Lipari in 3 days
Charm and magic intertwine in this wind-kissed land, where breezes and currents are enclosed in caves and quarries, if necessary released or controlled by their sovereign god. The homeland of Aeolus, where Ulysses found refreshment and a friendly ear, welcomes you.
The lush green of the landscapes and the blue of the eastern Tyrrhenian Sea satiate the gaze of the traveler, while colorful boats, which sleepily float on the water, invite you to be conquered by the peaceful existence of the island. With its imperishable beauty Lipari welcomes travelers, in an apparent contradiction that asks nothing more than to be discovered. The watchword for this holiday? Authenticity!
- First day
morning
- 1. Arrival
Your Aeolian adventure offers surprises even before reaching your destination. You should know that the Aeolian archipelago can only be reached by sea, which will allow you to immerse yourself at 360 degrees in the atmosphere of the island even before reaching it, giving you an unsurpassed view. As soon as you set foot on the ground you will be immediately flooded by the authenticity of the place. Let yourself go, Lipari is waiting to be discovered!
- 2. Old Town
The ideal way to acclimatize is a visit to the historic center. No buses, cars or scooters, just your legs: the best way to discover the beauties of Lipari! Arrived in what is in effect the heart of the city, let yourself be carried away by the festive air that you breathe and get lost in the alleys and characteristic streets.
Let your nose guide you to clubs and restaurants where you can taste traditional dishes and allow your eyes to absorb the colors and beauty of the place. During this first walk just absorb with your eyes the architectural beauties offered by the place, but mark them on the map because we will return in the afternoon!
- 1. Arrival
afternoon
- 1. Church of San Bartolomeo
For centuries Lipari was one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in the Mediterranean. The faithful, linked to the cult of St. Bartholomew, patron saint of the island, set off to pay homage to the remains that still reside in the church dedicated to him. According to legend, at his death the body was put in a crate and thrown into the sea, but, instead of sinking, it sailed to the coasts of Lipari.
The Church of San Bartolomeo was built at the behest of Roger I of Sicily, undergoing several changes over the centuries, in particular between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, which made the building a symbol of Sicilian Baroque. Recognizable by its great elegance, its beauty is reflected both externally and internally, where the gaze can only be captured by the magnificent vault decorated with biblical scenes.
- 2. Norman Cloister
Near the Church of San Bartolomeo there is a pearl of Norman architecture: the Norman Cloister. Located inside the Benedictine Monastery, the first of its kind built in Sicily, the cloister was rediscovered in 1978 and its beauty brought to light thanks to numerous restoration interventions.
Built at the behest of Roger II in 1113, it remained unchanged until the sixteenth century, when it underwent several changes following the Turkish invasion. Lost its main function, it was used as a cemetery and then covered entirely by a wall. Those who enter it today have the opportunity to admire the particular decorative elements, including frescoes and zoomorphic capitals, which tell and testify to its long history.
- 1. Church of San Bartolomeo
evening
- 1. Aeolian Flavours
Sicily is a joy for the eyes and the palate. Every niche, narrow and ravine are bearers of stories and traditions. It seems right then that after a long day discovering the architectural wonders of the place, you go to discover its table, don't you think?
There are numerous restaurants and clubs where you can taste the typical Aeolian cuisine. Our path leads us to a symbol of the island: Da Filippino. Opened in 1910 as a modest family-run trattoria, it is still a culinary landmark. At its tables sat big names of the Republic and its rooms saw films and legends come to life (it is whispered that Monet left a painting as a pledge to pay the bill).
- 1. Aeolian Flavours
- second day
morning
- 1. Sulfurous Atmospheres
Each with its own peculiarities, the Aeolian Islands offer the most diverse opportunities. If you want to enjoy another type of landscape, we suggest an excursion to the nearby Vulcano, famous for its black beaches, just 10 minutes by hydrofoil from the beautiful Lipari.
The first thing to do as soon as you dock is to keep breathing. Logical you will say, in reality not so assured. Being a volcanic island, the smell of sulfur, often associated with that of rotten eggs, pervades the environment. We will not judge you if you instinctively will plug your nose (it has happened to everyone), but what we suggest is not to give up: it will take only a few minutes to settle in and start enjoying the place to the full.
- 2. Car Ride: “spiaggina” Edition
It's time to discover the island! Being a day trip, the best idea is to rely on one of the many “spiaggine” that you will find. For those who don’t know about them, they are colorful machines without roofs, typically used for tourist transport, of great effect and versatility.
By opting for this means of transport you can fully enjoy the spectacular panorama of the island, traveling with the wind in your hair and the smell of salt in your nostrils. A tailor-made road adventure for you!
- 1. Sulfurous Atmospheres
afternoon
- 1. Amphitheater
Leave the car, it's time for the boat! The place where we will take you is not an amphitheater in the strict sense of the term, but a breathtaking natural beauty: the Pool of Venus, a natural amphitheater where stacks and steep rocky walls are the backdrop to a pool of water of a celestial turquoise, a fairytale location where history and myth intertwine.
Legend has it that here the goddess Venus, wife of the god from whom the island takes its name, used to here bathe daily after long days spent flirting, regaining her lost virginity and thus being able to return to her husband without thoughts. If you think that this is the right destination for you, know that the pool can be reached by sea by asking for a ride to one of the many boats moored at the port.
- 2. Lava beaches
Another destination of great charm is the beach of Spiagge Nere (Black Sands), ideal if you prefer to enjoy the beauty of the island without having to move offshore! Its being a volcanic beach has consecrated this lido internationally. Why, you ask? Simple: volcanic beaches are famous for their dark coloring!
Spiagge Nere is the perfect example. The black sand and crystal-clear waters that slope gently towards the sea make it a natural beauty, as well as extremely safe for bathers of all ages: a perfect point to end your trip. At sunset the pink and red nuances of the sky contrast beautifully with the night colors of the sand creating a landscape that would not be out of place in a Turner painting!
- 1. Amphitheater
- third day
morning
- 1. Bernabò Brea Museum
We dedicated the first two days getting lost in the network of streets that constitutes Lipari and being enchanted by the ancient beauty of Vulcano, then we just have to dedicate this last day to discover the history of Lipari! And what better place than the Luigi Bernabò Brea Museum?
The Archaeological Museum offers an excursus on the entire history of the Aeolian Islands, from Prehistory to the present day, thanks to a rich collection of finds that exhaustively expose the succession of civilizations, uses and customs that have made the Archipelago a historical heritage of knowledge and traditions. A little curiosity? Inside the museum you will find a wing dedicated to contemporary art with a nucleus of works that makes up part of the permanent collection of the museum and where temporary exhibitions are often organized!
- 1. Bernabò Brea Museum
afternoon
- 1. Wildlife
The perfect holiday is the one that manages to find the perfect balance between desires and interests of all participants, between cultural breaks and relaxation, with the sole objective of enjoying the territory as much as possible. So, if we dedicated the morning to history, the afternoon will be dedicated to nature! Among the most interesting destinations is Valle Muria, considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
Perched between the stacks of Pietra Lunga and Pietra Menalda, its rugged beauty is a pilgrimage destination as much as the city’s Duomo! Reachable by sea or by land, with its caves overlooking the long and narrow beach, it is suitable for a relaxing afternoon without giving up the call of nature.
- 2. Would you like to go to the Moon?
Do you wish a dream place that can give you the feeling of being on another planet? We have the solution. Punta Castagna e Cava Pomice are a fascinating natural cove where the most intense colors are the backdrop to magical atmospheres. The white sand that makes up the bottom of this inlet, derived from white pumice, creates settings similar to the lunar surface.
- 1. Wildlife
evening
- 1. Timeless memories
It's time to say goodbye to the island and return home. The suitcase and the heart are full of slides of a holiday full of tradition, to discover the wonders of Sicily. To worthily conclude this trip, we suggest a last destination where to take the final photo of your trip.
The Belvedere Quattrocchi, a few kilometers from the town, will welcome you with a breathtaking view of the bay and the rest of the Archipelago. Go there just before sunset and wait there for the sun to go down. You will see the landscape tinged with light and transform before your eyes. A special greeting from a special land that you will carry with you forever!
- 1. Timeless memories
Between flavors and aromas, we conclude this Aeolian escape. Small in size, but large in cultural offer, Lipari and the Aeolian Islands offer endless possibilities and the most diverse activities.From monuments to traditional dishes, from walks to beaches, no one can leave these places disappointed. We have the backpack ready, do you?
Dizioseo
- Aeolus
According to some myths it is the god of the winds, according to others a navigator so good at managing the sails to have this ability deified! What they agree on is the fact that it is from him that the Aeolian Islands are named.
- Sicilian Baroque
Architectural style characterized by a strong drama and theatricality of forms and elements.
- Spiaggina
Typical car of tourist resorts, characterized by a light structure, the absence of doors or roof and waterproof interior (you could know it by the name of mehari).
- Amphitheater
Oval architectural structure with several sets of steps and a central area, the arena, dedicated to shows. The word can also be used to indicate in a generic way environment with circular arrangement of elements, natural and not.
- Excursus
Presentation for information purposes to complete the discussion of a topic.
- Pumice
Magmatic rock with a unique lightness, due to its extreme porosity.
- Zoomorphic capital
Capital decorated with elements that represent animals (or have the appearance of animals).