The morphology of the island of Salina makes it rich in fascinating places. The roads linking the various inhabited centres run smoothly between valleys and volcanic rocky areas, offering breath-taking views for visitors. The best way to explore the island on land is to hire a scooter or car, while during the summer, a regular bus service provides links between the various parts of the island until late evening.
Of particular beauty are the cliff roads beside the sea, linking Santa Marina, the island's main port, with the rest of the island. This route takes you to the little town of Lingua, for a visit to the pool, a mirror of coastal water, divided from the sea by a gentle rocky strip. Another must-see place is the archaeological site of Portella, a Bronze age village built on a volcanic crest, with exceptional views to admire.
Worth a visit are the little lanes of Malfa town, especially the panoramic climb down to the Scario beach, a natural inlet cut out of the rock, with its smooth pebbles and the crystal waters of the sea. The best-known place on the island is certainly Pollara, a small cluster of houses standing in an ancient volcanic crater. Pollara, where the film Il Postino, by Massimo Troisi, is set, provides some of the most fascinating panoramas in the whole area. Entering the valley separating the two hills, between vineyards and brightly-coloured rocks, brings you to the most important religious site on the island, the shrine of the Madonna del Terzito, in the Valdichiesa region. Another typical place is the town of Rinella, with its small harbour and a beach of fine black sand, overlooked by the caves in the rocks above.
