Visit Vulcano in the Isles, the magic of volcanoes

You are in the Eolian Islands to discover its natural wonders and you decided to visit Vulcano? Discover our dedicated article!

Of course, the Pacific Fire Belt is far, very far... Yet Europe is a volcanic land! Italy and Italy Iceland are indeed two countries that have learned to live with the fear of a volcanic eruption that can occur at any time.

It is notably the south of Italy that has a tragic history with these mountains that can enter into anger. Vesuvius , Stromboli , the island of Vulcano, these are known names of all. Names that can scare... but are also great natural landscapes to visit!

The purpose of this article is to provide all the information necessary to visit Vulcano in the Eolian Islands, and original excursion ideas.

Vulcano, discovering volcanoes

Vulcano holds his name Vulcan the Roman god of fire. If the island is made up of four volcanoes , only the one called La Fossa, the great crater, is still in relative activity.

Visiting Vulcano is discovering a impressive natural site and complex. Contrary to the Vesuvius, the ancient authors and their contemporaries were little bitten on the eruptions in Vulcano. It must be said that it is an isolated island, not dangerous for the human being. Indeed, after the sixteenth century, the eruptions became rare and the last date of the 1898-1900s.

Once arrived on the island, it is felt, in the first sense of the term, this volcanic activity, with this characteristic sulphur odor that emerges from the crater. It is often compared to a rotten egg! This odour is accentuated by the permanent rejection of Smokingolles, steam plummets constantly escaping from the crater. It is also these Smokingolles that give the characteristic yellow and red colours of the hiking trail to the crater.

Vulcano, an extraordinary place with amazing activities

At first, the depicted image of Vulcano is not very beautiful. The smell is bad, you have to pay attention to the smokers and the volcano can burst at any time! Yet, it would be lacking the essential. Because Vulcano is above all a journey in the magic of nature . And we quickly forget the rotten eggs forgotten in the magma pot!

The places seem unreal for all those approaching a volcano for the first time. In addition to the characteristic colours, some geological formations are astonishing, such as Valle dei Mostri. Vulcano also houses sulphurous muds, formed by a mixture of water and volcanic ashes. We can swim safely in a idyllic frame . Vulcano is also a paradise for hikers , in places as amazing as each other.

In summary: unforgettable moments for all those who will taste the happiness of Vulcano! What if it was your turn?

What to see and what to do in Vulcano?

Visiting Vulcano is first of all to do beautiful hikes . The main one, which one cannot miss, brings us to the great crater. From above, the view is splendid!

Vulcano is also the discovery of unique locations And amazing. The first is Valle dei Mostri , near Vulcanello, north of the island. These rocks shaped like dinosaur statues come from the stigmats of the ancient eruptions. The second is the famous sulphur muds , that we advise you to test absolutely! The third is beach Acque Calde (hot water in French), located between the main crater and Vulcanello.

It rejects volcanic matter in the form of steam from the seabed. The water is then hotter than on the other beaches of the island and you can even enjoy a free hydromassage! Vulcano, they're finally magical views . In addition to the one from the great crater, here is the piscina di Venere and Monte Saraceno .

How to visit Vulcano in the Isles?

By boat to Vulcano and Lipari

What better than visiting Vulcano and the Eolian Islands by boat? This excursion takes you from the Sicily up to two islands of the archipelago, Vulcano and Lipari.

The appointment is scheduled with your guide early in the morning at the port of Messina where you will reach the port of Milazzo by bus. It is from here that you will embark on a boat, direction the Eolian Islands. After a first navigation, the first stop is in Lipari, around 10 hours. For about 3 hours, you are free to visit the largest island of the archipelago, an island where it is so good to live . We love its paved alleys and its old town, its coffee terraces and restaurants, its pretty beaches and its general atmosphere. You will have all the leisure to choose a restaurant to discover local specialties.

In the early afternoon, back on the boat to first discover the south of the island of Vulcano. On the programme: the opportunity to climb to the crater to admire the splendid view and Smoking. At the foot of the volcano, enjoy a bath in sulphur muds ! Once in the boat, you sail north of Vulcano: Vulcanello. You can admire the Valle dei Mostri, turn the island to the natural pool called piscina di Venere.

It will then be time to return to Milazzo, to remember this beautiful day 12 hours between beautiful passages of the Isles !

By kayak

With this ticket for Vulcano in the Eolian Islands, you will have the opportunity to combine a sporting activity and the discovery of magical places !

The departure is directly from the famous Acque Calde de Vulcano beach, close to the sulphurous muds. For 3 hours, with a very friendly guide according to the reviews of old travellers, you go discover the innards of Vulcano . Among other things, smokers can be seen from the seabed, caves and lava tunnels from previous eruptions.

Also on the programme, bathing in hot and turquoise waters , and diving with tuba . The route is made to please everyone – from beginner to a warrior kayaker – because it is very special and unique. We don't spend every day under a volcano! Once you come back to the land, you will have the pleasure of burn the volcano to go to the main crater.

In summary, a perfect excursion for those who want to try to kayak and discover secret caves built by the lava!

How do I access Vulcano in the Isles?

To visit Vulcano in the Eolian Islands, the great classic is to take a plane and then the boat.

By plane

At first, three airports bring you closer to Vulcano. This is the airport Naples and its two Sicilian airports, Palermo and Catania . The choice of place being very different, it is up to you to define your priorities. Would you like to visit Pompeii and Vesuvius? Direction Naples. Does Sicily make you dream? Direction Palermo or Catania.

There are no really differences between Naples and Sicily about the companies serving airports since the France and against prices. Do not hesitate to consult our partner’s website Skyscanner to find the right combination.

By boat

Although Vulcano is accessible from Palermo, it is generally since Naples and Milazzo in Sicily that the ships leave. These are either conventional ferries or hydropters. For those who discover the word, a hydropter is a boat seeing its hull rise, carried by immersed wings. An amazing experience that makes our curiosity go away!

Hydropters are faster and more expensive. So it will be up to you to choose what is best for you. There are, of course, more boats in high season than in winter. Some companies work only a few months in the year, booking in advance summer is therefore very advised .

Are there combined visits?

The combined visit is one of the characteristics of the Eolian Islands! It has already been mentioned in part above, with the cruise between Lipari and Vulcano. The Isles are spaced, so we can choose our favorite islands. It is also possible to make one volcanic theme with Vulcano and Stromboli.

For others, it is possible to visit Palermo or Messina in Sicily and then Vulcano. The latter is indeed the island closest to Sicily.

The right addresses

The good addresses where to stay

The options are so many that one could devote a full article to it. Wanderlix has selected three possibilities for you.

In the Isles

To visit Vulcano, what better than spending the night in the Isles? Directly to Vulcano or elsewhere, especially Lipari, it is possible.

There are many dwellings Airbnb available, apartments or houses, and you will necessarily find your happiness there! Also you can appeal to a Compare hotels to benefit from the best offers.

Beautiful apartment with terrace in Milazzo

Milazzo is the ideal drop point to visit Vulcano and the Eolian Islands, as well as Sicily. We have selected this accommodation for you!

Located close to the boarding port for the Isles, this apartment in Milazzo is perfect for a small family of four people. All amenities are present and there is even a large terrace!

Luxury to Neapolitan

Loger in Naples is ideal for travellers wishing to enjoy the wonders around that are the Vesuvius, Pompei and the Amalfi Coast.

As mentioned above, it is quite possible to take the boat from Naples to visit Vulcano and the Eolian Islands. Here is the accommodation we selected.

We have chosen a high standing accommodation for your stay in Naples. You might be spending a little time there! The places are sublime and the furnishings on this chic side of the 1700s that we enjoy very much.

An excellent apartment for a family or two couples of friends!

Restaurants

As with the accommodations, restaurants depend in part on the location chosen for your accommodation. In Naples, you must of course go to a traditional pizzeria. The must is Antica da Michelle and its delicious traditional pizzas to 5 € !

In Vulcano, we strongly recommend the restaurant Malvasia for its traditional dishes and its surroundings, including its large terrace with view.

If the restaurant is full, which often happens in the summer, go for a tour south of the island, to the Trattoria da Gaetano , affordable family restaurant and generous portions.

The spots

The first spot is that from the top of large crater of Vulcano . The view of Lipari and the great blue is unbearable and extraordinary. A magical and very photogenic place, which you like to admire several minutes... as long as the Smokingolles are far away!

Valle dei Mostri is the second spot, for its geological forms and its view of Lipari a few meters further. Even if it is less impressive than that since the great crater, there are no crowds until this point. It is therefore a perfect place to enjoy silence and meditate in front of this superb panorama!

The Monte Saraceno is the third spot and is located south of the large crater. If the Monte Saraceno is a volcano, it is well asleep because the summit is green. A small path leads us close to what was once the crater. From above, it is the best place on the island to enjoy sunset which goes far away in the great blue.