Malfa is a town and comune (municipality) on the island of Salina, one of the Aeolian Islands, in the Metropolitan City of Messina in the autonomous island region of Sicily in southern Italy. It is located about northeast of Palermo and about northwest of Messina. It has 1,003 inhabitants.
The island of Salina is greenest and second largest of the seven islands in the archipelago. The main economic activities are agriculture, tourism and fishing. Cultivated products are grapes, capers, olives, figs and pricklypears.
Etymology Malfa derived its name from Amalfi, after some families from that city established here during the 12th century.
Demographics As of 2026, the population is 1,003, of which 51.9% are male, and 48.1% are female. Minors make up 14.1% of the population, and seniors make up 24.0%.
During the 20th century, many Malfitani migrated to Australia and to a lesser number to the United States.
Immigration As of 2025, immigrants make up 14.5% of the population. The 5 largest foreign countries of birth are Morocco, Romania, France, Poland, and Ukraine.
Culture Malfa celebrates the festival of San Lorenzo (Patron Saint of Malfa) on 10 August each year, with a street parade, music and fireworks.
Economy Malfa is a production and exporting center of Malvasia white wine. The fertile soil produces capers for export.
In popular culture The movie The Postman, Massimo Troisi's last one, was filmed in the frazione of Pollara.
References