Salina Destination in Sicily · Aeolian Islands

Salina is the second-largest island in the Aeolian Islands, in the Tyrrhenian Sea off Sicily, and belongs to the Province of Messina. A freshwater spring makes it the greenest and most cultivated island of the archipelago, and visitors come for its Malvasia wine, its capers and a trail to the top of an old volcano.

Salina's wine and capers

The grapes for Malvasia delle Lipari grow on the island's slopes. It is a sweet, golden wine with a strong reputation, and locally it is served with "piparelli," hard almond cookies.

Salina is just as well known for its capers. Besides the buds, the island grows cucunci, the elongated fruit of the caper plant. Both do well in the same fertile volcanic soil that supports the vineyards.

Hiking to the volcanic summit

Two volcanoes shape the island. Monte Fossa delle Felci is covered by a fern forest, and next to it rises Monte dei Porri. From their summits you can see the entire archipelago.

A clearly marked path leaves the port of Santa Marina Salina and climbs in switchbacks to the summit of the old, now inactive volcano at 962 m (3,156 ft). After taking in the view over the Aeolian Islands, hikers can descend on the other side toward Leni and Rinella.

Pollara and the coastline

Pollara is a small fishing village of a few houses built into rock caves above a small beach. In 1994 Michael Radford filmed the award-winning movie "Il postino" here, with Philippe Noiret as Pablo Neruda and Massimo Troisi. The coast at Pollara is also a place to watch the sunset.

For swimming, head to the pebble beaches on the east side. Elsewhere the shoreline is almost entirely steep rock, and the water can be reached in only a few spots:

• Punta di Scario, near Malfa
• Pollara
• Rinella

The Sanctuary of Madonna del Terzito

The oldest Marian shrine in the archipelago is on Salina: the Sanctuary of Madonna del Terzito, built over an ancient temple. On feast days, processions turn the island's religious calendar into a folk festival.

When to visit

Salina is worth a trip in any season. If you want to see the caper harvest, come in June, when locals pick the capers and visitors can join in.

There is no climate data for Salina itself, but Sicily's north coast near Palermo gives a reference (averages: air 1995–2024, sea 2023–2025). In spring, March through May, daytime highs there run from 16 to 23 °C (61 to 73 °F), comfortable for the summit climb. In June the air reaches about 27 °C (81 °F) and the sea about 24 °C (76 °F). July and August bring highs around 30 °C (86 °F) and sea temperatures near 28 °C (82 °F). In fall the water stays warm, at about 26 °C (79 °F) in September and 24 °C (75 °F) in October.

Who Salina suits

The island suits travelers looking for quiet days built around a hike, local wine and an evening by the sea. Fans of "Il postino" can see the filming locations at Pollara. Anyone planning a pure beach vacation should know that most of the coast is cliff, with the easier swimming on the east side.