Discover these 7 beautiful islands around Sicily

Going to Sicily and wondering which other islands you can fit in? These are the seven around Sicily we would not miss: the three Aegadian Islands off Trapani, Ustica to the north, and three of the Aeolian Islands, where the volcanoes are. For each we say why it is worth the boat and roughly how long the ferry takes from Sicily.

Sicily and the Aegadian Islands

The three Aegadian Islands lie north-west of Sicily and are reached by ferry from Trapani. Favignana and Levanzo are the well-known ones; Marettimo is just as beautiful but further out, about an hour and a half on the fastest boat.

1. Favignana

Azure water and jagged rock: Favignana is the Sicilians’ own favourite and an easy day trip. Hire a bike, a scooter or a small boat and work your way round the coves.

2. Levanzo

Favignana’s little brother, minutes away on the fast ferry, and the place to escape the crowds. The diving is excellent, the coast is one bay after another, and the caves have prehistoric wall drawings worth the walk.

3. Ustica

Ustica is a volcanic island north of Sicily, and the reason to go is under the water: the sea around it is a protected marine reserve, and the diving and snorkelling are the best in this part of the Mediterranean. Above water there are caves and good walks. As on the other volcanic islands, do not expect sandy beaches; there are plenty of coves and rock platforms to swim from instead.

Sicily and the Aeolian Islands: volcano hopping

Sicily and the Aeolian archipelago are volcanic. Sicily has Etna; the Aeolians have Stromboli and Vulcano, both still active, and the ferries between the islands make a few days of hopping easy.

4. Lipari

Lipari is the largest and busiest of the group. Lipari town is lively in the Sicilian way, but the island is big enough that a walk inland gives you quiet and the views across to the other islands.

5. Stromboli

Stromboli erupts a little roughly every 20 minutes, and after dark it is a show. Book an evening guided climb towards the crater; it is a hard walk, but you see the lava up close. Stromboli is the furthest of the three from Sicily.

6. Vulcano

Vulcano has several craters and wild walking between them. The volcanoes are quieter than Stromboli, but the sulphur smell is not; once you stop noticing it, there are black lava beaches and the famous mud baths.

7. Salina

Salina is the green island: hills, vineyards and small villages, and the best hiking in the group. At 30 square kilometres it suits a short stay or a day trip by ferry from Sicily.

Hopping between these islands is the bonus of a Sicilian holiday. For the crossings to Sicily itself, see our ferry to Sicily guide.