Favignana
The solar island
Favignana is a bit like the grandmother we used to spend our summer holidays with.
The nice one, not the other. The one who grabbed our 2 cheeks with a smile to kiss them like good bread.
Modest, authentic, friendly and generous, this island in the Aegadian archipelago shines off the coast of Sicily. Disconcerting, Favignana is not necessarily bewitching at first sight, but after a few hours you will fall under its spell.
Favignana is a bit like the grandmother we used to spend our summer holidays with.
The nice one, not the other. The one who grabbed our 2 cheeks with a smile to kiss them like good bread.
Modest, authentic, friendly and generous, this island in the Aegadian archipelago shines off the coast of Sicily. Disconcerting, Favignana is not necessarily bewitching at first sight, but after a few hours you will fall under its spell.
Under an eternal summer sun and mainly made up of arid land and maquis, Favignana is far from being an inhospitable region. Firstly thanks to its irresistible turquoise sea all around. From the wild cove, to the mythical Cala Rossa or to the typical parasols of Lido Burrone, there is only a short leap to take to move on to the next beach.
To the Center of the Earth
The exploitation of calcareous tuff goes well beyond the shores of Favignana, and with the Palermo aristocracy, where the stone has been used there to build many palaces over the centuries. The island is thus both made up of wide plains and voids caused by its extraction, thus bringing the power of its landscape. The many cavities, galleries and monoliths give it a totally unusual diversity of perspectives.
At the end of the day, the overwhelming heat disappears with the arrival of the delicious Favonio – the little warm wind from which Favignana takes its name. The other face of the island, that of gentleness, is then revealed. With your body soaked in the sun, you can then savor your Spritz in one of the many isolated beach bars with the impression of being at the end of the world.
At the end of the day, the crushing heat disappears with the arrival of the delicious Favonio – the warm little wind from which Favignana takes its name. The other face of the island, that of gentleness, is then revealed. With your body soaked in the sun, you can then savor your Spritz in one of the many isolated beach bars with the impression of being at the end of the world.
It is now time to go to the village for dinner. The sun has certainly fallen but the inhabitants of this island radiate joviality. They proudly pose in front of our lens, happily calling with a hand wave the rest of the family, the neighbor or the fishmonger friend not far away.
It is then time to go to the village for dinner. The sun has certainly fallen but the inhabitants of this island radiate joviality. They pose proudly in front of our lens, happily calling with a wave of the hand the rest of the family, the neighbor or the fishmonger friend not far away.
The pedestrian village of Favignana invites to stroll and sit down on the terraces of its many cafes and restaurants and to drink grappa with its inhabitants. While always observing from the corner of the eye, the ballet of life on the main piazza where an happy enchanting melting pot of fishermen, children and Italian families on vacation gather around the evening gelato.
In Favignana, the passagieta continues for our greatest happiness as it is one of our favorite aspects of the Italian lifestyle. Each evening, inhabitant dressed up and take to the streets in family, to tranquillamente walk and socialize.
In Favignana, the passagieta continues for our greatest happiness as it is one of our favorite aspects of the Italian lifestyle. Each evening, inhabitant dressed up and take to the streets in family, to tranquillamente walk and socialize.
La Madrague
without Brigitte Bardot
You will be intrigued as soon as you arrive on the island by this strange and majestic building on the port.
This is the old cannery. It is impossible to capture the soul of Favignana without mentioning the highly ceremonial and typically Sicilian Mattanza.
Fishermen used to catch bluefin tuna using a skilful system of fixed trap nets called “madrague”.
This fishery, which lasted for a millennium, ended up disappearing a few years ago.
The cannery, magnificently restored into a museum and cultural center, is a moving place that allows us to understand the very strong involvement and nostalgia of the inhabitants for this lost tradition.
To find out more, we invite you to browse the splendid project La main de l’homme by Sebastiao Salgado, as well as the documentary Le thon, la brute et le truand by Vincent Maillard.
Nicknamed the “Farfalle” with its butterfly shape, Favignana spreads its flat wings
on the sea on either side of Mount Santa Caterina .
At the top of this backbone, 1 hour walk from the port, the fort with its 360° view
proudly overlooks the 2 plains of the island, each with a very distinct atmosphere.
2 islands in one, THE DREAM !
Nicknamed the “Farfalle” with its butterfly shape, Favignana spreads its flat wings over the sea on either side of Mount Santa Caterina .
At the top of this backbone, 1 hour walk from the port, the fort with its 360° view proudly overlooks the 2 plains of the island, each with a very distinct atmosphere.
2 islands in one, THE DREAM !
To the east, the Piana, very lively with the village and most of the infrastructure.
To the West, the Bosco, much wilder, rural and hilly with a more refined “little je ne sais quoi”. On this part of the island, mainly residential and less frequented, there are small confidential accommodations, bars and restaurants as well as beaches with a magical view of the island of Levanzo just opposite. On this side of the island, the hand of man has discreetly landed, shaping the landscape while respecting its environment.
A stone’s throw from the port, Palazzo Florio is another must-see place in Favignana.
With its eclectic, gothic and liberty style, designed by the architect Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda, the palace was one of the residences of the famous Florio family, entrepreneurs
of Calabrian origin who projected Sicily into the industrial era.
An unusual visit is that of the Giardino dell’Impossibile. A lush garden with more of 300 botanical species in the old stone quarries of the island. A place that defies the laws of the wind, made “possible” thanks to passion and tenacity of Maria Grazia for 40 years.
A stone’s throw from the port, Palazzo Florio is another must-see place in Favignana. With its eclectic, gothic and liberty style, designed by the architect Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda, the palace was one of the residences of the famous Florio family, entrepreneurs of Calabrian origin who projected Sicily into the industrial era.
An unusual visit is that of the Giardino dell’Impossibile. A luxuriant garden sheltering more than 300 botanical species in the old stone quarries of the island. A place that defies the laws of the wind, made “possible” thanks to the passion and tenacity of Maria Grazia for 40 years.
Favignana is a popular destination for Italians for this raw and sincere land, in which
the Sicilian culture is still fully alive. Anchored in solid traditions, we love it for its delicious seaside atmosphere, its unusual landscapes, for the freedom to cycle around the island’s beaches, swim in this Caribbean-like sea, and feast on tasty cuisine.
Can’t wait for next summer to go back to grandma’s!
Favignana is a popular destination for Italians for this raw and sincere land, in which the Sicilian culture is still alive. Anchored in solid traditions, we love it for its delicious seaside atmosphere, its unusual landscapes, for the freedom to cycle around the island’s beaches, swim in this Caribbean-like sea, and feast on tasty cuisine.
Can’t wait for next summer to go back to grandma’s!
Favignana is
9 km long by 4 km wide
Accessibility
Accommodation capacity
Animation
Where is Favignana located? Favignana is one of the 3 islands constituting with both Levanzo and Marettimo islands, the Aegadian archipelago, in the North-West of Sicily.
How to get to Favignana? 30 minutes hydrofoil crossing from the port of Trapani,
which is 1 hour drive from Palermo.
How to get to Favignana? 30 minutes hydrofoil crossing from the port of Trapani, which is 1 hour drive from Palermo.
How to travel on the island ? Favignana being very flat, you can easily get around by bike.
Many rental companies (bicycle, car, scooter) are on the port including Noleggio Rita .
How to travel on the island ? Favignana being very flat, you can easily get around by bike. Many rental companies (bicycle, car, scooter) are on the port including Noleggio Rita .
Or sleep ? Most of the infrastructures are grouped together on the eastern part of the island, La Piana, where the main village is also located. The western part of the island, the Bosco, is more residential and unspoiled, with some top-of-the-range accommodation and restaurant options.
Some nice addresses spotted (but not all tested!):
Dimora Cala del Pozzo Dimora dell’Olivastro Cas’almare Il Baglio Sull’Acqua
Or sleep ? Most of the infrastructures are grouped together on the eastern part of the island, La Piana, where the main village is also located. The western part of the island, the Bosco, is more residential and unspoiled, with some top-of-the-range accommodation and restaurant options.
Some nice addresses spotted (but not all tested!):
Dimora Cala del Pozzo
Dimora dell’Olivastro
Cas’almare
Il Baglio Sull’Acqua
Where to eat?
In the village: El Pescador, the institution since 1974, Sicilian tradition recipes, handed down for generations. Quello che c’è cé, fresh and local products, worked with simplicity and refinement.
At Bosco, two other addresses with spectacular views of the neighboring islands of Marettimo and Levanzo and which mainly use products from their own farms:
Cibo, chiacchiere e vino, here fresh, natural, organic, fair trade, season, tradition, respect, nature are anything but a vague concept. Restaurant adjoining the hotel La Dimora Calla Del Pozzo.
Agriturismo l’Alencio, especially renowned for its meat, raised locally but also a delicious fish couscous, a tuna tartare that melts in your mouth.
The book to take in your suitcase? The Lions of Sicily by Stefania Auci, a novel that retraces the myth of the Florio family.
The song to include in your playlist? Dal giorno in cui sei nato tu by Andrea Laszlo de Simone.
And most importantly, where to drink Spritz? A lot of very nice options on the island but to give only one, it will be A Leva – Sole , and its very relaxed atmosphere. At sunset, an impression of the end of the world with a view of the neighboring island of Levanzo .
If I had known, …
I would have bought beach slippers. Yes, we know… Absolute fashion faux pas but you’ll thank us when you come out of the water with the approach of Bo Derek in James Bond.
I would have booked the ferry tickets in advance unless I wanted to do a report on the Trapani port.
I would have taken a few more days to visit the neighboring islands of Levanzo and Marettimo, which are very distinct. Such a shame to be so close and to miss these gems.
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