If you’re heading anywhere near the west coast of Sicily, the stunning little island of Favignana is a must-visit. Easily accessible on a day trip from Trapani, it would make a truly magical base for a lucky few.

Updated in October following our return to Favignana island in 2023

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 returning to it again with friends this summer). 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, Sicily.

Pssst. If you’re pretty sure you want a boat tour to Favignana, we’ve included our recommendations in the middle of this post - but if you’re looking for a quick tip, check out this full day option to Favignana and Levanzo which has hundreds of 5* reviews.

the favignana essentials

Trip / Easy day trip from Trapani (book your ferry tickets via Liberty Lines or on Direct Ferries)
Stay / But this Airbnb may tempt you to drop anchor and enjoy island life for a couple of day
Cycle / Best explored on two wheels
Beach / Several gorgeous beaches and swimming spots
Boat / Visit Favignana on a boat tour - this one is excellent.

How to Get to Favignana island by Ferry

Although there are plenty of excellent day tours to Favignana (see below for our top recommendations), the vast majority of people make their way to the island via the regular ferry from Trapani.

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 early morning departures are often fully booked - something we discovered on our first visit 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.

For this reason, we’d highly recommend booking your tickets at least a day in advance, especially if you’re planning your visit for the busy summer months. This can be done at the ticket office / ferry terminal located here, however most will find it easier to do this online - you can buy tickets for the Trapani to Favignana ferry on the Liberty Lines website or alternatively via Direct Ferries.

The price for each leg of the journey varies (with the Trapani-Favignana ticket costing, inexplicably, a little more), but on average you can purchase a return ticket for around €27 per person.

One important point to stress is how essential it is to secure your return ticket at the same time as purchasing your outgoing ticket, particularly if you’re only visiting on a day trip; our most recent Trapani Airbnb host advised us that during high season it’s not unheard of for visitors without a return ticket to be stuck on the island overnight due to their failure to secure themselves a spot on the ferry back to the mainland.

Travel Tip // Whilst our first return journey was across calm waters with only the slightest hint of a summer breeze, our second was an entirely different experience with high waves and stormy seas. It got so bad at one point that one member of the crew initiated a sing-along to distract us all whilst the remainder fanned the queasy and handed out emergency sick-bags to those no longer to keep down their breakfast. It was in equal parts the most wonderful truly Sicilian experience and one we hope is never repeated!

So, a word to the wise, if the the weather takes a turn for the worst and you tend to get a little seasick, take some medication beforehand and perhaps give the morning pastry a miss.

The Details

Ferry Departure Point | In Trapani, make your way to Via Ammiraglio Staiti 55-61 (Google Maps) to buy your ticket and board. On our first visit the terminal was somewhat basic, consisting of a small office, and a collection of parasols and chairs on the sand. Since then however a brand new building has been constructed replete with spacious seating area and cafe.

Cost | A return journey with Liberty Lines costs around €27 per person, but can be more depending upon which specific times are booked. If you choose to get your tickets at the terminal, you can pay with card or cash.

If you’ll be 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.

Times | The ferry crossing with Liberty takes between 30 and 40 minutes depending upon the departure time. 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.

For those buying their tickets in advance, you’ll need to be at the ferry terminal 30 minutes before your departure time. Note that you are not given a seat number so if you’re travelling in a larger group, arrive with plenty of time to spare so you can guarantee seats together.

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).

Alternative | 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.

Plan | Our Guide to Trapani + Our West Sicily Road Trip Itinerary

Visitng 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.

Boat Tour Egadi Day to discover Favignana and Levanzo | This full day boat tour cruises along the coasts of Favignana and Levanzo, dropping anchor at various gorgeous coves along the way so you can swim, snorkel and generally fall in love with some of the best swimming spots we’ve encountered in Sicily! It has an insane number of excellent reviews to boot. Find out more here.

Cruise to Favignana and Levanzo | Including time off the boat to explore on foot, alongside coast explorations and swimming, this well-rated full day tour - including lunch - visits two of the most popular Egadi Islands. Find out more here.

Aegadian Islands Favignana & Levanzo Cruise | Alternatively, for a more intimate experience, the chance to explore an incredible sea cave and go snorkelling off the boat, consider this highly rated, small-group boat tour. It’s more expensive, but for those that crave a slower, more relaxed pace, it may be ideal. Find out more here.

How to Get Around Favignana, Sicily

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! Indeed, you’ll be approached by at least half a dozen salesmen with flyers and within 50 metres of the terminal.

On our first visit - being keen to get out and explore - and after checking that they had good quality bikes, we chose to rent from the first company that you encounter after disembarking.

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 around €10 a day (sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less and wholly 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 - or you’re planning on spending a few days there - consider visiting one of several agencies located there instead as they seemed to have the cheapest rates on the island. This is actually what we did on our second visit, and after securing a much needed cappuccino and cornetto breakfast, we rented bicycles costing just €7 for the day.

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 but if you think you may need the extra help, you can opt for an electric bike at a cost of around €20 per day.

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. We were initially asked for ID so they could jot down some details on the rental paperwork, but ended up being happy with a photo that we always carry on our phone.

As you make your way around Favignana, you’ll soon realise that lots of people rent bicycles and they all get parked up in any available space at beach entrances; be sure to make a note of where you’ve parked yours so you don’t get lost in a sea of tyres and bike frames!

If you’re choosing to cycle the entire circumference of the island note that you’ll 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 €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.

Hire a Boat

If the idea of pedalling away in the hot Sicilian sun don’t appeal, or you’d rather trace the coast of Favignana by sea, then consider hiring a boat for the day!

In many countries, this would involve great expense, plus either a boat licence or the need to hire a skipper. For visitors to the vast majority of Italy however, it’s possibly to rent a motor boat and drive it all by yourself! We recently did just that on a trip to Calabria this summer, and have a sneaking suspicion it won’t be a last dalliance with the nautical world.

In Favignana it’s possible to rent a boat for the day form one of several companies near the harbour. Prices vary considerably dependent upon how luxurious the craft is and maximum occupancy, but a small boat seating up to 6 people can cost as little as €130 for the day (not including fuel).

Of course, this is absolutely not a budget option, but if there’s a group of you or you want to make the day extra special, it may be something well worth considering.

Plan Your Route Around Favignana island

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.

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.

Location | You can find Cala Rossa here on Google Maps, or alternatively refer to the above map we have created.

Parking and Facilities | About 750 metres before getting to the actual beach, you’ll reach a small parking area, evidenced by lots of scooters but very few bicycles. Despite what some of the confusing signage suggests, those on bicycles can continue along the dusty path to park up closer to the beach - it’ll be obvious where you need to disembark and leave your bicycle.

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.

Access to the water is via a small beach pebble beach at one end, or sharp rocks at the other (or a dive in from the cliffs for those a little braver than us), but do note that it is

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.

Location | You can find Bue Marino here on Google Maps, or alternatively refer to the above map we have created.

Parking and Facilities | 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).

During the high season months, a smart chap rents our foldable beach beds at a cost of €8 for one of €15 for two, which includes a free umbrella. If you need the shade but are on a budget, there are several shaded caves where you can throw down your towel.

Additional Notes | Access to the water is via a small beach pebble beach at one end, or sharp rocks at the other (or a dive in from the cliffs for those a little braver than us), but do note that this swimming spot is not good for those with poor mobility or young children due to the need to clamber up and over rocks. Sea shoes are again a very useful thing to bring!

A Note about Lido Burrone and Where to Eat in Favignana

Located approximately halfway around Favignana is Lido Burrone (here on Google Maps)

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. Specialising in seafood, they often offer a single fish of the day (it was octopus when we visited so we had to keep on pedalling) alongside a decent cocktail and aperitivo menu. On our second visit to Favignana it looked as though it has lost a little of its glamorous sheen, but still has decent reviews and remains a super popular place for sunset drinks.

Find it here.

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. Find it here.

Bar Ristorante Pizzeria La Playa | A little further along you'll find a small seafront restaurant where we’ve actually eaten lunch twice. Both times the food has been truly excellent (whether pasta or seafood) but do be aware that prices have increased quite considerably between our two visits - the vegetarian pasta we had in 2019 for €9 is now €18!! Despite this, it remains incredibly popular, so don’t be surprised if you need to wait for a table to become free. Find it here.

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. Find it here.

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.

Location | You can find Cala Azzura here on Google Maps, or alternatively refer to the above map we have created.

Parking and Facilities | 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!

You can find Cala Rotonda here on Google Maps, or alternatively refer to the above map we have created.

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.

Alternatively, you could consider renting one of those private boats we mentioned earlier, but obviously this may well end up costing a far bit 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.

Hike Up to Santa Caterina Castle

Looking for the best view in Favignana? It’s probably from Castello di Santa Caterina, a centuries old castle long since abandoned. It’s free to enter the Castle (very cautiously as accidents have been known to happen given the level of disrepair), but most simply enjoy the vista out over the Egadi Islands, Trapani and as far as Marsala.

To reach the castle, begin at Spiaggia Praia in town (maps), then take the road behind the Tonnara Florio Museum heading up the mountain - find the start point here. Follow this until you reach a crossroad on the left where you will find a stairway up to the Castle. The hike itself should take no more than 45 minutes but we highly, highly recommend that you only attempt it in the early morning if visiting during the summer months. It's also possible to cycle some of the way if you have a rental bike.

Diving Into the Blue

Unknown to us at the time (although we recently got our Advanced Open Water in Honduras), diving is a big thing in Favignana, both for beginners and experts alike with several popular dive sites:

Isola Galeotta | This small island just off of Favignana is one of the easiest places to dive, and the easiest to reach.

Cala Rotonda | Although this dive is only eight metres deep, it takes place in a thirty metre long cave meaning that it’s only really appropriate for those with their Advance Open Water Certificate.

Secca del Toro | Considered to be one of Favignana’s most beautiful dives, this wall dive has a maximum depth of 40 metres deep. Expect lots of colourful fish as well as large shoals of barracuda.

Scoglio Corrente | Only appropriate for experienced divers, the strong currents that surround the dive site of Scoglio Corrente are both its blessing and its curse - the currents bring in lots of large fish but can make it very dangerous if you’re not paying attention.

Cala Rossa and Punta Marsala | These two dive sites reach a maximum depth of 12 metres, at which point you can spot Punic and Roman ruins.

We have no personal experience with particular dive companies, but there are a number based on the island. If you have any personal recommendations, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Explore Inland By Bike

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, sicily

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.