Milazzo to Lipari (Aeolian Islands) tickets

About the ride from Milazzo to Lipari

Escaping to the Aeolian Islands is like journeying to the land that time forgot. All of those steaming volcanoes and white-washed villages aligned with black sand beaches; it’s no wonder places like Lipari are so popular with day-trippers.

If you’ve got plans to head to the Aeolians from Sicily, there’s pretty much just one way to do it, unless you fancy a very long swim. The distance from Milazzo to Lipari is 41 kilometers (25 miles), so good luck with that one.

A far better way to cross the Tyrrhenian Sea is by ferry. There are numerous boats leaving throughout the day, many of which take holidaymakers early in the morning and bring them back later in the afternoon and early evening.

There are usually around 11 departures by ferry from Milazzo to Lipari every day. The journey takes between an hour to two hours, depending on which ferry you take. Ferries are large, modern and fully equipped with life-saving gear, not that you’ll need it.

The two service providers operating in this area of Italy are Liberty Lines and Siremar. They’re both well-established companies with good safety records. 

Liberty Lines run the faster, high-speed ferry. Ticket prices start from US$26. Ferries have bathrooms onboard in addition to air-conditioning in the communal cabin. There’s also a bar where you can buy food and drinks.

This type of ferry is pretty functional and the best way to get from Milazzo to Lipari if you don’t want to hang about. There isn’t a sundeck onboard, but you’ll only be on it for an hour, so just sit back and enjoy the chilled ride.

A seat on Siremar’s tourist ferry starts from US$17. This type of vessel does have an outdoor sunbathing area, so make sure you pack your sunhat, shades and suntan lotion, especially if traveling during the middle of the day.

The tourist ferry also has an air-conditioned seating area on the lower deck as well as a washroom and a food and drinks bar. It does take longer to arrive on the island, but if you’re on vacation, who cares?

 

What to see when traveling from Milazzo to Lipari

There’s plenty to see on the ferry from Milazzo to Lipari, especially if you’re taking the tourist boat. It’s a two-hour ride, so keep your eyes peeled from the open-plan sun deck because you never know what might appear alongside you.

This stretch of the Tyrrhenian Sea has become a fairly well-known habitat for swordfish, bottlenose dolphins and pilot whales, so keep a pair of binoculars handy as you scan the horizon.

Most of the passengers will be day-trippers, and space may be slightly limited during the busy tourist season. So the best advice is to get on board as quickly as you can, grab a seat and stay put for the duration of the journey.

Ferry transport from Milazzo to Lipari starts around 7 am and continues throughout the day until the last sailing at 5.45 pm. It’s a comfortable ride, and there’s plenty of room to roam around; otherwise, just read, rest and relax.

One of the most interesting parts of the journey is when you leave Sicily. Often you can stand up on the top deck or look out of the window as the local harbor hands prepare the boat for departure.

Once you’re underway, you’ll pass by the island of Vulcano. This is one of four active volcanoes in Italy. It is undoubtedly very impressive against the setting sun when it looks like the whole world is on fire.

Arriving at Molo Aliscafi (Lipari Port) is another highlight of the trip. It’s really exciting to see what lies ahead as the island’s volcanic hinterland comes into view. There are loads of hiking and cycling trails on Lipari. Although sometimes a café by the beach can be equally, if not more, enticing.

 

How to get from Milazzo to Lipari

Taking a ferry from Milazzo to Lipari 

To sum this journey up…

The best way to travel from Milazzo to Lipari is by taking one of two types of ferries. Firstly, you have a high-speed ferry that takes an hour, and secondly, you have a tourist class ferry that takes approximately two hours. There are usually around 11 daily departures.

Most passengers on board will be day-trippers. However, it is possible to stay on Lipari if you’ve got time to spare. Accommodation is usually quite traditional, with hospitable hosts offering an authentic experience after the tourists have caught the last ferry back to Sicily.

And that’s how to get from Milazzo to Lipari. It’s a tried and tested route and ideal for any travelers looking to experience one or two of Italy’s awesome Aeolian Islands. Enjoy!