Coast and islands
The beaches, one by one.
Soft sand, pebbles, black volcanic sand: everything changes within a few kilometres here, and the wrong beach ruins the day. All the ones we know, grouped by place, with the seabed and who they suit.
How to choose
Three criteria, in this order. The seabed: gently shelving sand for children, pebbles and immediately deep water for snorkelling. The exposure: when the north wind blows this coast gets choppy and it's worth moving. And the time of day: the islands' black sand beaches, in August, genuinely scorch at midday.
On the coast, in Capo d'Orlando
Capo d'Orlando
- San Gregorio · Sand and fine gravel · Families and childrenA gently shelving seabed and lidos alternating with free stretches: the right choice with kids.
- Trazzera Marina and the centre · Dark sand · A quick swim from the centreTwo steps from the main street: walk down after dinner or for a mid-morning swim, with every service nearby.
- Below the headland · Pebbles, water deep at once · SnorkellingThe clearest water on this coast: less suited to children, perfect for mask and fins.
- Testa di Monaco · Sand and gravel · Space and quietTowards Brolo, wider and breezier: when the town beaches fill up, here you can breathe. Good if you bring your own umbrella.
On the islands
Island beaches can often be reached only on foot or from the sea: where a boat is needed, we say so on the island's page.
Lipari
- Canneto · Gravel and sand · Services and rentalsThe long bay north of town: lidos, boat rentals, and the departure point for beaches reachable only by sea.
- Valle Muria · Dark pebbles · Sunset and boatsOn the west coast, wedged between the sea stacks: reached by steep path or by sea. At sunset it faces Vulcano and Alicudi.
Vulcano
- Black Sands · Black volcanic sand · FamiliesThe black-sand crescent of Porto di Ponente, with the Gran Cratere behind: convenient, equipped and scenic.
- Gelso · Dark sand and pebbles · QuietThe island's far south — a tiny hamlet with a lighthouse: clean sea and few people even in August.
Salina
- Pollara · Pebbles beneath the cliff · SunsetThe half-crater collapsed into the sea, made famous by Il Postino: you walk down, and the sunset over Filicudi and Alicudi is the most celebrated in the Aeolians.
- Rinella · Black sand · FamiliesThe fishing hamlet on the south coast, with its black-sand beach and hydrofoil landing: convenient and authentic.
Panarea
- Cala Junco · Pebbles, turquoise water · Snorkelling and photosThe rock amphitheatre below the prehistoric village of Capo Milazzese: the most photographed cove in the archipelago.
- Zimmari · Reddish sand · ConveniencePanarea's only true sandy beach, twenty minutes on foot from the port, on the way to Cala Junco.
Stromboli
- Ficogrande · Black sand and pebbles · The Strombolicchio viewThe black beach facing Strombolicchio: deep water, sand that scorches at midday, an atmosphere like nowhere else.
Filicudi
- Pecorini a Mare · Pebbles · SilenceThe fishing hamlet on the south coast: pebbles, boats hauled ashore, slow evenings. The Aeolians as they were.
Stay in Capo d'Orlando
A base in the centre — and everything else becomes a day trip.
The port for the Aeolians is 45 minutes away, the Nebrodi right behind. Breakfast served early for dawn departures.
Direct booking, no intermediaries · See the rooftop →