Lipari Castle
If arriving by ferry, Lipari castle is one of the first things you will probably notice about the island! Sitting high above the water are the mighty walls of this 15th century fortress. Lipari has been home to many cultures throughout the years, including the Spanish, Greeks and Romans. It is free to walk around the castle and observe the ruins.
- Cost: Free
- More Information: Lipari Castle
- Time Needed: 1 hour
Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew
Located within the walls of the old Castle, you can find the Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew. There is a long staircase leading to the front of the Cathedral from downtown, and it’s the best way to access the fortress. The Cathedral was built in the 11th century but only the arched vaults remain from the original. It was later rebuilt in the 16th century to what we can see today.
- Cost: Free
- Time Needed: 30 minutes
Cloisters
The cloister at the Cathedral was built in the 12th century as part of the original monastery, by Benedictine monks and pre-dates the church you see today. The columns of the cloisters come from Roman houses that were in the area 2,000 years ago!
- Cost: Free / Donation Based
- Time Needed: 30 minutes
Archeology Museum
For anyone looking to learn more about the unique history of this island, the archeology museum takes it all the way back to pre-historic times, then through the history of the various populations who once called Lipari home. It’s a small museum, but worth a visit while in the area!
- Cost: €6
- More Information:
- Time Needed: 1 hour
Boat Tour
By far, the highlight of our time in Lipari was the day we spent on a boat cruising the coast & visiting the neighboring island of Vulcano. Since we were a group of 6, we booked a private boat tour for the day which included fresh fruit, water & wine. Besides stopping at various swim spots for snorkeling, we also stopped at the black sand beach of Vulcano for lunch. We booked this tour directly through a local tour company called Eoliana, but you can also find options on Get Your Guide such as this one: Boat tour to Vulcano Island*. To hear more about our favorite day in Lipari, check out our previous post: The Best Aeolian Islands Boat Tour.
- Cost: ~€30 – €100 (depending on tour length and inclusions)
- More Information: Eoliana Private Boat Tours
- Estimated time needed: All day
Beach Day
While downtown Lipari doesn’t have any beaches, you can access a few beach clubs in Canneto Bay, less than 10 minutes driving from the city center. We recommend asking your hotel to contact Coral Beach Club since they often run a free shuttle for those going to the beach club from downtown. The concierge at your hotel may also be able to navigate a discounted rate for you to rent a chair & umbrella (like ours did). As part of the beach club you have access to their bar, restaurant & bathrooms. It was the perfect place to unwind after a busy morning of sightseeing.
- Cost: €20-€40
- More Information: Coral Beach Club
- Estimated Time Needed: 1/2 Day – All Day
Sunset Wine Tasting
By far the most incredible wine tasting we’ve done was at Tenuta di Castellaro in Lipari, Sicily. While they offer wine-tastings throughout the day, we recommend booking their guided tour Toast to the Sun. This includes 4 glasses of wine, a tour of their wine cellar & vineyard, as well as some traditional snacks. When you book your tickets, you can select an option for round trip shuttle service from downtown (for an additional fee) which makes life easier since you will be drinking. The first glass of wine is enjoyed at a view point overlooking the water so you can admire the stunning sunset! For more information about our experience, check out our previous post: The Best Winery in Sicily.
- Cost: €45
- More Information: Tenuta di Castellaro
- Time needed: 2 hours
Marina Corta
Our favorite place to start our day was sitting at one of the cafe’s lining Marina Corta. This is a great spot for breakfast, people watching or even a granita (a semi-frozen dessert made with fruit & served with brioche bun). We recommend Bar D’Ambra or Caffe La Vela for some outdoor seating and views of the marina.
While in this area, you may want to check out Chiesa di San Giuseppe, a small church right on the water. From the church, you also have the best view of Marina Corta & Lipari Castle in the distance!
Downtown Lipari, Sicily
Lipari has a lot of cute shops and restaurants located downtown. The morning we visited the castle, we were able to stop into a few shops and get some local souvenirs. We recommend walking Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, and then branching off down some side streets from there. Our favorite shop was called Amuri Lipari which sold handmade jewelry – definitely worth a stop!
Lipari, Sicily was one of those places we visited where we had limited expectations and it absolutely blew us away. While in Sicily, we also visited Palermo, Cefalú & Taormina, yet Lipari was by far our favorite. Between the fresh seafood (check out our restaurant guide), the crystal clear blue water and the charming down town – the Aeolian Islands should be added to any Sicily itinerary!
