Filicudi

Filicudi is one of the oldest islands in the Aeolian archipelago. With 246,000 years of history, the ancient “Phoenicusa” is a wild place with abundant vegetation. On Ferryhopper, you can find useful information about must-see places, beaches, local delicacies, ferry schedules, and book your ferry tickets to Filicudi easily!

The famous rock formation of La Canna in Filicudi

Vacation in Filicudi

If you are looking for a place to get in touch with its unspoilt nature, relax and explore picturesque prehistoric villages, Filicudi is the perfect destination for you. Its mountainous landscapes, its rugged coastline, and its dreamy seabeds are all you need for a relaxing vacation in the Aeolian Islands.

Spend at least 3-4 days in Filicudi, swim in beautiful caves, and enjoy the peace of the island to switch off completely!

A dolphin swimming near the coast of Filicudi

How to get to Filicudi

You can only reach Filicudi by sea thanks to the ferries that depart from the port of Milazzo all year round and from Palermo in the summer.

Given its position, it is also well connected to the other Aeolian Islands. So, are you in for island hopping in the Aeolian archipelago

If you wish to travel by plane from other parts of Italy or abroad, the closest airports are in Palermo, Catania, and Reggio Calabria. We recommend you catch a flight to Palermo and then take the ferry to Filicudi.

What to do in Filicudi

Despite its size, Filicudi’s geological nature offers a series of attractions to explore both on foot and by sea.

You can start from its port, stroll through the alleys, walk among white-washed houses and little churches and go up the island's hiking trails to reach wonderful viewpoints. During your trekking, you will come across archaeological sites of great importance and discover Filicudi’s wonders!

Alternatively, you can take a boat trip to explore caves, natural arches, and imposing rock formations. On the way, you may even come across some dolphins!

Beaches in Filicudi

The coast of Filicudi is mostly rocky, with peaceful corners in which to enjoy the crystal clear sea and the surrounding nature. In addition to the coves and caves that you can only explore by sea, there are also beaches that you can reach on foot.

Here are 4 beaches in Filicudi that we recommend you visit:

1. Punte: located on the southern tip of the island, it can be easily reached from the port of Filicudi through a beautiful path. It has large round pebbles of volcanic origin and it has transparent waters with spectacular backdrops. The beach is not equipped. 
2. Porto: very close to the port of Filicudi, there is a strip of coarse sand and dark pebbles that is a few hundred meters long. You can take a dive in its crystalline waters and enjoy a cold beverage from the bars nearby. However, we recommend you bring a towel and an umbrella with you as there are no facilities on the beach.
3. Capo Graziano: this beach is considered the most beautiful on the island. You can find Capo Graziano in the southern part of the homonymous promontory. It has a very wide coastline, pebbles, and crystal-clear waters. You can reach it via a path or by boat.
4. Pecorini: this is a small beach located on the southern side of the island, in front of the seaside village of Pecorini a Mare. It has dark pebbles surrounded by deep blue waters. The setting is picturesque with fishing boats and white-washed houses.

The small cove of Pecorini in Filicudi

Sightseeing in Filicudi

Filicudi has a fascinating past. On the island, you can find archaeological settlements and ancient remains. You can take one of the hiking trails to reach beautiful viewpoints or discover the natural wonders of the coast by boat.

Here are some attractions of Filicudi not to be missed:

• The settlement of Filo Braccio, the oldest on the island of Filicudi dating back to the Bronze Age
• The archaeological area of ​​Le Macine, with ancient round stone structures with holes in the middle that were formerly used to grind wheat and olives.
• The impressive rock formation La Canna, lapped by deep blue waters
• The islet of Montenassari for a boat trip
• The extension of the Aeolian Archaeological Museum, with various artifacts dating back to the Neolithic period
• The church of San Giuseppe, overlooking the village of Pecorini 
• The abandoned village of Zucco Grande, declared part of the island's nature reserve
• The viewpoint of Stimpagnato, to enjoy the sunset and stunning panoramas
• The Blue Marino’s Cave (Grotta del Bue Marino) and the Natural Arch of Perciato
• The small fishing village of Pecorini a Mare and its typical houses
• The extinct volcano Monte Fossa Felci, the highest peak of Filicudi
• The Filo di Lorani, a beautiful stretch of coastline formed by basalt columns resembling the pipes of an ancient musical instrument
• The Neolithic village of Capo Graziano, with 27 ancient huts
   

Capo Graziano and the remains of its prehistoric village

Nightlife in Filicudi

Filicudi offers various evening entertainment for all tastes. You can start with an aperitif or dinner in one of the island's restaurants, and then continue with a cocktail overlooking the sea.

One of the locals’ favorite places is the “Saloon”, a historic place to enjoy an aperitif next to the Pecorini beach. In Filicudi, you can also have a drink in a lounge bar,  enjoy a live music concert, or dance until late in an outdoor disco.

Food in Filicudi

The main ingredient of the local cuisine is mainly seafood. Dried fruit, aromatic herbs, and seasonal vegetables add to the fresh fish a finger-licking flavor.

Here are some of the most delicious local delicacies to try during your stay in Flicudi:

• pasta with sardines
• pesto with toasted almonds
• pasta with wild cabbage
• grouper in the oven
• rice with wild asparagus
• Piparelli biscuits

The traditional Piparelli biscuits

Tips 

Here are 3 tips that we hope will be useful to you during your stay in Filicudi:

1. The Filicudi Biennale, the traditional art exhibition takes place at the exhibition hall of Porto and is celebrated in August. The event takes place in the Pecorini district and allows you to get to know beautiful works by emerging artists.
2. Filicudi is a real paradise for trekking lovers. Do not forget to take a pair of comfortable hiking shoes with you to fully enjoy nature and explore the wonderful hiking trails of the island.
3. There are not many accommodation facilities in Filicudi, so it is advisable to book your holidays well in advance.

Useful information about Filicudi

Filicudi is a place where nature reigns supreme. Therefore, the services for visitors are limited. The island consists of two main inhabited centers, the Filicudi Porto and Pecorini. However, there are also some other small inhabited areas scattered throughout the island.

As for the port area, the 2 marinas are connected by a single road, the Rotta dei ciauli. There, you can find most of the available accommodation options, bars, and restaurants. Also, keep in mind that the main hiking trails to the island's attractions start from the port of Filicudi.

Near the port, there is a medical service and a pharmacy. However, make sure to bring any medication needed with you, especially if it’s a rare medicinal product. In Filicudi, there is also a service station on the Provincial Road (Strada Provinciale).

As for the ATM in the port, it doesn't always work. Therefore, we suggest you have some cash with you although almost all restaurants accept credit cards.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Filicudi

Here are some numbers that may prove useful during your vacation on the island of Filicudi:

• Medical Guard: +390909889691
• Carabinieri: +390909889942
• Municipal Police: +390909889948
• Post Office: +390909889053
• Pharmacy: +390934778829
• European emergency number: 112

If you like walking, you can easily explore Filicudi on foot. However, keep in mind that most of the roads go up the hill and the paths are quite long. As there are several it is not advisable to take paths if you have heavy luggage behind you.

In Filicudi you can still use a car or a scooter. You can board your vehicle on the ferry or rent one at the CENF (Filicudi Rental Center) near the port. Alternatively, you can take the private taxi services run by the locals, with vans for up to 10 people.

Useful info: from July to September the circulation of motor vehicles are usually prohibited on the island except for the permanent residents of Filicudi.

The quaint village of Pecorini in Filicudi

Ports in Filicudi

The port of Filicudi (Filicudi Porto) is located in the southeastern part of the island where ferries and hydrofoils arrive from Sicily and the other Aeolian islands. The port area is very close to the seafront of the town center where you can a few shops and restaurants. You can also reach the famous Porto Beach, which is reachable on foot.

The area of Pecorini Mare in the south has a small pier for fishing boats and it’s the starting point for boat excursions.

Island hopping from Filicudi

The Aeolian archipelago consists of 7 islands. Given the location of Filicudi, it is very easy to move to the neighboring islands thanks to the several ferry connections.

After spending a few days in Filicudi, you should go island hopping and take the ferry to Lipari, Salina, Vulcano, Panarea, Alicudi, or Stromboli. There are ferry crossings between Filicudi and the other Aeolian Islands all year round and are operated by the Siremar and Liberty Lines ferry companies.

Tip: you can hop on the ferry from Filicudi to Panarea or take the popular ferry route from Filicudi to Alicudi. Make sure to check our Map of ferries to see all the available crossings to the other islands and plan an adventurous island hopping. 

Filicudi ferry: schedules and tickets

You can reach Filicudi from Sicily thanks to the Siremar ferry crossings and the Liberty Lines hydrofoils. There are ferry connections between the ports of Milazzo and Palermo, with annual and seasonal crossings.

Here you can find more information about the ferry routes to Filicudi:

• Milazzo - Filicudi ferry: there is a ferry to Filicudi from Milazzo all year round with 3-4 daily connections. The crossings usually range between 2 hours and 5 hours, depending on the company and the type of vessel.
• Palermo - Filicudi ferry: if you want to get to Filicudi from Palermo by ferry, there is only 1 daily connection during the summer months. The Palermo - Filicudi ferry crossing is operated by hydrofoils which take 2.5 hours to reach the island.

Stunning views of the coast of Filicudi and the islet of Montenassari

Where to book ferry tickets to Filicudi online

On Ferryhopper, you can find all connections to Filicudi, compare prices and companies, and departure times and book your ferry tickets online. Get ready to explore the Aeolian Islands and have relaxing holidays on the wild island of Filicudi!