Milazzo, the port on Sicily's north coast, 198 km from Palermo by road. A few hydrofoils also sail from Palermo. This page covers the getting-there basics, the 2026 car rules and what to see on Lipari and Vulcano. It is an independent guide, not the official tourism site.
Getting to the Aeolian Islands
Winter timetable valid from October 2026. Summer timetables differ, so check the current one before you go.
| Route | Boat | Time | Departures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milazzo to Lipari | Hydrofoil, Liberty Lines | About 1 h 05 | Up to 14 sailings from 06:30 to 19:15 |
| Milazzo to Vulcano | Hydrofoil, Liberty Lines | – | Same times as Lipari, without 14:00 |
| Milazzo to Santa Marina Salina | Hydrofoil, Liberty Lines | – | Up to 12 sailings from 06:30 to 19:15 |
| Milazzo to Vulcano and Lipari | Car ferry, Siremar | About 1 h 30 to Vulcano, about 2 h to Lipari | Sailings such as 09:30 and 17:15, days vary |
| Milazzo to Stromboli | Hydrofoil via Panarea | – | 05:45, 07:30, 14:00, 14:30 |
| Palermo to Lipari | Hydrofoil, Liberty Lines | – | Mondays and Fridays at 13:30 |
Fares. Booking sites list hydrofoil tickets from Milazzo to Lipari from about €16 one way, rising to roughly €28 depending on boat and date. Press reports said Siremar raised its fares by 30 to 50 percent from 15 May 2026, so compare operators before you book.
Landing fee. Visitors pay a small landing fee (contributo di sbarco) on Lipari and the neighbouring islands, collected together with the ferry ticket. In earlier years it was €2.50 in the low season and €5 from 1 June to 30 September. Confirm the current amount when you book.
Vulcano pier. Since 20 August 2026 Liberty Lines handles its operations on Vulcano at the Molo Nuovo, so look for that pier. For flights to Sicily, see our airports guide.
Our pick: Panarea and Stromboli by boat
A long day from Milazzo with the landing tax included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Aeolian Islands boat trips and tours
Day trips to Lipari and Vulcano, island cruises and evening trips to Panarea and Stromboli, with live prices and availability.
Cars on the islands in summer 2026
A regional decree (D.P. 85/2026) bars vehicles of people who do not live on the islands from landing during these periods.
Lipari, Vulcano and Filicudi
1 June to 30 September 2026.
Alicudi
1 June to 31 October 2026.
Panarea and Stromboli
1 May to 31 October 2026.
Exemptions include a booking of at least 7 nights in accommodation on Lipari or Vulcano, campervans with at least 7 days on a campsite, house owners, emergency vehicles and goods transport. Fines run from €430 to €1,731. The simple option is to leave the car on the mainland and sail as a foot passenger.
Lipari and Vulcano
Lipari. Lipari town is the hub for boats and hotels. The Luigi Bernabò Brea archaeological museum belongs to the Aeolian Islands archaeological park. Entry is €7, reduced €3.50, and it opens Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 19:30 and on Sunday from 9:00 to 13:30. The castle opens from 9:00 to 19:00 from May to October, from 9:00 to 16:00 from November to April and from 9:00 to 13:00 on public holidays.
Vulcano. Vulcano is a short hop from Lipari. Its crater, La Fossa, is the island's best-known walk. Access depends on the local rules and on volcanic activity, so check the current situation before you plan a day around the climb.
Swimming. Model averages for 2015 to 2024 put the sea near Lipari at about 28 °C in July and August and about 24 °C in October. Our weather guide has the month-by-month picture.
The other islands and the mainland ports
Boats from Milazzo call at Santa Marina Salina and Rinella on Salina. Panarea lies on the route to Stromboli. Filicudi and Alicudi are the westernmost islands and appear on the Palermo timetable.
Stromboli is the volcano known for its near-constant small eruptions, and Milazzo is the departure port for most boats. Each has its own guide. By road Milazzo is 198 km (2 h 29) from Palermo, 135 km (1 h 44) from Cefalù and 38 km (36 min) from Messina. If you want the islands inside a longer trip, see the Sicily itinerary for a 10-day route that adds them.
Plan the rest of your trip
More islands, transport and routes.
Aeolian Islands: frequently asked questions
How do I get to the Aeolian Islands?
Take a hydrofoil or ferry from Milazzo, about 1 h 05 to Lipari by hydrofoil and about 2 h by car ferry. From Palermo, the winter timetable lists a hydrofoil to Lipari on Mondays and Fridays at 13:30. Check the current timetable before you go.
Can I take my car to the islands?
Not in high season. Under the 2026 decree, visitors' vehicles may not land on Lipari, Vulcano and Filicudi from 1 June to 30 September, on Alicudi from 1 June to 31 October, or on Panarea and Stromboli from 1 May to 31 October. A stay of at least 7 nights in accommodation on Lipari or Vulcano is one of the exemptions.
Is there a landing fee?
Yes. Visitors pay a landing fee on Lipari and the neighbouring islands, collected with the boat ticket. In earlier years it was €5 from 1 June to 30 September and €2.50 in the rest of the year. Confirm the current amount when you book.
Can I climb the crater on Vulcano?
That depends on the current local rules and on volcanic activity. Ask your accommodation or the boat operator on the day before you plan the climb.
Which island should I choose for a first visit?
Lipari. It has the most boat connections, the museum and the castle, and Vulcano is a short crossing away.
When is the sea warm enough to swim?
Model averages put the sea near Lipari at about 28 °C in July and August and about 24 °C in October. In May it is closer to 19 °C.