Eolian Milazzo Hotel
Milazzo - Via Salita Cappuccini 21/25
Only 10 minutes' walk from the Castello di Milazzo castle and 1 km from Milazzo city centre, Eolian Milazzo Hotel offers design rooms, and 2 outdoor pools.
Book now
Milazzo is the gateway to the Aeolian Islands. Everyone wanting to reach this magnificent Sicilian archipelago must pass through here to board ferries bound for Lipari, Vulcano, Stromboli, Panarea, Alicudi or Salina. Located just a few kilometres west of Messina, on Sicily’s north coast at the foot of the Capo Milazzo peninsula, this charming town has over 30,000 inhabitants and a history spanning millennia.
With its beaches, caves, stunning churches and ancient monuments, Milazzo is far more than a quick stopover for the Aeolian Islands; instead, it makes an excellent base for a few days whilst exploring Sicily’s north coast, an ideal stop-off before heading out to the islands.
If you’re planning to travel to the Aeolian Islands and fancy spending some time in Milazzo, you’ll find plenty of interesting spots. Here are the best things to see in the town.
Among all the town’s churches, the Duomo Antico (Old Cathedral) is one of the largest and certainly among the most important. Built in the early 1600s to designs by Camillo Camilliani, it was consecrated in 1616 and served as Milazzo’s cathedral until 1860, when a new cathedral was constructed.
Today the church stands prominently on the esplanade of the Città Murata (Walled City), and its interior features a range of monuments, sculptures and details well worth viewing, though much of the original treasures were lost after 1860, and little of the original heritage remains today.
The old town of Milazzo as we know it today dates back to the 15th century and is the most interesting part of the city to explore. Worth seeing are the Palazzo dei Vicerè e dei Governatori2, the Grotta di Polifemo3 and a number of historic churches. Wandering through the narrow streets of the old town, you can still sense the atmosphere of bygone times, and it’s delightful to lose yourself in the shaded alleys lined with characterful buildings.
The Castello di Milazzo, or “Città Murata” (Walled City) as locals call it, is one of the town’s defining symbols and represents Sicily’s largest fortified citadel, sprawling across 7 hectares. Perched on the southern side of Capo Milazzo, directly above the old town, it has ancient origins – artefacts dating back to 4000 BC have been discovered here.
The castle expanded through Sicily’s various periods of rule – Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Norman – but it was the Spanish dominion that gave it the appearance we see today: polygonal bastions, gates, walls, galleries and watchtowers were built alongside buildings of primary historical importance.
Today, the castle has been revitalised thanks to major restoration work carried out in phases between 1991 and 2010, and it now hosts cultural events, festivals and museums.
Nestled along Capo Milazzo, the town is surrounded by beaches frequented largely by locals. Here are the main ones in the area.
Ponente Beach stretches for several kilometres along the western coast of Capo Milazzo. Much of it is free and unspoilt, though there are equipped lidos where you can rent sunbeds and parasols, as well as facilities offering pedalos for hire, restaurants and bars. In the section closest to the historic centre, the beach can get quite busy in summer, but just a few hundred metres north or south you’ll find peaceful tranquillity. The water is crystal-clear and warm, with a fine shingle shoreline.
Ponente Beach extends to the Tono cliff, known locally as “a puntitta”. In this area there’s a designated naturism zone.
The Piscina di Venere (Venus Pool) is a lovely natural swimming pool among the rocks at the northern tip of Capo Milazzo. The walk to reach it is somewhat challenging, but absolutely worthwhile, as you traverse a scenic hiking trail through unspoilt countryside until you arrive at this natural rocky cove, perfect for snorkelling and enjoying the beautiful Sicilian sea.
The area is virtually isolated and has no facilities, so we recommend bringing plenty of sunscreen, water and snacks.
The most obvious excursion from Milazzo is to the Aeolian Islands, which we’d heartily recommend if the archipelago isn’t your final destination. If you’re passing through Milazzo as a stopover before heading out to the islands, don’t miss the fascinating IllusionVille Museum7, which is great for children too. Located on Via Giorgio Rizzo, just a stone’s throw from the ferry terminal to the Aeolians, this museum dedicated to illusions will transport you into a reality full of surprises around every corner and make you question everything you think you know.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
In the northern part of Milazzo overlooking the eastern side of Capo Milazzo, there’s a good concentration of hotels, particularly at the foot of the castle, along Via Marina Garibaldi and in the immediate surroundings. This is an excellent area for staying near the town’s main monuments, and you’ll still be only about a kilometre’s walk from Ponente Beach.
If you’re staying in Milazzo before boarding a ferry to the Aeolian Islands, you might prefer accommodation near the port, an area with various facilities, bars and restaurants, and conveniently close to the ferry terminal.
We offer a selection of hotels at Milazzo to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Milazzo, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Milazzo. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Milazzo are in high demand.
From Messina you can reach Milazzo in just over half an hour via the A20 motorway heading towards Palermo, exiting at the Milazzo – Isole Eolie junction. If you’re travelling from Catania or Fontanarossa airport, take the A18 motorway to Messina, then join the A20: this journey takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
Most ferries and hydrofoils to the Aeolian Islands depart from Milazzo port. Below you’ll find all the connections and, by clicking on each route, you can view fares and book your ticket online.
What's the weather at Milazzo? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Milazzo for the next few days.
Milazzo is located on Sicily's north coast, not far from Messina and the Strait. Catania Airport, the nearest airport, is approximately 140 kilometres to the south.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts