The Aeolian Islands is a beautiful archipelago of seven islands situated on the northeastern coast of Sicily. It is a tourist attraction protected by UNESCO because of its magnificent beauty and unspoiled nature. For anyone who would like to travel this side of Italy, the best way would be to rent a sailboat in the Aeolian Islands.
The seven islands in the Aeolian Islands include Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi - all of them have their unique beauty and would give you much reason to visit each. While some ferries and smaller boats would take tourists on island hopping trips, nothing beats having your own sailboat to get you around the area.
When departing from the port in Milazzo in Sicily, you will be traveling north to get to Vulcano. There’s so much to see and explore here. First off, there’s an active volcano and you can truly smell the sulfur in this area so make sure you have your face mask ready if you are too sensitive with scents. You can enjoy mud baths and a trip down to the black sand beaches here too!
If you prefer white beaches then you should head on to Lipari when you rent a sailboat in the Aeolian Islands. The Spiaggia Bianca boasts of super clear blue waters that are comparable to the beaches in the Bahamas. You should also check out the unique collection commissioned by Euripides, Sophocles, and other ancient icons at the Aeolian Archaeological Museum.
Do you know of the 1949 movie called Stromboli? Well, this island was featured in that movie and now the famous designers Dolce and Gabbana even built a holiday home here! There are no cars in Stromboli so when you rent a sailboat in the Aeolian Islands and visit this island, you would have to ride a mule if you’re not keen on traveling on foot.
Lipari is the largest island in the Aeolian Islands, Salina is the next. It gained worldwide popularity when it was featured in the Il Postino movie in 1994. It has great restaurants, lovely stores where you can shop, it is super beautiful and unspoiled. Is the water getting you seasick? Get off your boat for a moment and hike to the Monte Fossa delle Felci! Bring your coat because the temperature drops dramatically low there.
There are many more sights to see when you rent a sailboat in the Aeolian Islands. You can do so with or without a skipper. When you get a skipper, then you can enjoy the ride and have a guide who can show you roads less traveled or seas less sailed.
While Italy enjoys flocks of tourists yearly, you can have a little more privacy and peace in this area especially if you visit the last of the seven islands - Alicudi. This remote and small island has a tight-knit community of only 80 people! There’s even a charming church called San Bartolomeo that you can visit. It is 400 meters above sea level so when you hike there, you will surely be in awe of the beautiful views that surround the island.
If you decide to rent a sailboat in the Aeolian Islands, you can do so by visiting Sailogy. There are pages after pages of numerous boat choices depending on your budget range, the type of boat you’re looking for, the passenger capacity, features, and amenities of the sailboat or if you want to sail with or without a skipper. Just a few clicks here and there would already allow you to plan a dream vacation - a trip that you would surely remember for a lifetime!
