Geysers, calderas, and fascinating landscapes: a route through European volcanoes

BarcelonaWhen Santorini recorded more than 550 tremors of magnitude greater than 3 at the beginning of the year, the Earth once again reminded us that it is alive. More than 9,000 people were evacuated, schools were closed, and a thick silence reigned between Santorini, Amorgos, and Ios. The alert quickly spread through the scientific community, although the experts were clear: the two active volcanoes beneath the island showed no imminent signs of eruption. But the episode left a clear warning: the fire of the Earth does not sleep and is closer than we imagine.

You don't have to go to Hawaii or Indonesia to delve into this fascinating world: in Europe, magma also shapes landscapes. The Old Continent has several hotspots where fire and water meet to shape unusual landscapes. Volcanic islands are concentrated mainly in three areas of intense geological activity: the Aegean Sea—with the Cyclades as the protagonists—, southern Italy—with the Aeolian Islands and the ever-active Stromboli—and the Atlantic—where the Canary Islands and the Azores show their most exuberant and saving face. And further north, Iceland stands out as a unique case: an entire island shaped by magma, where tectonic forces make and unmake the territory directly.

These European islands, born of fire and surrounded by water, are much more than idyllic postcards: they are a journey to the origins of the planet, a living reminder of how nature can be as powerful as it is captivating.

The Cyclades: the great eruption

In the southern Aegean Sea, a circle of islands surrounds a submerged crater: this is the Santorini caldera, the epicenter of one of the most devastating volcanic eruptions in history. The explosion that fragmented the ancient island of Strongyli, some 3,600 years ago, left a gigantic scar on the seabed, engulfed a civilization, and gave rise to present-day Santorini, Thirasia, and Aspronisi. It was so powerful that it still shapes the geological life of the site today. Below, the two active volcanoes that remain in the caldera—Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni—continue to generate fumaroles and serve as a reminder that this landscape is not definitive.

But the Cyclades go beyond Santorini. Islands like Milos, Ios, and Amorgos, with spectacular rock formations, changing colors, and beaches that look like something out of a movie, are also the result of ancient volcanic activity. On Milos, you can see the effects of volcanism in white rock caves, such as those in the Kleftiko area, and swim in beaches that seem unreal. The lunar beauty of Sarakiniko Beach, with its white rocks and turquoise waters, is one of the most hypnotic and unique landscapes in the world; don't miss it. On Amorgos, the easternmost island of the archipelago, the volcanic relief is less visible, but the sea merges with cliffs and white villages clinging to the rock. The monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa, perched on the mountain wall, is a symbol of the fusion of nature and culture in this landscape formed by fire and sea, well worth a visit.

The Aeolian Islands: a smoking archipelago

Seven volcanic islands in northern Sicily form one of the most fascinating archipelagos in the Mediterranean. Legend has it that Eol, god of the wind, found refuge there, and perhaps that's why the Aeolian Islands still seem blown by an invisible force that transforms the landscape and time. On Stromboli, the northernmost island, the volcano never sleeps. You can climb with a guide to the fire viewpoint—at dusk, when the explosions light up the dark sky, and whenever conditions permit—or admire it from the sea, on a boat that stops in front of the volcano. sciara del fuoco, the slope where lava flows.

Lipari, the largest and most populated, is lively and welcoming, with a bustling old town, a castle with an impressive archaeological museum, and black-sand coves like Canneto beach.

To the south, Vulcano smells of sulfur and invites you to hike up to the crater—an easy climb with memorable views—or to bathe in the hot, muddy waters of thermal origin. Panarea, between Lipari and Stromboli, is white and flowery, with islets scattered around and a chic attracting yachts and honeymooners. Further east, Filicudi and Alicudi are the wildest options: sparsely populated, with dry stone paths and a landscape that combines ferns, prickly pears, and the open horizon of the sea. And Salina, with its two green-covered volcanic cones, is the most fertile and peaceful. Malvasia vines, fruit trees, and climbing flowers grow here, which you won't be able to stop photographing.

Canary Islands: land of lava

Born from fire and shaped by the trade winds, the Canary Islands are an archipelago of lava, ash, and green that unfolds like a living archive of volcanic force. Each island is a different chapter in the same geological history, with landscapes that seem from another planet. In Lanzarote, the black and reddish landscape of Timanfaya Park presents an almost martial setting: lava fields, craters active only a few centuries ago, and black soils. In Fuerteventura, Calderón Hondo presides over a landscape of dunes and volcanic rocks reminiscent of a primitive desert, shaped by wind and time. In Tenerife, the imposing Teide—the highest peak in Spain—attracts visitors who seek both the views from the cable car and the hiking trails that allow them to tread on volcanic soil. Gran Canaria surprises with an inland landscape that contrasts with the coast: vertiginous ravines, eroded calderas, and villages that cling to their cliffs. On La Palma, the 2021 eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano left a trail of lava that still smolders in some places, a scar that speaks to the subterranean power of these islands. And there's more: the silence of El Hierro, the rounded, green shapes of La Gomera, and the white sandy paths of La Graciosa complete a natural mosaic in which each island vibrates with a different, yet magnetic, energy.

The Azores: green among calderas

Known as the "Hawaii of Europe," they are a volcanic archipelago of nine islands that surprise with the beauty of their landscapes. Located in the middle of the Atlantic, they are organized into three groups and offer unique experiences. In the eastern archipelago, São Miguel is the gateway and the largest island. Here you can visit the impressive calderas of Sete Cidades and Fogo, take hot springs in Furnas, or explore ancient lava fields. Santa Maria, with golden sandy beaches and sea caves, is ideal for outdoor activities and relaxation; and the Formigas islets are a paradise for scuba diving. The central group offers a wide range of activities: on Terceira, discover the World Heritage town of Angra do Heroísmo and explore its craters and volcanic caves. On Graciosa, walk among calderas and marvel at a landscape unique in Europe. São Jorge is known for its spectacular cliffs and coastal terraces; Pico, with the highest volcanic peak, is a challenge for mountaineering enthusiasts; and Faial, with its historic port, is ideal for sailors and offers lush landscapes. Finally, in the western archipelago, Flores and Corvo are the most remote and wild islands, with spectacular waterfalls and verdant meadows, perfect for those seeking absolute tranquility and close contact with nature.

Iceland: the volcanic island par excellence

In Iceland, the continent is splitting in two, and the Earth's heart beats in the open air, amid geysers, lava fields, and eruptions. In just a few years, the Reykjanes Peninsula has become a live geological spectacle: since 2021, twelve eruptions have already been recorded, with magma gushing from the subsoil like an ancient breath. The island, with more than thirty active volcanoes, offers a living lesson in how lava can sculpt lunar landscapes and new lands. It's the country where you can walk between two tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park, bathe in hot springs in the middle of a lava field, observe the famous Strokkur geyser, and marvel at other geothermal phenomena. Be sure to walk among sulfur lagoons and hot springs in Hverir or stroll along Vík's black beach, with basalt spires formed by cooling lava. In Iceland, you don't have to wait for an explosion to feel the planet's activity: it's right in front of you, at every turn.