Stromboli is the most interesting and untamed island of the archipelago, where volcanic activity is still present, and has been continuously for the last 2000 years. It is for this reason that the ancients called it "the lighthouse of the Mediterranean".

The volcano with magnetic charm and a unique and savage personality.
It is the only island of the archipelago with permanent ongoing volcanic activity, hence, the title of "Europe's only volcano in constant activity".

The volcanic phenomena typical of Stromboli, are characterized by continuous activity, moderate explosions and occasional lava flows. These features have given rise to the term "Strombolian activity” and are used to define analogous volcanic phenomena throughout the world.  Stromboli is over 3000 meters high taking into account the submerged part, while the conical summit emerges from the Tyrrhenian Sea to a height of 926 meters.  

The occasional lava flows are not dangerous for the inhabitants of the island as they slide down the Sciara del Fuoco, closed off at the sides by two high rocky barriers.
The Islanders do not fear the volcano; on the contrary, they consider it a kind of divine presence and familiarly call him "Iddu".

Iddu is the absolute protagonist: dominating the rhythms and activities of the island.
The "Strombolians" are used to living with his effusions, smoking and spectacular explosions. They even predict the daily weather variations just by observing the cloud of vapor emanating from Stromboli and closely linked to the atmospheric pressure.

Stromboli is the northernmost of the Aeolian Islands: its territory is approximately 13 square kilometers and today has about 450 residents which live on fishing, but above all tourism.  

VISITING STROMBOLI

 The slopes of Stromboli are covered by a lush green mantle, from which the typical white houses, that still reflect the old Aeolian style, stand out.

Stromboli is a large center, divided into the districts of Scari, San Vincenzo, San Bartolo, Ficogrande and Piscità. It is crossed by a low road that follows the coast and an interior road in the upper part of the village, linked together by a series of side streets and country lanes.
The district of Scari, an ancient settlement and present-day village of fishermen, is the first and essential stop over for guests of the island.  

It also harbors a marina and is the starting point for boat excursions.

Scari, with its typical black beach of pebbles and sand, surrounded by lavic rocks which plummet into the sea, is extremely attractive and make it a must of the island.
Apart from the sea cliff and just as untamed and picturesque, is the Forgia Vecchia (Old Forge) beach, accessible only by sea.
Scari is the tourist center of Stromboli, an animated village in the summer months, with its narrow streets, shops, boutiques and typical Sicilian crafts.  A multitude of bars, pastry shops and romantic restaurants with terraces overlooking the sea, line the streets and offer a place where you can enjoy the typical cuisine of Stromboli or delicious dishes based on fresh local seafood.

Services offered in the area:
- electric taxis, boat and canoe rentals, diving, mooring facilities for hire, windsurfing, bicycle and electric scooter rentals, guide bookings for the trek to the crater at night.
-Volcanological Museum, 150 meters from the port
- Excursions by boat around the island during the day (with a stop at Strombolicchio and Ginostra) and "Sciara del Fuoco" at sunset.

From Scari, walking for about 200 meters along Via Roma, the main street of Stromboli, you reach Piazza San Vincenzo, dominated by the homonymous eighteenth-century church. You also come closer to the volcano.

Climbing up towards the square, you find various shops and colorful boutiques that sell:  island-inspired arts and crafts, handmade jewelry made of "obsidian", personalized T-shirts with island-inspired motifs, your pick of sarongs, dresses and costumes, all in the Aeolian theme.
The Square is the crossroads where all come together: a meeting place in front of a breathtaking view, which on a clear day goes so far as to Calabria, with Strombolicchio in the foreground.  

Towards Piscità e Ficogrande

Beyond the square, Via Roma becomes Via Vittorio Emanuele and continues through fields and villas to the Church of San Bartolo. Right at the beginning of Via Vittorio Emanuele, on the right, a plaque on a red house points out where Ingrid Bergman lived during the making of Rosselini’s film.
On Via Vittorio Emanuele you also find a lovely bookstore, a bit small but well stocked.
The small garden which opens onto the back is often the setting for cultural events and film screenings.
A small lane starts from Via Vittorio Emanuele and descends towards Piscità, the nucleus of which contains some of the most luxurious houses built.
Ever since the 1950s, following the success of the film by Rossellini, the houses were bought by foreigners and later on by some celebrities that had them renovated.
There are numerous beaches and coves: the Grotta di Eolo (Grotto of Aeolus), beautiful at sunrise and then Cala Lunga, a black fine sand beach, which hides Punta Frontone behind it and is magnificent at sunset.  

Taking Via Regina Elena and bypassing the tiny side streets that lead to the sea, you reach Ficogrande full of trendy and fashionable villas attended by the jet set.  

The Typical Cuisine of Stromboli

  The cuisine of the island is based on the use of simple, genuine and most of all local ingredients. Almost all the dishes, in fact, foresee the use of anchovies, capers, olives and herbs. Among the dishes are the "spaghetti Stromboli Style “made with olives, capers, anchovies, mint, wild fennel, tomato sauce and lots of chili; fish ravioli with a delicate stuffing; fish consommé and dumplings; pasta casserole “alla Norma” with eggplant, tomatoes and ricotta cheese; swordfish rolls stuffed with a savory caper filling and finally the almond or pistachio ice cream cakes, Sicilian cannoli and many other specialties.

TOURS AROUND STROMBOLI

Stromboli offers many opportunities for both hiking and trekking enthusiasts and for those keen on exploring the seabed.
 For those unwilling to tackle the ascent to the volcano on foot, they can always enjoy the eruptions of the craters by booking a night boat trip to the Sciara del Fuoco, or choosing less steep paths to reach the Observatory.

 The Walk to the Observatory

A fascinating hike along a mule track that starts from Piscità and goes beyond the street lights of Punta Labronzo, where the Civil Protection Department monitors, takes you closer to the crater. Punta Labronzo is the most easily accessible point from which to observe the Sciara del Fuoco, the steep slope on which the desolate and incandescent rocks spewed from the crater roll into the sea creating a swirl of black, impalpable and windswept powder. You should be prepared for at least two and a half hour walk to and fro, from the town. You can drive up to Belvedere, at a height of 290 meters above sea level, or you can continue to the summit of the volcano but you are required to be accompanied by a guide.

The Climb to the Crater

It is possible, with a guide, in three hours to reach the summit of the volcano (Vancori, 924 m) and from there, in complete safety, to assist the unique and exciting spectacle of the Ascesa crater explosions. The eruptions are especially impressive watched in the darkness of the night. It is recommended to hike in the late afternoon and return at night. The hike to the summit of the volcano takes about 4 hours (round trip) and in some areas is quite tiring. It is, therefore, recommended for good walkers.
To make the hike to the crater it is necessary to book an authorized guide. For the ascent, we recommend standard hiking equipment; hiking boots are preferable to sneakers. It is possible to rent everything you need.

It is also important to take three torches, a pair of long trousers, a bottle of water, energy bars and a spare T-shirt.
Don’t forget an anorak or fleece for the summit, where the temperature can drop.
The hike to Stromboli’s crater is a unique and fascinating experience which will allow you to admire a breathtaking natural phenomenon. Along a path of rare beauty, with unforgettable scenery, one comes into sight of one of the world’s few active volcanoes. The persistent explosive activity is directly observable from a few hundred meters away: a succession of loud explosions which project incandescent lapilli into the air make way for a spectacle that makes one forget the fatigue of the recent journey.

The Nature Trail

The trail, designed for effortless walks without the accompaniment of guides, connects S. Vincenzo to Punta Labronzo through virgin areas of the mountain. It is possible to take an annular route, which returns to the stone road that connects Semaforo Labronzo to the hamlet of Piscità.
The trail averages a width of one and a half meters and ensues, mainly in the central stretch a range of altitudes that reach 200 to 250 meters on a bed of sand and rock that is only seldomly inclined.
To render the journey more pleasant and to enjoy the panoramic views and the shaded areas, the path is equipped with stop-offs with wooden tables and benches.
The beginning of the trail which starts at an altitude of 100m can be reached from Piazza S. Vincenzo along the road near the church.
Duration: 2 hours
For more information click here ... .... 

Night Excursion to the Sciara del Fuoco (by boat)

If the water is calm, the boat trip which takes you to see Stromboli from the sea and admire the spectacular Sciara del Fuoco can be quite evocative.
The trip starts at dusk from the pier at Scari and the anchor is lowered in front of the Sciara del Fuoco, keeping a safe distance of at least 400 meters.  From here you can watch the volcanic eruptions which, with an amazing regularity, spew out the flame red lapilli against the black of the night, creating magnificent natural fireworks (duration of approximately one and a half hours).

Boat Tour Around the Island                

This is perhaps the best way to appreciate all the different aspects of this island. Departure from Scari in the morning (duration approximately 3 hours).
You can tackle the boat trip around the island either with a small hired boat (if you like to "do it yourself ") or with the guided tour (if you prefer to rely on expert sailors of the island). During the circumnavigation, a visit to the small village of Ginostra and a dip at Strombolicchio, where the blue of the sea takes on infinite nuances, should not be missed.
Those who want to enjoy the charm of Stromboli should, at sunset, meander along its many moonlit streets, and allow themselves to be enveloped by the aroma of the island.
Keep in mind that the streets of the island are devoid of electric lighting and hence, conserve all the rich flavor of Aeolian history.

The Island of Strombolicchio

It is a small island in the middle of the sea that juts out like a medieval castle, a kilometer and a half north of Stromboli. In 1926 a beacon was installed there to aid in navigation.
An ancient legend, passed down to us by oral tradition, narrates that Strombolicchio is nothing more than the cork of the Stromboli volcano launched into the sea by a violent eruption. It is actually a neck, that is to say, the solidified inner portion of an ancient volcanic structure which has been slowly eroded away by the waves and the wind. This ancient volcano, which has been dated to between 360 and 200 thousand years, probably constitutes the first phase of the geological evolution of the entire volcanic complex that, is the Stromboli volcano. Today Strombolicchio is home to a large solar-powered lighthouse.
A steep staircase of over 200 steps, partly cut into the rock, gives access to the plateau at the summit where you can admire the evocative view of Stromboli and the other islands. Even the depths of the sea are of great interest. An immersion along the very deep vertical walls of the cliff is unforgettable for the variety of plant forms that can be seen, from the Red Sea Fan to the extremely rare Horse Anemone. The waters off Strombolicchio teem with fish: brown or golden groupers, barracudas and lobsters, which in June rise to the surface to change their carapace.
Strombolicchio is the unspoiled paradise for divers and sailors.

Special attention goes to the Aeolian Wall Lizard (Podarcis raffonei) found on the island of Strombolicchio; it is of considerable importance in terms of insular fauna for it represents the only endemic species found exclusively in Italy.

   Ginostra  

On the south coast of the island you have Ginostra, an extraordinarily archaic small village that can only be reached by sea. With less than thirty residents, the village consists of a small nucleus of houses arranged within a natural amphitheater and is suspended about one hundred meters above the sea.
Up until a few years ago living here was prohibitive: electric lighting came only in 2004, the same year the dock for ships and hydrofoils was built. Before that, the disembarking of passengers and goods was achieved through rolling, or using a rowing boat that was shuttled from the ships to the dock. This procedure meant waiting for the right wave to enter into the cranny, the smallest port in the world with an aperture of a couple of meters. The town is built on the side of a hill and narrow lanes are interrupted by steps made of lava rock inserted amongst capers, olive groves and scattered houses. The only conceivable means of transport is that of donkeys. There is no sand in Ginostra; only rock. To swim you must go to the platform beneath the church, to the rocks or sea cliffs, or to the Secche of Lazarus.

Cinema Sites   

Stromboli, also known as Stromboli, terra di Dio by Roberto Rossellini was shot in 1949 on the slopes of the homonymous volcano. It is one of the great masterpieces of Italian neorealism. Not only did the film make the island famous, it triggered off the greatest sentimental scandal of all times in the film industry, filling the pages of newspapers for months. Anna Magnani and Roberto Rossellini, until then the symbolic couple of Italian cinema, were struck by the cyclone of Ingrid Bergman’s Scandinavian charm. When he saw her, Rossellini wanted her as leading actress for the film. During the filming their love story gained in intensity, triggering off Magnani’s desire for revenge. Thus, while Rossellini and Bergman shot Stromboli, Magnani came to the Aeolian Islands with director William Dieterle, Prince Francesco Alliata and Panaria Film Studios, and made the movie Volcano (1949). The whole story is told in a humorous pamphlet entitled The War of the Volcanoes by Alberto Anile and Maria Gabriella Giannice.

STROMBOLI: HISTORY

The name of the island of Stromboli comes from the term Strongyle which means "round, rotund". The volcanic activity on the island was known as far back as ancient times and according to legend, the palace of the god Aeolus was located here. The colors of some parts of the island bring to mind images described by the poet Homer. Stromboli was once a colony of the island of Lipari, whose inhabitants lived there only for the sowing and harvesting period. The first inhabited nucleus on the island dates back to the sixteenth century B.C., very close to the present site of the Church of San Vincenzo. Stromboli was, subsequently, an important stopover for ships crossing the Tyrrhenian Sea and remained so up until the advent of steamships. From this period onward, the island began to be less crowded.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the inhabitants of Stromboli numbered close to 5000. Today, because of emigration, they number about 500.
The island of Stromboli came back into the spotlight after a long time, when Roberto Rossellini shot his film "Stromboli, Terra di Dio" there in 1949. Ingrid Bergmann, with whom he had an intense love storey, was among the actors.
There is a plaque on their home, located in Via Vittorio Emanuele which bears witness to their intense union.
From the '50s onwards the island has discovered its vocation for tourism and services do not lack there.
The uncontaminated nature, the lack of smog (no cars circulate on the island), the roads without street lighting, silence and tranquility have attracted a very select tourism over the years.
Stromboli is the ideal holiday for those who enjoy the unpolluted sea, the environment and its natural phenomena.Listen

The island has, without doubt, a very special appeal, and remains one of the most fascinating and evocative holiday destinations.
The island of Stromboli is also paradise for snorkeling and diving fans, for both the beauty of the sea floor and for the richness of its species of fish: grouper, sea bream, amberjack, red mullet and other species. So, do not forget your mask and fins and ... happy holidays!

 Obsidian

Obsidian is a recent igneous rock consisting essentially of vitreous matter. It is the black stone erupted from the volcano on the NE end of Lipari. In times gone by it was an important resource since it was the sharpest material one could possess next to glass and was therefore sought after.  Lipari exported obsidian in large quantities and its trade brought prosperity to the island.  

WHAT TO KNOW TO TRAVEL BETTER

 It is permitted to disembark private cars but only during low season and circulation is banned outside the port (You can obtain information from the 'Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno e Turismo delle Isole Eolie). Transport on the island is by bicycle or electric cars and scooters which can be rented.
Stromboli possesses a sporting goods and trekking equipment store where you can also hire necessary equipment, from boots to anoraks.
You can climb to the top of the crater only if you are accompanied by professional guides (booked on request).
The climb to the crater and boat trips can be booked.

Shops, Banks and Post

There are many grocery stores, a pharmacy and a bakery in Stromboli. Souvenir shops are open only during high season. It is, however, very difficult to buy clothes or household items (should Alitalia lose your luggage). The inhabitants of Stromboli do their "serious shopping" in Lipari and Sicily. Money: There are no banks, but as of 2000 there is a "cash machine" available. The hotels accept major credit cards. There is a post office near the church of San Vincenzo.

Culture and Entertainment for the Mind

In the autumn of 2001 a great new bookshop opened in Stromboli: «La Libreria dell' Isola». It is situated along the "high” road that unites the two churches of San Vincenzo and San Bartolo. The shop sells books and other items of volcanological interest, but also and novels and fiction, in different languages. It is one of the few places where you can find interesting reprints and old travel diaries of the islands published by the Research Center of Lipari.

Visitor’s Center

Anyone who is interested in the volcano, its geological evolution and activity, should visit the small but very instructive information center at Scari. It is located near the Hotel Ossidiana along the 'coast road' which runs northwest from the dock.

Climate

For information on the climate of Stromboli and the typical changes in the weather, as well as, on our weather, you can check out our site at www.ilmeteo.it/meteo/Lipari

Regulations for Access to the Volcano
Information on regulations and access to the volcano can be found on the website of the Operative Center of the Civil Protection.

OPERATIVE CENTER OF CIVIL PROTECTION (COA)

More information on the volcano can be obtained by calling the COA, the Operations Centre of Civil Protection (tel. 090.986183).
Useful numbers:
Municipal Delegation: 090.986043
 Police: 090.986021
Pharmacy 090986079
Doctor 090.986097
Siremar: 090.986016
Ustica Lines: NGI 090.986003 090.986003