Island of Lipari

Communications

Ship connections with Milazzo and Naples; hydrofoil service to Milazzo, in summer also to Naples, Reggio di Calabria and Palermo.

Lípari, the Lipara of ancient times, is the largest and most heavily populated of the Aeolian Islands. Of volcanic origins, like all the islands of this archipelago, it rises at Monte Chirica to 602m/1,975ft, to the south of that at Monte Sant'Angelo to 594m/1,949ft.

Picture - Town of Lipari on the island of Lipari.

Picture - View from Quattrocchi on the Island of Lipari.

View a slideshow of Island of Lipari Pictures

Island of Lipari Map

Monte Pelato in the northeast reaches 476m/1,562ft, Monte Guardia in the south 369m/1,211ft.

The west coast descends steeply; in the east and north there are narrow, flat coastal strips. The vegetation is predominantly oleander and caper bushes, olive trees and many fields in which citrus and tropical fruits and vines flourish. The population is not, however, only reliant on agriculture, having other sources of income in the quarrying of pumice and obsidian (a volcanic glass found in lava flows), in fishing and not least in tourism. The latter owes its development to the mild climate and the excellent opportunities for water sports, and is based on good leisure facilities.

Related Attractions

Lipari, Italy

Highlights:	Archeological Museum	Archeological Zone

Driving Route Around the Island

Canneto

3km/2mi north of Lipari, beyond Monte Rosa (239m/789ft), the village of Canneto (10m/33ft) is the center for the extraction, processing and export of pumice-stone. The pumice quarries in the valley of the Fossa Bianca, northwest of the village (45minutes) are an interesting sight.

Monte Sant'Angelo

West of Canneto (1.5 hours), beyond the massive lava flows at Forgia Vecchia, rises Monte Sant'Angelo (594m/1,960ft). From its summit, roughly in the center of the archipelago, there is the best panoramic view of the Lipari Islands. At Piano Conte, in a valley near the west coast, are the hot springs of San Calogero (62 °C/144 °F; steam baths). From Lipari there is an attractive walk (1.5 hours) to San Salvatore (3km/2mi), on the southern tip of the island, and from there back to Lipari along the west side of Monte Guardia (369m/1,218ft).

Acquacalda

Traveling along the east and north coast from Cannetto, we reach after 6.5km/4mi Acquacalda, a docking place for ships plying to the island of Salina. At this point the coast is left behind and the road takes us up through Quattropani (5.2km/3mi), situated on a plateau, southwards to the farming village of Pianoconte (4km/2.5mi).

San Calógero

Soon after Quattropani a by-road turns off right to the thermal baths of San Calägero, where there is a hot sulfur-bicarbonate spring (60°) and spa rooms dating from 1887.

Belvedere di Quattrocchi

At the Belvedere di Quattrocchi near the south coast there is a wonderful view across the island and over to the neighboring island of Vulcano. Here the road turns eastwards and returns to the town of Lípari (9.5km/6mi southeast of Quattropani).

Lípari - Beaches

There is good bathing on the north beach at Lípari Town and at Cannetto, as well as in the many bays. Water pursuits and underwater sports are also well catered for.

Boat trips

There are rewarding boat trips available which include the cliffs along the south and west coasts (Faraglioni, Pietra del Bagno).