Italy for me From Italy with love
A bicycle, without a doubt, is the most convenient and practical form of transportation on the island of Favignana. You can leisurely cycle around the entire island in just an hour or an hour and a half. As soon as we arrived on the island by speedboat from Trapani, we headed to the Tuna Museum. Today, I’d like to share with you a series of vintage cars that I managed to capture during our half-hour walk around the island.
At first, I didn’t pay much attention to their concentration, but when they started appearing at every turn, it became clear that they deserved their own feature.
There are almost no new cars in Favignana, and it seems like here froze decades ago. And it’s true—when traditional tuna fishing, called the “mattanza,” was banned, most residents lost their jobs and steady income. Today, the island is home to just over 4,000 people, and every evening you can spot a couple of dozen children playing in the town’s central square.
What remains are the free, wonderful beaches and a modest income from tourism. At times, Favignana feels a bit like Cuba in its atmosphere.
But let’s return to these charming cars. I’m not a car history expert, though I’ve visited the Ferrari Museum in Modena, and I can only admire these creations as an aesthete. Time and again, I realize that designers of the past had a deeper understanding of style. Every car has a soul, something modern car enthusiasts find more complicated to experience in our age of globalization. Why do these old cars seem so endearing? Is it simply nostalgia?
Near the port, I found several garages where vintage cars are being repaired or, more accurately, restored. Perhaps it’s one of the island’s residents’ hobbies. This old Fiat, for example, once came from Rome.
If you look closely, each car’s insurance is displayed in the lower-left corner of the windshield. This means they are still being used—they’re roadworthy!
Besides Citroëns, you’ll also find Renaults. It’s like a mini French invasion.
This relatively newer Fiat caught my attention with its cute turtle and mirrors—a very charming custom design.
And how about this orange monster?
For an independent trip around Italy, it’s worth considering renting a car. You can find the best option and compare prices from all providers using this car rental site for Italy and Europe.
What to Do on Favignana?
- Visit the Tuna Museum.
- Relax in one of the island’s lovely coves, one of which, Cala Rossa, is ranked among the top 10 beaches in Italy.
- Spend part of your honeymoon in one of the luxury hotels with stunning views at very affordable prices.
- Cycle around the island, as we did during our first visit in June 2014, and later repeated many times with friends.