Salina

Photo of Salina
Photo of Salina
Photo of Salina
Credit: Flickr user Ghost-in-the-Shell
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About Salina

Second largest of the Aeolian Islands, and topped by the twinned peaks of two volcanoes, Salina is the antidote to any greyness you feel nudging into your life. Its lush, and colourfully biodiverse, flora and unpolluted waters are the backdrop for restfully rolling vineyards, sleepy hamlets and fishing villages, and an interesting number of ancient ruins. The best places to stay on Salina are ideal picks for novel writing, recharging, loving, or not thinking at all, and our Gurus have recommended a list that includes some peacefully traditional hotels, a converted villa, some family-friendly charmers, and plenty of private beaches.

If you’re inspired by those twin volcanic peaks, their names are Monte dei Porro and Monte Fossu delle Felei, and they rise up to 860m and 962m respectively. Which is a reasonable height if you’re waling from sea level. These aren’t the only routes worth walking on Salina, the whole island is run across with trails and paths. As well as walkers, Salina will also appeal to sailors, snorkellers and divers. And of course anyone who just love a gorgeous beach. Many of the beaches are pebbled and rocky but the waters themselves sparkle clear and warm: awash with plants, fish, caves and submerged volcanic craters. The Bay of Pollara is arguably the most beautiful in the whole archipelago, the sheer sides of the cliffs rising up like golden walls in the heat of the sun. An utterly beautiful place, it lies untouched by the throngs of tourists and celebrities that tend to descend on Lipari and Panarea in the summer months.

Salina’s port is in Santa Marina, alongside whitewashed houses stacked against the hillside, cafes and boutique shops. This is where you’ll find the best places to stay on Salina if you want to do some sailing, or use Salina as a base for exploring the whole archipelago. Though Malfa is the largest centre, perched on a hillside overlooking a shingle beach known for its palm-thatched cocktail bars. If you like swimming, you might want to stay in Rinella, which is a tiny hamlet of pastel-coloured houses on the southern coast with some amazing swimming spots.

The Best Places to stay on Salina

For an island escape

  • Capofaro is a traditional, Aeolian-style hotel given a resort makeover. So the original simplicity becomes minimalist, the whitewashed becomes white-on-white, and the pool gets a beautiful wooden deck and elegant sun loungers. The beautiful views of the sea and surrounding vineyards are thankfully unchanged, and the restaurant and bar are excellent. With just 27 rooms and suites it’s small, but still has resort facilities like a padel tennis court, yoga lessons and charter boats.
  • The Principe di Salina is a traditional charmer, with a smooth white, Greek-island style facade, and 12 rooms and suites. The interiors offer simple style in white and terracotta, with private balconies and fantastic sea views. The pool faces the sea too, with an infinity edge on one side and arches with sun loungers on the other. The restaurant has a delicious Sicilian menu. Perfect for exploring the island.
  • The Hotel Signum is a charmingly converted collection of farm buildings overlooking the water in the quiet village of Malfa. Surrounded by citrus groves, this hotel smells amazing, as well as offering fantastic views. Its 26 rooms and suites are simple and traditional, with tiled floors and cast iron bed frames, but it's the excellent restaurant and welcoming spa that elevate this hotel to our list.

For families

  • La Locanda del Postino is built into a crater, and rises out of it to enjoy the sea views. You’re not far from the water, but being set back, and raised up, means the views are extra special. And it’s very affordable. There are just ten rooms and suites, with many suitable for families, and most with private balconies or terraces. There’s also a great restaurant serving traditional Aeolian cuisine, and an excellent wine list. Charming and relaxed.

For traditional charm

  • Mamma Santina is a traditional island hotel just a few blocks from the sea, in Santa Marina. It’s low rise, and of the 17 rooms we recommend those on the top floor, because this is where the private balconies have the best ocean views. Inside, the hotel has stone or tile floors, cast iron bed frames and lots of light; outside, there’s a resort style pool, terraces with banana palms, and a restaurant and bar. Great for families, but also couples — some of the private balconies have hot tubs.

For great value

  • La Salina Borgo di Mare is a charming, traditional, sea-facing hotel with its own private beach. Its 24 rooms and suites are decorated with a rustic edge, and feature traditional tiled floors, whitewashed walls, and big windows — our favourites have private terraces with sea views. There’s no restaurant, but there are plenty of options within a very pleasant stroll.

Prefer a private apartment or villa?

  • If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel information

  • Salina doesn’t have its own airport, the closest are on Sicily, or in Reggio Calabria. If you arrive into Palermo Airport you need to take the train or bus to Milazzo, then the ferry across to Lipari, then on to Salina, which can take around eight hours from the airport to the ferry port. Catania Airport requires a similar journey to the ferry terminal at Milazzo, or if you’re visiting in summer, you can arrive via Reggio Calabira Airport which is a spectacular journey across the Strait of Messina via Stromboli and Panarea, taking about five hours all in.
  • If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
  • The Aeolian Islands have a Mediterranean climate, which broadly speaking means hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters, but because they’re islands they get some temperature regulation from the sea, so it’s only really hot mid-July through mid-August. The busy season for visitors runs throughout summer, though, and if you want to visit at any time in July or August you need to book early. For that reason our Gurus recommend April and June, or September as the best times to visit the Aeolian Islands. Spring is beautiful, and the tourist resources are just starting to open up again, whereas during September the water is still warm, but many visitors have left, so there’s more space on the beach! Travelling in these windows will probably mean you pay less too.

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The best hotels in Salina

La Salina Borgo di Mare
La Salina Borgo di Mare

Salina

A lovely traditional sea-facing hotel. Rustic chic bedrooms with white washed walls, stone floors, and private terraces. Terraces dotted around the property, perfect for a day in the sun. A romantic spot.

  • Views - Great views over the surrounding islands
  • On the beach - Private beach exclusively for the use of hotel guests
  • Great walks
  • Sea Views
from €80 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
La Locanda del Postino
La Locanda del Postino

Salina (Via Picone, 10)

Rustic hillside hotel with fabulous views. Rooms and family suites simply decorated with private balconies and hammocks. Delicious breakfast and a great wine list. Ideal for families.

  • Views - Enjoy spectacular sunsets from this unique location inside the Aeolian islands' oldest crater
  • Families
  • Groups
  • Restaurant - Serves traditional Aeolian dishes
from €100 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Mamma Santina
Mamma Santina

Salina

A lovely 4 star hotel on the sea front. Traditional rooms with stone floors, cast iron beds, and private balconies, some with hot tubs. Lovely pool, restaurant, bar and scented gardens. A peaceful spot.

  • Views
  • Great walks - Hike up Salina's extinct volcano
  • Restaurant - Traditional Aeolian cuisine
  • Swimming Pool - Outdoor Pool with Jacuzzi
from €110 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Principe di Salina
Principe di Salina

Salina

Charming small hotel in typical Aeolian style - tones of white, terracotta and pink, with simple furniture, private balconies and wonderful sea views. Fantastic infinity pool and pretty colonnaded terraces. Delicious Sicilian food. A gem of a hotel perfectly situated for exploring the island.

  • Beach Life - A great beach destination
  • On the beach - The nearest beach is just 0.7 miles away
  • Sights nearby - 5 minutes' walk from the centre of Malfa
  • Restaurant - Traditional cuisine, open for lunch
from €140 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Hotel Signum
Hotel Signum

Salina

A gorgeous country house in the sleepy village of Malfa. Wonderful sea views from renovated farm buildings surrounded by citrus groves. Room and suites in creams and whites with stone floors and elegant furniture. Excellent spa and authentic cuisine. A gourmet spa spot for an active holiday.

  • Foodies
  • Spa breaks
  • Views
  • Spa - Natural hot springs feed the outdoor wellness area
from €150 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees
Check availability on Expedia
Capofaro
Capofaro

Salina

A minimalist concept resort on the sea front surrounded by vineyards and an old lighthouse. Sprawling white cottages make up beachy rooms and suites with private terraces and lounging areas. Fantastic pool and sun deck, really delicious food and lots to do on the sea. Relax, eat, sail, swim.

  • Views - Across the vineyards and sea towards Panarea and Stromboli
  • Beach Life
  • Foodies
  • Active Holiday
from €230 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees