Lipari Island: 1 - 2 Nights

1-2 Nights: Lipari

Lipari, the largest of the Aeolians, isn’t the most sophisticated, happening or beautiful of the islands, but it does have many attractions, including a fascinating archaeological museum, an imposing fortress and pumice quarries. This island has the most tourist facilities including hotels in the archipelago, so some people stay here and take day trips to the other islands, while others find the larger size and comparatively lesser charm a turn-off and come only for a few hours to take in the museum, citadel and eat at Filippino, one of the best restaurants in the Aeolians.

To Do on Lipari

• Visit the Castello, the 16^th century fortress surrounded by walls built by the Spanish in the 17^th century.

• The Aeolian Archaeological Museum’s collection is one of the largest of its type in Italy and features a rich assortment of Neolithic and Bronze Age works as well as from the Classic and Hellenic periods. The nearby Contrada Diana archeological park houses Greco-Roman sarcophaguses and tombs.

• Daytrip to Vulcano to hike the active (but quiet) volcano and witness the bubbling sulfur hot springs created by geothermal activity below. A word of advice: as tempting as it is to join the mud bathers, it is only advised if you don’t mind the rotten egg smell emanating from you for days afterwards!