Palermo
via Long.
Sail a 7-day yacht charter from Palermo through Mondello, Cefalù, Lipari, Salina, Panarea and Ustica — Aeolian volcanic archipelago + Tyrrhenian island reserve.
Day-by-day route
Click any pin on the map or any day in the Route summary below to see the daily stop, narrative, and photos.
Palermo → Mondello
8 nm shake-down N to Mondello — turquoise crescent at foot of Monte Pellegrino. Belle Époque pier. Closest swim to Palermo. Day-anchor sheltered N. Anchor on sand at 4-6 m as alternative; Marina Cala 8 nm S for overnight return.
Distance
5 NM
Sailing
~1h at 5 kn
Route at a glance
Route summary
Click any day to jump back to the map and see its photos, narrative, and mooring tip.
Day-by-day journey
Named anchorages, restaurants, and route notes for every leg of the week — written by sailors who've actually run this passage.
Palermo → Mondello
8 nm shake-down north from Marina Cala to Mondello — turquoise crescent at the foot of Monte Pellegrino, Belle Époque pier, the closest swim beach to Palermo. Day-anchor at Mondello on sand 4-6 m, sheltered from N. Mooring at the small Mondello marina or back at Marina Cala for the night.
Things to do
Anchor swim at Mondello sand crescent
Walk the Belle Époque Mondello pier
Hike Monte Pellegrino panorama trail
Pasta con le sarde at Antica Focacceria
Mooring tip
Mondello small marina stern-to, €60-90/night, sheltered from N. Anchor on sand at 4-6 m as alternative. Marina Cala 8 nm S for overnight return.
Mondello → Cefalù
32 nm east to Cefalù — Norman cathedral town (12th-c, UNESCO mosaics). Marina di Cefalù stern-to is the standard charter overnight, sheltered from N. Climb the serpentine road to La Rocca cliff-top ruins for the panorama back to the cathedral and the beach.
Things to do
Visit the 12th-c Norman Cathedral (UNESCO mosaics)
Climb La Rocca cliff-top ruins for panorama
Swim Spiaggia di Mazzaforno marble pebbles
Sunset at Bastione waterfront restaurant
Mooring tip
Marina di Cefalù stern-to, €80-120/night peak, sheltered from N. Anchor in the bay outside on sand at 5-7 m as alternative.
Cefalù → Lipari
38 nm long northeast to Lipari — capital of the Aeolian archipelago. Marina Lunga at Lipari town for stern-to overnight. Pumice Quarries on the north coast for the unique post-industrial swim site (white pumice cliffs + Caribbean water). Marina Lunga stern-to, €70-120/night peak. Refuel at the entrance fuel berth before mooring. Plan to swim Pumice Quarries (white cliffs + Caribbean water), visit the Aeolian Archaeological Museum, walk the Norman Lipari Cathedral cobbled lanes.
Things to do
Swim Pumice Quarries (white cliffs + Caribbean water)
Visit the Aeolian Archaeological Museum
Walk the Norman Lipari Cathedral cobbled lanes
Totani rings + Malvasia on Marina Corta
Mooring tip
Marina Lunga stern-to, €70-120/night peak. Refuel at the entrance fuel berth before mooring.
Lipari → Salina
6 nm short northwest to Salina — twin volcanic peaks, only fertile Aeolian. Santa Marina Salina for stern-to overnight. Hike Monte Fossa delle Felci (962 m, 4 h up) through fern-forest. Granita di gelsi (mulberry ice) at Da Alfredo on the harbour quay is the local institution.
Things to do
Granita di gelsi (mulberry ice) at Da Alfredo
Hike Monte Fossa delle Felci (962 m, 4 h)
Tasting Malvasia delle Lipari at Hauner
Swim Pollara black-sand bay (Il Postino setting)
Mooring tip
Santa Marina Salina stern-to, €60-100/night, sheltered from N. Rinella south coast as alternative.
Salina → Panarea
8 nm east to Panarea — smallest, most fashionable Aeolian. Cala Junco UNESCO Bronze Age archaeological cove + Basiluzzo islet Roman underwater remains. Marina San Pietro for overnight. Cala degli Zimmari black-sand beach south side for swim. Cala Junco day-anchor on sand at 4-6 m as alternative. Plan to aperol spritz at Raya Bar (cliff-cut DJ bar).
Things to do
Snorkel Cala Junco UNESCO Bronze Age cove
Snorkel Basiluzzo underwater Roman columns
Black-sand swim at Cala degli Zimmari
Aperol spritz at Raya Bar (cliff-cut DJ bar)
Mooring tip
Marina San Pietro stern-to, €100-160/night peak, sheltered from N. Cala Junco day-anchor on sand at 4-6 m as alternative.
Panarea → Ustica
60 nm long west to Ustica — single volcanic island 36 nm north of Palermo, Italy's first Marine Protected Area (1986), the "Galápagos of the Mediterranean". Long passage, leave at first light. Cala Sidoti or Cala Santa Maria anchorage. Grotta dei Gamberi shrimp-light cave is the headline dive.
Things to do
Dive the Grotta dei Gamberi (shrimp-light cave)
Cycle to Punta Spalmatore lighthouse
Anchor swim at Cala Sidoti glassy water
Lenticchia di Ustica lentil stew at Trattoria da Umberto
Mooring tip
Cala Santa Maria small port stern-to, €40-60/night, sheltered from N. Anchor at Cala Sidoti on sand at 5-7 m for swim alternative.
Ustica → Palermo
36 nm south back to Palermo. Optional swim stop at Isola delle Femmine on the way. Marina Cala or Marina di Villa Igiea inside the bay for the final overnight. Refuel before tying up. Standard 14:00 marina arrival for handover-prep.
Things to do
Optional Isola delle Femmine swim stop
Walk Vucciria Market sunset chaos
UNESCO Palatine Chapel mosaics tour
Refuel and clean the boat at Marina Cala
Mooring tip
Marina Cala stern-to, €100-160/night peak. Marina di Villa Igiea premium alternative. Refuel at the entrance fuel berth.
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