Pollara beach is one of the most beautiful in all the Aeolian islands. It is located on the north-western side of the island and is now world-famous because some scenes from the film Il Postino: The Postman were shot there. Although the beach has been lost in recent years, it remains an unrivalled access to the sea. From here, it is also possible to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in Salina and, perhaps, in the whole of Sicily.
Pollara beach on Salina
Pollara beach is located at the north-western end of the island of Salina, inside the bay of the same name. It is a natural amphitheatre formed by the partial collapse of the largest Aeolian crater, with a diameter of more than 1 km. At one time, the whole area was covered with vineyards, prickly pears and olive trees. Today, the main activity for the few inhabitants is the caper harvest, which takes place from May to August. There used to be a pebble beach here, but unfortunately, it has dwindled over the years and is no longer there. However, it remains a spectacular site, made even more charming by the so-called ‘balate’. These are the old fishermen’s houses that were carved out of the rock and connected by steep stairs and which are now used as warehouses. From Pollara beach, you can also enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in the whole of the Aeolian Islands with a view of the Faraglione Rock and the island of Filicudi.
The beach and the film “Il Postino: The Postman”
Over the years, many films have been shot in the Aeolian Islands and on Salina in particular. In 1949, Rinella beach was the backdrop for some scenes in the film Vulcano starring Anna Magnani. At the same time, Roberto Rossellini was shooting a film starring Ingrid Bergman and entitled Stromboli on the island of the same name. Worldwide fame for Pollara Beach came in 1994, the year the film Il Postino: The Postman was released. The film, based on the novel of the same name by Antonio Skarmeta and inspired by Pablo Neruda’s exile, stars Massimo Troisi and Philippe Noiret. Some of the most touching scenes were shot in Pollara Bay. Along the path leading to the sea, we come across another symbolic place from the film: the ‘red house’, where the poet Pablo Neruda lived. The building is a typical Aeolian house and is owned by the artist Pippo Cafarella.
How to get to Pollara Beach
The road that leads to Pollara Beach is not the smoothest. The effort, however, is certainly rewarded with one of the most beautiful views in the whole of the Aeolian Islands. It takes 30 minutes to get there from the centre of town. Once past the Church of Sant’Onofrio, there is a one-kilometre stretch of partly paved road. The route is very steep but passes through gorse, ferns, cacti and wisteria.
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