Vulcano is only 21 km ² and has fewer than 500 inhabitants, so it is somewhat smaller than the neighbouring island of Lipari less than a mile away. Vulcano is like the other Aeolian islands formed by volcanic activity, and it is a very special experience to climb the "Vulcano della Fossa" which is still active with a height of 293 metres.
Vulcano is famous for its hot springs. They are located within easy walking distance from the harbour. If you have your swimming costume with you, you can just dip in immediately.
On the northwest side of the island lies the Grotta del Cavallo (the horse grotto) on a wild and deserted stretch of the coast, which gradually slopes down to the black Gelso Beach. Here you will find clusters of Euphorbia and sprawling cacti growing down over the cliffs.
The island's highest point is the extinct volcano "Monte Aria" where there is now a plateau of lava, of the porous rock tuff and other deposits from the past 10,000 years. Here you can experience bathing in mud at the famous thermal springs if you can handle the smell of the sulphur!
The beaches – Two of Vulcano’s beaches are nestled near the main town. The sabbie nere (black beaches), so-called because of its black coloured sand of volcanic origin, stretches along a fine bay that is, sadly, too crowded in summer; the beach of the Fumarole is bathed by warm waters that are heated by bubbles of sulphurous steam, able to reach a dangerous temperature (beware of being scalded).
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