Of the seven Aeolian Islands, this enchanting island near Sicily captivated me the most. It’s surprisingly green and the most laid-back of them all. It’s a place where you naturally start walking at a snail’s pace and have time for long walks along the coast and through the local vineyards.
The island has no fewer than two volcanoes, and with its highest peak, Monte Fossa delle Felci (962 m), it is even taller than Stromboli. The mountain features a beautiful forest with many ferns. The island’s second-highest mountain, Monte Porri, is home to the “Eleonora’s falcon” (falco della regina).
The island is known for its nature reserve, which covers more than half of the island. The unique flora and the scent of flowers and herbs invite you to take long walks along peaceful trails and capture the most beautiful photos.
Salina is also known as “Il Giardino delle Eolie.” Its lush natural beauty is due to the numerous freshwater springs that make the island so green. Salina has many forests and vineyards on its very fertile soil. The so-called “Malvasia” dessert wine is a DOC wine on all the islands but is produced primarily on Salina. The harvest takes place in the first half of September. Salina’s capers— a Slow Food Presidium —are also world-famous for their strong flavor, thanks to the ideal conditions on this island for the caper bush.
Salina is the only one of the Aeolian Islands to have administrative autonomy, a status it has earned thanks to the island’s hugely successful wine production. Salina has 2,500 residents and is actually divided into three municipalities: Malfa, Santa Marina, and Leni.
Read here about our 8-day self-guided hiking tour of the Aeolian Islands with our local specialist.
Santa Marina is the largest tourist port in the Aeolian Islands. The name Salina comes from the salt production (sale) that used to take place on the island. The island’s former Greek name was Didyme, meaning “twins,” named after the twin volcanoes on the island.
From the harbor in Santa Marina, after about 2 km, you’ll reach the hamlet of Lingua, with its lighthouse and a brackish lake where salt used to be harvested.
The archaeological site of Portella, a Bronze Age village ( 15th – 13th century BC), is also worth a visit. It is situated on a steep volcanic ridge that you can climb via a long staircase. Here you will find round huts, carved into the volcanic rock, which are well preserved. You can reach it via the Provincial road between Santa Marina and Malfa. Perfect for a morning walk.
Malfa is the largest municipality on the island, and it’s also where you’ll find the most hotels. The name Malfa comes from Amalfi because the island was settled in the12th century by several families from Amalfi. In the last century, many “Malfitani” emigrated to Australia after their harvest was destroyed. Malfa is located on the north side of the island; it is hilly and lies about 90 meters above sea level. It is pleasantly cool and green here.
In Malfa’s town square—Piazza Immacolata—you’ll find several restaurants and bars. From Malfa, you can take beautiful hikes to Monte Fossa delle Felci.
Part of the film *Il Postino* was shot in the beautiful bay of Pollara. Pollara is a small village situated on the volcanic floor of a crater. The small beach of Le Balate is famous for its boathouses carved out of the rock.
It’s about a 30-minute walk from the center of Malfa. Eventually, a steep path leads you down to the sea. From Santa Marina and Rinella, you can get there by bus or scooter.
Capo Faro, located between Malfa and Santa Marina, is a small hamlet with a high cliff overlooking the sea and a lighthouse atop it. Today, it is a resort featuring the vineyards of one of the region’s leading wine producers.
In the village of Serro dell’Acqua, in the municipality of Santa Marina, you’ll find the Saracen caves, which were once used as a refuge by the barbarian Saracens (650 AD).
Salina is a beautiful island for walking and hiking. You can climb both of the island’s volcanoes. The best place to start is at the Santuario della Madonna del Terzito in Valdichiesa. However, the experience here is quite different from that on Stromboli or Vulcano because Salina is much greener.
Two beautiful hikes on the island:
More hiking inspiration on the Aeolian Islands
There is a road on the island that winds through the mountains and crosses spectacular lava flows.
My recommendation for a place to stay on Salina is the boutique hotel Signum in Malfa. They also have a fantastic restaurant.
Met een passie voor reizen en fotografie én meer dan 30 jaar ervaring in de reisbranche, deel ik graag mijn bijzondere natuur-reistips. Reizen is heerlijk en belangrijk, je ontmoet nieuwe mensen en culturen en het opent je blik op de wereld.
Nature in Central Sweden: Waterfalls, Viewpoints, and Bears Around Ytterhogdal If you drive north on the E45, you’ll pass through Ytterhogdal. Most people just drive right through here. That’s understandable—Lapland beckons. But not far from the geographic center of...
Hiking in Arouca: The Most Spectacular Hiking Trails in Portugal's Lush North 516 meters long, 175 meters above a raging river, and no turning back halfway across. That’s the Arouca 516 suspension bridge, the icon of the Arouca UNESCO Global Geopark. This geopark is...
Laat je inspireren
Ben je op zoek naar de mooiste wandel- en fietsroutes? Of wil je informatie over reizen met de trein of advies voor de mooiste roadtrips door de natuur. Laat je inspireren voor je volgende reis in het groen; ideeën om je eigen reis te plannen of te kiezen voor een georganiseerde reis.
