Introduction

This unique island boasts high cliffs dropping into dramatic beaches, two craters and slopes lined with dense woods, strikingly coloured wild flowers and vineyards. Santa Marina Salina, Lingua, Malfa and Rinella have a size and a character of their own. What they share is tranquillity.
Salina’s history dates back to the Greeks’ times. They called it Dydime (double) for its two extinct volcanoes. Its present name originated in Lingua’s salt pans.
Salina is the only island among the Aeolians that features natural springs of water. This factor and old eruptions have provided it with fertile land where capers and grapes for malvasia wine are luxuriant.
Boats arrive at Santa Marina or at a fishing village, Rinella. Malfa in the north and Leni are other important villages.
Only in the summertime there are tourist booths in Rinella, Malfa and Santa Marina, which is the most important town and a port. Via Risorgimento, parallel to lungomare, divides the town in two with typical Aeolian constructions of walls painted in different colours and circular windows. On the same thoroughfare you will find design shops and grocery shops. As you leave the docks head right to a bathing pebble beach.
If you are sporty or love nature you may wish to ascend the Fossa delle Felci volcano which reaches 962 m at its summit. The Sanctuary of Madonna of Terzito is located in a valley between Monte dei Porri volcano and Fossa del Felci. Pilgrims flock here especially at the Assumption in August. There is a bus departing from Santa Marina to Rinella and Leni which calls at the sanctuary. There is signposted picturesque path sweeping across colourful wild flowers and asparagus from the church to the peak, a journey that takes two hours. The last part of the ascent is really hard. However it is worth doing it for you are rewarded with an unrivalled vantage point to view all the islands. Lingua is 3 km away from Santa Marina and has saltpans bathed by the sun. Lingua affords some hotels, trattories, a little beach and a lighthouse. Its architecture follows the typical Aeolian cubed shape in white and light blue with tomatoes and herbs giving strokes of other colours. From Lingua going past Brigantino you ascend to Fossa delle Felci. As you ascend you find corn and barley fields, then olive trees and finally vineyards of malvasia wine using traditional techniques that have survived its competitors. The vines were supposedly planted by the Greeks.
Malfa lies on a cliff giving onto the sea. Smart lush hotels lining its narrow lanes, good bathing, little shingle beach, tranquillity and privacy is what you will find in it. It is the biggest city yet never is over flowing with tourists. Its Museo dell’Emigrazione Eoliana housed in the Palazzo Marchetti provides an insight into the magnitude and consequence of emigration from the islands. Pollara’s beach, Il Postino’s location, features unsurpassed beauty and a background of volcanic cliffs. To avoid a long walk from Pollara leave the bus at the steps leading to the beach.
A winding road leads to Rinella’s pink, white and blue houses sitting on the hill that ends in a beach of black sand. Precious. Rinella is famed for underwater spearfishing. There are also other quieter beaches such as the one in Campeggio Tre Pini camp or a stretch of pebble beach. Rinella is reached by bus or hydrofoil departing from Santa Marina.
Eolie Adventure at Santa Marina harbour sets up summer hiking excursions on the Aeolian islands.

Where to Eat

Hotels allow outer guests with reservations in their restaurants.
In Santa Marina Mamma Santina has its restaurant on Via Risorgimento praised in Cuisine Italiana.
Cucinotta Rita on Risorgimento is perfect for any meal. Everything is delicious and fresh in this little kind restaurant.
Portobello on Via Bianchi provides views of the sea and well prepared dishes.
In Lingua A Cannata should be visited according to Slow Food. It specializes in fish and sea food. Reservations may be necessary in the summer.
Da Alfredo in Cucina offers a spacious terrace with tables giving onto the saltpans in a secluded place.
In Rinella on Via Rotabile Hotel L’Ariana features its own restaurant and bar.

How to Get to/away/around

BY BOAT: in the summer they can be hired at nautical Levante on Via Risorgimento in Santa Marina.
BY BUS: buses operating the island leave from the bus stop on the main square.
To Malfa they leave passengers at the top of the town but depart from off the hotel Punta Scario. Regular Citis buses operate the main villages and Valdichiesa.. There are timetables at the port and other places.
BY FERRY AND HYDROFOIL: in the summer from other islands to Santa Marina (services: 8 a day), to Rinella (services: 4 a day). There are fewer services the rest of the year. Ustica Lines and Siremar’s ticket booth are in Santa Marina and Rinella’s harbours.
BY SCOOTER OR MOTORCYCLE: they are ideal at Rinella because of the landscape. Eolian Service hires them at Rinella and Antonio Bongiorno on Via Risorgimento in Santa Marina.