Stromboli

Stromboli is a small Italian volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea just north of Sicily. It is one of the Aeolian Islands.

Stromboli is little more than just the 900-m-high volcano and has an area of 12.6 km². 2 km northeast of Stromboli is the small, uninhabited sister island Strombolicchio.

The volcano was featured in the famous novel by Jules Verne, Journey to the Centre of the Earth (French: Voyage au centre de la Terre), and was where the protagonists exited the bowels of the earth after making the underground journey all the way from Snæfellsjökull in Iceland.

Understand


Stromboli is an active volcano that is in a constant state of mild activity, punctuated by occasional larger and more violent eruptions. The most recent violent eruption was in July 2024; there were two in 2019, and one of them killed a hiker.

Though the "normal" small eruptions of lava are not dangerous, you should be aware of the possible danger. The local authorities are very aware of Stromboli's state, so listen to them. If paths to the craters are closed, don't go there. Never climb up the volcano without a local guide. Don't leave paths.

Tours up the Stromboli aren't easy walks. Uphill approx. 900 m altitude difference in 3 hours. Downhill – on mostly sandy ground – 2 hours. You should be well-equipped (climbing boots, min 1.5 litres of water and a torch with enough battery capacity), healthy and in good physical condition when going there.

As Stromboli is small and its environment is sensitive, you should treat it carefully. Climbing boots can be rented at guide services and shops.

Also in the villages, take a torchlight along with you, as the streets are not illuminated.

Villages
There are two villages on the island: the larger Stromboli and the much smaller Ginostra, a former fishing village rarely visited by tourists (although tourist services are about all that remains there). Ginostra has a charming cluster of houses; two restaurants, a church and a post office await you, surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation.

Together the villages only have about 350 inhabitants.

Get in


Access is by boat, there being no place on the island to put an airport. The hydrofoil and ferry operators SNAV, SIREMAR, Ustica Lines, and NGI  all connect Stromboli village and Ginostra to other points in the Aeolian Islands and to Sicily, Naples and other parts of the mainland. You may have to change boats in Lipari. Don't even think of bringing a full-sized car with you, as you'll have no place to use it. Consequently, it's highly advantageous to ride the fast hydrofoil rather than a ferry.

The shortest (1.5 hours) and cheapest (about €30 in 2015) water route is with Comerci Navigazione from Tropea where also a night train (with sleeping cars) from Rome stops.

Get around
Due to the size of the island and its lack of streets, neither cars, buses nor trains exist. The only available means of transport are "ape-cars", small motorbikes and boats (luckily battery powered cars and bikes are on the rise). The only other way to move around the island is by walking. There are no streetlights in either village, and if you're out after dark, you'll be well advised to use a flashlight.

See

 * The villages, which are almost unchanged by tourism, are worth a closer look, especially the rather hidden Ginostra with the smallest European port (one boat only!) of all is nice to see.
 * There is a nice beach with fine black lava sand in Stromboli, where one can relax and swim in the sea.

Do
Most visitors to the island come to climb (or at least hike on) Stromboli Volcano. However, other opportunities for outdoor recreation exist.
 * Stromboli Volcano. This continuously active volcano is one of the few in the world where a visitor can see an eruption "up close and personal," yet in relative safety – most of the time.  However, conditions vary from year to year, and the summit region may be closed (as it was August to October 2014) owing to unusual activity posing hazards to the climber.  In most conditions you can hike unaccompanied to an elevation of 400 meters, but beyond this level you will need a guide.  A reliable guide service is Magmatrek,  Via Vittorio Emanuele,, but there are other guide services in town that are also satisfactory.  Don't climb without a guide; the access limitations are enforced (sporadically) and fines are substantial.
 * Take a boat ride around the island. The picturesque little village of Ginostra is on the opposite side of the island from Stromboli town and is only reachable by boat or by a hike (described below).  Outfitters near the harbour in Stromboli town offer rides, which can usually be arranged on site.
 * Scuba diving is possible at the small island of Strombolicchio, offshore from Stromboli town. The water is very clear, and you can see the continuation of the volcanic plug comprising Strombolicchio far below the surface.  Dry-land activities on Strombolicchio are generally not allowed as the island is a nature preserve.  Lighthouse on top.
 * Canoeing and stand-up paddling around the island to interesting places like the Sciara del Fuoco, Piscina (a natural swim basin) and Strombolicchio are possible. It offers the opportunity to stay on the sea without the noise of a motor and even hear the rumbling of the volcano. One friendly service is Centro Mare.[[image:Strombolicchio.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Strombolicchio]]
 * Walk the coastal trail from Stromboli to Ginostra: this trail takes around 3 hours 45 minutes, not including breaks. There are some dangerous sections near Ginostra, and falling rocks rolling along huge ramps off the volcano, and it is best avoided during wet weather. There are a few sections tens of metres long through water up to your hips.

Sleep


Various other hotels exist and additionally many inhabitants of the villages rent rooms.

Camping is not permitted on the island.

Stay safe
Being around an active volcano always involves severe risks. Check Volcanoes and government information on the security situation. Eruptions of Stromboli can cause tsunamis.

Go next
Hydrofoils run from Stromboli to the other Aeolian Islands, each of which has its own attractions. You may have to change boats in Lipari, largest and most populous of the Aeolian Islands, and the main transportation hub for the archipelago.