Three Sicilian Islands You Will Fall in Love With might sound like a bold promise, but after spending two weeks this summer hopping between these tiny islands scattered around Sicily, I realized how much personality can fit into such small places.
Sicily had been on my list forever, but Filicudi in particular had called to me for years. A great friend of mine has a family home and a hotel there and has been inviting me since we first met. Finally, this summer, the stars aligned and it was time! I headed to Sicily with plans to visit not just Filicudi, but several of the smaller islands surrounding it.
What I didn’t expect was how different each one would feel.
These aren’t simply miniature versions of Sicily. Each island has its own landscape, rhythm, and personality. One had us lingering over long dinners overlooking the sea. Another had us dancing barefoot on a beach until four in the morning. And our favorite had us cruising on bicycles, searching for hidden swimming spots between cliffs and grottos.
If you’re planning a trip to Sicily, these three Sicilian islands are worth leaving the mainland for.
Filicudi: The Sicilian Island That Started It All
Our first stop was Filicudi, one of the seven Aeolian Islands off Sicily’s northern coast. We left from Palermo and watched Sicily disappear behind us as we headed into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Two and a half hours later, Filicudi felt wonderfully removed from everything.
Rugged, mountainous, and known as the caper island (I had never seen capers in the wild before Filicudi), the island has homes scattered across hillsides and views that seem to stretch forever. Much of the island’s land is protected, and its archaeological history dates back thousands of years. Strict landscape, environmental, and natural hazard laws protect the island’s wild nature and limit new construction. It feels like the island wasn’t built for visitors. You are simply being allowed to experience it as it is.
For me, the experience was extra special because we weren’t arriving as complete strangers. Locals welcomed us, and we stayed in my friend’s family home, where his father grew up. After years of hearing about Filicudi, I suddenly found myself sitting there, looking out over the same landscape I’d heard so much about. That made the trip feel warm immediately.
You Don’t Need A Checklist in Filicudi
Filicudi isn’t an island where you need a checklist of things to do every hour. Yes, the island has hikes, swimming spots, restaurants, and little bars scattered around. Having a car also makes exploring much easier, especially with the steep, winding terrain.
But some of my favorite moments involved doing almost nothing. Grab groceries. Open some wine. Make dinner. Sit outside. Watch the light change over the sea to groovy tunes. Linger on the patio longer than you planned. Another highlight was attending a local dinner party surrounded by Italians, with dishes made from ingredients off the land.
That’s Filicudi.
For travelers looking for a hotel rather than a family home, Casa Rodino (you can inquire about availability here) is my friend’s family property. Each room has a kitchen and patio with ocean views, which makes life sweet. Of all the Sicilian Islands we visited, Filicudi felt like the place to disappear for a while and sink into local life.
Filicudi Tip ~ Try to do some hiking. The higher you go into the mountains, the more you can take in the vast ruggedness of your surroundings.
Vulcano: From Volcanoes to 4 A.M. Beach Parties
From Filicudi, we continued through the Aeolian Islands toward Vulcano, stopping in Lipari first. Somewhere along the way, something clicked. I had thought of these places collectively as the islands around Sicily. But the more we moved between them, the more obvious it was that each island had its own identity.
And Vulcano was about to prove that point. If Filicudi had encouraged us to slow down, Vulcano woke us right back up! The island is wild and unmistakably volcanic, and the smell of sulfur hits you the second you step off the ferry. Black sand, thermal waters, rugged coastlines, rocky capes, and the looming presence of Gran Cratere make it feel completely different from Filicudi.
We weren’t there solely for the volcano. We had timed our visit for Vulkanik Fest, a three-day electronic music festival held on the beach. This wasn’t an early-evening, have-a-cocktail-and-go-to-bed type of beach party. The music started at 11 p.m. and went until 4 a.m. Yes, you read that right. When in Italy!
Vulcano’s Energy Kept Us Going
We were definitely among some of the oldest people there, and we absolutely loved it. There is something inherently ridiculous and wonderful about dancing on a tiny volcanic island in the middle of the Mediterranean until four in the morning.
Vulcano felt much more lively than Filicudi. Plenty of restaurants and bars kept us busy, and the island was social and energetic. We spent less time cooking or hanging around at home and more time enjoying the energy and buzzing around. I’m not sure we ever found the grocery store! Good thing we bought snacks in Lipari.
That contrast is exactly what made hopping between these Sicilian Islands so much fun. Just a ferry ride apart, and suddenly you’re having an entirely different vacation.
Vulcano Tip ~ Spend time on the black-sand beaches and in the geothermal landscapes. These activities make the experience extra special.
A Stop in Trapani, and a Surprise in Erice
After Vulcano, we took a 4-hour ferry back to Palermo. Next, we took a bus west to Trapani, our gateway to the Egadi Islands and our final island—Favignana.
Before sailing, we spent two nights in Trapani, eager to explore a city new to all of us. During the day, I found Trapani unassuming. But as evening arrived, the city transformed. Streets filled with people, restaurants came alive, and suddenly everything was in full Italian swing!
I’ve noticed this in quite a few Italian towns. You can walk through somewhere in the afternoon wondering what all the fuss is about, only to come back after sunset and realize you spoke too soon!
Do Not Miss Erice
The biggest surprise during our stay in Trapani wasn’t Trapani at all. It was Erice. Perched high above Trapani at roughly 700 meters, this medieval village is reached by a cable car that climbs from the city outskirts to the top of Mount Erice.
Do. Not. Skip. This. We took the cable car up expecting to wander around for a little while. Instead, we spent the entire afternoon soaking up every moment. Stone streets wind between medieval buildings, tiny shops, and churches, while viewpoints open up to Trapani, the coastline, and the sea below. Castles teeter on cliffsides, making you wonder — how has this facade not fallen? It has history, charm, and corners that make you stop and say, wait, what’s down there? We were blown away.
Trapani Tip ~ Get to Erice! We didn’t make it up there for the evening, but I can imagine the sunset views and cozy dinner options are incredible.
Favignana: The Sicilian Island We Didn’t Want to Leave
In less than an hour, we sailed from Trapani to Favignana, the largest of the Egadi Islands. This one got us immediately. Favignana had a bit of everything we loved about the other islands: restaurants, shops, and nightlife, plus wild landscapes and the feeling that there was always somewhere else to explore.
One of the best ways to experience it is by bicycle. Bike rental shops are everywhere, and because much of Favignana is relatively flat, getting around on two wheels quickly becomes part of the experience. We would hop on our bikes with a vague destination in mind and just…go.
The rule was simple — when we found a great beach, we ditched our bikes and went for a dip. That’s where Favignana became magical. The island’s swimming spots are scattered around its coastline, and finding them can require a little effort. Don’t come expecting every beach to be a perfectly manicured stretch of soft sand.
Favignana is Instagram Famous for a Reason
Many aren’t beaches in the traditional sense. Rocky coves, stone shorelines, grottos, cliffs, and strangely shaped slabs of rock are common, yet people somehow manage to find the perfect place to stretch out in the sun. And then there’s the water. Ridiculously clear shades of turquoise and blue surround the island, including swimming holes that look unreal in photographs. Some of Favignana’s most famous coves have become Instagram stars, but getting there and seeing them in person still feels absolutely adventurous.
It’s the kind of place where you could go out for dinner and drinks at night and then spend the entire next day chasing swimming spots. We fell hard for Favignana. Before we’d even left, we were already talking about coming back. Next time, renting a boat and heading to the surrounding islands is a must.
Favignana Tip ~ Rent the pedal-assist bikes. They were super helpful and made the cruising even more fun. Also, it goes without saying: enjoy the town at night; it is the perfect size to wander and has a wonderful vibe.
Why You Should Add the Sicilian Islands to Your Trip
Before this trip, I didn’t realize just how legendary the Sicilian Islands would be. I knew about Sicily and, of course, had dreamed of visiting for years. But the surrounding Sicilian Islands weren’t necessarily the part of the trip I expected to love most.
They ended up being more than I could have asked for. Filicudi gave us slow mornings, family history, and long dinners overlooking the sea. Vulcano gave us volcanic landscapes and a beach party that didn’t even get started until most adults were heading to bed. Favignana put us on bicycles and sent us searching for turquoise swimming holes around every corner.
Three islands. Three completely different experiences. And that’s what makes exploring the smaller islands around Sicily so enjoyable.
Getting between them is also easier than their remote locations might suggest. Ferries and hydrofoils are a normal part of life here, with daily connections during the busy summer months. If you’re traveling outside high season, check the timetables, as routes are less frequent.
Pro tip ~ July and August were absolutely packed, and prices were high. If you can visit during shoulder season, when the weather is still perfect, do it!
My takeaway? Don’t make Sicily just about Sicily. Leave a little room in your itinerary for the islands floating around it. Pick one, get on a ferry, and see what happens. You might just discover the part of Sicily you love most.
Until next time,
Bekah
PS ~ If you have that Southern Italy itch, check out the 7-city motorcycle loop we took through this lusty region!