Page 225 - The Rough Guide of Sicily

You can come back the same way to the sanctuary and catch the return bus, but

signposts point out alternative approaches and descents to Malfa, Lingua or Santa
Marina. However, not all the tracks are clear, they can be very steep, and soil
erosion and the crumbling volcanic underlay can make getting a grip a tricky
business, so if you are not an experienced walker, it’s best to stick to the main track.
Count on another two hours back down, whichever descent you follow.

Santa Marina Salina

On the east coast, Santa Marina Salina is Salina’s main port and the location of most
of the island’s services. A village of whitewashed Aeolian houses and elegant

townhouses built in the nineteenth century by those who made their fortunes with
Malvasia wine, it’s a relaxed place, with a couple of pebble beaches. A long
lungomare reaches north from the harbour, running from the town beach to the more
secluded Punta Barone, backed by the relics of an ancient Roman fish farm. Running
parallel to the water but one block back, the narrow pedestrianized main street, Via

Risorgimento, holds chic boutiques that mingle with grocery shops, fruit shops and
butcher and baker. A couple of the gift shops sell a decent map of the islands.

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION: SANTA MARINA SALINA

By ferry and hydrofoil The Siremar ( 090 984 3004) and Ustica Lines/NGI ( 090
984 3003) ticket offices stand close to the dock on the waterfront piazza, on either
side of the church, and usually open 30min before sailings. The services detailed here
are year-round; schedules increase during the summer months.

Hydrofoil destinations Alicudi (1 daily; 1hr 15min); Filicudi (1 daily; 40min);
Ginostra (1 daily; 45min); Lipari (14 daily; 20min); Messina (1 daily; 2hr 35min);

Milazzo (10 daily; 1hr 20min); Panarea (1 daily; 20min); Rinella (9 daily; 10min);
Stromboli (1 daily; 1 hr); Vulcano (10 daily; 40min).

Ferry destinations Alicudi (2–3 weekly; 3hr 30min); Filicudi (2–3 weekly; 2hr
30min); Ginostra (2–3 weekly; 2hr 30min); Lipari (5 daily; 1hr); Milazzo (5 daily; 3–
4hr); Naples (1 weekly; 13hr 30min); Panarea (2–3 weekly; 1hr 30min); Stromboli
(2–3 weekly; 3hr); Vulcano (5 daily; 1 hr 30min).

Tourist information There is a seasonal tourist information point in Santa Marina

(usually July & Aug daily 9am–1pm & 4–8pm), just up the hill from the piazza, on Via
Cristofero Colombo, below Bar La Vela.

Services Santa Maria has a clinic with emergency doctors and ambulance, a
pharmacy, the post office, an internet point and a bank with ATM (with another ATM
on the seafront just beyond the Ustica Lines office).