Panarea
Panarea is the smallest of the main Aeolian Islands. It has a total surface area of only 3.4 km². In the Hellenic Age, the island was named "Hycesia". There is archaeological evidence on the island dating back to Mycenaean inhabitants, and the island was settled by Romans. There were people still living on the island until pirates and other Mediterranean raiders made life unbearable after the Fall of Rome.
The island is an ancient, inactive volcano. The highest point on the island, Punta del Corvo, is 421 meters above sea level. There are thermal springs near the village of Punta di Peppe e Maria. Scuba diving is a popular excursion on this tiny island, and you can even swim to a shipwreck between the offshore rocks of Lisca Bianca and Bottaro.
There are currently about 280 residents living on the island year-round; however, with the arrival of summer vacationers the population increases dramatically, if temporarily.