Best Hotels in the Aeolian Islands, the Shortlist (2026)
I have to confess: I’m completely obsessed with finding great hotels. Uncovering the perfect stay at the right price point is both a hobby and a genuine passion of mine. Because truly trustworthy hotel recommendations are so hard to come by these days, I decided to build this shortlist myself.
Here is a completely fresh version. It uses much simpler, friendly language and totally flips the sentence structures while keeping your exact message:
Big booking sites only show you places they get a cut from, and major travel guides just recommend the same famous spots over and over. I wanted to get past those limits, so I made a giant list of every single place to stay in the Aeolian Islands. Then, I rolled up my sleeves: I read tons of reviews (the good and the bad) messaged the hotels myself, and did a lot of homework to narrow it down to these final choices.
Each hotel on this Aeolian Islands list fits our Travel Choreography standards perfectly. I would happily tell my best friends to stay at any of these places.
If you want to explore all of your options, you can also check out our directory of every single hotel in the Aeolian Islands.
key takeaways
- The Aeolian Islands are one of the most beautiful places to stay in Eastern Sicily.
- If you decide to stay in the Aeolian Islands, the first thing you’ll need to choose is which of the seven islands suits you best, as they are very different.
- If you’re looking for peace and relaxation, Salina is the perfect choice. Lipari is the most central island and offers the widest selection of restaurants and nightlife, while Stromboli is better suited for travelers looking to hike.
The Aeolian Islands are lovely, but you might also want to read: Where to Stay around Etna
- Hotel Ravesi (Salina): Perched on the hillside of Malfa, this hotel comes with one of the best views in the Aeolian Islands, looking out toward Panarea and the ever-smoking Stromboli. Mornings start with a homemade breakfast, evenings end with some of the island’s best cocktails, and in between, you can even set off on the hotel’s private boat to explore the archipelago (for an extra fee, of course!). Favorite room: The Romantic Superior Room, the room with the rich yellow balcony facing Stromboli completely won me over.
- Hotel Principe di Salina (Salina): I have a soft spot for this hotel, although it certainly doesn’t need my bias. The pool area is easily one of the most luxurious wellness spaces in the Aeolian Islands, with flowing white curtains and the gorgeous Monte Fossa rising behind the property. Adults-only and wonderfully quiet, long dinners and slow afternoons will become part of the routine in no time! Every room is great, but the suite is a notch above. With its enormous terrace, it’s one of the most luxurious hotel rooms in the entire archipelago. If I had to pick a honeymoon room in the Aeolian Islands, this would be it. Favorite room: The Suite!
- Terra e Mare Casa Eoliana (Lipari): : The true hidden gem of this list. If you’re more of an Airbnb person than a hotel person, this two-bedroom property is the perfect fit. Set in a peaceful location, it’s made for a quiet, no-contact escape. This eco-sustainable casa also offers stunning views of Salina, Filicudi, and Alicudi. Any stay here would be a pleasure, but Terra e Mare has a very tempting three-night food workshop that I would have booked already if I lived in Europe and a little closer to Lipari. Favorite room: Casa Terra.
- Tenuta di Castellaro Winery & Resort (Lipari) : The Aeolian Islands are famous for their Malvasia di Lipari wine, so it’s no surprise you’ll find a few places where you can stay right on a vineyard overlooking the sea. But among them, my favorite has to be the rooms at Tenuta di Castellaro. There are only three, and each one celebrates the beauty of the volcanic islands with black volcanic stone and simple design. Favorite room: Casa Caolino, it has a beautiful rooftop terrace that’s perfect for watching the sunset.
- Quartara Boutique Hotel (Panarea): Classic Aeolian-style architecture, and admittedly less modern than some of the hotels higher up on this list. Beautiful drapery is a key element here and the best room in the hotel comes with a balcony and a jacuzzi where you can admire the sea. The location is also hard to beat, perched at the top of Panarea village. Add to that a huge selection of breakfast choices, and this old-school boutique hotel easily wins my heart. Favorite room: Rooftop Terrace
- Therasia Resort (Vulcano) :If isolating yourself in a small place at the end of the world isn’t your style, then this is the hotel for you. Big, beautiful, and complete with a 2-star Michelin restaurant, this sprawling resort on the edge of the easiest-to-reach Aeolian island is a no-brainer. The pool, honestly the most impressive one on this list, is located at the tip of Vulcanello and comes with a view that stretches across the entire Aeolian archipelago. Favorite room: Vulcano Suite, for its beautiful 180-degree terrace over Lipari, Filicudi, and the Gran Cratere della Fossa.
- B&B da Luca (Panarea) : I’m usually one for luxury hotels, but credit is where credit is due. I’d happily recommend this one to some of my friends. An adorable B&B perched above Panarea. If you like old-school bed and breakfasts, this one is for you. A lovely garden with sea views, plus two hosts who can suggest the best addresses and hikes on the island. Simple, charming, and full of that personal touch you sometimes miss in bigger hotels. Favorite room: Camera Mamma
- Hotel Eros (Vulcano): Just looking at its garden, you’d think you’ve been teleported to Hawaii rather than Sicily. But once you see the generous (and delicious) gourmet breakfast, you know you couldn’t be anywhere else than Italy. The rooms are modern, but the real showstopper is the proximity to the volcano. Favorite room: Junior Suite
- Il Gabbiano Relais (Stromboli). Beautiful pool and large, simple apartments decorated with quirky volcano paintings. You’ll find the typical large white columns, while the terrace is surrounded by stone seating areas. This relais is close to the trekking departures and also just a short walk from the black sand beach. Favorite room: Qibli Room
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