Newly updated : Last trip May 2026
Introducing my favourite island in Sicily and one of my favourite trip destinations in the world – Favignana and the Egadi islands. After my first trip in 2024 I became besotted with these little islands and went back in 2026 for a week, when I also took part in the Egadi Ultra Swim, swimming 12km around the island of Levanzo.
During my most recent trip to Sicily I spent some time knocking around the Aegadian islands – Isole Egadi. Both trip to Egadi’s I’ve based myself on the ludicrously laid-back Favignana where I spent my days cycling from beach to beach. I’ve also spent some time boating around the caves and coastline of Marettimo, and toasted an afternoon spritz on the postcard island of Levanzo. Spending this time in the Aegadian islands further highlighted how special Sicily is and why it will likely always be my favourite region in Italy. There isn’t loads of information on this archipelago because most visitors only stay for the day so I wrote this guide to help you better plan your trip.
While we’re here, have you already seen my islands of Sicily travel guide?
BEST PLACE TO VISIT IN SOUTHERN ITALY
Planning a trip to Italy? You’re in the right place! Welcome to Travel Planning and Itinerary design by Candy. Ciao! I’m an independent travel advisor living in Portugal (since 2016). I help people plan their dream trip to Portugal, Spain and Italy. You’re currently reading a post from my collection of travel guides. I also offer personal travel consultation and a bespoke itinerary service.
Allora…
Favignana is one of the three inhabited Egadi islands and where I chose to base myself for 5 days and 5 nights. I really wasn’t sure what to expect from this trip as most of the information online is written by those visiting on a day trip from mainland Sicily but Favignana surprised me in all the best ways.
It truly is a perfect place to go with the flow. Just wake up each morning and see what you feel like doing, no plans necessary. Wake early for a sunrise bike ride to Cala San Nicola, have a lie in until it’s time to pick up freshly-filled cannoli for breakfast, snorkelling the southern grottos? Whatever you fancy, Favignana is easy. The only rule is : take it slow.
I can tell when I’ve had one of my best trips ever by how quickly I start planning the return. No sooner had I sat on the ferry back to mainland Sicily, I had made a plan with my accommodation host to return in the next year. I’ll be back, Favignana!
Travel & Photography by Candy : What you see is real. No images in any of my travel guides are AI. All photos in this travel guide are taken by me. I spend a huge amount of time photographing, editing and uploading all the photos on this website. Please do not reuse them without credit and a backlink to this page. Thank you.
Travel in Sicily
Sicily first came into my view in 2019 but due to covid my trip was cancelled and my curiosity had to wait. It was 2022 when I escaped for a two week trip and came back with a new favourite place in Italy, and somewhere I have returned to time and time again. Since that first trip, Sicily became my favourite place to travel and I’ve spent months worth of travel time in the region.
BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN SICILY
Sicily Travel Map
Looking for the best places to visit in Sicily all in one place? The Sicily Travel Map has more than 150 pins to help you plan a meaningful trip. I created this map to inspire your itinerary and make planning easier. The map includes a food guide, authentic restaurants, trattorias and osterias, the best spots for aperitivo, road trip ideas, cities, islands, remote beaches, hiking trails and areas of natural beauty. Local activities and genuine experiences. Everything you need, for the cost of one pizza. Mamma Mia!
Where is Favignana?
Favignana is one of 3 inhabited Egadi islands. The archipelago is located 10 km from the west coast of my favourite Italian travel destination – Sicily. Zoom in using the map below to see the islands of Favignana, Marettimo and Levanzo.
Favignana is a 30 minute ferry from the port town of Trapani. Trapani is 45 minutes from Palermo airport or 1h25 from Palermo city centre.
How Long to Spend in Favignana?
Many foreign travelers choose to visit Favignana as a day trip from Sicily. With the frequent fast ferries this is totally doable. However I recommend staying in Favignana for at least a few days and nights so you can get a feel for what the island is all about. Do as the locals do, which is come here to vacation, switch off the worries, soak up the sun. If you don’t have the luxury of time but want to squeeze in a trip while in Sicily, aim to arrive on the very first ferry and depart on the very last to see Favignana in all lights. I urge you to try and stay one night if you can.
Slow Travel in Favignana
One of the most appealing parts of travel in Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo is their slow pace. I honestly can’t believe how untouched by modern tourism the islands feel. They are not secret by any stretch of the imagination. Favignana is a popular holiday destination for Italians but despite the attraction it hasn’t lost itself to tourism like many of the other Italian islands have. Levanzo and Marettimo are even less developed. I truly hope the Egadis hold on to this. I believe they will.
How to get to Favignana
First you need to get yourself to Sicily and Palermo is the closest airport. The beauty of this western part of Sicily is that it is well connected. Meaning you can fly into Palermo, get to Trapani and (in most cases) get to the Egadi islands in the same day thanks to bus and boat availability. Worth noting, unless you want to spend a few days in Palermo either side of your island trip (highly recommend – it’s a bold, colourful, gritty and friendly city) then there is no need to spend a night before or after the islands because the city is the opposite direction from the airport and Egadi islands. If you arrive at Palermo airport in the evening you can still take a late bus to Trapani, spend the night there and then take the first boat to the islands the next morning.
It is worth noting that Trapani does also have an airport that connects to other places in Italy and some outside of the country such as Bordeaux (which are more limited).
Booking a Ferry to Egadi Islands
Ferries to the Egadi islands depart Trapani frequently (every few hours) and less-frequently Marsala.
I took 6 ferries over the space of my time on the Egadis and all but 1 was on time. The remaining was delayed by 15 mins. The ports have the arrival and departure process polished to a T and it’s impressive how quickly the ferries are in and out with all passengers onboard.
Use Liberty Lines to book your ferry to Favignana Ferries run approximately every 2 hours between 7am – 9pm. During summer tickets do sell out so always purchase in advance, especially your return ticket if you are doing a day trip. You have the ability to change your tickets up until the last minute. Cancellation within a few days incurs a 20% fee. Tickets are €10-€15 each way between Trapani and Favignana. Favignana to Marettimo is the same. Favignana to Levanzo is €5-€8 each way.
How to Get Around Favignana
In Favignana you can rent a car, scooter, electric bicycle, or normal bicycle. The island is less than 20 square km and the majority is relatively flat so cycling (electric or normal) and foot is the best way to get around. Cycling from beach to beach is one of the main attractions of being on Favignana so I highly recommend hiring a bike for your time on the island.
Renting a Bicycle or scooter in The Egadi Islands
There are dozens and dozens of bike rental places on Favignana. When you step off the ferry you’ll meet loads of touts. Don’t feel like you need to hire from there. There are plenty of shops available. The quality of bikes varies from place to place so if you have the time it’s worth checking a few places before committing. If you’re coming in the peak summer months, for peace of mind you may benefit from booking in advance. To do this search GoogleMaps for bike rental and read the reviews. Those companies often have a way to book in advance.
Prices vary depending on the type of bike and time of year. On my most recent trip I rented with Noleggio Maria Laura for €5 a day for a normal bike with basket and lock. I would rent here again.
If you want an easier time, electric bikes are plenty but I must admit, part of the charm for me is getting around slowly and simply. No need for swish bikes here.
Renting a car in Sicily
There is zero need for a car in Favignana but if the Egadi islands are part of a bigger Sicily trip you may want a car during your trip. I recommend a car for exploring Sicily (outside of Palermo and Catania where you do not need a car). I always use Zest (you’ll see them in all my guides). I’ve rented cars via Zest all over Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Where to stay in Favignana
The island is only small so you can stay in any part and get around quick enough but staying in the centre (next to the port) makes sense since it has the biggest concentration of restaurants, shops, bars etc. The town is a pleasant ramble of streets and so enjoyable to walk and cycle round. The vibe is so lovely.
I booked an apartment at Terra del Sole located in the centre, a 5 minute walk from the ferry and 3 minute walk from the main area of restaurants and shops. They offer standard holiday apartments, very spacious and all have a balcony/patio. Don’t expect high quality furnishings but the bed was comfy (and huge). I went back again for my second trip and will continue to stay there for future trips. Say hello to Max from me (Candy the swimmer).
Alternatively, if you want to stay a little further out for a more secluded stay there are various houses and resorts dotted around the island. A few I’ve had my eye on..
- Guesthouse: La Casa Dell’Arancio
- Holiday Home close to the southern coves
- EGIDA camere mediterranee clean, modern apartments
As always, in summer months book in advance. The winter isn’t the time to visit Favignana but in case you do end up visiting then, there are some amazing accommodation deals to be found.
Best Beaches and Grottos in Favignana
Oh man. So many. Considering this is a very small island and I had 5 days worth of exploring, I still didn’t reach all the beaches. The best thing about the range of beaches is that whatever the wind is doing there is usually at least 1 or 2 that are sheltered. Even better, most are a 10-20 minute cycle from Favignana port.
I’m not going to list every beach here. The best thing to do is jump on the bike and cycle along the coast until you see one you fancy. This is part of the joy of it all. There aren’t really any hidden beaches as such but if you take some time cycling around the coast you’ll find plenty of little grottos to dive in and explore.
Remember : never swim at a beach on your own. Don’t jump or dive into water unless you know for certain it is deep enough.
A really useful app for choosing beaches in Favignana is WindFinder – use this to see the wind prediction for the coming hours and days. It makes it really easy to see which beaches will be sheltered.
- Cala Rosso – the most famous and one that regularly makes it in the “World’s best beaches” guides. Not the most accessible of beaches (very spikey rocks – bring beach shoes), but one of the bluest bays I’ve ever seen. There aren’t lots of places to lay a towel but with a bit of imagination you an make it work. If you want it to yourself – go at sunrise.
- Bue Marino – The most eastern “beach” of Favignana. Bue Marino is a great spot for sunrise. The rugged cliffs are left in strange formations from the quarrying. There is not really a proper beach here but plenty of rock to bathe on.
- Cala Azzurra – My favourite beach I visited. This gorgeous cove has two sections of beach joined by a low walkable cliff. As the name suggests the water is unbelievably blue. It gets busy but you shouldn’t have a problem finding somewhere to lay your towel. Get there early in the day to enjoy this sparkly gem to yourself.
- Cala San Nicola Beach – My favourite surprise. I only discovered this beach on the last morning despite the fact it is less than a 10 minute ride from Favignana port. This little cove is backed by a graveyard but don’t let that put you off because this sheltered spot is a heavenly place to swim. It has a great beach shack bar on the cliff which makes the perfect place for an afternoon spritz.
- Lido Burrone – I personally didn’t think this beach was that special considering what else is available but if you want to hire sunbeds, this is the place to do it. However this south coast stretch has some amazing rocky coves where you can find little secluded shelfs. I spent many afternoons there.
- Cala Rotonda – A sheltered bay on the west coast that has the best sunset bar on the whole island which draws in a young crowd. The beach is great for snorkeling and the bar is great for apertivo with a view and fun vibes.
Favignana Island Itinerary ideas
You don’t need an itinerary for Favignana or the other Egadi island. These islands are all about going with the flow, enjoying the simple life and a slower pace. In peak summer it’s good to book boat tours in advance, otherwise see how you feel each morning.
Best Experiences and Activities in Favignana
Usually this part of my guide is brimming with different activities but as I keep saying, this island is about going with the flow. The simple life is what Favignana is made for. These were my favourite experiences in Favignana.
- Cycling the island, from beach to beach in a bikini
- Swimming in crystal clear water in the various grottos
- Sunset Drinks at A Leva on the west coast, watching the sun dip beyond Marettimo island
- Eating fresh tuna steak out of this street food truck in the town centre
- Wandering the main streets of Favignana under a pink and purple sunset as the twinkly lights turn on
- Eating granita twice a day every day.
- Picking up fresh fruit and veg from the small produce market
Other experiences in the Egadi Islands
If you’re spending more than a few days in Favignana you may want to explore the other islands Levanzo and Marettimo. The best experiences I enjoyed on the other islands were:
- A 4 hour swimming and cave boat tour around Marettimo with Pippo
- Aperitivo at Levanzo
What To Eat & Drink in Favignana
Like the rest of Italy, Sicily is home to some incredibly tasty snacks. You can find all of the following on Favignana island so I present to you your very own treat treasure hunt! Enjoy!
- Cannoli
- Cassata
- Granite and Brioche con tuppo
- Arancini
- Crocchè di patate
- Panelle
Considering it’s a small island I’m really impressed with the number of restaurant options. Lots of variation to choose from. Some appeared more touristy than others. There is every type of tuna you can imagine, but you’ll also find plenty of pizza and pasta too.
Best Restaurants Favignana
Cannoli e Coralli – This granita and Cannoli shop had me back every single day without fail. Their granita is the best on the island, perfect texture and so many flavours. I managed to try 8 while I was in Favignana. The fig, peach, pistachio and Cantaloupe melon are all worthy of a mention but try them all, for me, please.
Pasticceria FC A very popular breakfast spot, often with a queue. I’m not someone who likes to queue but I made the exception for FC time and time again. The freshly filled cannoli is the best I’ve ever had.
Cabucci Ruci – You’re one stop for panelle and €5 spritz.
Cafe Mazzini – Bustling local cafe with all the usual breakfast suspects. This is a great place for people watching. It gets busy at breakfast time. Solid granita and croissant options.
Pizza Pazza Hole in the wall pizza. Super cheap and cheerful, great for a take-away to eat on the beach or by the port.
Tuna Street Food My favourite feed on the island. Simple and quality. Fresh grilled tuna steak panino. Popular with locals and tourists alike. Plastic tables and stray cats – Perfection! The van is now blue!
Bar/cafe at Cala Azzurra Basic shack like with beers and all the usual (and best) fried Sicilian snacks. Good value considering the location. Eat outside in the shady area or take-away and eat on the cliffs with a view.
Here are some more from the huge wish list I made myself that I got to see in person but not try myself.
Cala Cala Sicilian Poke
Pescheria Stella Maris All fresh fish dishes, relaxed vibe
Scaliddre Ristorante Siciliano dishes such as spaghetti and salty tuna eggs, sea urchin pasta, etc.
Best Bars in Favignana
A Leva – Sole, Leva. Located on the west coast of Favignana (25 min bike ride) Amazing spot for sunset and aperitivo. Lots of seating and a wide open view with a desolate feeling and mountain backdrop. €15 for tagliere with a drink.
La Costa Sunset Bar, Cala Trono. Another spot for sunset drinks. Beautiful location with outdoor and indoor seating. Easy to reach from Favignana centre if you don’t want to go round the other side of the mountain.
Movida Favignana main town. Small, almost hole in the wall bar with a few wooden tables and chairs outside, amongst the bustle of the highstreet. Lively music and the usual drinks.
Beach clubs
Camarò Beach Club €16.50 for 2 sunbeds ½ a day.
I really enjoyed writing this because I got to relive my time in Favignana. I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Favignana and the Egadi islands in Sicily. Happy planning!
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