Volcanoes
Volcanic Islands Off The Tourist Trail
Stromboli, off the Sicilian coast, is one of the few volcanoes on Earth that has erupted continuously and predictably for thousands of years. Every 15–20 minutes a small Strombolian explosion throws incandescent lava bombs into the air. The 924 m climb to the summit at sunset is the most reliable lava show available to civilians anywhere — although the 2019 paroxysm killed a hiker and tightened guide regulations.
These seven volcanic islands are inhabited, geologically active, and accessible by scheduled boats or planes. They are not the famous ones (no Hawaii, no Bali). Each has a specific volcanic feature — a lava lake, a basalt vineyard, a black-sand beach — that makes it different from any other island in this list.
Below: when the volcano is most likely to perform, how to climb safely, and where to sleep at the base.
Late afternoon light, looking east. Photo by our regional correspondent.
Why This Place Matters
Stromboli, Aeolian Islands (Italy) — continuously erupting for over 2,000 years; sunset climb permitted with guide.
Pico, Azores — Mount Pico (2,351 m, Portugal's highest peak) and the basalt-walled vineyards of Criação Velha (UNESCO since 2004) where Verdelho grapes grow in lava-stone corrals.
Réunion, Indian Ocean — Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes in the world (60+ eruptions since 1640), with a road that takes you to the rim.
A Short History
Vulcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy) — gave its name to all volcanoes; the Roman fire-god Vulcan was said to have his forge here. Last major eruption 1888–1890; today the sulfur fumaroles and mud baths remain.
Iturup, Russia (Kuril Islands) — disputed between Japan and Russia, with 9 active volcanoes on a single island; reachable only by Russian-domestic flight from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
Bali's Mount Agung (the volcano on Bali) — Hindus consider it the navel of the world; the 1963 eruption killed 1,500 and forced the second-largest temple ceremony in Balinese history to halt mid-rite.
What You Will Actually See
Stromboli — sunset hike with a Magmatrek guide (€32) to 400 m level (above 400 m requires special permit); evening watch from Sciara del Fuoco overlook.
Pico, Azores — the Criação Velha vineyard walking trail (2.5 hours, UNESCO), Mt Pico climb (8 hours round-trip, registration mandatory), the whaling museum in Lajes do Pico.
Réunion — drive to Piton de la Fournaise's Pas de Bellecombe lookout (the access road climbs to 2,300 m); hike 90 min down to the inner crater rim.
Vulcano, Italy — climb to the Gran Cratere (1h, no permit required); take the mud bath in Faraglione laguna.
Lanzarote, Canary Islands — Timanfaya National Park (where 25% of the island was covered in 1730–1736 eruption); César Manrique's volcano-based architecture (Jameos del Agua).
São Miguel, Azores — the Sete Cidades twin lakes inside a 5 km caldera; Furnas village where cozido stew is cooked underground in geothermal vents.
Tristan da Cunha — most remote inhabited island in the world; the 1961 volcanic eruption forced the entire 264-person population to evacuate to England for 2 years.
The kind of detail you only notice on the second visit.
Interesting Facts
A few quick notes on volcanic islands off the tourist trail before the section below.
These are the details our correspondents most often get asked about by readers planning a trip.
Practical Information
Stromboli — guided climb only above 400 m; book through Magmatrek the day of, weather-dependent. Stay at Hotel Ossidiana on the village waterfront.
Pico — fly via SATA from Lisbon to Pico Airport (4h). Stay at Aldeia da Fonte, a basalt-walled hotel built into the lava field.
Réunion — fly from Paris Orly via Air Austral (11h); the volcano access road closes during eruptions.
Tristan da Cunha — six-day boat ride from Cape Town, one round-trip per year; £900 each way. Reservation through tristandc.com.
Interesting Facts
- Stromboli has erupted continuously for over 2,000 years and gave its name to the 'Strombolian' eruption type — short, mild lava-bomb ejections.
- Pico's Criação Velha vineyards cover 987 hectares within lava-stone walls (currais), protecting Verdelho grapes from Atlantic salt spray.
- Réunion's Piton de la Fournaise has erupted more than 60 times since 1640, with eruptions now monitored by 100+ permanent seismometers.
- Tristan da Cunha's entire 264-person population was evacuated in October 1961 when its volcano erupted; they returned in 1963 to find their houses largely intact.
- Vulcano gave its name to all volcanoes; the Roman fire-god Vulcan was believed to have his forge beneath the island.
Most travellers walk straight past this corner. Stop and look up.
How To Visit
Naples → Stromboli: 6h hydrofoil via Milazzo (Sicily).
Lisbon → Pico: 4h direct SATA flight.
Paris Orly → Réunion: 11h Air Austral.
Cape Town → Tristan da Cunha: 6 days, 1 boat per year (S.A. Agulhas II charter).
Final Thoughts
Volcanic islands are alive in ways most destinations aren't. The ground will be warm; the air may smell of sulfur; the night may include lava.
Go with a licensed guide. The 2019 Stromboli paroxysm and 2022 White Island disaster are recent reminders that volcanoes punish carelessness.
Pico's Criação Velha is the most beautiful single landscape on this list — black volcanic walls in a green grid, with the Atlantic on one side and Mount Pico on the other.
If you read this article and noticed something we got wrong, please write to us. Reader corrections shape what we publish next.
Marguerite Soto
Regional correspondent for WIGO Trips. Writes about overlooked places and quiet histories.
