Salina Island is the second-largest of the Aeolian Islands, off the northern coast of Sicily. Nicknamed the Green Island, it stands out for its lush vegetation, volcanic terrain, and contrasting landscapes of mountains, vineyards, villages, and rocky coastline.

Formed by several now-extinct volcanoes, Salina is dominated by Mount Fossa delle Felci and Mount Porri. Its natural and agricultural landscapes, distinctive villages, and the famous Pollara Bay make it a must-see destination for discovering another side of the Aeolian Islands.

The landscape of Salina is dominated by two major volcanic peaks, Mount Fossa delle Felci and Mount Porri, which rise to nearly 3,280 feet. Both volcanoes are now extinct, but their conical profiles and the valley between them clearly reveal the island's volcanic origins.

The slopes of Fossa delle Felci are particularly lush, while Mount Porri retains a more rugged character. This contrast contributes to the diversity of Salina's landscapes, where forested slopes and agricultural areas alternate with cliffs and volcanic rocks along the coast.

Much of the island is protected by the Mountains of Felci and Porri Nature Reserve, established in 1984 to preserve the Mediterranean vegetation and wildlife of these two mountain ranges. The reserve is home to ferns, chestnut trees, poplars, and various species characteristic of the Mediterranean maquis.

Several hiking trails cross this protected environment and lead to the island's higher elevations. The routes pass through very different landscapes depending on altitude and offer views of the other Aeolian Islands and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The reserve is also an important habitat for many birds, including several species of raptors and seabirds.

On the western coast of Salina, the village of Pollara occupies part of an ancient volcanic caldera that has partially collapsed and opens toward the sea. The terrain forms a vast, green natural amphitheater descending toward a rocky coastline dominated by high cliffs and volcanic formations.

From the heights of Pollara, the landscape combines the walls of the ancient volcano, small buildings clinging to the slopes, and the deep blue of the sea. The changing light throughout the day particularly highlights this rugged terrain, making Pollara one of the most photographed sites on Salina.

Pollara is also known for serving as the setting for much of the film The Postman (Il Postino), directed by Michael Radford and released in 1994. The film, starring Massimo Troisi in the lead role, helped introduce Salina's landscapes to an international audience.

The locations associated with the filming can still be discovered around the village and along the coast. The bay, former fishermen's houses, and volcanic cliffs allow you to recognize some of the landscapes featured in the film while exploring one of the island's most unspoiled areas.

Located on the eastern coast, Santa Marina Salina is one of the island's main centers and its principal arrival point by sea. The village stretches at the foot of Mount Fossa delle Felci and features a waterfront lined with houses, shops, and restaurants, as well as narrow streets where you can discover traditional Aeolian architecture.

In the interior of the island, Leni offers a more rural atmosphere, in a valley surrounded by volcanic mountains and agricultural land. The village of Valdichiesa, within the municipality of Leni, is home to the Sanctuary of Madonna del Terzito, an important pilgrimage site on Salina.

On the northern coast, Malfa lies between Mount Porri and Fossa delle Felci. The village is surrounded by vegetation and cultivated land and offers several viewpoints over the sea. Its rocky coastline includes Scario Beach, a small pebble cove protected by the Punta di Scario promontory.

Farther east, the hamlet of Lingua, part of Santa Marina Salina, lies around a small coastal saltwater lake that gave the area its name. Formerly used as a salt pan, this body of water is now appreciated for its landscape and natural interest, with the village and Salina's mountains in the background.

Salina is considered one of the most fertile islands in the Aeolian archipelago. Its volcanic slopes have long been cultivated with grapevines, caper bushes, olive trees, fig trees, and citrus trees. The cultivated areas blend closely with the natural vegetation and contribute to the island's distinctive landscape.

Agricultural production has deeply shaped Salina's history and culture. Terraces, dry-stone walls, and cultivated plots cover parts of the slopes and reflect the work required to farm the volcanic terrain. This traditional agriculture continues to contribute to the island's identity today.

Malvasia delle Lipari, produced notably on Salina, is an iconic sweet wine of the Aeolian Islands. The grapes are grown on the island's slopes and can be naturally dried in the sun to produce a particularly prized passito style.

Salina capers are the island's other major agricultural specialty. Grown in volcanic soil and harvested by hand, capers and their fruit, known as cucunci, are used in many local specialties. Discovering Salina therefore also means experiencing its cuisine, which combines seafood, capers, almonds, tomatoes, eggplant, and Malvasia.

To reach Salina from Sicily, the main departure point is the Port of Milazzo, on the island's northern coast. Ferries and hydrofoils serve Salina, with arrivals primarily at Santa Marina Salina, the island's main port. Depending on the service, some boats also call at Rinella, on the southern coast.

Milazzo is accessible from Messina and Catania by road or train. If you arrive by air, Catania Airport is generally the main gateway for reaching Milazzo and continuing by boat to the Aeolian Islands. Since ferry schedules depend heavily on the season, it is best to check departures before your trip.

Salina is also connected to the other islands of the Aeolian Archipelago. Ferry services provide connections to Lipari, Vulcano, Stromboli, and the other islands, depending on the routes and schedules available. Lipari, in particular, is an important connection point for traveling around the archipelago.

The island has two main ports, Santa Marina Salina and Rinella, allowing you to choose your arrival point based on your accommodations or planned itinerary. Once on the island, the different villages are connected by road, and bus services make it possible to get around without a car.