What to expect
Unique Experiences
Hike Vulcano's Great Crater
Breathtaking Panoramas
Marvel at the island's stunning landscapes
Picturesque Villages
Pastel-coloured houses & vibrant piazzas
Expert Guided Walking
Explore on four sociable walks
- <
- >
About this trip...
About the trip
The Aeolian Islands Walking Tour 2025 is a perfect adventure for solo travellers seeking a blend of exploration and relaxation. Rightly renowned as the 'pearls of the Mediterranean', the seven islands that make up the archipelago of the Aeolians, with their two active volcanoes, offer some exceptional experiences for walkers. This tour takes you through the stunning landscapes of Lipari and Vulcano, offering scenic hikes, local culture, and leisure time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. With organised transfers and guided treks, it's an easy and safe way to explore these captivating islands. You'll meet like-minded solo travellers, enjoy delicious Sicilian cuisine, and unwind in our comfortable three-star hotel. Whether you're hiking up volcanic craters or relaxing by the sea, this escorted group walking holiday promises to be an unforgettable experience.
What's Included?
Airport Transfers
Room for Sole Use
Breakfast daily + 2 dinners in a typical restaurant in Lipari (beverages not included)-
1 light lunch in Agri-tourism (variety of 14 different typical Sicilian starters, beverages not included)
Welcome drink at the hotel
4 Guided Walks with Expert local trekking guide
Accompanying Solo's Tour Leader
What's extra:
- International flights are not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals when not included in the itinerary
- Activities when not included in the itinerary
Itinerary
- Arrive Sicily
- Lipari – Monte Rosa
- Vulcano Great Crater
- Day at leisure
- Capistello – Geophisical Observatory
- Lipari – Caolino - St Calogero Spa
- Day at leisure
- Depart Sicily
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrive Sicily
- Dinner included
Day Two: Lipari - Monte Rosa
- Breakfast included
- Walking distance: 7.5 km approx
Day Three: Vulcano's Great Crater
After breakfast, we take a collective transfer by boat to Vulcano Island for a hike up to the Gran Cratere*. The climb, easy at first, continues with bends among high red rocks, curious pink clay corridors modelled by rainwater and broom plants. As we climb, the air is heavy with the smell of nearby fumarole, surrounded by yellow sulphur deposits. At 240m, we reach the edge of a lunar rock desert strewn with 'volcanic bomb stones' and enjoy marvellous views of the neighbouring islands. We finally climb to the Gran Cratere, enveloped in steamy-looking vapours and overpowering sulphurous gas released by gashes in the rim. From the top, there are spectacular views with the only place to admire the entire archipelago in a single glance. After descending, we have free time for lunch, to experience the mud baths or swim in the sulphur sea water. We return to Lipari for an overnight stay at the hotel.
- Breakfast included
- Walk distance: 7 km approx
Day Four: Day at leisure
Today can be spent however we wish! This is a free day to relax. Optional excursion Full day Panarea and Stromboli Boat tour*. The tour begins with a swim in the "Baia di Calajunco" beneath the charming village of "Capo Milazzese," followed by a visit to the village itself. Next, the tour proceeds to the islets of Dattilo and Lisca Bianca, where you'll observe famous sulfur gorgos, and then to Lisca Nera, Bottaro, and Basiluzzo for another swim amidst vibrant marine life. On the way to Stromboli, there’s a swim stop at Ginostra, a stunning natural site with a few resilient local inhabitants. The tour then continues along Stromboli’s coast, stopping at the main port to explore the picturesque village with its distinctive white houses on black sand. Finally, at sunset, you'll head to Strombolicchio and stop under the Sciara del Fuoco to witness the volcano's spectacular eruptions, returning to Lipari by about 22:30.
- Breakfast included
Day Five: Capistello – Geophisical Observatory
After breakfast, the group will gather with the local trekking guide and we set off on our walk to the southern headland. From the hotel a narrow road, lined by walls covered with straggling broom and cistus, leads up to Capistello, from where we have a clear view of Vulcano and its vast crater just across the straits. Directly below are rocky cliffs and pinnacles rising out of the sea, and as we near the headland overlooking Punta della Crapazza, the vegetation becomes denser, almost covering the narrow path. We then take a paved road further on leading to some very upmarket modern villas, all very secluded and with spectacular views. The path winds up to its highest point at the Geophisical Observatory. From here, there is a wonderful panorama of the islands to the north-west: Salina with its twin volcanic peaks, with Filicudi and Alicudi furthest away. We return back to the hotel, with the rest of the day free for lunch (not included) and afternoon at leisure in Lipari.
- Breakfast included
- Walking distance: 8 km approx
Day Six: Lipari – Caolino - St Calogero Spa
Today we travel by bus to the village of Quattropani, the first settlement on the Island of Lipari dating back to the beginning of the 4th Millennium BC, where our walk begins to the kaolin quarries at Caolino. The path descends, crossing spectacular canyons with sheer multi-coloured rock-faces through a pathway with precipitous drops down to the sea, crossing olive groves and other remote areas, with typical Mediterranean flowers and the rare dwarf palm. We then walk up to St. Calogero Spa, a thermal baths dating from the 4th century BC, before taking the old stone mule-track that gradually goes up, crossing olive groves, to the vineyard village of Pianoconte where we feast on a rural lunch. We travel back to Lipari by bus.
- Breakfast & lunch included
- Walking distance: 8.3 km approx
Day Seven: Day at leisure
Another day of free time, which can be spent relaxing around Lipari or exploring one of the many beautiful parts of the islands.
- Breakfast & dinner included
Day Eight: Depart Sicily
It’s time to say “Arrivederci”! After breakfast, we will transfer back to the airport to take our onward flight.
- Breakfast included
Accommodation
Borgo Eolie Hotel Three-star
Facilities include
Room includes
The air-conditioned rooms include a flat-screen TV, a minibar and a bathroom with hairdryer.
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
Two full day, and two half day (4hrs & 5 hrs) guided walks are included in the programme. Your walking guide will advise you in resort of the daily programme. You can expect to walk between 5 to 9 km per day, with some ascents/descents. Terrain varies from rocky underfoot to compacted volcanic materials.
The distances, and length time are valid if the physical conditions of the participants and the weather conditions are good. Otherwise please add an hour at each walk.
Day 2 LIPARI PORTO – MONTE ROSA
Length : 7,5 km approx.
Duration :1 hour and 45 minutes approx.
Day 3 Vulcano Gran Cratere
Length : 7 km approx.
Duration: 3 hours and 22 minutes approx.
Day 5 CAPISTELLO- GEOPHISICAL OBSERVATORY
Length: 8 km approx..
Duration: 2 hours and 30 min approx.
Day 6 CAOLINO- SAN CALOGERO
Length : 8,3 km approx..
Duration: 3 hours and 10 min. approx..
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.
You could be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays Ltd cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
- Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Hat & gloves
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
- Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses – the sun’s strength is often multiplied in mountainous areas.
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
