SamuelVulcano is a small volcanic island located in the north of Sicily, which is part of the eight-islands archipelago of Aeolian Islands, or Isole Eolie in Italian. Probably obvious from its name, this island is dominated by a giant volcanic crater that sits in its center. It is one of the larger island in the archipelago and sits the closest to Sicily.
Despite its small size, there are plenty of things to do and see here, which makes this island a major draw for tourists or day tripper from the nearby island of Sicily. But don’t be discouraged by the hordes of visitors. There are plenty of activities and things to do in this island, which makes it worth visiting.
This visit to the Vulcano island was part of my island-hopping adventure in the Aeolian Islands. Check out also my other stories from this adventure in Stromboli, Panarea, Salina, and Filicudi.
Getting there
Being the closest island to Sicily, it is the most accessible in the Aeolian Islands, with very frequent boat services from Milazzo in Sicily. Milazzo itself is reachable by train from other major Sicilian cities such as Palermo, Messina, or Catania.
These boats are all operated by Liberty Lines, which have a fleet of high speed catamarans, or aliscafo as it is called in Italian. The boat schedule and price can be found in its website, or in the booklet that can be obtained from their offices in each of Aeolian Islands’s dock.
Hiking to the crater
As my boat arrived at the small port of Vulcano, all alighting passengers were immediately welcomed by the stinging sulfuric smell, reminiscence of rotten egg. Small volcanic fissures and cracks were ubiquitously spread all over the island, constantly spewing sulfuric gas which sometimes were found directly next to a pedestrian sidewalk.
A small town center was located near the port, with small streets lined with restaurants and souvenir shops. After a brief stop by a mini market to stock up bread and cheese for lunch, I was ready to ascend the large volcanic crater of Vulcano. Quite a steep ascend indeed, with a very rocky and sandy trail, with sand started seeping into my shoes.
45 minutes was what it took me to the crater’s rim. How contrast was the view up there. On one side, a beautiful vista presented itself consisting of neat Vulcano town, crystal blue Mediterranean sea, and other pretty Aeolian islands. However, on the other side, a massive dominating crater. Barren, grey, littered with rocks, with yellowish sulfuric smoke dancing around blown by mountain wind.
Cycling in Vulcano
After a full circle around the rim, I descended back into town. The town center was dotted with many rental shops offering mountain bikes, motorbikes, or quad-bikes, all of which were suitable to explore the farther reaches of the island.
I settled my choice on the mountain bike, it’s good for my fitness I thought. Cycling to the corners of the island presented me with a different view. It can get quite tiring though, navigating the slopes of the Vulcano island, especially with the rather strong sea wind.
The crater I climbed earlier could be seen from the distance, with views varied from empty plains to the blue sea in the distance. The best part was that most of the time I could have the place all to myself in silence. It was definitely worth the effort!
Bathing in Vulcano’s mud pool
Enough with cycling, I thought, and I decided to visit the hot sulfuric mud pool situated next to the sea, a stone’s throw away from the port. Many adults and children were bathing too. Good for skin, and physical and mental health it said, as long as you can tolerate the offending sulfuric smell.
Nevertheless, I gave it a try after paying a few euros of entrance fee. It was indeed nice and warm in the pool, but quite cold once you’re out due to wind exposure making me shiver a bit. The worst part was when I fully submerged my head, giving my eyes a terrible burning sensation for hours due to its sulfur content. “Lesson learned”, I mumbled to myself, as I rinsed the mud off my body under a cold shower next to the pool.
Clean from the sulfuric mud, I headed to where I would spend the night, a large camping site situated next to the beach where I could rent a small tent. I passed time sitting at the beach waiting for the sundown with a can of beer before later falling asleep in the tent accompanied by the gentle sound of wave breaking by the shore.
