Introduction

This island chosen as home by over 700 inhabitants is also the electee of the Italian celebrities drawn by its therapeutic sulphur mud baths and steaming hot springs of water to spend some truly relaxing days. Vulcano has not the typical spots you may find on the other islands or what is expected to do on holidays for it only offers quiet beaches on its south coast.
For centuries this mud has been known for its healing properties to cure rheumatic pain and skin diseases which makes those who are ill put up with the bad smell of mud. To reach the mud you have to walk taking care not to walk on the hot springs. To relieve your diseases you have to submerge your body in the sulphurous warm muddy water then spread the mud on your face and body except your eyes. When the mud dries, remove it with water in the natural sea-water pool. You will need a shower after that. And do not wear a swimsuit you want to keep for the smell is almost impossible to remove. Hotels offer tourists special towels for the mud baths. Never wear watches or jewellery or stay longer than 15 minutes for its low level radiation.
You can ascend to the dormant crater of the Fossa di Volcano, also called the Large Crater or just loll up in the southern beaches of Gelso and Cannitello.
Boats will arrive at Porto di Levante. To your right you will see the Vulcanello peninsula. The water front promenade leading to the right goes to the mud baths. Go past the hillock to find them. In the area stretching from Porto di Levante and Porto di Ponente are all services on the island and Spiaggia Sabbia Nera which is an stretch of beach of black sand.
On the island there are three volcanoes of which the one to the furthest south extreme was already inactive in the Antiquity. However today a small thin line of sulphurous gases still come out of its vents.

What to See and Do

From the Porto di Levante you can stroll to your right along the lungomare to the Laghetto di Fanghi where the mud baths are. These therapeutic pools are off the faraglione (a lofty vertical stone sticking up pointing at the sky). Now in the peninsula of the island Mount Vulcanello is by the mud baths. The Valley of Monsters is also there. The valley dark rocks have been shaped by wind creating grotesque shapes.
Another draw on the island is Fossa di Vulcano’s ascent. The crater is at 391 metres of height. The first stretch of the way to the crater is signposted while you go along Via Provinciale. Then the way heads left (unluckily it is not signposted properly).you have to follow a gravel track. This is the last stretch to reach the crater. There is a fee to ascend to the crater and a notice warning visitors that the volcano is just dormant. So think it carefully. To reach the lowest part of the craters’ outer point which is at 290 m of height you have to walk for an hour approximately. The first stretch of the ascent is a tiring walk on black sandy soil which makes no difference with walking up a sand dune. Then the ground becomes more clayish and the last stretch is stoned. It is windy up there, therefore dust is quite annoying. Sun cream and good shoe wearing are necessary. In the middle of the ascent you will find a café offering drinks and icecream. As you get to the crater, a platforms lets everyone observe the inside of the crater. There is a path down the volcano’s crater to reach its floor which is about 50 m from the crater’s edge.
From the crater’s top you can view all the islands to the north of Vulcano. Beware of the vents around it for the gases are extremely hot. There is a tour guide available at the Gruppo Nazionale Vulcanologia. For treks to the volcano and to other sights Gruppo Trekking Volcano sets them up every day. They also offer climbing the Stromboli or snorkelling trips.
Spiaggia Sabbia Nera is a black sand beach situated at Porto di Ponente where there are magnificent faraglioni to admire. They resemble fingers pointing at the sky emerging from the sea. You can hire a paddle boat to make the most of your stay on this beach.
Most inhabitants of the island have established in the plain called Piano. After visiting it you can head for Capo Grillo from where you can admire the coast and the expanse of sea. Gelso is on the south of the island on the waterfront. Its port and beaches are famed for their tranquillity and for being almost deserted. You will find a small restaurant and some accommodation. Near these beaches two other fantastic beaches attract a few sun lovers. The ways are dirt tracks which is only for walking. They are sign posted. These tracks change their direction before reaching the town. The two beaches where you are led to are completely different from each other. One of them is Spiaggia dell’Asina which is a black sand beach offering attractive sea water. Spiaggia Cannitello almost looks like you travelled to a hot and wet country for its vegetation. Spaggia dell’Asina and Spiaggia Cannitello afford a simple café where you can hire sun-umbrellas and sun decks. Both beaches are a bit far from the port which is a bit time consuming.
Both bus or boat trips around the island may cost 12 euros. Gioielli del Mare at Porto di Levante offers bus tours to discover the island. Reservations are needed. Pino and Giuseppe on Via Comunale Levante and Gente di Mare provide visitors with boat trips around the islands.
At the tourist office which is on Via Provinciale off the dock you will also receive information on accommodation.

Where to Eat and Drink

Ritrovo Remigio at Porto di Levante‘s speciality is cannoli, which is lip licking and always recently handmade. The restaurants is beside the port.
For a change visit Cantine Stevenson on Via Porto di Levante. It is decorated in a Scottish style. The place was named after the Scotsman who purchased a large expanse of the island in the 1800s and brought the first vineyard to Vulcano. You can sample his wines which deserve the while.
Trattoria Maniaci Pina is an atmospheric trattoria decorated in traditional style with blue chequered tablecloths and wooden tables. Its menu lists simple tasty dishes .
Da Maurizio on Via Porto di Levante is situated in a beautiful well tended garden and is well liked on the island. It prepares delectable cuttlefish pasta.
Da Vicenzino on Via Porto di Levante is located off the port and serves filling servings in a kind atmosphere.
Caffé Piazetta on Piazetta Faraglione serves ice creams and drinks by the sound of music. In high season live music concerts are organized in the evenings.




How to Get to/away/around

BY SCOOTER: it is the best way to get to places such as Gelso. Da Paolo and Sprint hire bicycles and scooters. They at the corner of Via Provinciale and Via Porto di Levante. They also rent cars.
BY BUS: Vulcania Tour Bus serves the area around Gelso and can take you at the beginning of the dirt track. Departure times for buses from Gelso’s pier are 11 am, noon and 5 pm. There are 7 buses operating Porto di Levante-Piano and Capo Grillo (Mon-Sat). There are two services on Sundays and public holidays serving them.
BY BOAT: there are boat tours which stop at Spiaggia dell’Asina and Cannitello but all passengers leave at Gelso. You can also rent a boat at Centro Nautico Baia di Levante by the hydrofoil dock.