PRINCIPE DI SALINA

Hospitable Aeolian Islands charmer with views to match

SURROUNDED BY MALVASIA VINEYARDS on the lush island of Salina – setting for the film Il Postino – Principe di Salina surveys the Aeolian archipelago from its panoramic cliffside roost. 

Beyond the intense blue of the Salina sea, with its technicolour sunsets and the shooting flares from neighbouring Stromboli’s erupting volcano, you can even see the Sicilian coast from here on a clear day.
 
Principe di Salina feels typically Aeolian inside and out. Dazzling white walls, terraces shaded by cane trellises, ceramic-tiled garden seats, whitewashed columns and door frames the colour of the setting sun are all imprinted with that island-in-the-sun Mediterranean feel. 

Centre stage is a wide infinity-edge pool with a thermal salt-water jacuzzi, around which there’s a wide terrace for alfresco dining and honing your tan. If it’s too much effort to raise yourself from your sun lounger, just sip a cooling cocktail and have another siesta.

Aeolian sunsets

Grouped in small buildings, spacious and spotless rooms have a simple elegance. Much of the furniture – both antique and new – comes from the owners’ travels and family home, while bathrooms have everything you need. Doors open onto a wide expanse of shared terrace, with views out to sea.
 
Stunning vistas from Principe di Salina – whether from the dining terrace, the pool or the shared terrace by your room – will soon have you reaching for your camera. Watch the vivid Aeolian sunsets as the sun silhouettes the isle of Panarea, across the water, or admire the nightly fireworks from volcanic Stromboli.

Cooking is fresh, local and creative – with some great local wines to try. And even better than the cooking is the warm welcome from your hospitable hosts. Friendly and family-run, Principe di Salina is hard to beat in the charm stakes – and it’s also immensely affordable.

Set in the midst of the seven Aeolian islands, lush Salina makes a great base for exploring. Ringed by pebbly volcanic beaches, its clear seas are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving. This is a place to switch off from the fast lane, listen to the cry of gulls and the whisper of the waves – and slow down.
 

Principe di Salina was reviewed by Room for Romance

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

Dining in
Every table comes with sea views at Principe di Salina’s restaurant, where you’ll dine al fresco on warm nights.  Look forward to tartare di tonno and risotto al finocchietto selvatico, plus other typically Aeolian and Mediterranean dishes. 

Dining out
There are some good seafood restaurants in the village of Lingua, on the other side of Salina. Call into Da Alfredo for delicious home made granitas.

See & Do
Take a boat ride around Salina or zip across to some of the other Aeolian islands by hydrofoil. You can climb the volcano on neighbouring Stromboli, dip in the sulphurous mudbaths on Vulcano, or get all shopped out in Lipari. 

Go snorkelling and swimming, take a picnic up to Salina’s mountain nature reserve, with its abundant myrtle and heather, visit a local wine-producing farm or explore rustic roads by bike or scooter. Watch the sunset from the magnificent beach at Pollara, memorably captured in the movie Il Postino.

Shop
You can snap up home-produced capers, Malvasia wine, local jam and biscotti at several local farmhouse shops.

Spa
Soak in the thermal sea water jacuzzi for an added sense of well being.

After dark
For wickedly late nights, head for Bagghiu Lisciu in Santa Marina di Salina.

Dates
June
Salina’s annual caper festival – with plenty of exuberant drinking and dancing – takes over Pollara’s village square.

Late October
Join in the merrymaking at Salina’s autumn wine fest. 

GETTING THERE

Location
Via Nazionale, 98050 Malfa, Salina, Isole Eolie.

Parking
There is free guest parking – but why bring a car?

Trains
Milazzo station on Sicily. From here, it’s a ten minute cab ride to the port and  1.5 hour hydrofoil ride to Salina. You can reach Milazzo easily by train from the Sicilian capital Palermo.

Taxis
Around EUR 12 from Marina di Salina, the island’s little port.

Airport
Catania or Palermo on Sicily. Allow 1.5 hours (from Catania) or 2.5 hours (from Palermo) to reach the ferry port of Milazzo.

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
EUR 130 – 240, depending on season. Discounts are offered for longer stays.

Open/closed
Closed late October – early April

Check-in
Midday

Check-out
10am

Minimum night stay?
No

Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 10am. Expect locally-made pastries, preserves and fruit salads.

Room service
You can have breakfast brought to your room.

Children
Welcome over 10 years.

Pets
No

Air conditioning
Yes – all rooms

Languages
English, French, Italian

Wedding license?
No, but you can hold a reception here for up to 60 guests.

Your contact
Sara Ministeri