Sicilian Islands

I'll give you my take only based on beauty of beaches (actually calling them beaches is probably improper since they are all very rocky. Maybe cliffs and rocky beaches is more appropriate). Egadi islands (boat from Trapani): Favignana is probably the nicest. Eolie islands (boat from Milazzo): Panarea is the best (rockier than Favignana). However Stromboli is nice for a visit if you enjoy volcanoes (Vulcano too). Lipari has a nice big castle. But for sea swimming Panarea is the place to go. Pelagie islands (boat from Porto Empedocle or, better yet, airplane from Palermo or Catania): Lampedusa.
Best if you are interested in seeing plenty of Tunisians and Libyan refugees arriving by boat from their war torn countries. Beautiful beaches too, the best of the Sicilian islands, I hear (never been there). I have no recent hotel or restaurant info. Someone else might chip in.

Steve, do you mean the islands to the south of Sicily, or any of the Sicilian islands? Roberto has given some info on both; I've only been to the Eolian Islands (north of Milazzo/Messina). I used Lipari as a base and did daytrips to Stromboli, Panarea and Vulcano. Lipari has a charming old town and an acropolis (with the castle Roberto mentioned) a left turn from the port. I stayed in Canetto, a short bus ride away but closer to the sandy beaches. There are a couple of other places to stay on Lipari if you want more isolation. I stayed at Hotel Odissea, about a block away from the beach (very quiet), my room had a terrace and views of Stromboli and Panarea. Each of the islands is quite different. Vulcano has sulfur deposits, so be prepared for the aroma as you get closer to the hills. Panarea is lovely, similar to some of the small villages along the Amalfi Coast. Stromboli is my favorite (after Lipari), although now you need a guide to go to the crater (business decision, I think).

Hi Zoe, Thanks for the reply. I was thinking warm and sunny so preferably southern isles but I have heard good things about Lipari and Stromboli. I'm wondering about the walking aspects. My wife has trouble with lots of steps and climbing hills (two back surgeries). Would she be able to enjoy the islands you mention without too much difficulty? Would there be accomodations for her? your help is much appreciated. steve

Steve, the hotel I mentioned in Lipari is up a ramp-type street, a short block, but there is an incline. The acropolis in Lipari is rather steep for walking, but there may be some other transportation available (like a 3-wheel open "taxi" or something). Parts of Stromboli (the shopping area and quaint little streets) are also uphill, but you can get an open taxi to go to the volcano - and perhaps up to the higher part of the town as well, although I walked it. Vulcano poses fewer problems for walking, but again, to get close to the crater, you'll need some other form of transport. Keep in mind that all the volcanic islands have hilly sections. At the time I visited these islands, I had some mobility issues due to tendonitis and an injured knee, I just had to take more time to get where I was going. As for accommodations, there are some websites that answer questions for travelers with disabilities of all kinds, or you can try contacting the tourist information office on the specific islands you're interested in visiting.

Steven. As I mentioned in my email Favignana is mostly flat. There are a some hills here and there, west of Favignana (the town) or also in some other spots, but they are easy walks and you don't have to climb them unless you want to snap a few panorama pictures. Take a look on Google Street view to get an idea. If you have a car in Sicily, you can take it across to Favignana with a ferry. It's helpful to have one to reach some of the best beach spots that aren't walking distance from the town. Alternatively you could use a taxi and ask them to pick you up at the beach spot at the end of the day when you're nice and cooked under the sun. There are very few shady spots on the beaches (the island is mostly bare) so arm yourself with plenty of sunscreen and a beach umbrella.