A wondrous island surrounded by equally marvellous smaller islands: this is Sicily, one of the top destinations for those who love the sea, history and gastronomy. There are three main archipelagos off the Sicilian coast, plus the lesser-known Cyclopes archipelago and several other minor islands.
Almost all (but not all!) of Sicily’s islands have volcanic origins, though they differ considerably from one another. There are islands for glamorous tourism (Panarea), islands for everyone (Linosa) and remote islands that require effort to reach and are therefore visited by only a handful of tourists seeking absolute peace (Marettimo).
There are, however, common features among all these islands. First and foremost is the sea: it displays a thousand different shades of azure and blue, yet everywhere it is clean and transparent, in a word enchanting; traditions, almost always tied to the sea and fishing; cuisine, as exquisite as throughout Sicily; landscapes, breathtaking.
Another common feature across all the islands: don’t miss a boat trip during your holiday because this is the best way to admire the beauty of the coastline, the coves unreachable on foot, caves and other natural wonders.
How to choose the island most suited to your dream holiday? We help you decide by presenting the most beautiful islands in Sicily divided by archipelago.
The Aeolian archipelago is located off north-eastern Sicily and comprises the islands of Lipari, Panarea, Stromboli, Vulcano, Salina, Alicudi and Filicudi. They are part of the province of Messina; however, the main port from which to reach the Aeolians is Milazzo, approximately 30 km from Messina and 200 km from Palermo.
Easy to reach, all the islands in the archipelago are popular tourist destinations: some more visited than others. The tourist offering is varied, with options suited to different types of holiday and all budgets.
Lipari is the largest and most visited of the Aeolian islands, chosen by most tourists both for the range of services available and for the greater number of ferry connections with the other islands in the archipelago and with Sicily. It’s an excellent choice if you want to base yourself on one island and visit others on day trips.
Lipari’s most famous beach is the White Beach, which owes its name to a fine pumice powder that makes the shoreline look like a fascinating blanket of snow. No frost here, though: you’ll find plenty of sunshine!
The main town, Lipari, sits at the foot of a Greek acropolis and is rich in historical and cultural attractions including a castle with sixteenth-century walls, an archaeological park and the Cathedral of San Bartolomeo dating back to the sixteenth century. It’s worth taking a tour of the island to see the characteristic villages of Canneto, Acquacalda, Quattropani, Lami, Pirrera, Serra and Pianoconte and the San Calogero Thermal Springs.
Panarea is the smallest of the Aeolian islands, but it can boast being the most exclusive: a miniature Santorini off the Sicilian coast, frequented by celebrities and tourists seeking a luxury holiday. Many of its beaches are accessible only by boat, but this certainly doesn’t deter its wealthy visitors.
With some planning, it’s possible to have a holiday in Panarea at an affordable price; alternatively, you can always visit Panarea on a day trip from other islands.
The attractions not to miss on Panarea are Cala Junco, Cala degli Zimmari, Calcara beach, and Lovers’ Grotto.
Stromboli is the most distinctive of all the Aeolian islands. Its cone shape emerging from the water is unmistakably that of a volcano, and not just any volcano: it is one of Europe’s most active volcanoes.
Tourists and geologists flock here to witness the spectacle of continuous eruptions: you can admire them on a boat trip or with an exciting trek to the craters. Boat trips and guided treks are organised at sunset so you’re in the right place at the right time to witness the spectacular display of lava sparks contrasting with the deep blue of the night.
Beyond admiring this unique spectacle, a holiday in Stromboli lets you spend relaxing days on marvellous black sand beaches. Also worth seeing is Ginostra, a characteristic fishing village accessible only by boat.
Tourism in Salina has grown exponentially since the success of the unforgettable film “Il Postino” with Massimo Troisi, whose most important scenes were filmed here.
Tranquil and unpretentious, Salina is much greener than the other Aeolian islands. The main centre is Santa Marina; the villages of Lingua and Malfa are also very lovely.
The beaches are all pebbly, except for the black sand beach at Rinella. The most beautiful is Pollara beach.
Despite having beaches of breathtaking beauty, it’s not swimming in the sea that attracts most tourists to Vulcano but rather the thermal mud.
The Mud Pool is indeed the top attraction on this island formed by four volcanoes; it’s a basin with a muddy bottom warmed by an exceptionally hot sea and surrounded by fumaroles, or hot vents that escape from underground.
Also worth seeing is the natural amphitheatre of Venus Pools.
Filicudi and Alicudi are the least visited of the Aeolian islands and offer fewer services than the others. They’re perfect for nature lovers and those seeking a haven of peace and relaxation.
On Alicudi6 there are no paved roads: you get around on foot or by donkey along paths, alleys of volcanic stone and steps. Filicudi7 is a bit more lively, there are roads and even a couple of discos, but tourists come here mainly for the beauty of the landscape.
The Egadi archipelago is located on the opposite side of Sicily from the Aeolians, off the north-western coast, and comprises the islands of Favignana, Marettimo, Levanzo, Maraone, Formica, Stagnone Islands, Galera, Galeotta, Preveto and Fariglione. From an administrative perspective they are part of the province of Trapani, and this city is the main port from which to reach them.
Of the 10 islands that make up the archipelago, only Favignana and Marettimo are regularly visited by tourists; some are visited on day excursions whilst others have not yet opened to tourism.
For its beauty and its history, deeply linked to the sea and fishing, Favignana is considered the pearl of the Egadi and one of Sicily’s most beautiful islands.
It’s a place of slow rhythms, where time seems to have stood still: perfect for those who want to forget the frenetic pace of modern life and for those who dream of a holiday without the stress of deciding where to go and what to do.
Very few cars are in circulation: the most used means of exploring this island with its curious butterfly shape and hunting for the most beautiful beaches is by bicycle.
An iconic location on the island is the Tuna Fishery, a must-see for every lover of history and industrial archaeology. For food lovers there are excellent seafood restaurants.
Remote, wild and unspoilt Marettimo was considered sacred by the Greeks and even today seems like a paradise on earth. It stands out from the other Egadi islands for its mountainous landscape and very lush vegetation.
Despite being beautiful, it’s not among Sicily’s most visited islands because it’s difficult to reach, hotels are few and far between and cars are banned. For many this is inconvenient, but for those seeking crystal-clear waters and views of incredible beauty there’s no better choice than Marettimo.
The Pelagian Islands are closer to Malta and Tunisia than to Sicily: in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, they are remote and require several hours of travel to reach. The archipelago comprises the following islands: Lampedusa, Linosa, Rabbit Island, Lampione and Sacramento Rock.
From an administrative perspective they are part of the province of Agrigento; the easiest way to get there is to fly to Lampedusa (flights from various Italian cities) or take a ferry from Porto Empedocle, near Agrigento.
The most beautiful islands in the archipelago are Lampedusa and Linosa.
A bridge between two worlds, Europe and Africa, the remote island of Lampedusa is famous for its unspoilt nature. Unlike many other Sicilian islands, Lampedusa is not of volcanic origin and boasts enchanting white sand beaches with Caribbean atmosphere, washed by azure and transparent waters. It’s a real paradise for nature lovers and diving enthusiasts.
The most beautiful beach in Lampedusa is the famous Rabbit Beach, which is part of a protected natural area. On this beach, loggerhead sea turtles come to lay their eggs, a species unfortunately endangered that finds a safe haven here for its young to hatch.
With its verdant trails and seabeds rich in marine flora and fauna, the small island of Linosa is a paradise for hikers and divers.
However, there’s no need to walk for miles or dive to great depths to fall in love with it: Linosa’s wild and unspoilt nature, preserved thanks to the establishment of reserves that cover almost the entire island, can be equally appreciated with an active holiday or a purely relaxing one.
Don’t come to Linosa looking for entertainment and nightlife: the island has only one inhabited centre, with a few shops and restaurants. Beaches, trekking routes and diving sites, on the other hand, are plentiful.
The small and mountainous island of Pantelleria, situated between the Sicilian coast and Tunisia, does not belong to any archipelago.
Loved by celebrities for its remote atmosphere guaranteeing absolute privacy, it is increasingly opening up to tourism; it’s an island to be savoured and experienced at a leisurely pace, perfect for forgetting stress and the hectic rhythms of modern life.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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