Gratis gids 10 verborgen natuurplekken in Europa. Meld je aan voor onze nieuwsbrief en ontvang inspirerende reistips en routes voor je volgende groene reis.
Stromboli isn’t the kind of island you can just “pop over to.” Everything here revolves around one dominant feature: the volcano. Day and night, it spews lava, visible from the sea and from the village.
To me, Stromboli felt intense, almost surreal. You automatically adjust your pace to the island and to the whims of nature.
Why Stromboli Is So Special
Stromboli is one of the few places in Europe where you can:
A continuously active volcano can be seen
You can observe lava eruptions
An island that has been entirely shaped by a single force of nature
The island is small, steep, and largely car-free. That makes for a pure experience, but it’s also less comfortable.
The still-active volcano Stromboli (920 m) spews lava daily; it experienced violent eruptions as recently as 2019 and remains unpredictable. It is the most active volcano in Europe, with daily eruptions.
In early July 2024, Stromboli became active again, and the island was placed on alert for a possible evacuation. The island is also known as the “lighthouse of the Mediterranean” because the volcano is clearly visible in the dark.
The island has four villages: Scari, Ficogrande, and Piscità in the north, and Ginostra in the south. Ginostra, with as many as 30 residents, can only be reached by boat from the other villages.
The volcano has five active craters, with an eruption occurring every half hour. In the evening, you can see the flash on the mountain, the “sciara del fuoco.”
The Volcano and the Sciara del Fuoco
The famous Sciara del Fuoco is the slope down which lava flows toward the sea. You don’t have to go on a strenuous hike to:
Eruptions on display
The glow visible in the dark
Guided tours are required for higher climbs and depend on current volcanic activity.
Unfortunately, I had some bad luck during my visit because a cloud was hanging over the island, so we couldn’t see the fire spewing from it. We did, however, see a beautiful sunset from the small island in front of it, Strombolicchio, with its stunning lighthouse.
The boats arrive in Scari, where you can continue on foot, by Piaggio Ape, or by scooter—but not by car. In the summer, this area is crowded with tourists. Stromboli has no street lighting, so keep this in mind in the evening.
The place where director Roberto Rossellini and Ingrid Bergman fell in love. It is now also known for the film adaptation of Saskia Noort’s book, but was originally best known for Rossellini’s 1950 film.
Hiking on Stromboli
Hiking here is different from hiking on Salina or Lipari:
Fewer routes
Greater elevation difference
Greater Focus on Safety
Even short walks around the village offer impressive views of the sea and volcanic slopes.
You can climb to the top of the mountain—only when accompanied by a professional guide—in about 4 hours. From Scari San Vincenzo, you can go on a beautiful hike at sunset. You can organize the hikes on-site and join a group of up to 20 people. The hikes are always subject to weather and volcanic conditions.
Because the volcano is active, Stromboli is not without danger. That is why you must always climb the volcano accompanied by one of the guides—usually geologists—who know the area well. Volcanic activity is continuously measured and monitored, but the explosions remain difficult to predict. However, eruptions like the one in 2019 occur only sporadically, and Strombolian eruptions are generally small explosions.
Tip: At the Osservatorio Stromboli restaurant, you can enjoy traditional Aeolian cuisine while looking out at the active volcano. It’s a 3.5 km (45-minute) walk from the harbor.
Stromboli or another island?
Stromboli: intense, a force of nature, unique
Salina: Peace and Greenery
Lipari: Comfort and a Base for Exploring
Vulcano: an accessible volcanic landscape
It’s best to combine this island with a quieter one.
Sustainable travel on Stromboli
Limit nighttime trips
Please follow the rules and stay on the trails
Choose local accommodations
Here, sustainable travel is not a choice, but a necessity.
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
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If you’re looking for travel itineraries, the most beautiful hikes, and destinations, you can find it all here. You’ll find endless inspiration for your next trip. Beautiful cities are interspersed with nature. You’ll find everything you need to know about practical matters. Plus, there are plenty of tips for sustainable travel. That way, you’ll get the most out of your trip.
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