The 10 most beautiful Sicilian islands

Sicily, a mythical land with a very strong historical identity. It is among the most loved and visited places in our country thanks to an immense artistic, cultural and above all natural heritage. Just off the Sicilian coast there are several islets , many of which have established themselves over the years as renowned tourist resorts. Characterized by the presence of paradisiacal coves and beaches, the Sicilian islands to visit are so many: here are which you cannot miss !

1 – Lampedusa
Lampedusa is the last island before Africa, and is the ideal destination for those who love the sun, diving and wild nature. The territory of the island is a mix of morphological characteristics inherited from Italy and neighboring Africa, all very clear observing its coasts, which on the north and west side are high and inaccessible, while on the east and south-east side they are enclosed all sandy beaches. Here is what has been recognized as the most beautiful beach in the world , namely the beach of Rabbits. Among the most beautiful coves of Pisana and Uccello, Cala Spugna or Maluk, and Cala Greca, with its beautiful white beach. Also worth seeing is the beach of Mare Morto, so called for the calm sea and the homonymous cave while the famous beach of Guitgia, also connected to the town by public transport, is the most suitable for families. On the south side of the island there is Cala Pulcino, where you can visit numerous caves.

SEE ALSO : Lampedusa: how to get there, what to see and the most beautiful beaches

• How to get there: It is one of the few Sicilian islands with an airport, so it can be reached by plane as well as by sea – compare flights
• How to get around : The rental of a scooter is particularly recommended. The price varies between € 150.00 and € 250.00 per week depending on the season
• Where to sleep: compare the best accommodations on Booking

2 – Favignana
If you love peace, tranquility but above all bathing holidays and naturalistic excursions between caves and coves, certainly Favignana is the destination for you. Calm and natural beauty reign supreme over the whole island, and it is the recommended destination for those who want to relax in the sun in Cala Rossa, the most beautiful beach in Favignana , as well as one of the most beautiful in Italy; take a dip in Bue Marino, thanks to the magnificent natural springboards made available by the tuff quarries, which create an unreal landscape, or whether you want to admire the Arch of Ulysses in Cala Rotonda: a stone arch shaped by the wind and salt, which makes the sunset even more impressive.

SEE ALSO : Favignana: how to get there, what to see and the most beautiful beaches

• How to get there: flight to Trapani (compare flights), then hydrofoil or ferry from Trapani (30 minutes, about € 50.00 round trip)
• How to get around : The recommended vehicle is the scooter. Rental prices start at around € 25.00 per day.
• Where to sleep: compare the best accommodations on Booking

3 – Pantelleria
Also the territory of Pantelleria, about 4 times the size of Lampedusa, and of volcanic origin. It is the largest of the Sicilian islands , for this reason it is well connected and full of services for tourists and visitors. Among the places of interest, in addition to the fantastic beaches, we must point out the areas of the homonymous nature reserve and the archaeological sites of the Mursia and Cimillia area, the Mirror Lake of Venus, the Natural Park of Montagna Grande, Arco dell’Elefante, Sources of Gadir and Grotta del Bagno Asciutto.

SEE ALSO : Pantelleria: how to get there, what to see and the most beautiful beaches

• How to get there: Pantelleria also has an airport, with direct flights (compare flights). Of course it is also possible to reach it by sea from the ports of Trapani and Mazara del Vallo
• How to get around : It extends for over 80 square kilometers therefore it is recommended to rent a car or a scooter for travel.
• Where to sleep: recommended to sleep in the typical Dammusi, iconic stone houses of the island – compare the best accommodations on Booking

4 – Lipari
Photo of Clemensfranz. The largest island of the Aeolian Islands is a treasure trove of artistic, cultural and obviously natural treasures. At the center of Lipari stands the Citadel, which houses the monastery of the Santissimo Salvatore, the Castle and the Basilica of San Bartolomeo which form a characteristic whole with the houses that climb inexorably under the ramparts. The north side, on the other hand, preserves the enchanting natural landscapes, the obsidian and pumice quarries and a beautiful white sand beach. The pride of Lipari are the brooms, oleander and myrtle that climb the walls of the city, recreating a pleasant sight for the eyes and the heart.
There are several clubs and discos that are concentrated in the areas of Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Piazza Marina Corta. For those who love to dance the best discos are White beach, Sea light and Turmalin. For those who love nightlife and crowds, the best time for a visit coincides with the celebrations of San Bartolomeo.

SEE ALSO : Lipari: where it is, when to go and what to see

• How to get there: hydrofoils from Milazzo (about 2 hours and 15 minutes, € 36.00 return)
• How to get around : You can disembark with your own car or rent a scooter. There is also a convenient bus service that connects some of the areas of greatest interest.
• Where to sleep: compare the best accommodations on Booking

5 – Panarea
Panarea is internationally famous, thanks to the fascination exerted on artists, musicians, stylists and personalities of all kinds. Mix of historical, cultural and of course natural beauties, the island is able to offer everything that is expected from a holiday, including worldliness. The coasts of the island of Panarea, testimony of a past made up of piracy and conquest, are as beautiful as the sea that kisses them, and reserve a myriad of surprises for tourists. The night then, the island lights up , and the worldly life is concentrated all in San Pietro, where vacationers gather in cool places to enjoy an aperitif, before going to the disco.

SEE ALSO : Panarea: where it is, when to go and what to see

• How to get there: from Milazzo with daily hydrofoils (about 1 hour and 20 minutes, € 45.00 return)
• How to get around : You can rent bikes, scooters, quads, but in principle you can also visit the island on foot.
• Where to sleep: compare the best accommodations on Booking

6 – Ustica
Suggestive and wild, Ustica is nicknamed the black pearl of the Mediterranean for the dark color of its rocks formed by solidified lava. According to various legends and popular beliefs, Ustica was the home of the sorceress Circe , the famous character of the Odyssey. Today, the magic that the sorceress exerted on sailors has an effect on tourists, who are enchanted by the marine environment of the island, which is home to more than 50% of all Mediterranean species, with an impressive wealth of flora and fauna.
Ustica is for the most part covered by greenery, and is characterized by numerous beaches all beautiful, but the island does not offer only this. The historic center is characterized by low buildings and all concentrated around the square; and must certainly be visited, together with the Saracen Castle, the island’s main monument. At the center of the island there is the Guardia dei Turchi volcano, from which it is possible to enjoy an incredible panorama.

SEE ALSO : Ustica: how to get there, what to see and the most beautiful beaches

• How to get there: catamaran from Palermo, Trapani and Favignana, hydrofoils and ferries from Palermo
• How to get around : in Ustica it is possible to move easily on foot
• Where to sleep: compare the best accommodations on Booking

7 – Linosa
Fab photo. The main attraction of this small island is made up of natural wonders: Linosa belongs to the nature reserve “Linosa and Lampione Island” and to the marine protected area of ​​the Pelagie Islands. On the island, in fact, the Caretta-Caretta sea turtles go to lay their eggs , specifically at the Pozzolana beach, as well as the Shearwater: a particular bird that lives in the open sea, and approaches the mainland only to lay the eggs.
The island is also a real paradise for diving enthusiasts . There are three diving clubs, which allow you to make splendid dives to discover the mysteries of the sea surrounding the island, including caves and wrecks.

• How to get there: it is connected every day to both Lampedusa (about 2 hours, ticket € 30.00 round trip) and Porto Empedocle (about 7 hours, ticket € 80.00 round trip)
• Getting around : It is forbidden to disembark with your own vehicles during the summer season but fortunately the island can be easily visited on foot or by bike. Often the bikes are supplied directly from the hotels for a small surcharge
• Where to sleep: compare the best accommodations on Booking

8 – Levanzo
Photo by Robyn Hooz. Levanzo is an oasis of tranquility , where the noisiest inhabitants are the seagulls, who stroll around in industry practically everywhere. Smaller and less populated than the Egadi islands, Levanzo has preserved its natural habitats intact, in which a rupestrian flora thrives, from which the few inhabitants of the island are protected. To herald this wild and paradisiacal atmosphere is Cala Dogana , located near the tourist port of the island, as if to act as a “business card”. Flanked by Cala Fredda , both are pebble beaches perfect for snorkeling.

SEE ALSO : Levanzo: how to get there, what to see and the most beautiful beaches

• How to get there: flight to Trapani (compare flights), then hydrofoil from the port of Trapani (about € 20.00 round trip) or directly from Favignana
• Getting around : The island can be easily explored on foot. We recommend renting a boat to visit the hidden coves along the coast.
• Where to sleep: compare the best accommodations on Booking

9 – Vulcano
Vulcano, and among the Aeolian islands the closest to Sicily, is just 12 miles from Capo Milazzo. Its territory is made up of 4 volcanoes , Lentia, Piano, Vulcanello and Fossa, with which human settlements have coexisted for centuries. In fact, human interventions have limited themselves to “modeling” what nature offered, without modifying in any way the flora or fauna of the island, and it is for this reason that today it is possible to enjoy the benefits of water. thermal baths and sulphurous waters, immersed in real natural paradises. Since his arrival on the island, the tourist can only be entranced by the beauty that Vulcano has to offer, including the large stack with particular colors.
The meeting point for the youngest is the black sand beach at the Bar da Conti A ‘Zammara’. Some places of interest are Il Castello, Mana Mana, Le Cantine Stevenson.

SEE ALSO : Vulcano: where it is, when to go and what to see

• How to get there: ferries and hydrofoils from Milazzo (about fifty minutes, € 35.00 return)
• How to get around : Vulcano is a small island, which can be easily traveled on foot, for those who wish, it is possible to rent scooters, at € 35.00 per day, quads and / or minicars, at € 70.00 per day or bikes, at cost of € 7.00
• Where to sleep: compare the best accommodations on Booking

10 – Salina
In Salina there is certainly no shortage of things to do, first of all, tasting the typical cuisine. Furthermore, the island was the set of Massimo Troisi’s latest film, Il Postino , set in the small fishing village of Pollara, now an unmissable destination for tourists. Like the other islands, Salina also boasts dream coasts, characterized by some points definitely not to be missed. Among these we point out the beach of Leni, where jets of gas and vapors characterize the seascape, making it a spectacle not to be missed for snorkelers and scuba divers. Then there is the crescent-shaped beach of Rinella, famous for its black sand and, finally, Lingua with its pebble beach, the lighthouse and the ancient stone bridge of Vallone Zappini.
The most famous route among trekking enthusiasts is the one that starts from the town of Leni, which following a path between ancient terraces and centuries-old olive trees , reaches Pizzo Corvo (one of the oldest volcanoes) from which you can enjoy a amazing view. The descent passes through dense vegetation and has a breathtaking view of the crater, inside which the town of Pollara is located. And again, snorkelers and scuba divers have to choose where to make their excursions, given the vastness of marine beauties present.

• How to get there: the main port and Santa Marina, where ferries and hydrofoils dock from Palermo and Milazzo (from Milazzo about 2.5 hours, ticket about € 60.00 round trip)
• Getting around : In Salina there is a good bus service (12 rides pass € 13.50). Scooter rental recommended (from € 25.00 per day)
• Where to sleep: compare the best accommodations on Booking

The other islands of Sicily

Marettimo
Photo by jim. According to an old popular legend, Marettimo, the farthest of the Egadi islands, would actually be the legendary Ithaca. The belief would have been the numerous caves , all with stalagmites, stalactites and numerous rock formations, with a bizarre and very particular appearance. There is also no shortage of wrecks to dive, where marine flora and fauna have now found their home, and wild and uncontaminated paths. To complete the picture of a landscape already characteristic of its own there are the delightful white houses of the village, equipped with all blue shutters that always leave the visitor breathless.

SEE ALSO : Marettimo: how to get there, what to see and the most beautiful beaches

• How to get there: from Trapani by ferry (1 hour, € 23.00) or hydrofoil (around € 32.00 round trip)
• Getting around : the island can be easily visited on foot
• Where to sleep: There are not many accommodations, fishermen often rent their homes to tourists in the summer – compare the best accommodations on Booking

Stromboli
The peculiarity of the island of Stromboli is that it is a still active volcano . The morphology of the whole island is the result of the activity of the many eruptive cycles, which have contributed to create a wild and constantly evolving landscape: the marine activity of the volcano in fact periodically adds “pieces” to the island. Dark sands, landscape different from the others and silence, are the three characteristics that made Stromboli the last stage of Jules Verne’s ” Journey to the Center of the Earth “, and which periodically renew its charm in the eyes of the tourist, unique.
Nicknamed “the lighthouse of the Tyrrhenian”, given the uninterrupted activity of the volcano, climbing is the main activity. It lasts about 2 hours and is quite tiring. You need a flashlight, long pants, water, a spare t-shirt, a light windbreaker and, of course, hiking boots. Furthermore, the climb can be carried out with the help of a guide, at the average price of € 35.00 which can vary according to the operator chosen and the number of participants.

SEE ALSO : Stromboli, Aeolian Islands: where it is, when to go and what to see

• How to get there: ferry or hydrofoil from Milazzo (about 1 hour and 10 minutes, ticket € 45.00 round trip)
• Getting around : Stromboli is very small, so there is no public transport. The entire town can be covered on foot in about 20 minutes. Alternatively there are electric taxis (€ 10.00 each way)
• Where to sleep: compare the best accommodations on Booking

Filicudi
Photo by Petr Vykoukal. In Filicudi you disembark for the desire to immerse yourself in unspoiled nature, where the characteristic beaches, the secluded coves and the countless beauties of the coasts are the masters. The charm of the island is enclosed in its coasts and in what the sea holds. Among these, we cannot fail to mention the Grotta del Bue Marino , where the sun’s rays create plays of light, once the basis of the belief that the cave was inhabited by sea monsters; the Reed rock , which is attributed a certain resemblance to the statue of the Madonna and Child: many believe that it is enough to touch the rock to make wishes come true. The beaches consist mostly of pebbles, and the best known is theSpiaggia delle Punte , easily reachable from the pier, but also those of Pecorini Mare and the Porto beach are absolutely worth seeing.
The jagged coasts of the island are an unmissable spectacle, which must be admired from the water, together with all that the sea holds. Common diving spots are: the six-meter cave, the shrimp cave, the Sciarato coast, the gullies, the notaro rock, the montenassari rock, the cacato rock, the sea ox cave and the Giafante rock. Reserved for the most experienced divers and in possession of a patent, it is the path of the underwater archaeological museum of Capo Graziano, where it is possible to observe nine wrecks.

SEE ALSO : Filicudi, Aeolian Islands: where it is, when to go and what to see

• How to get there: from Milazzo by hydrofoil or ferry (about 2 hours and 20 minutes, ticket is € 50.00 round trip)
• Getting around : on foot or by scooter (rental from € 25.00 per day).
• Where to sleep: compare the best accommodations on Booking

Alicudi
Alicudi, together with Filicudi, is geologically the oldest and wildest of the Aeolian Islands . The western slope of the island is steep and uninhabited; the eastern one is made up of shelves and scattered with houses and is the farthest island and less organized from the point of view of services, but able to offer a totally relaxing holiday, but with wild features. There are no banks or ATMs here, and there is only one hotel . There are no roadsbut ancient paths, and for the movements we rely on our own legs or on nice donkeys. The beach of the Bazzina district is located not far from the port of Alicudi and can be reached by boat. This small and enchanting inlet, bathed by shallow waters, allows fans of beautiful diving.

SEE ALSO : Alicudi, Aeolian Islands: where it is, when to go and what to see

• How to get there: from Milazzo by hydrofoil and ferry (about 3 hours, ticket € 35.00)
• How to get around : on foot or by donkey
• Where to sleep: There are not many accommodations, fishermen often rent their homes to tourists in the summer – compare the best accommodations on Booking

Mozia
Located in the lagoon of the Stagnone salt pans, the island of Mozia is an ancient Phoenician colony. The shallow waters and the ancient archaeological finds, together with the valuable natural beauties, make it one of the most evocative attractions of Sicily. The island is full of museums and archaeological sites and some of these can be accessed by showing the entrance ticket to the island, worth € 9.00.
Among the attractions included in the ticket are the Whitaker Museum which houses a whole series of prestigious archaeological finds found on the island during excavations. Furthermore, the shallow waters of the lagoon create real natural pools, with transparent and limpid water reaching to the knees, where one must dive at least once.

• How to get there: in periods of low tide it is possible to reach the island on foot, along the ancient Punic road. Alternatively, a ferry leaves from the Saline car park at a price of € 5.00, for a journey time of approximately 30 minutes.

Main archipelagos and island groups

• Aeolian Islands : Located close to the north-eastern coast, there are a total of 10, of which 7 are inhabited: Alicudi, Filicudi, Salina, Lipari, Vulcano, Panarea and Stromboli – more info
• Egadi Islands : Located close to the west coast, there are a total of 6, of which 3 are inhabited: Favignana, Marettimo and Levanzo – more info
• Pelagie Islands : Located off the southern coast, there are 4 in total, 2 of which are inhabited: Lampedusa and Linosa.
• Other scattered islands : There are tourist islands not belonging to the aforementioned archipelagos, namely: Ustica and Pantelleria (which are municipalities belonging respectively to the provinces of Palermo and Trapani), Isola delle Palme and Isola di Ortigia (which instead constitute the centers historians of the municipalities of Augusta and Syracuse).
• Archipelagos and minor islands : There are other islets and almost totally uninhabited rocks. Among these we mention the Isole dello Stagnone off Marsala (which also includes Mozia) and the Isole dei Ciclopi (in the province of Catania).

Islands with airports
Only two Sicilian islands have their own airport:

1. Pantelleria : connected with direct flights, more frequent and numerous in summer. Air connections with Trapani, Palermo and Catania remain active and dense all year round – compare flights to Pantelleria
2. Lampedusa : in summer connected with direct flights from major Italian cities while, in winter they are reduced to Palermo and Catania – compare flights to Lampedusa