Hiking across smoking volcanoes: an organized hiking tour of the Aeolian Islands

On Vulcano, you know you’ve arrived before you even set foot on shore. The sulfur already hangs over the harbor. A smell that hovers somewhere between a match and a boiled egg—and one you get used to surprisingly quickly. Welcome to the Aeolian Islands, the string of volcanoes north of Sicily where the ground beneath your hiking boots is literally alive.

I’ve written before about what makes this archipelago so special. This story is about something else: the best way to really get to know the islands, and that’s on foot. An 8-day self-guided walking tour connects the highlights of five islands. It includes the boats, the hotels, and the route descriptions. All you have to do is focus on walking and taking it all in. You can book this hiking trip through Nature Travel Lab directly with our local specialist. Go directly to request a quote.

Island hopping on foot: here’s how the trip works

“Self-guided” means you hike on your own and at your own pace, but you’re not on your own. You’ll receive detailed route descriptions via an app (also available on paper upon request), the trails are marked, and there’s a hotline in case you ever mistake a mule trail for a turn-off. Getting lost, finding your way back, and asking someone for help in broken Sicilian is all part of the experience, and often turns out to be the best travel story in the end.

The itinerary is simple: you’ll stay at a fixed location on Lipari, the liveliest of the islands, for four nights, and from there you’ll go on day hikes. You’ll also visit the neighboring islands, which you’ll reach by boat. Then you move on to Stromboli, and for the last two days, you’ll swap the salt of the sea for the heights of Mount Etna, with Taormina as your base. On the hiking days starting from Lipari, you choose which routes to take and in what order. Freedom within a framework, so to speak.

Day by day across the volcanoes

Lipari, your base (Days 1–4)

You’ll make your own way to Sicily (the nearest airport is Catania) and travel via Milazzo or Messina to the hydrofoil, which will take you to Lipari in just over an hour. Here, you’ll stay for four nights at a centrally located, family-run hotel. Lipari is the bustling heart of the archipelago. An old fortress, a fish market, a bistro with live music at the Marina Vecchia. And at the same time, your starting point for a variety of walks:

• La Guardia Loop: a varied hike of about 11 km along the southern tip, past an observatory with views of Vulcano and the jagged rock formations known as the faraglioni.
• Acquacalda – Canneto: the easy option (5 km) past old pumice quarries and panoramic views, ending at Lipari’s most beautiful beach. Perfect for a refreshing dip.
• Lipari – Quattropani: the most rugged route (up to 14 km) along the rugged west coast to the thermal baths of San Calogero, believed to be one of the oldest spas in the Mediterranean.

Vulcano, Salina, and Panarea (day trips by boat)

From Lipari, you can take a boat to the neighboring islands, each with its own unique character. On Vulcano , you’ll hike through an almost lunar landscape up to the Gran Cratere, where yellow sulfur fumes hiss from the ground and you’ll have a 360° view of the entire archipelago. If the summit is closed, there’s an equally photogenic alternative route starting from Capo Grillo.

Salina is the greenest island, with an atmosphere as if time has paused there for a moment; the walk takes you past Pollara, where the film Il Postino was filmed, with views of the distant islands of Filicudi and Alicudi. Panarea, the smallest and most chic island, can be explored on a loop along the rim of the ancient volcano; with a possible stop at a prehistoric village along the way.

Stromboli, the volcano that never sleeps (Day 5)

You’re moving to Stromboli, and here something special happens: your luggage is taken to the hotel by transfer while you walk uphill through the whitewashed alleys. The evening walk takes you up to 272 meters, the point where you look out over the Sciara del Fuoco: the “fire slide” down which the volcano regularly spews glowing material into the sea. The route is accessible to everyone and deliberately avoids the strictly regulated summit. Watching a volcano at work in the last light of day: few things can compare to that.

Taormina and Mount Etna (Days 6–7)

Take the hydrofoil and train to Sicily and the elegant town of Taormina, where you’ll have the afternoon free to explore the Greek theater, the cathedral, and enjoy a must-try granita with brioche to beat the heat. The next day, the biggest attraction of all is on the agenda: Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano. This is the only guided group hike of the trip. From Piano Provenzano, you’ll walk across ancient and fresh lava flows, crawl into a lava cave, and have lunch at a local winery. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Alcantara Gorge, where lava once solidified in an ice-cold river into jagged basalt columns. Day 8 is your departure day.

Who is it for, and just how spicy is it?

The trip is rated as introductory to moderate. The hikes last 2 to 5 hours and range from 4 to 14 km, with climbs of up to a few hundred meters in elevation. The trails are often uneven—mule trails, coastal paths, and some asphalt here and there. So sturdy hiking boots are a must. No mountaineering, but active days under the southern Italian sun.

With a reasonable level of fitness, you’ll get a long way. If you want to take it easy, choose the shorter routes; if you’re up for a challenge, there are plenty of strenuous options. This makes the trip ideal for couples and solo travelers who enjoy being active without it turning into a competitive trek. A tip from the expert: build up some hiking and endurance fitness in the two months before departure, so you’ll have energy left along the way to enjoy the views instead of just focusing on the next hotel.

Sleeping, eating, and your luggage

You’ll stay in centrally located three-star hotels: four nights at Hotel Oriente on Lipari, one night at Hotel Villaggio Stromboli with a sea view, and two nights at Hotel La Pensione Svizzera in Taormina. Each room features a private bathroom and a daily breakfast buffet. During high season, an equivalent alternative in the same location may be used. Aeolian cuisine does the rest: sun-ripened vegetables, fresh fish, local wine, and that indispensable granita. Lunch on the Etna day at a winery featuring local products is a highlight in itself.

Why this is a pleasant, easy way to travel

This trip doesn’t require a rental car. You’ll travel between the islands by hydrofoil, local bus, and train. Traveling more slowly, closer to the rhythm of the place, with a modest carbon footprint of about 159 kg CO₂e per person. By traveling outside of peak season (August is out of the question anyway, as it’s too hot), you avoid the crowds and see the islands at their best.

And the money goes where it’s supposed to. You book this trip directly with the local specialist who designed it and the family-run hotels that are hosting you. Fair tourism—without having to put up a banner to prove it.

Included

• 7 nights in centrally located 3-star hotels with breakfast (4 nights in Lipari, 1 night in Stromboli, 2 nights in Taormina)
• A comprehensive information package and access to the travel app throughout the trip
• Luggage and passenger transfer on Stromboli (between the port and the hotel)
• Guided day tour of Mount Etna with wine tasting/lunch and a visit to the Alcantara Gorge, starting and ending in Taormina

Not included / payable on site

• Flights to and from Catania
• Transportation to and from the airport—Milazzo or Messina
• Tourist tax (city tax), approx. €6 per night at some hotels; to be paid in cash on site
• Boat and train tickets between the islands and to Taormina, plus local transportation
• Local tourist tax (approx. €6 per person per night)

Optional add-on

• Private transfer from Catania Airport to the Port of Milazzo: €165 (up to 4 people)
• Private transfer from Milazzo Port to Taormina: €132 (up to 4 people)
• Send travel documents to the first hotel in advance: €30
• Extension of stay at one or more hotels available upon request

Practical Information: Walking Tour of the Aeolian Islands

• Type of trip: self-guided walking tour, 8 days / 7 nights
• Price: starting at €622 per person (2026, double room); solo travelers starting at €1,081
• Departures: available daily
• Level: beginner to intermediate; a mix of easy and more challenging hikes
• Islands: Lipari , Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, plus Taormina and Mount Etna
• Hikes: 4–14 km, 2–5 hours, partly on unpaved coastal and mule trails
• Best time to visit: March 1 –July 27 and August 25–October 31 (not in August)
• Round trip: fly to Catania, then take a bus or train to Milazzo or Messina and the hydrofoil to Lipari
• Accommodation: centrally located 3-star hotels; family-run accommodations on Lipari and Stromboli, with private bathrooms
• Breakfast: daily buffet included
• Luggage: Please carry your own luggage on public transportation; luggage transport is available only on Stromboli
• Group size: 1 person or more
• Travel documents: travel app (printed upon request) and a 7-day hotline
• Carbon footprint: approx . 159 kg per person
• Bookings: directly through your local specialist

Frequently Asked Questions About the Aeolian Islands Walking Tour

Is this self-guided walking tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, as long as you’re in reasonably good shape, you’ll be able to keep up just fine. The trip is rated as introductory to moderate, with daily hikes ranging from 2 to 5 hours. On most days, you can choose between shorter and longer routes, so you can adjust the pace to suit your own level.

How much does the Aeolian Islands walking tour cost?

In 2026, the trip starts at €622 per person based on double occupancy, including seven nights’ accommodation with breakfast, the travel app, luggage transfer on Stromboli, and the guided Etna day tour. Solo travelers pay starting at €1,081. Flights, local boat and train tickets, and the tourist tax are additional.

Should I climb to the summit of Stromboli?

No. The hike goes up to 272 meters, a safe viewpoint accessible to everyone overlooking the active Sciara del Fuoco. The strictly regulated summit is not part of the route (the hike is adjusted in the event of increased volcanic activity).

Do I need a rental car?

No. You’ll hop between the islands on hydrofoils and get around once you’re there using local buses, trains, and boats. That’s part of the trip’s light, sustainable nature.

When is the best time to go?

Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) are ideal: pleasant temperatures and bright light. August is out of the question because it’s too hot to hike comfortably.

Will I be walking in a group or on my own?

“Self-guided” means you walk at your own pace, without a set group or guide. Only the hike on Mount Etna is a guided group hike. You’ll receive route directions via an app along the way, and there’s a hotline to call if you get lost.

What about my luggage during the trip?

On Stromboli, your luggage will be transported between the port and the hotel. On other routes, you’ll need to carry your suitcase or backpack yourself on public transportation, so it pays to pack light.