Lipari Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Photo provided by Expedia
The largest of the Aeolian Islands offers culture, fantastic hiking and secluded bays.

Explore the old citadel on the island of Lipari and immerse yourself in a fascinating history of pirate attacks and rule by multiple civilizations. Explore the rural western end and relax on beaches of soft sand and warm blue-green water.

Arrive in Lipari Town and enjoy its bustling atmosphere. See boats drifting out to sea from the harbor as you venture through the small shops and delis in Marina Corta.

Have lunch at a café along Via Vittorio Emanuele in the town center. Then head to the citadel. It was built after the pirate Barbarossa devastated the town in 1544, killing local people and burning buildings to the ground. Many businesses that once stood here have moved elsewhere however, it still provides a spectacular vista.

The citadel’s crowning feature is the Museo Archeologico Regionale Eoliano, featuring a stunning collection of ancient artifacts. Marvel at the theatrical masks from the time of Ancient Greek control of the island and see mysterious shipwreck cargos from the Roman Empire.

Head next to the Cattedrale di San Bartolomeo. This grand structure features an exquisite 17th-century Baroque interior. The 12th-century Benedictine cloister near the main entrance is all that remains of the church that stood here before Barbarossa’s attack.

After a tour of the island’s architecture, walk through lush, peaceful countryside. Stroll along the southwest coastline beside dramatic cliffs and scattered rocky outcrops and stop for a swim near the deserted, dark sands of Spiaggia Valle i Muria.

Lipari has many gorgeous beaches. Some of the best are located a 10-minute drive north of the main town. Spiaggia Bianca is a peaceful cove surrounded by high cliffs, while the shoreline of Canneto is backed by restaurants. Enjoy fresh swordfish and calamari as the sun sets.

Find a range of accommodations on Lipari, with hotels in town and private villas spread out across the island. Ferries and the faster hydrofoils depart regularly from Milazzo on Sicily. From here, you can easily get to the mainland.

Enjoy the empty beaches and ancient culture on Lipari.

Where to stay in Lipari

Default Image

Contrada Santa Lucia

Contrada Santa Lucia might not have many top sights, but Lipari Castle and Marina Lunga are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Contrada Santa Lucia
Hotel Ossidiana Stromboli Center
Hotel Ossidiana Stromboli Center
3 out of 5
Via Marina, Stromboli, Lipari, ME
The price is NZ$127 per night from 16 May to 17 May
NZ$127
per night
16 May - 17 May
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Lipari. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (252 reviews)
"Great location very close to the ferry so you can walk to the hotel. The private terrace of a top floor room is spacious and a nice place to sit with a view of the ocean. The buffet breakfast, included in my rate, was really impressive."

Reviewed on 4 Oct. 2023

Hotel Ossidiana Stromboli Center
Therasia Resort Sea & Spa - The Leading Hotels of the World
Therasia Resort Sea & Spa - The Leading Hotels of the World
5 out of 5
Localita' Vulcanello, Vulcano, Lipari, ME
The price is NZ$678 per night from 17 May to 18 May
NZ$678
per night
17 May - 18 May
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lipari. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Valley of Monsters and Ponente Beach are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (114 reviews)
Special Place, Wonderful Stay
"The hotel was amazing...simply top notch. From the staff, to the cleanliness, to the setting to the food, we could not have wished for anything better. Went with 3 friends and I would love to go back with my husband. Sooo beautiful and serene and again, the staff made this one of our best resort ..."

Reviewed on 13 Jun. 2023

Therasia Resort Sea & Spa - The Leading Hotels of the World
Hotel Villa Enrica - Aeolian Charme
Hotel Villa Enrica - Aeolian Charme
4 out of 5
Via Serra, 11, Lipari, ME
The price is NZ$163 per night from 16 May to 17 May
NZ$163
per night
16 May - 17 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Lipari. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Porto Pignataro and Marina Lunga ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (158 reviews)
"Nice location."

Reviewed on 13 May 2024

Hotel Villa Enrica - Aeolian Charme
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Baia Portinenti Hotel Residence
Baia Portinenti Hotel Residence
4 out of 5
Via Porto delle Genti, NR, Lipari, ME
Stay at this 4-star beach residence in Lipari. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Piazza di Marina Corta and Contrada Diana ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (36 reviews)
"Amazing view of the Sea and mountains from the balcony. Extremely friendly and helpful staff and management. Free shuttle to and from port upon arrival and departure. Excellent location within walking distance of town center, port, restaurants etc. Extremely spacious room, with kitchenette. Lipari ..."

Reviewed on 19 Oct. 2019

Baia Portinenti Hotel Residence
Residence La Giara
Residence La Giara
4 out of 5
Via Commendatore Bartolo Zagami, Lipari, ME
Stay at this 4-star residence in Lipari. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and room service. Popular attractions Marina Lunga and Contrada Diana Archaeological ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (143 reviews)
"An excellent well maintained property. Friendly staff. Very convenient location - short walk to town and hydrofoil terminal."

Reviewed on 13 May 2024

Residence La Giara
Lipari-Aeolian house surrounded by the sea garden
Lipari-Aeolian house surrounded by the sea garden
Lipari
Stay at this villa in Lipari. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and concierge services. Popular attractions Canneto Beach and Papesca Beach are located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
Vacanze Lipari luglio 2022
"Ottima soluzione , a due passi dal mare in una località tranquilla ma con tutto ciò che serve. Da rifare."

Reviewed on 10 Aug. 2022

Lipari-Aeolian house surrounded by the sea garden
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Lipari

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
" "5 - Excellent 60%
4 - Good
2
" "4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
21 Jul 2019

Perfect place to visit, great restaurants , bars and shops. Very pretty Harbor

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
11 Jun 2019

Picturesque with amazing history. Worth the trip, an overnight stay was enough for us to explore the island.

Cities near Lipari