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Latest update: 26 March 2025
Hot. Blazing hot. And dry. Bone dry. And yet, Favignana, one of the Egadi Islands near Sicily, has quite the appeal. The warm wind and many small bays attract day-trippers from Trapani to Favignana. Actually, you can easily spend more time on Favignana to get to know the island better.
Egadi islands from Trapani
One of the best things to do from Trapani is to visit the Egadi Islands. You can also go there from Marsala, by the way. Of course, Sicily is already an island, but on the Egadi Islands, you’re in a completely different environment. Unspoiled. The island group has three inhabited islands: Favignana (20 km² / 7.7 sq miles), Levanzo (6 km² / 2.3 sq miles), and Marettimo (12 km² / 4.6 sq miles). But there are also uninhabited islands, or perhaps they’re more like large rock formations: Formica, Maraone, Galera, Preveto, and Galeotta.
Boat tour or travel to the Egadi Islands on your own?
I’m really torn about how I want to visit the islands. I can’t really picture what there is to experience and how much time I need for it. Initially, I looked into boat tours. Most boat tours visit Favignana and Levanzo. Sometimes with lunch, sometimes with snorkeling. I’m never a fan of being “dumped” at a place where you’re forced to walk around for two hours and then have to wait for people who are late. So that keeps me from booking a boat tour.
Ferry to Favignana
There are also ferries to the islands, giving me more control over my own schedule, so I go for that option and stick to the main island Favignana. In the summer months, it’s smart to book in advance, as the popular times sell out quickly. My travel partner and I only buy a ticket the day before because of the hesitation about whether or not to do a boat tour, and unfortunately, we have to take a later boat than planned. Not a disaster, just unfortunate.
All the ferries depart from roughly the same place, but pay attention to which company you’ve booked with. Because Siremar, for example, departs from the terminal and Liberty Lines from the boulevard. In any case, you need to be somewhere in this area.
Longer sailing time but more comfort
So there are different ferries, and one is faster than the other. On the way there, I have the slow Siremar boat. It takes almost an hour. But on the way back, I have the fast Liberty Lines, which takes only half an hour, and I find it really terrible. It feels like a kind of bus service with old, grimy seats. Only indoor seating, warm and stuffy. The Siremar is much more spacious, newer, and cleaner, and you can also sit on the deck. If you have the time, I would go for that one. I booked both tickets through Omio. There, you can also clearly see how long the crossing takes. Book your tickets here.
Exploring Favignana by bike
Favignana is just a small island at 20 km² (7.7 sq miles). Theoretically, you could take your rental car from Trapani to Favignana, but it’s not really necessary. It’s better to rent a bicycle. You can do that immediately upon arrival at the harbor. An electric bike is smart and worth those few extra euros! I rent at Info Point Favignana (Google Maps location), and they ask for €25 ($27) for the whole day (in 2024). But I had seen prices of €20 ($21.50) online, so after some negotiation, I get it for €20 too. If you book online, you’ll definitely get the cheaper price.
With a bit of imagination, Favignana looks like a butterfly on the map. In one day, you can cycle all the way around that butterfly, but then you have to keep your stops limited. There are hardly any must-see attractions on Favignana; the bicycle tour itself is THE activity on the island.
The island’s environment is arid and rugged. As soon as I get off the bike, I feel the sun burn my skin. The breeze on the bike is so welcome. The roads are generally well-paved, but occasionally, I end up on sandy roads with many stones. Later, I discover that some sections are actually forbidden territory with the rental bike. Oops! I can easily imagine that tires get punctured here regularly.
Oh, and you’ll probably come across the tunnel. We found that a bit confusing because there was a barrier at the road along the mountain, so on the way there, we took the tunnel. That felt like a terrible idea: too dark and too dangerous. On the way back, we cycled around the mountain and felt much better – despite the signs warning of falling rocks.
Bays and beaches of Favignana
I plot a route along various bays and schedule breaks here and there. There are quite a few beaches, but they’re all very small and consist mainly of rocks. Yet they’re very popular, so spaces are limited. If you have water shoes, I would bring them! Otherwise, quickly grab a pair before departing from Amazon.
Cala Rotonda
Looking back, I find the sandy beach of my first stop, the best beach in Favignana: Cala Rotonda. There’s quite a bit of space, and it has a nice, casual beach bar. At Pura Vida, I’m really comfortable. You can also see a pretty sunset here. It’s nice and relaxed, with an Aperol Spritz to top off your experience.
Punta Sotille
But I have more to see and do today. On to the next beach! That’s Punta Sotille. There’s a lighthouse here and a few eateries. People find spots between seaweed and rocks.
Spiaggia di Lido Burrone
Officially, I think Spiaggia di Lido Burrone is considered the nicest beach on Favignana because there are loungers and a sandy beach. But it’s incredibly crowded, so it’s not my favorite. If you cycle this way, you’ll also encounter various roadside food trucks.
Cala Azzurra
Cala Azzurra is a beach with rocks and some sand further on. It’s really a shame that it’s so busy at the end of August because there’s hardly any space to sit down and relax. The flat pieces of rock are logically already taken. So we cycle on to the dilapidated lighthouse at the end of the road and continue our bike ride.
Cala Rossa
The beach I had read the most about beforehand is Cala Rossa. It’s recommended by almost everyone. Only it’s not really a beach, but mainly rocks. Since April 2024, there have been signs that you can no longer swim here, but people do it anyway. It’s quite a challenge to clamber down and reach the water without falling. You can better visit this bay by boat. From the water, you’ll also see the unique, square shapes of the rocks. That’s thanks to former excavations – and I’ve also captured those with my drone. Pretty!
Spiaggia Praia
The last beach I visit is Spiaggia Praia, close to the harbor. The beach itself is not so special, but also not particularly busy. That’s also worth something. There’s a small beach bar where you can get a refreshing drink – cash only, by the way. You’re also welcome there for a bite, an aperitivo, and sometimes live music.
Other stops on Favignana
There are other nice places to stop between the beaches and bays. From the harbor, I spot the fort on top of Monte Santa Caterina mountain (Google Maps location). However, cycling up the mountain is a bit too ambitious for me today. Although the view does seem fantastic to me, maybe next time. So, I first end up in the center of Favignana. Phew, it’s extremely busy there. There are quite a few souvenir shops and restaurants, but I’d rather escape the crowds.
You can also go to an old tuna factory or the botanical garden Giardino dell’Impossible. Yes, there is plenty to do on Favignana.
Lunch at Cibo Chicchiere e Vino
It wasn’t actually the intention to have a fancy lunch, but Cibo Chicchiere e Vino looks too beautiful to cycle past. It’s a fancier restaurant with an enormous number of tables. During lunch, it’s deserted, but the setup promises it will be busy and cozy here with the sunset. It seems like a lovely spot to visit around that time. Difficult to reach in the dark, though. Normally, there are also donkeys, but they’ve now been moved to another place because there’s more food growing there
Is one day enough for Favignana?
Favignana is a top day trip from Trapani. But there’s also something to be said for staying overnight on the island. For example, I couldn’t enjoy the beaches or the restaurants for long. So, a day is a nice introduction, but if you want to experience more of the atmosphere and the island’s feeling, then you might better book an overnight stay. And maybe even stay longer to discover the other Egadi Islands too? Slow travel! For a stay on Favignana: La Casa del Limoneta is a good option WITH delicious little cakes!
More Sicily travel inspiration
Useful links for your Sicily trip
- Accommodation. Always handy is Booking.com. Rather stay in a hostel? Try HostelWorld.
- Activities. Book the best tours and activities at GetYourGuide, Klook and Viator. Book “free” walking tours at Freetour or GuruWalk , and for bike tours, Baja Bikes.
- Attractions and museums. For 5% off museums and attractions, use discount code KIMOPREIS22 at Tiqets.
- Car rental. Compare prices and insurance coverage at DiscoverCars and Rentalcars.com.
- Flights. Compare all your options! Definitely Skyscanner, and Kiwi.
- Guide books. I love the practical guides by Lonely Planet, for sale at Bol.com and Amazon.
- Package deals. Rather go on a catered trip? Start your search at Expedia or CheapOair.
- SIM card. Beware of unexpectedly high phone and internet costs. Buy a local SIM card when you arrive, or arrange one online via Airalo.
- Yoga retreat. Or join a yoga retreat in Sicily.
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