Salina
The pretty, green island of Salina is the second most populous of the seven Aeolian Islands. It lies roughly 65 kilometres north of the Sicilian mainland port of Milazzo, just beyond Vulcano and Lipari, the latter of which is its closest neighbour.
Salina is characterised by the protuberance of two long dormant volcanoes, covered with lush foliage; this is the most fertile island in the group. You can arrive by ferry (or hydrofoil) at two ports: Santa Maria Salina and Rinella. On arrival at Santa Maria Salina you'll find a small port with fishing boats and a wide piazza that leads into the main town. You can happily spend a day here, relaxing at the few shops, bars and restaurants or walking along the lungomare (esplanade) towards the beaches.
If you're in the mood for exploring the island there are various options open to you; there are scooter rental outlets available or taxi drivers that will take you on a tour. There's also a public transport bus system in place.
Making your way to and from Salina is easy enough; most visitors take a ferry or hydrofoil from the port of Milazzo. The hydrofoils are the faster option and take an hour and 25 minutes. If you're planning on visiting a few of the islands on the same day, take note of the two different ports on the island. Apart from the main port (Santa Maria Salina), there are further connections available from Rinella. You will need motorised transport to get from one to the other though.
Head east from Salina and you first reach Panarea before moving on to the active volcano island of Stromboli. Heading west in the opposite direction you'll find the two quietest of the Aeolian islands: Filicudi and Alicudi.
Salina is characterised by the protuberance of two long dormant volcanoes, covered with lush foliage; this is the most fertile island in the group. You can arrive by ferry (or hydrofoil) at two ports: Santa Maria Salina and Rinella. On arrival at Santa Maria Salina you'll find a small port with fishing boats and a wide piazza that leads into the main town. You can happily spend a day here, relaxing at the few shops, bars and restaurants or walking along the lungomare (esplanade) towards the beaches.
If you're in the mood for exploring the island there are various options open to you; there are scooter rental outlets available or taxi drivers that will take you on a tour. There's also a public transport bus system in place.
Making your way to and from Salina is easy enough; most visitors take a ferry or hydrofoil from the port of Milazzo. The hydrofoils are the faster option and take an hour and 25 minutes. If you're planning on visiting a few of the islands on the same day, take note of the two different ports on the island. Apart from the main port (Santa Maria Salina), there are further connections available from Rinella. You will need motorised transport to get from one to the other though.
Head east from Salina and you first reach Panarea before moving on to the active volcano island of Stromboli. Heading west in the opposite direction you'll find the two quietest of the Aeolian islands: Filicudi and Alicudi.
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Category: Aeolian Islands (Isole Eolie)
Administrative area: Messina Province Population: 2,598 Size: 26 km² Highlights: Ports, tranquility Island hotels: 14 |
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Arrival ports: Santa Maria Salina, Rinella
Journey time from Sicilian mainland: 1 hr 25 m (Milazzo to Salina) Distance from nearest Sicilian mainland port: 65 km |
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