Here’s a complete guide on what to see in Favignana, with tips for exploring the island by bike through its most famous coves.
The island of Favignana is the “queen” of the Aegadian Islands and contains numerous picturesque views to see and discover. With its butterfly shape, pristine white beaches, and idyllic colored coves, this land exudes vacation, summer, sea, and relaxation. Legend has it that it was once rich in trees, water, and wild goats. It was these goats that supposedly contributed to its name Egusa, meaning “she who has goats.” It’s also said that the nymph Aeguasa once lived here. In this article, we’ll specifically discuss what to see in Favignana.
Unlike Marettimo, Favignana is predominantly flat, with its “wings” (its shape resembles a butterfly) being the Bosco and the Piana, divided by a small hill. Right there, at the summit, stands the Fortress of Santa Caterina. From 310 meters in height, the castle and its prisons dominate everything. These are just some of the sights to include in your “what to see in Favignana” list.
HOW TO GET TO FAVIGNANA
To reach Favignana, you need to take a hydrofoil from the Port of Trapani (Siremar or Ustica), and the ferry ride takes about an hour. If you’re traveling by car, you can use the large parking lots next to the Port (one is free) and then use the shuttle service.
As soon as you set foot on the island, you’ll feel like you’ve landed directly in paradise. The first to welcome you will be the grand Former Florio Tuna Factory (which I recommend visiting), where tuna processing and canning once took place (don’t forget that tuna is king in these areas). Also near the small harbor, you’ll find the majestic Palazzo Florio (open to the public, admission fee required) and, after a short walk, the San Giacomo prison.
HOW TO GET AROUND FAVIGNANA
Favignana isn’t large, and for getting around, I recommend renting a bicycle (costs about 5-10 euros per day). It takes about two hours to cover the entire perimeter, but you’ll have the opportunity to lose yourself among small paths and coves without worrying about anything else. Additionally, you can decide what to see in Favignana along the way. I’ll leave you with a small itinerary that I personally followed, which will allow you to discover this wonderful island step by step.
BIKE ITINERARY – WHAT TO SEE IN FAVIGNANA
Start from the Port and begin heading towards Punta San Nicola, then continue towards Cala Rossa. What will appear before your eyes will literally leave you breathless. The sunsets in this part of the island are moments of life you’ll never forget. These natural spectacles must be included in your list of what to see in Favignana.
Still on your bike, you can “get lost” among the Tuff Quarries, another must-see in Favignana, until you reach Cala Azzurra, among the most beautiful beaches in Sicily, Punta Marsala, and Punta Fanfalo. The road that runs along the beaches will then take you towards Burrone locality and then to Punta Lunga.
Once you arrive near Cala Monaci, you can decide whether to return to the harbor or continue towards the tunnel that crosses Monte Santa Caterina and find yourself on the western part of the island. From that side, you can admire islets and rocks, until you reach Punta Faraglione.
If you only have one day available, the island tour by bike (2-3 hours) will allow you to discover the best things to see in Favignana, with a few stops at the Coves and then, inevitably, the hike up to the Castle of Santa Caterina. There’s only one route, which is a bit steep in the last stretch. It’s about 3 km from the Port, but don’t be fooled by the short distance because it takes more or less a generous hour to reach the top.
Bring water and a hat because there are no shaded areas to shelter under, and the sun beats down strongly on hot days. Once you reach the summit, the island of Favignana will stretch out at your feet. If you want some advice on what to taste and enjoy, remember that the village is full of venues and small restaurants. The specialties are those featuring “bluefin tuna,” accompanied by excellent typical Sicilian wines.
