We spent only one day on the island of Favignana in early June 2014, but already in the first hours of our trip it became clear that we would have to return here more than once.
We went there as part of a trip to the south of Italy on the recommendation of our Sicilian friend Mario. It is on Favignan that the famous Cala Rosa Bay is located, one of the ten best beaches in Italy, and several other no less beautiful beaches.
We remind new readers that at Mario and his wife Antonella we regularly stop at the beautiful Villa Posidonia or in the Limone apartments. The island can be reached from the port of Trapani, a boat trip will take 40 minutes and cost 20 euros in two directions. Boats run at intervals of about an hour.
I hope that after viewing these photos you will have no doubt that Favignana certainly deserves to spend, if not all of his vacation, then at least a significant part of it. See our special review and tips for choosing a hotel on the island of Favignana.
So, having poisoned on the way from Trapani at 9.30 in the morning, after 40-45 minutes we moored in the port of the island. Mario recommended that we rent a bicycle, the cost of which, according to him, should be 3-4 euros per day in those bike rentals that are located far from the port. But after wandering around the island’s capital of the same name for about an hour and visiting the tuna museum, we still returned to the port and rented 4 bicycles of 5 euros each - the prices in all bike rental were the same. According to the same Mario, in the high season, the end of July-August, prices boldly approach 8-10 euros per day, but this does not stop tourists from disassembling all available bicycles on the island, so that arrivals after lunch have to wander around Favignana on foot. In our experience, we recommend taking a bike - this is the most convenient form of moving around the island.
The port meets us with many old fishing boats and a view of the hill with a fortress, at the foot of which there is the tuna museum mentioned above.
Bright, shabby, dilapidated buildings from the first minutes give the impression that time has stopped here a long time ago - it is.
Most of the population lived and lives poorly enough, but happily.
Another story is cars on the island of Favignana. Such a concentration per square meter of vintage cars I have not seen anywhere else in Italy.
Isn’t it cute?
After walking for 10-15 minutes through the narrow streets, we found ourselves in the central square of the city.
And, of course, we could not ignore the store “fruits and vegetables”. Having bought a kilogram of delicious cherries at 3 euros per kilogram, we continued to study this small town.
Most of the restaurants are again concentrated in the central square.
The restaurant menu is traditional for Sicily: swordfish, tuna, salmon, shrimp, octopus and all in the same spirit. Of course, pasta is present in all forms. At the prices - you’re able to eat more than two servings per evening, so you can safely count on the bill, including a liter of homemade wine, in the region of 40-50 euros for a maximum of two. If you arrive on the island in June, be sure to try tuna. Also see the photo report about the best restaurant in Sicily - Trattoria Antonella.
If during the day you want to cheer up a cup of real Italian coffee, then this pleasure will cost you a maximum of 1.5 euros.
If you have not been able to try fresh tuna - do not despair, it is sold at Favignan in canned form on every corner.
At the city municipality stands a monument to Ignazio Florio. Born in 1838 in Palermo, and in 1876 bought the island of Favignana and all the other islands of the Aegadian archipelago. As you guessed, the man was very difficult. Back in the 17th century, his ancestors built an innovative tuna canning factory at that time.
A pile of rusty anchors was found near the port.
Favignana is a paradise for two. You can come here with your loved one, for example, on a honeymoon or just like that.
There is a small fortress on a hill in the western part of the island, but it was decided to leave her visit for the next visit.
If one of the days you will be too lazy to pedal you can stay sunbathing right on the city beach.
It was from here that literally some 7 years ago almost the entire male population of the island came to the "Mattan".
Now there is a small bar where you can quench your thirst with Heineken - here it is globalization.
Most tourists on the island look that way.
You can get to most accommodation options on foot in 10-15 minutes.
If you stay on the island not in a hotel, but in apartments, you can independently feel all the delights of washing and drying in Italian.
Red Cove (Cala Rossa)
About the bay of Cala Rosa among the inhabitants of Trapani there are legends. If we had not got here, Mario would have definitely put us on a return boat with a ban on returning to Sicily without evidence of visiting this incredibly beautiful place. Slowly pedaling, we reached the bay in about 20 minutes. There are signs everywhere along the way, and near the bays there are detailed maps indicating your location, so it's impossible to get lost. In extreme cases, the local will tell you the way.
Leaving the great on the path, we went to the cliff.
On the way we met a mobile bar on wheels.
In a 30-degree heat, water is priceless, it’s not so expensive, but we advise you to take a liter or two of water on your way - there are no supermarkets along the way.
And here she is the long-awaited bay. And it’s not red at all, but the brain just explodes from the flowers! I did not believe that such a beauty happens. Now there is no doubt that this is one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy.
With the editor-in-chief of Italy for Me and my beloved wife Yana Yakutsevich, we send greetings to all friends and readers. Please note that our clothes with long sleeves - burn out at noon here to spit.
It would be possible to stay here, but the desire to show you more beauties made us move on.
Small herds of cows and sheep are constantly found, and note that the cows are all white.
The next stop after a kilometer is called Bue Marino. Swimming here is not so convenient, but very atmospheric.
For lovers of diving here is just paradise.
Azure Bay (Calla Azzurra)
Cycling along the paths of the island, of course, is fun, but it's time to relax. We decided to stay for a few hours in the Cote d'Azur - it was she who seemed to us the most convenient of all seen. I don’t know what is going on here in August, but in other months this is a great place for a quiet and relaxing holiday. Who was on the beaches of Rimini with thousands of sunbeds will understand the contrast.
Just a few meters from the bay is the Cave Bianche Hotel, about which I wrote in the tips for choosing hotels on the island of Favignana. Judging by the reviews of tourists - a very decent option.
Today, in the atmosphere, colors and beauty of landscapes, this is one of the best places where I have ever had a rest.
Yana was also amazed at the local landscapes and agreed to improve them a little by posing for her husband.
Happinnes exists!
Lying for about three hours on the azure beach, we set off towards the city. On the way we stopped at Lido Burrone beach.
And again they staged a mini-photo shoot.
Our boat departed at 18.30, the day flew by completely unnoticed. Returning to the city about an hour before departure, we bought several postcards, drank a cup of espresso and enjoyed a delicious ice cream.
Although I am not a big fan of bicycles (Rome is not intended for this), Favignana is exactly the place where you get not only moral, but also aesthetic pleasure from riding a bike. Without a doubt, we will come back here more than once, and we sincerely recommend that you put Favignan in your travel plan.
