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Absolutely nothing screams an idyllic European summer season quite like an island getaway in Italy: in between the vineyard-dotted countryside and the rugged coast hugged by azure seas, it’s probably the closest thing to paradise you’ll find in the world.
If only it weren’t extremely crowded, and it didn’t put such a stress on your wallet …
Well, today’s your fortunate day, as we have brought you not one, but 4 lesser-known islands in Italy, lying simply off the northern coast of Sicily, that have yet to catch mass tourist, and where you can discover gorgeous beaches and ancient heritage for a little fraction of the Capri rates:
Lipari
< img width="1200"height="800 "src="% 23e3e3e3'/ % 3E % 3C/svg % 3E"alt ="Bird's-eye view Of The Aeolian Islands Off The Coast Of Sicily, Italy, Southern Europe "data-src="https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Aerial-View-Of-The-Aeolian-Islands-Off-The-Coast-Of-Sicily-Italy-Southern-Europe-1.jpg.webp"/ > Lipari is the most industrialized and biggest island in the Aeolian archipelago. It features beautiful mountains, dramatic coastal drives, and sand-and-gravel beaches straddling a turquoise-colored Tyrrhenian. Its primary settlement is Lipari Town, a laid-back coastal area criss-crossed with narrow streets, and filled with conventional Italian eateries, lying at the foot of a medieval citadel– yearning$8 panini and white wine by the glass? Pop by Gilberto e Vera, just a couple of steps far from the marina.
Beyond the capital, other must-sees in Lipari consist of Canneto, a quaint fishing village offering cozy, beachside cafés and views of the island’s famous pumice quarries, and the postcard-ready Spiaggia Bianca, with its pearly-white pebble stones and bright-blue seas. As a budget tourist
, you’ll be ruined for choice here. The majority of dining establishments use main dishes for around$10– 16, especially if it’s pizza or pasta.
Overnights range from a simple$56 
for a one-bedroom apartment for 2 grownups to $100 for a double room. Vulcano A brief 25-minute hydrofoil trip from Lipari, Vulcano is a natural sanctuary that is specific to attract those who are into hiking, especially throughout desolate volcanic landscapes, dotted with sulfur swimming pools and natural mud baths. The main town, and where most tourists will base themselves as they check out, is Vulcano Porto.
More than just a busy port, it is the center of tourist facilities like dining establishments and hotels and the starting point for several popular routes. Gran Cratere, the island’s primary crater, is a 30-minute walk from the port, while Baia delle Acque Calde, a remote bay with volcano-heated, bubbly waters, is 25 minutes on foot, and even Spiaggia Sabbie Nere (actually Black Sand Beach)is around 10 minutes away. Aside from being mostly walkable, Vulcano fits every budget plan. Economy double rooms in beachfront hotels start from$90 for 2 grownups(or$45 each )and increase to $203 in 4-star spa resorts, like Les Sables Noirs. A pasta dish and some wine expense typically $20 in most trattorias.
Stromboli
If you still can’t get enough of volcanoes, perhaps you need to check out Stromboli next: home to an enforcing Mount Stromboli, one of only 4 active blowholes in Italy
, and if you’re into Greek mythology, the mighty Aeolus, divine keeper of the winds. Whether a ruthless god lives in the deep crater or not, the island is undoubtedly a lot windier than its counterparts, so you’ll want to ensure you pack accordingly if conquering the landmark peak is on your pail list.
On that note, Stromboli erupts frequently, and on the northern side of the volcano, there is a quickly available slope, Sciara del Fuoco, serving as a seeing platform for the flowing lava– however, you’ll wish to check safety warnings ahead of time.
Spending the night in Stromboli? Stromboli Town, the most-populated location, has a range of B&B s priced $62–$158 per night, and a select list of casual dining establishments that will set you back by roughly $15–$25 for a normally Italian dinner.
Salina
Our last choice is Salina, the second-largest of the Aeolian Islands, and unlike most of its sis, a verdant sanctuary peppered with family-owned vineyards, sleepy mountainside villages that go back centuries, and are somehow still frozen in time, and crowd-free beaches.
Standing 3,156 feet above sea level, Monte Fossa delle Felci is the highest mountain peak in the island chain, and if you’re refrained from doing with your summiting on the trip yet, it’s a 4-5 hour from Santa Marina Salina, the island’s capital.
Looking for Salina’s prominent Malvasia red wine? Drink directly from the source at Malfa, a village in the north, surrounded by storied wineries and offering easy access to pebbly beaches, or if it’s a taste of rural Italy you yearn for, the inland Leni exudes that apparent, undeveloped Aeolian beauty.
Similarly to the area, Salina is an affordable island experience: in the peak of summer season, booking a double room with sea view in Malfa costs $90 per night, or $45 if you’re splitting as a couple, and meals in mid-range restaurants average $20.
The Aeolian Islands Within Easier-Reach Of Americans This Year
The Aeolian Islands are administratively a part of Sicily, which will host nonstop flights operated by Delta, straight from New York (JFK), from May 21,
2025. The flights will land in the southern area, in Catania (CTA), the busiest center in Sicily, and a one-hour drive to Riposto, a port town that provides ferry services to Lipari, Salina, and other Aeolian islands, usually through Milazzo.
Alternatively, travelers can discover more frequent ferries leaving from the northern and eastern coast, most significantly the aforementioned Milazzo:
- Milazzo to Lipari: $10–$13
- Milazzo to Vulcano: $11–$16
- Milazzo to Stromboli: $16–$32
- Milazzo to Salina: $16–$32
Vinicius Costa Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Course, has over 60 + nations under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into helpful stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Viewpoints revealed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, charge card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been evaluated, authorized or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities consisted of within the post.