Spend your 5-7 days exploring Salina’s caper farms, volcanic trails, and coastal villages while evenings bring open-air films, director talks, and local wine under the stars. With hikes to Monte Fossa, heritage tours, and tasting experiences woven in, this itinerary is perfect for creatives and cultural travellers seeking meaning, nature, and story-driven travel.

The Green Heart of the Aeolian Islands

Salina, the second largest of Sicily’s Aeolian Islands, is known for its twin volcanic peaks, lush terraced vineyards, caper fields, and deep cultural soul. Nicknamed the “green island” for its abundant vegetation, it offers a quieter, more contemplative experience than its neighbours. Traditional stone villages, natural springs, and black-sand beaches frame daily life here, with Malfa, Leni, and Santa Marina serving as gateways to both sea and story.

SalinaDocFest (15th July until 20th July): Where Cinema Meets the Mediterranean

Launched in 2007 by journalist and author Giovanna Taviani, SalinaDocFest is Italy’s premier festival dedicated to narrative documentary cinema. It was created not only to celebrate the art of the documentary but to explore the Mediterranean as a space of dialogue, migration, and memory. Over the years, it has brought together global filmmakers, thinkers, and local communities in a unique fusion of screenings, debates, and shared meals.

This year's edition has a distinct theme - New Words / New Images. A theme calling for a reclamation of meaning in today’s digital age - an invitation to rediscover authenticity in language and visual storytelling. It's a meditation on how words and images can shape collective memory and empathy. What makes it truly special is its setting: screenings take place in cliffside courtyards, open-air piazzas, and repurposed island palazzi, blurring the line between story and place. The result is not just a film festival, but a deeper cultural experience rooted in reflection, landscape, and slow time.