Stromboli
Ji-Elle · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Lipari, ME
Stromboli is a volcano rising out of the sea that erupts in small explosions almost every day, and has done for centuries: that is why sailors called it the lighthouse of the Mediterranean. It is part of the Aeolian Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
The white houses of San Vincenzo and Piscità sit at the foot of the cone, while Ginostra, on the opposite side, can only be reached by sea. On the north-west flank runs the Sciara del Fuoco, a great chute where material from the explosions tumbles all the way into the water.
The island has inspired cinema too: Roberto Rossellini shot Stromboli, Land of God here, with Ingrid Bergman, released in 1950. Today people come for the black beaches, for hikes on the volcano when allowed, and to walk in a village where there are very few cars.
- Always accessible (the island). The climb to the volcano is regulated by orders from the Municipality of Lipari.
- 1-2 days
- Free entry to the island; the guided excursion to the craters is paid (price varies).
- May to October
- You can get around the island on foot; the climb to the volcano is long and tiring and requires hiking shoes.
- The climbing limits change with the volcano's activity: in 2025 you could climb freely up to 290 m and with a guide up to 400 m. Check the order issued by the Municipality of Lipari and book only authorised guides. By boat, in the evening in front of the Sciara del Fuoco, you can see the explosions without climbing.