Lipari: ‘the capital’. It’s the largest island, the most populated and connected to the mainland. The center of nightlife is Marina Corta, where you can find crowded bars, restaurants, and ice cream parlors. It still retains the charm of an old fishing village, especially as you climb to the right of the small Sanctuary of San Giuseppe and reach the small Sopra la Terra district, crossed by narrow alleys and centered around the Piazzetta delle arti e dei mestieri with its murals. From Marina Corta, you take Via Garibaldi and reach Piazza Mazzini, from where the road to the Castle starts, with its Archaeological Site, the Cathedral, and the Aeolian Museum. The Castle can also be reached by the staircase that connects Via Garibaldi with the Cathedral. A quarter of the way up the staircase, the labyrinthine network of alleys below the walls unfolds. Near Piazza Mazzini, the alleys of Sotto Monastero are worth a visit. The main street is Corso Vittorio Emanuele, always crowded with tourists and locals. Here, as well as on Via Garibaldi, you can shop and taste typical products. Leaving the old town, you can explore the rest of the island. Starting from Marina Lunga, heading north, you reach Canneto. It’s the second largest settlement on the island, with a beautiful beach, trattorias, and bars. From here you can reach the pumice quarries and Forgia Vecchia. The main road reaches Acquacalda, a charming hamlet stretching along the coast, and then climbs towards Quattropani, where a left turn leads to the Old Church, offering a splendid view of Salina and, on clearer days, Filicudi and Alicudi. Another right turn leads to Caolino, a plateau rich in minerals. From Quattropani you then reach Pianoconte, an area cultivated with vineyards. From here, a paved road leads to the Terme di San Calogero. From Pianoconte, you descend towards the center of Lipari and in a few minutes reach the Quattrocchi viewpoint, where you can admire the sea stacks and Vulcano. From Quattrocchi, you can reach the beautiful Valle Muria beach via a 20-minute path. Heading back towards Lipari center, you encounter the small church of Annunziata with its unique staircase. There are numerous walks you can take on the island. The circumnavigation of the island is also impressive. From Marina Corta, head south, after rounding Punta Crapazza, you reach Vinci beach, where you can swim with a view of the sea stacks and Vulcano. Continue towards the Pietra Lunga and Pietra Menalda sea stacks, probably the infamous rocks, cause of numerous shipwrecks, which the sorceress Circe mentions to Odysseus. Next, you arrive at the lava promontory of Punta del Perciato, a natural rock arch through which you can pass with a small boat. In front of Perciato are small rocks called Le Formiche. After rounding Punta di Levante, you reach Valle Muria beach. After Punta delle Fontanelle, covered with multicolored flowers in spring, appears the Pietra del Bagno rock, facing a coast rich in caves. The inlets encountered along the route are Cala Fico and Punta Palmeto, with solitary beaches. From here you can visit the Palmeto Cave and take a swim at the Torricelle sea stacks. After passing Punta del Legno Nero, you first reach the inhabited center of Acquacalda and the dazzling white pumice quarries. Past the Papesca beach, you arrive at Canneto. After circumnavigating Monte Rosa, you reach Porto Pignataro and can see the Castle Rock in the distance.