A coastline created by nature, re-imagined by man and nurtured by time.
Situated off the northwestern coast of Sicily, Favignana island’s thirty seven kilometres of sharp, cragged stone are a summertime dream. Part of the three Egadi islands, it continues to be the most beautiful, most popular and the most treasured amongst Italians and an increasing number of travellers looking for sunshine, dusty roads, and saltwater blues to rival any Caribbean island we’ve ever visited.
We absolutely adored our time exploring this beautiful little island on our first Sicily road trip. And whilst we could have happily decamped here for a few sunkissed days, Favignana is absolutely perfect for a day trip from the coastal town of Trapani, with everything that makes the island so wonderful easily explored and enjoyed between sun up and sun down, and covered at a gentle pace on two wheels.
In this guide you’ll find all the essential information you need to get to the island by ferry, advice on how you get around Favignana, tips on what to bring with you, our own itinerary that allows you take in the best of Favignana as a day trip, and more than enough photos to (hopefully) convince you that this truly is one of the most beautiful places in Sicily.
If you are planning on staying for longer than a day in Favignana, we’ve also shared some of the best accommodation on the island for you!
This is our guide to Favignana.
How to Get to Favignana by Ferry
There is only one ferry company that operates the route between Trapani and Favignana, and that's Liberty Lines.
Whilst they run a fairly frequent service with their large, modern boats (especially in the warmer summer months), due to Favignana's popularity both as a day trip and as a holiday destination for locals and visitors, the ferries do have a tendency to leave at full capacity - something we discovered when attempting to buy a ticket at 8.10 am for the 8.30 am departure! Thankfully there was both another departure at 9.10 am and a little cafe across the street for a particularly frothy cappuccino.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that for your own visit you'll either want to get there much earlier than we did to join the queue or simply save yourself the stress and buy your Favignana ferry ticket in advance online - you can buy Trapani Favignana ferry tickets on the Liberty Lines website or on Direct Ferries.
If you do purchase online, make sure you’re at the dock in good time before departure. In person, you can pay with cash or card.
You can either opt for a one-way or a return ticket. The price for each leg of the journey is the same, but for day-trips it is highly recommended to go for the return option so you are guaranteed a spot on a boat at a convenient time. When buying your return ticket in advance or in person, note that you have to choose the specific departure time you will be coming back to Trapani - and do not miss it!
We chose the return ticket option in order to maximise our time exploring Favignana (and not in a queue at the harbour in order to secure the return journey which also fills up in advance).
If bringing luggage - more than a daypack or beach stuff - we think it's included on the price but you need to get a sticker / ticket for the bag before you board.
The Details
Ferry Departure Point | In Trapani, make your way to Via Ammiraglio Staiti 55-61 (Google Maps) to buy your ticket and board.
Cost | A return journey costs €20 per person.
Times | The ferry crossing with Liberty takes about 30 minutes. There are regular daily departures (one every hour during our visit), with increased frequency over the summer months. Full and current timetables can be found here on the Liberty Lines website.
Note that there is actually another ferry operated by Siremar, but it takes over an hour and costs the same price, so we don’t recommend it for day trips to Favignana.
Pack | For a day trip to Favignana, you need to bring all the necessary beach stuff, lots of suncream, a hat, sea shoes if you have them (Italians love ‘em and they’re really necessary on the spiky rocks at some spots), phone charger or battery pack, a sarong or something to lie on, and plenty cash. And remember to stay hydrated (both water and Aperol count).
Plan | Our Guide to Trapani + Our West Sicily Road Trip Itinerary
Favignana With a Tour
For those planning on visiting as a day trip and exploring by bike, a tour really isn’t necessary, however if you’d prefer to combine your visit with a day aboard a sail boat, exploring the spectacular beaches by water, there are a number of tours that provide this service.
Few will afford this eye-wateringly expensive private yacht experience, but there are much more affordable options such as this full day tour for, and this one, both of which include lunch and time at various coves on Favignana and Levanzo.
How to Get Around Favignana
Although a handful of spots on the island are accessible by car, the vast majority of people choose to get around the dusty roads of the islands on two wheels. You have two options for this:
Bike Rental
As will become immediately obvious as soon as you step off of the ferry, there are a lot of bike and scooter rental places in Favignana!
Being keen to get out and explore, after checking that they had good quality bikes, we chose to rent from the first company that you encounter after disembarking. We didn't take a note of their name, but you'll find them on the right side along the harbour beneath a very large green fabric 'RENT' sign.
Rental for the day was €10 per bike, which included a chain, although you could rent older bikes for €5 per day if you're on a budget.
Alternatively, a couple of minutes walk further up from the harbour, there’s a line of places renting bikes for between €5 and €15, dependent upon quality (and perhaps how much you're willing to negotiate!).
If you'd prefer to spend a little time in Favignana town before heading out around the island, you could also consider visiting one of several agencies located there, as they seemed to have the cheapest rates on the island. If you’re staying on the island for a few days, it makes sense to rent from them. However, for daytrippers, it saves time and is more convenient to get it sorted near the harbour and go!
If you're concerned about your fitness or timing, It's worth noting that the majority of the bike hire companies also rented out electric bikes. Personally, we were living off of a couple of bowls of pasta a day and a pastry for breakfast so were very happy to get to burn off a few calories with our own pedal power!
Wherever and whatever you rent, confirm the last bicycle drop-off time (ours was 6.30 pm), check the tyres, and give the bike a test ride. It’s also worth taking the rental company’s details in case you get lost, stuck, need help, or get a flat tyre.
As you make your way around Favignana, you’ll realise that lots of people rent bicycles and they all get parked up in any available space at beach entrances - therefore make a note of yours so you don’t end up taking someone else’s and make sure you leave it locked when you’re at the beach. You also need to cycle through a dark tunnel at one point - it’s totally safe and manageable, but just pay attention to what the signs tell you before you enter and stick to the cycle lane.
Scooter Rental
We found so much joy in idly cycling along the coast and through the arid countryside, that we genuinely wouldn't recommend hiring a scooter for your Favignana-based activities - unless perhaps you were planning on being here for a few days and needed a faster mode of transport to access the beaches.
Rental was around €20-25 per day. As ever, be sure that you have appropriate insurance for this, wear a helmet, check the vehicle and take pictures, and drive safe.
Plan Your Route Around Favignana
Once you’ve got your wheels sorted, it’s time to hit the beautiful coastline and beaches.
For this you have two options: either pre-plot all your stops (we recommend them below) on a Google Map and follow that with your GPS and the signs scattered around the island - read this post on how to download a Google Map offline if data is an issue - or grab yourself one of the easily accessible maps when you step off of the ferry.
Just note that the tourist maps are very much not to scale, and distances should be taken with a pinch of salt. So, to help you out, we've plotted all our recommended stops on the below map!
We’ve plotted all our must-visit stops on the map below, and recommend you visit them in a clockwise manner, stopping at Cala Rossa first. As one of the closest beaches to Favignana town, this gets incredibly busy as the day goes on; by visiting first you'll be able to beat some of the crowds.
To get to to Cala Rossa, you need to come out of the harbour with your bicycle and go immediately left - don’t go into the town!
It’s also really important to note that by following this route, you need to ensure you have enough time to make your way back from your final stop (Cala Rotunda) to Favignana town. Please don’t get stranded!
Four Favignana Beaches You Can't Miss
The island of Favignana is home to countless coves, beaches and swimming spots, and we’re pretty sure that on a hot, sunny day, we would enjoy each and every moment spent at any of them. However, there are a few places that are extra special and really shouldn’t be missed - whether that be on on a day trip or a longer visit.
Cala Rossa
As we mention above, due to size and proximity to the town (it's only about a 7 minute cycle ride away), this large cove is a super popular spot for day trippers and Favignana-based holiday makers alike.
The large expanse of calm and crystal clear water translates to a wonderful and safe swimming spot, but the 'beach' of razor-sharp coral can be a little challenging for unprotected tootsies. There are areas of smoothed rock where you can lay a towel but if you plan on venturing into the sea (and you absolutely should), we'd recommend bringing a pair of sea slippers or - if they have a strap - just wearing your flip flops.
If you're keen to spend time at here but the crowds become a little too much, follow the coast a little further to the east where there are large rocks that you can sunbathe on.
Further details | There is a small kiosk (technically the back of a van) selling drinks at the entrance but if you plan on spending the day, and want some food, you'll either have to bring your own or make your way to 'Robertino' (Google Maps) - half tent, half van, great sandwiches.
Bue Marino
My goodness, this spot is fabulous - and by far our favourite.
Named after the monk seals that used to call this place home, Bue Marino is a sun and sea loving playground of towering rocks, caves and a kaleidoscope of blue. With no beach as such, it is the smooth rocks of an old quarry and a man-made ledge upon which you can stretch out, towel to towel with bronzed Italian bodies.
Quintessentially Sicilian, and attracting young and old, this bathing spot provides a bounty of entertainment, and is a people-watcher’s dream: la dolce vita at its finest.
Further details | There is a a designated place where you can secure your bike, and it’s here that you'll also find a food truck selling fresh tuna sandwiches and a giant lemon offering up frozen granitas (that will make sense once you see the giant lemon).
A Note about Lido Burrone and Where to Eat in Favignana
Located approximately halfway around Favignana is Lido Burrone.
The largest stretch of sand on the island, the beach appears to be particularly popular with families, and during the beautiful summer day that we were there, it was by far the busiest place on the island. Throw in the fact that it's probably the least pretty spot here (the bar is set pretty high!) and most similar to a standard Italian lido with restaurants and lots of deckchairs, we didn't really like it too much and wouldn't recommend day trippers spending much time along its sands.
With that said however, as there are very limited food options outside of the town, it's along this particular part of the coast that we'd recommend having lunch.
La Costa Sunset Bar | Located on the left hand side, a few minutes before Lido Burrone, La Costa is all white wash wood, cool vibes and great views. Unfortunately, the only meal on offer that afternoon was octopus so we had to keep on pedalling (although the cocktail menu was mighty tempting!) but this would definitely be our top pick otherwise - especially for seafood lovers.
Bar Restaurant Lido Burrone | This is the next food spot you'll pass on your left and, as the name would suggest, it’s associated with the beach. The perfect place for a quick, cheap bite but expect long queues during peak season.
Bar Ristorante Pizzeria La Playa | A little further along, and you'll find this little restaurant. Drawn in by the convenience and shade, we got a surprisingly tasty plate of vegetarian pasta here for €9 as well as some very welcome cold beers, but expect to pay quite a bit more for seafood.
Marasolo | If you only fancy a snack, consider the small cove about 10 minutes further on. The bar/restaurant at Marasolo was cool and relaxed for a drink, but only seemed to do panini.
Cala Azzura
Shallow azure waters atop a bed of white sand, alive under a hot Sicilian sun - a single glance and it's clear to see how this little cove got its name.
Undeniably popular, the narrow and rocky path between the sea and limestone cliffs creates a natural limit on the numbers of sun worshippers that can lay claim to it for the day. This means that even when we visited, Cala Azzura didn't feel overwhelmingly busy. In fact, it felt very much like somewhere we could spend the entire day.
Unlike many other bathing spots on the island, the lack of deep water to negotiate means that this is a popular cala for families and older visitors.
Further details | There's a small area for you to tie up your bicycle, and a bar opposite from which you can buy drinks and snacks.
Cala Rotonda
The final stop before heading back to the town, Cala Rotonda offers up a much more relaxed experience than elsewhere on the island. And, for those less keen on perching atop a rock, you'll be pleased to know that this is one of the few coves with a beach; a particularly pebbly beach, but a beach no less.
Don't miss the 'Pura Vida' whilst you're there. Bamboo shades, reclaimed wood, cold drinks, and a cool soundtrack - this was very much our sort of bar. Its location on the west coast of the island means that it's also quite possibly the best place to watch the sun set on Favignana, Aperol Spritz in hand ‘natch.
It was such a shame that we had a ferry to catch!
Alternative Things to Do in Favignana
Explore Favignana Town | We had only limited time in Favignana town before hopping on the ferry back to Trapani, but it is undoubtedly a lovely place to take a stroll. Typically Sicilian, there are plenty of spots to grab a well deserved gelato ('Mama's Ice Cream' did not disappoint) or refreshing granita - or indulge in a pastry from the hugely popular 'La Pasticceria'.
Visit nearby islands | If you're luck enough to spend a few days on Favignana, you should consider heading over to the nearby islands of Levanzo and Marettimo. Liberty Lines runs a regular daily service to both, or you could opt to take one of the sailing trips on offer from the harbour costing between €20 and €50 per person. It's possible to hire private boats, but of course this is going to cost you significantly more.
Visit Ex Stabillmento Florio | Whilst we wouldn't personally be rushing to visit an old tuna factory in the height of the Sicilian summer, if you're here for a while and need a break from the sun, this interactive museum has proved rather popular with those that have been. Entry is €6 per person and further details can be found here.
Slowly cycling around the Favignana was an absolute delight, and the interior of the island also serves up photogenic treats of fauna and stylish and quirkily designed holiday homes - so don’t feel that you just have to stick to the coast all the time!
Where to Stay in Favignana
Favignana is a super popular holiday spot for vacationing Italians (in particular those from Palermo who like to escape the city for a couple of weeks in July/August), so whilst this means that there’s an abundance of accommodation options, they get booked up super early and the prices skyrocket the closer you get to summer (in advance, expect to pay at least £100 per night for a double).
So, this means that if you'd like to spend a little longer here, you'll need to be super organised and get your hotel or apartment booked sooner rather than later.
It’s also important to note that in the summer months in particular, most accommodations have a two or three night minimum stay requirement.
Airbnbs in Favignana
With a population of just over 4,000 permanent residents, it may come as a little surprise to learn that the island has more than 300 Airbnb options! Here are a pick of our favourites:
La Praya 5 | At £125 a night for two people, this is a bit of a splurge, but this is by far one of our top picks for Favignana. Stylish, with views to die for and direct access to the beach. To find out more, click here.
Other great picks for couples (with most priced between £70 and £80 a night) are:
Monolocale Vintage Con Vista | The IBISCO House | Lemon Tree House
If you’re travelling in a larger group, these are great options:
Residenza le Volte | Centralissima con Giardino | Casa Piffero del Baglio del Piffero
Please note that all the above Airbnbs are located within walking distance of Favignana town; there are a number of options across the island but these would be difficult to access without a car.
Favignana Hotels & Guest Houses
La Casa Dell'Arancio | Impeccably designed, with a fusion of mediterranean and Moroccan design, this is probably one of the most stylish places to stay on the island. And whilst that does come at a cost (doubles start from £187 per night), if you can afford it, it’s probably our top pick. To find out more and check availability, click here.
Cave Bianche Hotel | Set within the site of an old quarry, this beautiful hotel is the perfect choice for those that prefer a more resort like experience. Wonderful rooms reminiscent of those you’d find in boutique ‘cave hotels’ in Matera, a fantastic breakfast and outdoor pool - it even has some admirable eco-credentials. To find out more and check availability, click here.
If this style of property is to your liking but you’d prefer ocean views and a more intimate experience, Cave Garden Rooms also comes highly rated.
L'Oasi Villaggio Albergo | If you prefer your hotels with a little more of a ‘rustic chic’ vibe, and and a solid eco-friendly ethos, this is a great choice! Only 200 yards from Cala Graziosa beach, the small family-run resort, set in a floral Mediterranean garden is a 10-minute walk from Favignana centre. To find out more and check availability, click here.
I Vicoletti rooms & homes | At around £90 per night, this is the cheapest hotel on the list but still incredibly highly rated. It’s well-located in the centre of Favignana town, has a large roof terrace with spectacular views and pleasant rooms. To find out more and check availability, click here.
Next | Find more of our Sicily guides below, or go straight to 13 Wonderful Things To Do in Sicily.
