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Looking for paradise without leaving Sicily? You can find it on the island of Favignana.
This island is part of the Aegadian Islands archipelago, a group of small islands located in the most northwestern part of Sicily. For Sicilians, it is a regular holiday destination, and for foreigners, it is a paradisiacal and Mediterranean destination that is becoming more and more well-known.
Favignana is located about 18 kilometers west of the Sicilian coast, parallel to the stretch that separates Trapani and Marsala. With an area of almost 20 square kilometers, it is the largest of the Aegadian Islands, with a shape reminiscent of a butterfly.
Favignana has no less than 33 km of coastline.
Although I tend to say that it is flat, it is true that the western part of the island has a mountain range in which Monte Santa Caterina, at the top of which the famous castle of the same name is perched on the rock, takes the gold as the highest with a height of 314 meters.
Even though Favignana is worth discovering in depth, it is most common to visit it with some organized boat trip, spending several hours on board, sailing along the Mediterranean coast, and anchoring in front of some of the most beautiful beaches of Favignana.
It is also very common to visit it as part of a complete itinerary that includes its sister islands: Levanzo and Marettimo, with boat trips as a highlight.
Be that as it may, I spent three days in Favignana as part of my 10-day itinerary in Sicily, and to this day it remains one of the most peaceful and paradisiacal destinations I have known in Europe. This Favignana travel guide will prove it.
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Favignana Island map
How to get to Favignana Island
Because of its location, there are two main points from which it is possible and easy to reach Favignana: Trapani and Palermo. The coastal part of Sicily that connects Trapani to Palermo is gorgeous, with a wonderful view of the sea and small villages on land that you can discover moving along the A29 highway.
That’s why it’s common to rent a car or a caravan and take a road trip to discover the charms of this part of Sicily. If you find yourself in this area and want to know how to get to Favignana, I’ll tell you the details.
Reaching Favignana from Trapani
I traveled around the island from the east – Catania – to the west – Palermo – stopping in various cities, and before reaching my final destination, I decided to make a stop along the way and take the ferry to Favignana. The option I chose was to park the rental car in the city of Trapani and go to Favignana on my own.
You must take into account that it is possible to go to Favignana with a vehicle, but you will have to transfer it on the ferry, and this is something that increases the price a lot, so it is more economical to pay for parking and not worry about the car or caravan for a few days, unless it is your home on wheels.
*Do not forget to check, before booking your rental car or caravan, if it is allowed to make this transfer, as there are companies that do not contemplate it in their policies.
Arriving in Trapani, I looked for a parking lot near the port and, using the EasyPark mobile app, which was my accomplice in Sicily, I paid in advance for the time I was going to be in Favignana. Then I bought my ticket at the ferry terminal in the port of Trapani.
There were two types of ferries, and I was lucky to travel for the first time on a hydrofoil, a type of modern boat that, strangely enough, is propelled by the effect of the boat’s movement on the water.
Getting to Favignana from Palermo
Unless you go with an organized boat tour from the city, there is no direct connection to Favignana from Palermo, so the first thing to do is to go to the port of Trapani by public or private transport.
To cover the 110 km between them, you can take a transfer or a bus on the A29 highway. The first option takes about 1 hour, while the second takes about 2 hours.
| Options | Prices | Times | Duration |
| Bus | About 10€ | Check | 2 hours |
| Private transfer | Between 50€ and 70€ | You decide | 1 hour approx. |
Where to stay in Favignana Island
Although there are options for all tastes, with accommodations that offer a luxurious dream experience, my goal is to show you accommodations that suit all budgets, especially those of the traveler who prefers to stay in modest hotels.
The hotel I stayed at is called Cave Gardens, and it offers a top ten experience of sleeping in a typical Favignana cave without breaking the bank. You can read the full article about my experience sleeping in a cave hotel in Favignana.
Recommended accommodations:
⭐️ Cave Garden Rooms – 9,7/10 and over 200 reviews
Corte della Cava – 9,8/10 and over 50 reviews
Stabilimento Lido Burrone – 9,6/10 and over 200 reviews
Albergo Isola Mia – 9,2/10 and over 150 reviews
Masseria Il Passo – 9,5/10 and over 200 reviews
Dimora delle Tonnare – 9,4/10 and over 300 reviews
What to see in Favignana Island
Favignana Beaches
In Favignana, there are not many beaches, but there are many coves. And the crystal clear water that bathes them also offers a unique spectacle of colors. The extension of the island allows you to visit many of them on foot, without using any means of transport.
Whether you decide to visit just a few or all of them, this selection is all you need to get to know the main beaches of Favignana, with the limestone rocks as a backdrop.
Cala Rossa – Located in the northeastern part of the island, it has a sandy area and a rocky one. It is one of the most touristic beaches, so if you see that one of the areas is crowded, opt for the other. The turquoise waters are one of those that leave your mouth open (the picture was taken in May, imagine in the middle of August when it is full of sailboats 🤩).
Cala Azzurra – For many, the best beach in Favignana. It is beautiful, with transparent water that offers a wonderful visual spectacle, but it is very small and very crowded. My opinion: stick with the view you get from the top and avoid the crowds by prioritizing other beaches on the island.
Lido Burrone – This was the first beach I visited, less than 5 minutes by motorbike from my hotel. It is wide, flat, and ideal for snorkeling. You can lie on the sand, on the rocks on the side, or enjoy in one of the beach bars. On the plus side, there are parking areas nearby, and access is very easy.
Bue Marino – This wild cove has a unique environment. Between cliffs and typical tuff caves, to reach the sea, you have to jump or go down very carefully – not recommended for children. Although there is space to sit down, it can fill up quickly, but the views are still breathtaking.
Cala Rotonda – Another of Favignana’s most incredible spots, Cala Rotonda, is a pebble beach located in the southwest of the island, so not everyone gets to see it – it’s more remote and away from the town. Here you can walk along the rocks and enjoy the mix of colors in the water before watching the sun set.
Tonnara di Favignana
Here you can learn about the ancient fishing technique of tonnara, with the capture and slaughter of bluefin tuna. This place, also known as Stabilimento Florio, once the center of the island’s tuna fishing and slaughtering, is now a museum where you can learn about this deep-rooted tradition.
It is open every day, and during the summer, guided tours are organized, which can be booked on the spot or by calling +39 338 5365 899.
Palazzo Florio
This building, with its majestic façade and large windows, is the monument par excellence of the island; it is located in the center of the village and what was once the main center of Favignana’s celebrations and events now houses the Town Hall, the Municipal Library, and the Tourist Office.
Santa Caterina Castle
This fortress, located on the top of Mount Santa Caterina, is visible from almost every point on the island and was used by the Saracens and Normans; today belonging to the Italian Navy.
Although it is not possible to visit its interior, it is a place that many visitors are encouraged to approach to enjoy the most panoramic view of Favignana.
Jardin dell’Impossible
This garden of about 40,000 m2 is home to more than 400 different species of plants. The curious thing is that it is not an ordinary garden, but is located in an old calcarenite quarry, so its walls, paths, and shapes are very original.
You will feel as if you were walking through a building because of its vertical walls, but you are actually in front of a natural formation adapted by the Pirriatures. Guided tours are available, and you can find more information at: https://www.giardinodellimpossibile.it/
Favignana Island Itineraries
How to spend a day in Favignana
Favignana is a destination that deserves a couple of days – not much more – but if you have other plans for your trip to Sicily and only have 24 hours, you can enjoy the main attractions of the island.
My recommendation in this case is to walk around the village when you get off the ferry in the morning, see the ancient Tonnarello di Favignana, have a granita on a terrace, and then rent a bike to go to Cala Rossa or Bue Merino, in the east of the island.
As you cycle through the village, you will also come across the typical calcarenita caves with vertical shapes. If you go in summer, you will find beach bars on the different beaches, while if you go in low season, the options are more limited.
For lunch, I recommend going back to the village and trying some of the specialties. After lunch and to relax for the rest of the afternoon, the beach of Lido Burrone offers a sandy coastline with sunbeds and umbrellas for rent.
Since it is very close to the village, it is the most convenient option to have enough time before returning to the village to catch the boat back, already in the late afternoon.
Favignana Island – 2 days itinerary
Option 1
On the first day, you can spend the morning strolling around the village of Favignana, having a drink on one of its terraces, getting lost in its narrow streets, and visiting the Tonnara di Favignana. After lunch in the village, you can spend the afternoon at Lido Burrone, watching the sunset from the beach, before returning to the village to finish the day with dinner and a drink.
On the second day, I suggest you take a motorbike and go on a route that stops at the best beaches of the island from east to west, starting with Cala Rossa and Bue Marino in the east.
Then, if you feel like it, you can visit the typical caves and, after a snack at a beach bar, you can continue west along the main road, stopping at Cala di Calamoni, Marasolo, Cala Stornello, or Cala Rotonda.
In the afternoon, you can relax with a drink in Baia del Faro, and to end the day, I suggest you go away from the coast for a while until you reach Alencio Panorama Residence to see a magical sunset over Marettimo.
Suggestion 2
Change the wheels on the boat and go sailing on your first day on the island. This is the best way to get to know Favignana from a unique point of view: the sea. Rent your boat or book an organized tour and set off from the port to the most beautiful beaches: Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, Cala Azzurra, Marasolo Island, Preveto beach, Cala Rotonda, and Cala del Pozzo.
On the second day, take the opportunity to walk around the interesting places near Favignana: the Tonnara, Palazzo Florio, and the promenade. Walk to Lido Burrone or Calamoni, just a 30-minute walk from the village, and disconnect a few meters from the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
In the evening, you can approach, a few minutes from the center of town, the Cava or Arena Sant’Anna, a traditional tuff quarry reused as a space to host events in the summer evenings.
How to get around the island
Favignana by bike – This island allows you to take lovely walks pedaling through the Mediterranean streets. It is possible to rent bicycles for 4-8€ per day, with both traditional and electric bicycles available.
Favignana by scooter – Scooters are another of the most popular means of transport, and for a very affordable price, they allow you to move comfortably and quickly to any point of the island.
With a scooter, there is no limit to the distance you can travel, both in terms of time and effort. This was the option I chose, and I was able to travel the island from east to west in the best possible way.
The price can vary from 25€ to 50€ depending on where you rent it, the time of the year, and the demand. I rented it here (I see that the reviews on Google are not the best, but my experience, in May 2022, was positive).
Favignana by car – Is it possible? Undoubtedly. Is it worth it? In my opinion, no. Favignana is a unique Mediterranean destination and offers an ideal climate to experience it outdoors, 24 hours a day. So, although you can visit by car and even rent one when you arrive, bikes and scooters are a better option.
Where to eat in Favignana
Favignana offers a wide selection of options to suit all tastes and budgets. Whether you’re a meat lover, don’t want to leave the island without trying its pasta varieties, or prefer to indulge in its fish and local produce, there are enough restaurants in Favignana to satisfy your hunger.
The island is also a traditional tuna fishing area, as you can see when you walk around the port and pass by the old tuna factory and cannery Tonnare di Favignana e Formica. Therefore, if you visit Favignana, you should not miss a dish that includes this local delicacy.
We stayed two nights and breakfast was included at the hotel, so we had the opportunity to eat at four places, with the occasional treat – ice cream and granitas.
Kebaberia Tonno – The tuna kebab exists, and it’s finger-licking good.
Trattoria da Papu – The tuna meatballs are a must.
Ammukka Ristorante – The board with different kinds of smoked tuna conquered us.
Alencio Panorama Residence – After watching a beautiful sunset, we ordered horse meat, the Sicilian specialty.
Activities in Favignana: what to do on the island
Active plans for sports lovers
In high season, water, adventure, and outdoor sports take the top spot. For those who love active tourism, the island offers opportunities for kayaking, kite surfing, jet skiing, scuba diving, quad biking, and snorkeling in Favignana.
Scooter tour of Favignana: from east to west
Renting a motorcycle gives you the freedom to organize the route entirely to your liking. If you get the bike in the village and go directly to discover Favignana, I suggest you start from the north and go along the coast, so you will see all those essential beaches I told you about.
When you get to Punta Sottile, you will see one of the lighthouses of the island and can have a beer with a unique view.
Climbing to the Castle of Santa Caterina
Although I have already mentioned that this fortress is located at the highest point of the island, on the homonymous mountain, 334 metres high, it is also true that the distance that separates it from the center of the city makes it an ideal point to approach by trekking.
First, there’s a road, and halfway up it becomes a staircase – you’ll love the view!
Guided tours of the most important monuments
The beaches of Favignana tend to get all the attention, but other sights are great for learning about the history and culture of the island. Don’t miss the Tonnara di Favignana, Palazzo Florio, or the Giardino dell’Impossible, especially during the summer months.
A unique sunset at Alencio Panorama Residence
As I propose in one of the two-day itineraries in Favignana, for me this plan was one of the most beautiful I have experienced on the island. And to have the good luck to end the trip with a glass of wine, watching the sun set behind the silhouette of the neighboring island of Marettimo, has no comparison. It’s a romantic plan, a beautiful view, and a feeling of pure well-being.
If you are going to visit this destination, I think that this complete Favignana travel guide can be useful to show you the essentials you can do on the island and how to organize your getaway in the best way.
If you need more information or have any questions, don’t hesitate to send me a message, and I will advise you personally. Best regards! 🤗
