Planning a trip to Lipari
The tourist office in Lipari is at Via Vittorio Emanuele 202 (tel. 090-9880095). In July and August, it is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 2pm and 4:30 to 7:30pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm. From September to June, hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am to 2pm and 4:30 to 7:30pm.
Fast Facts
Banks -- The major bank is Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Via Vittorio Emanuele 209 (tel. 090-9880432), which has an on-site ATM available 24 hours. There is also a branch of Banco di Sicilia at Via Castelfidardo 4 (tel. 090-9819424), also with 24-hour ATM service.
Emergencies -- Call tel. 113 for the police, tel. 118 for first aid. For medical services, head to the Guardia Medica in Via Porto Levante (tel. 090-9852220) or in Via Garibaldi (tel. 090-9885426).
Hospitals -- Head to the Ospedale Civile, Via Sant'Anna (tel. 090-983040); the hyperbaric chamber for divers (tel. 090-9885457) is also located here.
Internet Access -- Go to Net Cafe, Via Garibaldi 61 (tel. 090-9813527; www.netcafelipari.com/bar.html), which charges 4€ per half-hour.
Pharmacy -- Pharmacies in town are the Farmacia Morsillo, Via Marina Garibaldi 72 (tel. 090-9811428), and the Farmacia Internazionale, Via Vittorio Emanuele 128 (tel. 090-9431011).
Police -- For the local Carabinieri (army police corps), call tel. 090-9811333.
Post Office -- The main post office is at Corso Vittorio Emanuele 207 (tel. 090-9810051); open Monday to Friday 8:20am to 6:30pm and Saturday 8am to 12:30pm. It also has an ATM for cash withdrawal.
Getting Around
Large boats dock at the deepwater port of Marina Lunga, while the smaller vessels call in at Marina Corta. Most of the city life lies between these two ports and its side streets, so if you need anything once you disembark, it's all nearby. Taxis are found at the port ready to whisk you to wherever you need to go; to pre-book service, call one of the local drivers at tel. 338-525603. Note: most hotels and B&Bs offer courtesy shuttle-services to and from the port; check to see if the one you're staying at provides a transfer service.
Lipari is serviced by a bus network, run by Guglielmo Urso (tel. 090-9811026; www.ursobus.it), which also offers sightseeing trips. Buses leave from Marina Lunga about every hour (more frequently in summer), stopping at various points around the island. No point on the island is less than a half-hour ride away. A bus schedule is provided by the tourist office and at the website. Tickets can be bought at the ticket kiosk at the port or purchased on board from the driver, at no extra charge, for 2€.
To get around on your own (cars are not allowed on the island during the summer), a cheap, efficient option is to rent a bike (average rates 10€ per day) or motor scooter (20€ daily, not including fuel, but including the safety helmet). A security deposit (cash or credit card) is required, together with identification. Two rental outlets are Da Marcello, Via Sottomonastero, Marina Lunga (tel. 090-9811234); and Da Tullio, Via Amendola 22, Marina Lunga (tel. 090-9880540). To rent a small car, try Aveden (tel. 090-9811026; www.aveden.it), Via dei Cappuccini, which provides small vehicles at a reasonable fee.
