Far from the most navigated routes, if you land on Filicudi, it is only for choice, or even better for the desire to immerge into a pristine and wild nature, where typical beaches, but also little and cosy coves, transform the island into a unique scenery. Undoubtedly, the sea is one of the principal attractions, and the principal support of the island. To fully enjoy all the beauties of Filicudi it is advised to use a boat, necessary to reach evocative glimpses, as Grotta del Bue Marino; in past it was thought to be the hiding place of marine monsters, because the rays of the sun created particular light plays. If you have no boat, do not worry; there are a lot of places where to hire it, or to make a guided tour along the coast. Another evocative corner hidden by the sea is La Canna rock, which according to the islanders is said to have the shape of Madonna with the child. This rock is shaped by sea and fire, and rises in all its might upon the island, giving impression to protect it. According to a “Filicudian” legend the rock has magic powers: it is enough to touch the rock to make your desires come true. The beaches are constituted of rounded pebbles; the most famous is that of “La Punta”, reachable from the pier on foot. As an alternative there are those of Pecorini sea and the Port’s beach.

The beach of  “Le Punte”

La Spiaggia is situated in the southernmost point of the island and is reachable on foot; it is enough to go along a picturesque path from Filicudi Port. It is about a beach covered with round pebbles of a clear volcanic origin, bathed by limpid, crystalline and blue sea, with a seabed which subsides a few metres away from the shore.

The beach of Pecorini

The beach of Pecorini is situated on the southern side of the island, in front of the typical fishers’ village of Pecorini a Mare. It is a stretch of black pebbles surrounded by a clear and deep sea, with traditional Aeolian houses in background. The beach has no bathing facilities, and is often occupied by colourful boats of fishers; it is one of the most picturesque glimpses of the island. It is about a beach situated on the southernmost point of the island, in the wide creek east of the Port of Filicudi. It is a beach of dark volcanic pebbles with a narrow shoreline, some hundreds of metres long which extends in parallel with the village’s promenade, easily reachable on foot.

The beach of Porto

The sea, where the beach del Porto arises, is blue; its seabed becomes rather deep, a few metres far away from the foreshore. The beach has no bathing facilities, but some steps farther, you can find traditional restaurants and a grocery shop.

The beach of Capo Graziano

The beach of Capo Graziano extends in the southernmost part, and is surely the most beautiful and typical of the whole island. Situated on the Capo Graziano promontory it is connected to the rest of the island by the strip of sand, 500m large, covered with rounded pebbles of volcanic origin, and surmounted by a little hill, where in past the namesake village, dating back to the Bronze Age, was situated. It is still visible thanks to the ruins of 25 huts. The sea, of an intense blue colour, which bathes the beach, breaks on the east upon enormous rocks, hiding evocative coves, to be discovered by boat. Besides all, the adjacent area, famous for innumerable findings, dating back to the Bronze Age, is considered one of the vastest areas of prehistoric settlement of the whole archipelago.

The Stack “La Canna” of Filicudi

To make the circumnavigation over the island surely is an experience that none visitor should miss. You will remain surprised by magic glimpses, and by beautiful landscapes which the evocative coastline reserves. Moving from the Port of Filicudi towards north, you will immediately notice a steep wall, representing according to geologists, the internal slope of a volcanic cone, almost corrupted by the erosive action of the sea. Looking up you will notice the village of Valdichiesa with its traditional white houses which harmonically contrast with the luxuriant vegetation. Once passed Valdichiesa you will find yourselves next to a beach, principally covered with pebbles where you can see a couple of houses, even if it is a very isolated zone: you have already arrived to Brigantini. The next stop is Zucco Grande, where the volcanic nature of the island is evident, thanks to its wall’s observation: it shows the stratification of lava scoria.

The next stop is Giafante rock, a very characteristic glimpse not only because of the shape reminding an ancient tower, but also because of its rocky coast. On the horizon you will notice the lighthouse of Punta Zotta, surrounded by little creeks and coves. Going forward for a little more than 1km, in the south-eastern direction, you will find yourselves near to La Canna, an imposing stack of basaltic rock, of the height of more than 70m, formed by magma solidification inside the carter, and thanks to the cone erosion of more soft consistence. This rock is shaped by sea and fire, and rises in all its might upon the island, giving impression to protect it. According to a “Filicudian” legend the rock has magic powers: it is enough to touch the rock to make your desires come true. At this point you can also observe Scoglio della Fortuna, and the amazing Arch of Punta Perciato, a lava promontory, where the erosive action of the sea opened a passage. In the southern direction you can see the famous Grotta del Bue Marino: in past it was thought to be the hiding place of marine monsters, even if it actually was the shelter of Mediterranean monk seal. Unfortunately today there are no these animals anymore, but it is worth the effort to visit this vista for wonderful plays of lights. The cave is 30m large, and thanks to the vault of 20m it allows the boats to enter it. Now only one step divides you from Costa dello Scairato, a bleak wall crossed by a gully where the crater of the Fossa delle Felci poured its lava scoria in past.

The cave of Bue Marino of Filicudi

Once passed the Sciara, it is the right moment to dive into green waters of Grotticelle di Punta Stimpaganto, one of the most beautiful points of the island where to swim. At this point the coast evolves into a little pier of Pecorini Sea, the place of a traditional fishers’ village, to mightily re-emerge then with a rocky formation called Filo di Lorani, till Le Punte Beach. Our tour finishes in Capo Graziano, the seat of a settlement dating back to the Bronze Age. In this stretch the coast is steep, inaccessible, and full of creeks. Watch out for a Shallow del Capo (-2,5m), famous for various shipwrecks in course of millennia. This site is also well-known for the institution of the archaeological underwater museum, which today constitutes one of the principal attractions of the island.

The idea of wild lands refer to those atmospheres where the unique noble lady and mistress is the nature. Alicudi is the concretisation of the idea of wild nature, a paradise between sky and earth, and a small village, Alicudi Porto, situated on the eastern coast of the island, an area where other beaches are situated.

The beach of Alicudi Porto

The beach of Alicudi Porto is mostly made up of boulders. The mentioned site is not hard to reach on foot; its waters are crystalline and the background of this wonderful natural sight is constituted by colourful fishermen’s boats of the island and of typical Aeolian houses. It is important to specify that the beaches of Alicudi are few and not all of them are reachable on foot. The island is amazing and can be visited by boat; it is possible to admire not only clear and crystalline waters, but also to enjoy the island’s views. One of the most fascinating views to be enjoyed from the boat is the landscape of high rocky coasts, typical of the Alicudi island.

The beach of Bazzina

Not far away from Alicudi Port, reachable by boat, there is the beach of Bazzina. This small glimpse of earth takes name from the namesake village. It is about a proper glimpse, a little but charming creek bathed by not very deep but crystalline waters which bathe the shore mostly made of pebbles. The seabed of this area permits those keen on scuba diving, wonderful diving without breathing apparatus.

Black sand

The island of Vulcano is famous almost all over the world for its black beaches, Porto di Ponente, called so for the sand’s colour of volcanic origin. Crystalline sea waters are like a mirror for the intense black lava stones, which do not deny, under the sun rays, that effect so similar to crystals; all this only for tourists’ pleasure who love to enjoy the spontaneous artistic production of nature which creates and offers superior sights, for purity and beauty, in comparison to those created by man.

Fumarole beach

Fumarole beach is peculiar because it is bathed by waters warmed by sulphuric vapours. In many points water boils because of the presence of these submarine gassed sources, which make each swimming pleasant and beneficial.

Gelso Beach

Gelso Beach is dominated by a very evocative lighthouse, from where it is possible to admire the Saracen coast, as well as Mount Etna. The sea bathing it is blue, clear and crystalline. It can be reached by car or scooter, going all over the Provinciale, which from the Levante Port goes on till Vulcano Piano, and then forks into Gelso or Capo Grillo. It is more simple to reach it by boat: fisherman sailing there can find themselves on Spiagge Nere every day.

Asino Beach

You could never imagine it was possible to find a cove of black sand on a volcanic island, so intimate and calm during the day, and so busy and fashionable at night. Such a suggestive place is able to combine one’s passion towards the green of the mountain and the sea. It is the cradle of all the elements of nature: crystalline water of a pristine sea, warm air of fine seasons, the black soil and the faraway fire of volcanoes, producing quiet hissing sounds. This paradise is reachable by taxi boats, or walking down the steep slope on foot. It is possible to leave the scooter on the main road, to venture then between brooms and prickly pears. The beach is well equipped: there is a dancing platform on the shore, in order to enjoy the moonlight while listening to music in Arabian Nights’ atmosphere.

The small island of Panarea is an ideal place to fully enjoy the attractive coast both for those who like to relax in a real corner of paradise, and especially for all those fond of snorkelling and immersions; of rocky coasts, rich of creeks and suggestive glimpses. The beaches reachable on foot from the inhabited centre are all situated on the eastern and the southern side of the island; the rest of the island is steep and is quite totally inaccessible. The other beaches are situated on the near isles of Basiluzzo and Lisca Bianca, easily reachable from the port thanks to several boats, which will take you to the chosen island at low cost, to take you back some hours later.

Cala Junco beach

The beach, situated near the prehistoric village of Punta Milazzese on the south-west from San Pietro pier, is reachable on foot in 30 minutes. Follow the road which leads first to Drautto and then, through an ancient path to Cala Junco, probably used in a prehistoric village like a boat-house. The bay making part of it is shaped as an amphitheatre, surrounded on its sides by extravagant rocky formations which gave birth to a natural pool. This cove is considered not only as the most beautiful bay of the island, but of the whole archipelago; the waters that bathe it assume extraordinary colours varying from emerald green to turquoise , and intense blue. During summer period the cove is quite always crowded, but it is not an obstacle to enjoy the diving into fresh waters, and to lay and relax inside the real corner of paradise.

Cala degli Zimmari beach

Situated on the southern side of the island the Cala degli Zimmari is reachable in 20 minutes from the port, following the road which first leads to Drautto, and then follows to the prehistoric village. The cove is the unique sandy beach of the Panarea island and is also called the “read beach” for the suggestive colour of the soil which assumes reddish colour.

Calcara beach

Situated on the north-eastern side of Panarea and reachable in 20 minutes through a road leading from San Pietro to Ditelle, the Calcara beach is one the most suggestive beaches because of its unmistakable volcanic aroma which you breathe in. It ergs upon the collapsed crater and is famous above all for its harmless fumaroles which from the soil soar gas, making it warm, modifying its shades, and creating furrows in the soil.

Undoubtedly the sea is one of the principal attractions, and even if there are a few beaches, this fact will not change your idea about laying, and enjoying a pristine sea. In the Legambiente and Touring Club classifications, published by the Guida Blu 2014, the island of Salina is collocated at the second national place concerning the most beautiful beaches as a landscape, and for all the activities of environmental safeguard.

The beach of Scario

Situated in the commune of Malfa, the beach of Scario is only 5 minutes away from the residential centre on foot. It is a beach composed of pebbles and smoothen stones, immersed into the rich nature, framed by crystalline water. The beach is an ideal place where to swim without great efforts, because of its peculiar conformation, which helps an entrance into the sea. The Scario, beyond its environmental and landscape value, assumes important historical connotations, as it once was the slipway of sailing ships which crossed the seas between Sicily and Campania.

Pollara’s beach

Situated on the north-western side of the island, next to the namesake village of the commune of Malfa, the beach extends under a steep cliff shaped as an amphitheatre, characterized by a shoreline of dark stones and gravel, is one of the most charming places of the Aeolians; at north there is “Balate” Bay, shaped by Perciato, a mount where you can see stores and shelters excavated from tuff; you can arrive to the creek through a steep staircase, crossing what is now called the house of the Postman, where the namesake film was set. The water is clear and crystalline, you will find yourself swimming in a collapsed prehistoric crater, whose ruins, shaped by fire, wind and sea, are yet visible. From this beach it is possible to admire the spectacular sunset, considered one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. The sun, of a wonderful intense red colour, acts as a setting for amazing natural attractions. The beach is reachable through a steep path, and is circa 30 minutes away from the residential centre of Pollara.

Rinella’s beach

Situated in the namesake Rinella fraction , in commune of Leni, it is a small beach of black sand, of a half-moon form, surmounted by caves excavated in the rock, once used as shelter for the boats. The low and sandy depths are a real paradise for the funs of snorkelling, who beyond the marine flora and fauna can observe the volcanic activity, consisting in phenomena called sconcassi (upheavals), which are manifested with gas emanation and vapours from depths.

Beach of Santa Marina

Located next to the principal port, and the residential centre of the island, it is a wide shore with big smoothen stones, upon a particularly clear cobalt blue sea.

Tour of Salina by boat

Between the wide range of activities, you should not lose the island tour by boat, the best way to admire the sea, the beaches, the bizarre rocky formations, and residential centres, with their typical white houses, characteristic of the zone. If you do not have any boat, you can hire it or book an excursion; there are a lot of agencies which offer this kind of service. Moving from Santa Marina in the northern direction, once passed the charming village, you find yourself at Cacato Reef, where you can observe the volcanic origin of this immense bay with particularly clear and crystalline waters. The next stop is Capo Faro, characterized by a high reef surrounded by towering cliffs, and surmounted by a lighthouse, where the most fearless can go through the steep mule track. Moving in the same direction, you will find the port Scario Galera, surmounted by a peculiar commune of Malfa, where you then arrive. In Punta Perciato, where you will be welcomed by a suggestive arch of volcanic rock, shaped by sea and wind, which opens the view upon the amazing Pollara Bay, situated upon the remains of a collapsed crater; an extraordinary succession of small creeps, perpendicular walls, caves mounted in lava, enclosed on the North by Perciato, an unusual mount full of the shelters excavated in tuff, and dominated by the stack of Pollara. Like a castle, in the middle of the sea, it ergs as a protection of the one of the most beautiful bays of the archipelago, a real paradise for the fans of snorkelling. The Pollara Bay is enclosed by Filo di Branda on the south, a mighty rock upon the reddish sea. Once passed the Racina caves, Levi starts emerging , situated upon an upland of around 200 metres high, till you arrive to the picturesque fraction of Rinella, a small fishers’ village, where the unique sandy beach of the island is situated, surmounted by the caves excavated into the rocks, once used as shelters for boats. On the low and sandy depths, beyond the marine flora and fauna you can observe the volcanic activity, consisting in phenomena called sconcassi (upheavals), which are manifested with gas emanation and vapours from depths. The tour goes on along the slopes of the massive Fossa delle Felci, till you reach Punta Lingua, where to admire the salty lake, the lighthouse which surmounts it, and small houses which sinuously create a contrast with the environment. The last piece of the coast, passing through the Canne and Pozzo d’Agnello beaches, till the Santa Marina port, is flat.

It is situated on the southern point of the island, near to Punta Crepazza. This uncontaminated paradise can be reached only by boat. Its main characteristic is that is particularly sandy, with some pebbles. Its crystalline waters are perfect for snorkelling, i.e. swimming in surface, using a snorkel. It is a beach which extend along the coastal part full of creeks and bays, which follow each other as far as the rock of Lipari, not far away from Marina Corta port.
Canneto Beach, 3 km northern away , is situated on the eastern coast of the city. Almost covered with gravel, partly mixed to sand, this beach is framed by a charming bay, and is perfect for immersions in clear and turquoise water. The main characteristic of the coast is not only a small width, but the length. This beach is partly equipped with umbrellas and beds.

Acquacalda village of Lipari, on the northern coast of the island, gives a name to the near beach. The majestic white mountain of pumice dominates the beach, and is a rarest natural masterpiece, with the caves, which are really unique in Europe, beyond the Turkish one. The natural landscape recalls the idea of wild nature.

The cave zone of obsidian and pumice, represents a background for Papesca Beach. It is situated on the north-eastern coast of the island. It is possible to see old bridges used to charge the extracted minerals and the remains of mine infrastructures. The crystalline waters are a mirror of the white blinding panorama of the coast , the colour due to pumice stone.
Some kilometres northern of Lipari, there is Porticello Beach. It is an equipped beach covered with gravel, characterized by the presence of white pumice. On the left side of the sea it is possible to admire the caves of Campo Bianco, and on the right side, as a contrast to white colour of pumice, the shining black obsidian coulee of the Rocce Rosse.
On the opposite coast of Lipari there is the Valle Muria Beach, considered together with Bianca Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches of the Aeolians. It has a particularly extended conformation, and it seems to be quite wrapped by rocky hills, from the artistic point of view. The beach is reachable by boat from Marina Corta port.

The most beautiful beach of Lipari is Bianca Beach. The seabed, formed by pumice sediments is a rarest show in the world for each tourist, and it surely increases the desire to spend the holidays in these fantastic Mediterranean places, Italian and world pride. The sea is particularly warm, of an intense turquoise colour; upon it the piers, once used for a transport of extracted material, are extended.