Will you love to end the summer on a high note? Treat yourself to the Aeolian Islands, off the northern coast of Sicily. But not in general… get specific and choose Salina. This island, also known as the “green heart” of the archipelago, is perhaps the only one offering captivating autumn landscapes in the middle of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Salina is an autonomous island, with its own water sources, and unique because it also boasts mountain views. Experiencing it in autumn, without the summer crowds scattered throughout the area, is a wonderful experience.
The beauty of Salina
The island of Salina consists of six volcanoes, although the most impressive are the two highest: Mount Porri (860 m) and Mount Fossa delle Felci (965 m). Don’t worry, though… they’re all extinct volcanoes! So extinct that vegetation and crops grow everywhere, on their sides and in the valleys between them. This makes Salina a green island in the real sense of the word.
The territory includes three municipalities, so it doesn’t depend on the municipality of Lipari like the other Aeolian Islands. Here, residents live in the populous village of Malfa, the small town of Leni, and the charming town of Santa Marina Salina—where the ferry port is located. The island also has schools, something lacking on almost all of its sister islands except Lipari.
Salina’s beauty lies in its beaches – small and pebbly, sometimes high and rocky – and in the deep, clean sea which is warm even in the height of autumn. The towns are all charming, on a human scale and with typically Mediterranean architecture; the most interesting is Santa Marina. Worth visiting on the island: the Prehistoric Village, the Immigration Museum, the Church of St. Onofrio, Lake Lingua, and Pollara Bay, which was the setting for Massimo Troisi’s film “Neruda’s Postman.”
Where to Go in Salina in Autumn
If you find yourself on Salina in autumn, you can still enjoy the sea. The water will be warm until November and the beaches seem much more welcoming with less crowd. You may miss some tourist services but in return you’ll have the peace and quiet you don’t get in summer. But if you don’t want to limit your vacation to the “usual seaside vacation” take advantage of being on the “green” island and go hiking on the extinct volcanoes. On both Mount Porri and Mount Fossa delle Felci, in autumn, you’ll admire golden and reddish hues thanks to the euphorbias and ferns that blend with the evergreen landscape all around. The view from the top of any of the two mountains is always worth the climb! And do not miss the sunsets over the Tyrrhenian Sea!
Take advantage of autumn to explore Valdichiesa. This village, built around a large central church, is located in the valley between the two high cones. The surrounding area is cultivated with vineyards, producing excellent red wines and the delicious Malvasia, a typical Aeolian wine.
Excursions around …
If the sea is calm and time permits, you can also take excursions to the nearby islands. Lipari is directly opposite, and Vulcano, with its sulfurous thermal mud baths, is just to the south. The distance between these three islands is negligible; it only takes a few minutes by hydrofoil to reach them all from the port of Santa Marina. Further away, but not unreachable, are the islands of Panarea and Stromboli. It’s not recommended to travel to Alicudi and Filicudi in the fall, instead, as in the event of worsening weather conditions, you risk being stranded far from the mainland.
How to get to Salina
To get to Salina, consider boarding from the port of Milazzo, which is the most central and convenient. Alternatively, you can depart from Messina.
If you’re arriving from further afield, consider Palermo (PMO) and Catania Fontanarossa (CTA) airports as your reference. Both are well connected to Milazzo and Messina by regional bus lines, or you can book a private transfer from one of our tailor-made options.
