Discover Lipari
Traditions and special spots
A day should be dedicated to discovering the town with a visit to the Castle starting from Piazza Mazzini, a beautiful and wide square with a splendid view of the sea. Once inside the castle walls, you can admire enchanting views and reach the Cathedral of St. Bartolomeo, patron saint of the island and cloister. Don't miss a visit to the archaeological museum, which holds an important collection of ancient artifacts, as the first settlements on Lipari date back to the fourth millennium BC. Another important building is the Roman amphitheater, where performances by theater companies can be seen in the summer. Going down the beautiful staircase that leads from the Cathedral to Via Garibaldi, continue to visit the village of Marina Corta where it was once the meeting point of fishermen's lives. You can still admire its small harbor from where boats depart every morning for excursions to the other islands or simply to take you to the beaches of Vallemuria to the west or Spiagge Bianche to the east. The small square in the evening is a gathering place of clubs, bars, and restaurants where you can spend the evening overlooking the sea. If you have a vehicle available, don't miss the sunset tour of the island! You will reach the locality of Quattropani where the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Catena (or Chiesa Vecchia) is located. Although it is often closed, there is a breathtaking view of Salina and other Aeolian islands from its large terrace. Another viewpoint not to be missed is the Quattrocchi lookout. It is a terrace overlooking the beaches of Praia and Vinci and the island of Vulcano in the background with its Pietra Lunga and Pietra Menalda stacks. The Geophysical Observatory, also called San Salvatore lookout, is a great spot from which to admire the island of Vulcano with the ever-present fumaroles and especially the isthmus of Vulcanello and the coast of Lipari with some of the stacks. I recommend coming here at sunset to admire the sun going down over the sea.
The Food
Aeolian cuisine is very rich and offers mainly fish dishes, but not only! Fish lovers cannot miss a taste of stuffed squid or fried ring squid; another very tasty fish is spoonbill to be eaten baked with cherry tomatoes and the classic sarde a beccafico! Pasta all'eoliana with capers, cherry tomatoes and olives is very popular and tasty. If you happen to go to the restaurant 'a Menza Quartara' for dinner, we recommend you try the sweet and sour rabbit (must be booked at least one day in advance). We also recommend Le Macine restaurant, where every ingredient is fresh and genuine (excellent raw materials and homemade pasta and bread made from Lipari-grown grains). For a frugal meal, on the other hand, there are plenty of options along Lipari's main street and in the hamlet of Canneto! Definitely try the granitas with their ever-present brioche and the freshly filled ricotta and pistachio cannolo. The Fratelli D'Ambra pastry shop and the Le Terrazze pastry bar in Lipari and the Piccolo bar in the pretty hamlet of Canneto will not disappoint.
The Beaches
Lipari, being a volcanic island, has pebble and stone beaches, so you are advised to equip yourself with rock shoes to move more freely. The sea is crystal clear and warm and, depending on how the wind is blowing, which is the master on the island, you can reach Spiagge Bianche to the east or Vallemuria to the west. Having parked your car or scooter, both can be reached with a walk of about 10 minutes, but those who do not feel up to the climb can take the boats that shuttle between the different beaches. They leave either from Canneto or from the Marina Corta marina. From Villa La Milanina, Vallemuria is just two kilometres away going towards the scenic locality of Quattrocchi, while Spiagge Bianche and White Beach can be reached in about six kilometres going towards the hamlet of Canneto and then continuing towards the pumice quarries. Another place we find very picturesque is the small hamlet of Acquacalda, located at the north-west end of the island, from where you can admire the sunset over the neighbouring island of Salina! A tour of the island by land will allow you to see all the islands and if you go in the evening you can admire breathtaking sunsets from the San Calogero thermal baths with Filicudi and Alicudi in the background. The view from Quattrocchi will enchant you as will the view from another beautiful vantage point, the geological observatory of San Salvatore, where Vulcano, the island closest to Lipari, is constantly monitored by geologists for its tireless volcanic activity that creates spectacular landscapes
Boat Trips
A week is the recommended time to visit Lipari and the other islands more carefully and not just have a superficial knowledge. In addition to visiting the main attractions and spending time on the beach, one can then engage in nature walks and boat excursions, two different ways to get to know the beauty of the island. Lipari is the ideal starting point for exploring the other islands of the Aeolian archipelago with group day trips or better by choosing private tours that can be customized to suit your needs. It is advisable to opt for boats that are not too large by about 15 to 20 in order to best enjoy the stops in the crystal clear waters. Day trips to all of the seven islands and multidays offers are available everyday and always running!
Hiking
For those who enjoy walking there are several trekking trails. The hike to the pumice caves of Porticello and Acquacalda is among the recommended treks to admire the quarries from above and also reach the summit of Mount Pilato. An easy hike suitable for everyone is the one from the port to Monte Rosa, which is a nice vantage point over the town of Lipari and the beach of Canneto. Another hike from the town is the one that leads to the Observatory, one of the most beautiful viewpoints, and with a short detour you can go down to the Secca beach. The lookout can also be reached by taking the driveway. Another beautiful excursion arrives at the Caolino caves and thermal baths of San Calogero passing along a very scenic path through the island's lush vegetation.