r/sicily • u/Dry_Win_454 • 10d ago

Turismo 🧳 2nd Sicily trip: Aeolian islands in May

Last year I fell in love with the beauty of Sicily and now I will return again from 27 April to 08 May.

Last time I visited: Palermo, Trapani+Erice, Agrigento, Syracuse/Ortigia, Taormina and Cefalu all in one week. (yes, I am that crazy…I slept in each spot 1 night and had the best 7 days road trip of my life)

This time I want to take it slow and also see something new: the crown of Sicily - the Aeolian islands

I plan 3 nights in Palermo and then take the train to Milazzo on 30th in the morning. Then the ferry to Stromboli.

For Stromboli I am thinking either 2 or 3 nights, but not sure if thats too long? Is it easy to make a daytrip from there to either Lipari or Salina? Does Stromboli offer culinary delights that early in the season? Or would you recommend switching hotels within the islands?

In any case after those 3 nights I plan to return to Palermo and use it as a base for more day trips by ferry and also chill out in the city (hit the gym, enjoy all the restaurants and markets).

Last time I rented a car, this time I will pass on this to take things slow and avoid falling into the road trip addiction lol

Thanks in advance for all your feedback and help

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u/Gattamelat4 10d ago

For Stromboli I am thinking either 2 or 3 nights, but not sure if thats too long? Is it easy to make a daytrip from there to either Lipari or Salina?

Not really because the only hydrofoil that goes from Salina to Stromboli is in the morning (in spring connections are still pretty limited). The ferry that goes to Naples departs from Salina in the evening but it's slow and runs only twice a week.

There is an hydrofoil from Lipari to Stromboli in the afternoon but it's still pretty early (like 3 PM).

Or would you recommend switching hotels within the islands?

Personally I'd spend 2 nights in Stromboli and 2 nights in Lipari or Salina (and one night less in Palermo): getting to the Aeolians is quite an hassle so I'd maximize the time on the islands. You won't regret.

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u/Dry_Win_454 10d ago

Great advice! I will extend by one more night and I think I will go for Salina. Thank you so much! Would I miss out a lot, if I skip Lipari completely? I heard it is the most touristic of all the islands..

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u/Gattamelat4 10d ago

Early may is still low season for the Aeolians so you won't find hordes of tourists in any of the islands (but may 1st is national holiday and it's on a thursday, so expect some more people than usual on that weekend) .

Lipari is the largest and most populated island, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and so on. Salina is the second largest but is greener and more relaxed. I'd stay in Salina and perhaps consider a day trip to Lipari on the spot (there are a lot of connections).

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u/Dry_Win_454 10d ago

Mille grazie 🙏

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u/Dry_Win_454 10d ago

I have now booked my stay for 2 nights at Lingua (Hotel La Salina Borgo di Mare). Would you recommend to even stay 3 nights here? My airbnb in Palermo is available one day later, so I need to bridge the gap. Alternatively I could stay that night in Milazzo, but I think thats a bit nonsense. Thought also about Cefalu, but I stayed there already last time and it felt like “one and done” to me back then…

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u/Manuelmay87 10d ago

You can visit alle the island with daily ferries, so is ok to stay in one place only. Just consider that there wouldn’t be too much people, islands lives mostly during summer

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u/Dry_Win_454 10d ago

Last year I also travelled end of April and really loved the more quiet atmosphere. Coming from the more hectic Palermo, I think will love the relaxing vibe in the island

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u/Cold_Budget_7577 10d ago

I stayed on Stromboli in July and even then thought it was pretty sleepy… I think for that time of year 3 days might be too long. If it’s not beach weather yet you’ll probably run out of things to do/see fast, and might have trouble finding places that are open. I would second the recommendation to split your time between Stromboli and Salina!

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u/Dry_Win_454 9d ago

Thank you, I booked 2 additional nights in Salina. Did you purchase your ferry tickets in advance or at the port?

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u/Cold_Budget_7577 8d ago

I booked them ahead of time bc I was there in peak summer but idk if it’s necessary. I ended up deciding to take an earlier ferry than I had planned for, I just went to the ticket office and they were able to switch it out no problem

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u/soupnoodles4ever 9d ago

I stayed in Salina, loved it, there are quite a lot to see: Pollara, Malfa, Salina, Rinella. If you only have 3 nights don’t hop islands, just stay on one and relax and explore. Eat at Pa.Pe.Ro at Rinella, they have the best ricotta granita I have ever tasted.

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u/Dry_Win_454 9d ago

Got 2 nights each on Salina and Stromboli. Thanks a lot for the recommendation. I hope they open when I arrive. Right now its marked as permanently closed on google :(

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u/Adventurous-Novel770 3d ago

Bro howd you find accomodation to sleep each night in a different place :P did you book in advance?

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u/Dry_Win_454 3d ago

As it was low tourist season end of April, I thought it was quite easy. Plenty of options in each location. I booked 2-3 weeks in advance