One of the best places you can find in Sicily is the island of Favignana, the largest in the whole archipelago of the Egadi Islands. From its shape, in fact, it is understood that it is a place capable of transmitting joy: it looks like a butterfly with its wings spread. Favignana is divided into two parts by the high Santa Caterina hill, and presents numerous natural beauties along its coasts, where many beaches are located, while its historic center is full of small restaurants, shops, and other folkloric elements. Being an island famous for its sea, tourists usually populate it throughout the summer period, being amazed by what it has to offer. In this regard, to organize a relaxing and exciting vacation traveling to Favignana, below is a guide on everything you need to know about it: monuments, itinerary, flights, hotels, B&Bs, and typical dishes.
Monuments of Favignana: the most beautiful to visit
Favignana is an island characterized by an important presence of natural and at the same time artistic elements, and it is not by chance that it is a place with truly satisfying tourist data. The tuff here is strong and resistant, but also malleable, so the surrounding morphological conformation has been marked: the monuments of Favignana are unique. On the island, there are various disused tuff quarries that serve as a natural backdrop, observable in specific points such as Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, Punta San Nicola, and Punta Marsala; however, to avoid problems, it is always recommended to rely on an expert local guide.
Furthermore, the tuff quarries have contributed to the formation of special underground gardens, such as the Garden of the Impossible located in Villa Margherita, where it is possible to admire over 200 different species of plants. For those who want to dedicate themselves to trekking, there are various opportunities, but the most renowned excursion is the one that consists of reaching the top of Mount S. Caterina, where the Norman fortress is located, also called the Castle of Santa Caterina. During the hike, you can see wild animals and the typical vegetation of the Mediterranean scrub.
The former Florio establishment, now known as the ancient Tonnara, is not to be missed as it houses various setups including the archaeological museum, where many artifacts found in the Egadi Islands can be seen, a section dedicated to the Florio family, two educational panels on fishing and tuna processing, the oil room, and much more. Finally, the last two monuments to visit as among the most beautiful in Favignana are the Palazzo Florio, composed of tuff stone and rock, and the Mother Church, known for its cross-shaped form.
Favignana Itinerary in 1 day
Even if you are passing through Favignana for only 1 day, there is still the possibility of planning an exciting itinerary. Once arrived in this splendid location, you can have breakfast at the historic U Bar du Marinaru, to sip the well-known pistachio coffee. A few steps from the pier is the Palazzo Florio, appreciated by tourists for its Gothic style and the Liberty interior decoration. Continuing, you can head to the former Florio establishment, the ancient Tonnara, which as mentioned has a lot to offer; for this reason, it is advisable to select in advance what to see.
You walk eastward towards Punta San Nicola, where you have the opportunity to admire the remains of a necropolis dating back to the Hellenistic period, as well as the Grotta del Pozzo. Then there is Cala Rossa, whose crystalline sea is suitable if you want to stop for diving, while a short walk from Cala del Bue Marino is the Tuna Fish Favignana, ideal for tasting a tuna sandwich. For some healthy relaxation on the beach, you could stop at Lido Burrone, and then walk for about 60 minutes to reach the Castle of Santa Caterina, where you can admire the sunset.
Favignana Itinerary in 3 days
The needs for traveling to Favignana may vary, and if you can stay at least 3 days, you would have the opportunity to fully enjoy what this picturesque island has to offer. Since it is important to plan an itinerary even for these 3 days, the advice is to schedule each day as best as possible according to your needs and desires. If you have doubts about it, it is advisable to enjoy Cala Rossa in the morning of the first day, but first have breakfast at U Bar du Marinaru. In the afternoon, you could move to Cala Rotonda to relax, then head to the agriturismo L’Alencio for a memorable aperitif.
The second day is to be dedicated to Cala del Bue Marino and Cala Azzurra, where in the afternoon you can stop at Lido Burrone for an aperitif at La Costa – Summer Club. On the third day, you could consider watching the sunrise at the Castle of Santa Caterina, and then visit the ancient Tonnara of Favignana. The idea is to spend the afternoon at Cala Pozzo and Punta Faraglione, ending the day with a rich aperitif.
Flights to Favignana: where is the airport located?
There is no airport in Favignana, so it is necessary to take a flight (perhaps with Ryanair) to land at either Vincenzo Florio Airport in Trapani or Falcone-Borsellino Airport in Palermo, which are the closest airports to the island. Once arrived at one of the two mentioned facilities, you must head to the port of Marsala or Trapani via a private bus, taxi, or bus, in order to board a hydrofoil, operated by the company Liberty Lines, towards Favignana.
Favignana Hotels: the ranking of the best ones
To experience a relaxing holiday on the island of Favignana, you must select a hotel that can offer the highest level of comfort, both in terms of room cleanliness and geographical location. In fact, it is essential to stay in the most central areas of the locality in question, so as not to have too many difficulties in getting around. In this regard, below is the ranking of the best hotels in Favignana, in order to offer readers a convenient choice through careful selection:
- Tempo di Mare Hotel
- Cave Bianche Hotel
- Favignana Hotel Concept Holiday
- L’Oasi Villaggio Albergo
- Hotel Il Portico
B&Bs in Favignana: the ranking of the best ones
If you don’t intend to invest high amounts in accommodation, the B&Bs in Favignana offer an attractive solution from this point of view. In fact, quality should not be compromised, and it is still a priority to find a structure suitable for your needs, without sacrificing comfort, a fundamental factor for a peaceful holiday during a trip to Favignana. If you have doubts about it, you could consult the following ranking of the best local B&Bs:
- Mazzini Accommodation
- Imera B&B
- Donna Maria B&B
- Antichi Mulini B&B
- Le Muse
Typical dishes in Favignana: what to eat
There are various and tasty typical dishes in Favignana, and if you’re wondering what to eat, you should know that the local cuisine is very flavorful due to the influences of Arab and Spanish peoples. It starts immediately with the famous couscous (Arabic) and then continues with frascatole, which is essentially a recovery dish aimed at not wasting poorly processed parts of semolina used to prepare couscous. These parts are used to prepare a soup with vegetables, artichokes, broad beans, and cauliflower. Another typical dish, tuna meatballs are made with bread crumbs, seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, parsley, and basil. Also, definitely try the fritters of young fish, stuffed sardines, spaghetti with sea urchins, pane cunzato, and finally cassatelle as dessert.
