Favignana – the Island You Want to Come Back to

On the island of Favignana, we spent only one day at the beginning of June 2014, but already in the first hours of our trip it became clear that we would have to return here more than once.

We went there on a tour of southern Italy on the recommendation of our Sicilian friend Mario. On Favignana, the famous Cala Rosa bay is located, one of the ten best beaches in Italy, and several other equally beautiful beaches.

As a reminder to new readers, we regularly stay at the beautiful Villa Posidonia or the Limone Apartments at Mario and Antonella’s villas. The island can be reached from the port of Trapani. A boat trip will take 40 minutes and cost 20 EUR return tickets. Boats run at intervals of about an hour.

I hope that after viewing these photos you will have no doubts that Favignana certainly deserves to spend there, if not the entire vacation, then at least a significant part of it. See a special overview and tips for choosing a hotel on Favignana Island.

So, after taking a trip from Trapani at 9.30 a.m., and 40-45 minutes, we moored at the port of the island. Mario recommended that we rent a bike, the cost of which, according to him, should be 3-4 euros per day in those bike rentals that are farther from the port. But after wandering around the island’s capital of the same name for about an hour and visiting the tuna museum, we still returned to the port and rented 4 bicycles for 5 euros each – the prices in all bike rentals were the same. According to the same Mario, in the high season, late July-August, prices boldly approach 8-10 EUR per day, but this does not prevent tourists from disassembling all the bicycles available on the island, so those who arrive after lunch have to wander around Favignana on foot. In our experience, we recommend taking a bike – this is the most convenient way to travel around the island.

The port greets us with many old fishing boats and a view of the hill with the fortress, at the foot of which is the tuna museum.

From the very first minutes, bright, colored shabby buildings create the impression that time stopped here a long time ago – this is how it is.

Most of the population has been leaving quite poor, but happy life.

Cars is another story on the island of Favignana. I have never seen such a concentration per square meter of vintage cars anywhere in Italy.

Isn’t it lovely?

After walking for 10-15 minutes along the narrow streets, we found ourselves in the central square of the city.

And, of course, we could not ignore the “vegetables and fruits” store. We bought a kilogram of delicious cherries here at 3 euros per kilogram, so we continued exploring this small town.

Most of the restaurants are concentrated in the central square.

МThe menu is traditional for Sicily: swordfish, tuna, salmon, shrimp, octopus, and everything in the same spirit. Of course, pasta is present in all forms. For prices, you can hardly eat more than two servings per evening, so you can safely count on the bill, including a liter of homemade wine, in the region of 40-50 EUR for a maximum of two. If you come to the island in June, try the tuna.

If you want to cheer up with a cup of authentic Italian coffee during the day, then this pleasure will cost you a maximum of 1.5 EUR.

If you haven’t tried fresh tuna, don’t despair, it is sold canned in Favignana on every corner.

A monument to Ignazio Florio stands near the city hall. Born in 1838 in Palermo and in 1876 bought the island of Favignana and all the other islands of the Aegadian archipelago. As you guessed, the man was tough. In the 17th century, his ancestors built an innovative tuna cannery for those times.

A pile of rusty anchors was found near the port.

Favignana is a paradise for two. You can come here with your loved one, for example, on a honeymoon trip or just like that.

There is a small fortress on a hill in the western part of the island, but it was decided to leave it for the next visit.

If you are too lazy to pedal one of the days, you can stay sunbathing on the city beach.

That is the very place out of which almost the entire island’s male population came to the “mattanza” just some 7 years ago.

Now there is a small bar where you can quench your thirst with Heineken – here it is globalization.

Most of the tourists on the island look precisely like this.

Most accommodation options can be reached on foot in 10-15 minutes.

If you stay on the island, not in a hotel but in an apartment, you can independently experience all the delights of washing and drying in Italian style.

Red Bay (Cala Rossa)

The Cala Rosa Bay is legendary among the Trapani people. If we hadn’t got here, Mario would have put us on the return boat with a ban on returning to Sicily without proof of visiting this lovely place. Slowly pedaling, we reached the bay in about 20 minutes. There are signs everywhere along the way and detailed maps showing your location near the bays, so it’s impossible to get lost. In extreme cases, a local will tell you the way.

Leaving the bikes on the path, we went to the cliff.

On the way, we met a mobile bar on wheels.

In 30-degree heat, water is priceless, it is not so expensive, but we advise you to take a liter or two of water with you on the way – there are no supermarkets along the way.

And here she is, the long-awaited bay. And it turns out not at all red, but from the flowers, the brain explodes! I didn’t believe that there was such beauty. There is no doubt that this is one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy.

With the editor-in-chief of “Italy for me” and my beloved wife Yana Yakutsevich, we say hello to all our friends and readers. Please note that our clothes are long-sleeved – to burn out at noon, here is one piece of cake.

We could stay here, but the desire to show you more beauty made us move on.

Small herds of cows and sheep are constantly encountered and note that the cows are all white.

The next stop a kilometer later is called Bue Marino. Swimming here is not so comfortable, but very atmospheric.

For diving enthusiasts, it is a paradise.

Azure Bay (Calla Azzurra)

Cycling along the island’s paths is fun, but it’s time to take a break. So, we decided to stop for a few hours in Lazurnaya Bay – it seemed to us that it was the most comfortable of all we had seen. I don’t know what’s going on here in August, but it is an excellent place for a quiet and relaxing holiday in other months. Anyone who has been to the beaches of Rimini with thousands of sun loungers will understand the contrast.

Literally a few meters from the bay is the Cave Bianche Hotel, which I wrote about in the tips for choosing hotels on the island of Favignana. Judging by the reviews of tourists – a very decent option.

Today, in terms of atmosphere, colors, and beauty of landscapes, this is one of the best places where I have had a chance to rest.

Yana was also impressed by the local landscapes and agreed to pose a little.

Pure happiness!

Spending some time on the azure beach, we went toward the city. On the way, we stopped at Lido Burrone beach.

And again, a mini-photo shooting.

Our boat departed at 6.30 p.m.. The day passed extremely quick. Returning to the city about an hour before sailing, we bought some postcards, drank a cup of espresso, and enjoyed a delicious ice cream.