The Lipari sea stacks, two hours on a boat to watch the sun go down.

South of the town of Lipari, opposite Vulcano, two needles of rock rise from the sea: Pietralunga, tall and narrow, and Pietra Menalda, lower. These are the Lipari sea stacks, and at sunset the sun drops behind them and the islands to the west. It is a good way to end the day of your arrival or your last day before heading home.

The trip

Da Massimo leaves at 19:00 from Marina Corta, Lipari's small harbour. The boat skirts the south-east coast of the island, with its cliffs and coves, as far as the two stacks, and stops there to wait for the sunset. On board there is a toast, and if the sea is calm you can swim. You are back at Marina Corta at 21:00, in time for dinner in town.

It costs €30 per person. The agency's boats are small, with few places, so it is best to book at its office on Via Maurolico, five minutes' walk from the harbour, or by phone.

When to go

The departure time is fixed and the sunset changes with the month: in June and July the sun sets around 20:30 and the trip fits perfectly; in May and September you see it earlier and return in the blue light. The trip depends on the sea: in strong wind it is cancelled. Ask at the office in which months they run it.

Who it is for

It is short and relaxed, and suits almost everyone: couples, families with children who cannot manage a whole day on a boat, or anyone just off the hydrofoil who wants to see something before dinner. Bring a light jacket: it gets cool at sea when the sun goes.

If you are left wanting more, the same agency runs the tour round Vulcano and the Lipari and Salina daytime trip, and the Panarea and Stromboli trip with the volcano climb.

Afterwards, dinner

Marina Corta is Lipari's restaurant area. Going up towards the castle, in Piazza Mazzini, Filippino serves dinner from 19:00 to 22:30 every day, on a terrace under a pergola.