Salina, second by extension among the islands that make up the Aeolian archipelago, is a real pearl, which brings together many different aspects, from beautiful beaches to places of cultural interest.
Precisely for this reason it can be chosen as a holiday destination or even just for a weekend, trying to include in your tour all the beauty that the island of Salina can offer.
Here, then, is a small but comprehensive guide on the subject.
The characteristics of Salina
Most of the people who decide to visit Salina, an Aeolian island, do so because they are attracted by the beauty of the beaches and the crystal clear water of the sea. Classifying the locality only for these aspects, however, would be really simplistic because in reality the island offers much more and is able to conquer a very demanding public attracted by different aspects. The island is structured with a historic center in which a large part of the life of the community takes place, which lives here not only in the summer but throughout the year: it is Santa Marina and it is an area full of alleys in which they can find shops, cafes, restaurants with sea view and everything that can be used for everyday life.
Santa Marina is located in a slightly higher position than sea level, along the slopes of what is known as Monte Fossa delle Felci but which is actually the extinct crater of an inactive volcano for centuries. The mountain is characterized by the presence of caves which are called Saracen because they were the refuge of the populations of Salina during the Saracen attacks: still today in their walls are visible votive paintings which were intended to protect the inhabitants of the island from dangers.
What to see in Salina
A new and different way to discover Salina is certainly to rent a car or a scooter and leave for its hinterland, less frequented by tourist flows but no less fascinating for this. A first stop is certainly that of Malva, a small village which has the particularity of having all-white houses, perched on the slope of a hill.
At the top of this is the church of Sant'Anna, of modest dimensions but with a very long history having been built in the eighteenth century: inside there are some very suggestive sacred paintings. The second unmissable stop is Pollara, also famous for being the location of the film Il Postino by Massimo Troisi. It is a small fishing village built inside an ancient volcano that is no longer active. Don't miss the Church of Sant'Onofrio, where you can admire paintings and statues entirely dedicated to the saint.
Things to do in Salina
In Salina there are many activities that can be done, designed to satisfy every taste. Snorkelling lovers, for example, will find Leni beach an unforgettable destination, thanks to its truly special seabed.
Furthermore, Rinella is not to be missed, with its crescent-shaped beach which has the particularity of being completely in black sand, given that the arena was formed by the disintegration of the volcanic rocks of the mountain that overlooks it. Birdwatchers, on the other hand, must mark Lingua on their agenda which, in addition to being very romantic for its white pebbles and natural deep blue lake, is also a protected reserve and inside it can be admired in freedom flamingos, storks but also many other birds that stop on this island during their migratory processes.
What to do in the Aeolian Islands
The typical products of Salina: Malvasia and the caper
Salina can be the right destination even for those with a sweet tooth since there are some typical specialties of this island that will certainly satisfy the most demanding palates: in particular capers and Malvasia. The capers of Salina are known all over the world and in particular they are produced in the areas of Pollara and Lingua.
These are quality capers, also known by the name of cucunci, which are harvested in the period from May to August but which can then be enjoyed all year round thanks to the salt preservation technique which is brought to its maximum here power.
Malvasia, on the other hand, is a liqueur that is produced with dried grapes. It goes well with vegetables or with cheeses, cured meats and fried fish. There is also a sweet version which is perfect to accompany desserts of various kinds.
The main events not to be missed in Salina
A good idea may be to visit the island of Salina Eolie when some religious celebrations are celebrated or on the occasion of other festivities, so as to fully understand the spirit of its inhabitants. For example, in June the Feast of the Caper in Bloom, dedicated to this specialty, during which you can taste many dishes prepared with this ingredient, both natural and salted.
Then there is Malvasia Day which, as the name suggests, is the day dedicated to the wine and liqueur of the same name, with the possibility of visiting the cellars, discovering the production techniques and tasting different product qualities. From a religious point of view, the Tavuliata di San Giuseppe in Malfa is very cheerful, which obviously takes place on 19 March, and which sees the families of this hamlet organize laden tables in which visitors are also invited to participate, all in honor of San Joseph.
How to get to the island of Salina Eolie
Reaching the island of Salina in the Aeolian Islands is very simple because it is well connected to the main Sicilian centres. For example, with a few hours by ferry it is possible to reach Salina from both Palermo and Milazzo. Connections, however, are also offered daily from the other Aeolian islands such as Lipari or Vulcano.
To find out the departure times and the frequency of the trips, it is possible to consult the websites of the main companies that provide the service.
© Effems, CC BY-SA 4.0
