A second village on the same island
Most visitors land at the Molo Scari and stay in the main village of Stromboli. Ginostra lies on the south-west side of the island and is a separate stop for ferries and hydrofoils. Liberty Lines describes a steep mule track (mulattiera) leading from the harbour up into the village, so do not expect an easy arrival with wheeled luggage or limited mobility.
The harbour has a single berth. The operators list Ginostra and Stromboli as separate destinations, so a ticket to one is not a ticket to the other. Check the destination when you book. For the sailings from the mainland see the Milazzo ferry guide and our page on how to get to Stromboli.
Ferries between Ginostra and Stromboli
The Siremar plan for 1 to 31 October 2026.
| Route | Departs | Arrives | Planned time | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stromboli to Ginostra | 06:45 | 07:10 | 25 min | Wed, Sat |
| Ginostra to Stromboli | 20:05 | 20:30 | 25 min | Mon, Thu |
These two sailings are not a daily shuttle. The October plan has a morning link on two days and an evening link on two other days, so a day trip from the main village does not fit every week. Hydrofoils also call at Ginostra in the Liberty Lines plan that applies from 1 October 2026. Check the current timetables before you go.
A local boat operator in Scari advertises boat rides and transfers to Ginostra. Agree the time and the price in advance, because there is no fixed fare to rely on. The Ginostra ticket office of Liberty Lines closes for the winter from 1 October. The operator recommends buying tickets on its website or at the agencies on Stromboli and Panarea. That is a ticket office closing, not an end to the sailings.
Boat trips and tours around Stromboli
Evening boat trips, hikes and island excursions, with live prices and availability.
Staying in Ginostra
Small scale, so ask before you rely on anything.
Rooms
The village is small and rooms are limited. One B&B, Luna Rossa, has advertised three double rooms that can sleep three or four, each with its own bathroom, plus a shared kitchen and year-round opening. Its details date from 2023, so confirm opening and availability directly before you build a trip around it.
Shops and meals
Do not assume that every shop or restaurant is open every day, especially outside the summer season. Ask your host what is open and bring what you need for the first evening.
Arrival
Plan the walk from the harbour into the village. Ask your host for the walking time and whether anyone helps with luggage. In the evening, check that your ferry actually calls at Ginostra on that day.
Walking and the volcano from Ginostra
Rules differ from the main village.
Walks on this side of the island follow their own limits, set separately from those for the main village. In the municipal ordinance of 5 May 2025 the allowed height for walkers with a licensed guide was higher than for those without. Rules change with the alert level, so ask the licensed guides or the municipality what applies when you travel. Guides have offered afternoon and day excursions from both Stromboli and Ginostra in season, from 15 March to 31 October. Do not plan a walk between the two villages. Use the boat. The page on hiking on Stromboli explains the rules and how guided groups work.
The volcano is active, and the Sciara del Fuoco (the lava slope facing the sea) is best seen from the water. See boat tours to the Sciara and the current activity and alert status.
Safety in Ginostra
Know the warnings before you arrive.
Warning sirens
The civil protection service says that acoustic warning systems operate on Stromboli and in Ginostra. If the siren warns of an imminent paroxysm and you are on the coast or at the harbour, go inland at once and take shelter in a building.
Before you arrive
Find out the escape routes and gathering areas. If you need special support, tell the municipality of Lipari in advance.
Where to stay on Stromboli
Beds in the main village and how they fit the ferry plan.
Best time to visit
Which services run when, and how the sea decides your trip.
Ginostra and Stromboli are two of the seven Aeolian Islands. The Aeolian Islands guide covers the others.
Checklist before you go
Five points that save a wasted trip.
Ticket
Check that your ticket names Ginostra, not Stromboli, and buy it online or at an agency on Stromboli or Panarea.
Return
Write down the day and time of the boat back. The October 2026 ferry links run on only some days of the week.
Room
Confirm the room and your arrival time with the host before you leave the main village.
Luggage
Pack for a steep walk uphill from the harbour.
Plan B
Rough sea can change any crossing. Leave a spare day before a flight or a ferry on the mainland.
Ginostra: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Stromboli to Ginostra?
By boat. In the October 2026 Siremar plan the ferry leaves Stromboli at 06:45 on Wednesdays and Saturdays and takes 25 minutes. Hydrofoil stops and local boat transfers also exist; check the current timetable.
Can I walk from Ginostra to the main village?
Do not plan on it. Walking routes depend on the current rules and alert level. Take the boat between the two villages.
Is the path from the harbour easy?
No. Liberty Lines describes a steep mule track from the harbour up to the village. Pack light and ask your host about the walking time.
Does a ticket to Stromboli work for Ginostra?
No. The operators list them as separate destinations, and the Ginostra landing has only one berth. Check the destination when you book.
Is the Liberty Lines ticket office in Ginostra open in winter?
The operator announced its winter closure from 1 October. It recommends buying tickets on its website or at the agencies on Stromboli and Panarea.