15 Apr Egadi Islands: what to see, sun, sea and relaxation

Those looking for their next summer holiday destination should not underestimate the Egadi Islands.

Far from the usual routes taken by mass tourism, these islands are perfect for those who want to combine a bit of healthy relaxation with scenic and natural beauty. All this combined with a breathtaking sea. An experience to remember, which makes all Italians and foreigners fall in love.

Let’s set off together to discover the Egadi Islands.

Where are the Egadi Islands: some useful information

The Egadi Islands are located in Sicily, between the Strait of Sicily and the lower Tyrrhenian Sea. We are about 7 km from the Sicilian coast, which stretches between Marsala and Trapani.

The archipelago of the Egadi Islands is made up of three islands and two islets whose name derives from the Latin Aegates which, in turn, comes from the Greek Aigatai which means “islands of goats”. We are in the heart of the Egadi Islands Marine Nature Reserve, which is one of the most beautiful and richest in Sicily.

The archipelago we are talking about covers 37.45 km² and is made up of the islands of Favignana, Marettimo, Levanzo and other smaller islands, some of which are very small. The best known of these is undoubtedly Favignana, which has some of the best beaches in the Egadi Islands. Let’s find out which ones.

Favignana Island Beaches – Egadi Islands Archipelago

The main one of the Egadi Islands is located about 7 km off the coast of western Sicily. As mentioned we are between Marsala and Trapani, in the municipality of Favignana.

The name of the island comes from Latin and is reminiscent of the hot wind from the west, which the Latins called favonius.

The more curious will like to know that in the 1970s Favignana was called the great butterfly on the sea by the painter Salvatore Fiume, who wanted to pay homage in this way to what is considered the capital of the Egadi archipelago.

One of the characteristics of the island is the natural inlet that hosts the small village that, in addition to the port, houses the buildings of the old Florio tuna-fishing nets. The village of Favignana has its own typically Mediterranean architecture. After all, we are right in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea and here you will find houses with white plaster that reflect the sunlight. The blue windows are a touch of colour that makes everything more beautiful.

There is a lot of Mediterranean scrub here and the forests of maritime pines make the landscape unique. In Favignana you can enjoy beautiful, unspoilt nature and a fabulous sea. These characteristics have made it the most famous and touristic of all the Egadi Islands.

But where to go to sea in Favigana? Here are the most beautiful beaches. There are beaches for all tastes: for those who love pebbles, for those who love sand and for those who love cliffs.

We have:

Cala Azzurra beach (rocks)
beach of Cala Rossa (Rocks)
beach of Bue Marino (Rocks)
beach of Grotta Perciata (Rocks)
beach of Scivolo (Rocks)
beach of Calamoni (Cliffs and small beach)
beach of Marasolo (Cliffs and small beach)
Burrone beach (Sandy beach)
Preveto beach (pebbles)

Favignana is the perfect island for those who love crystal clear waters. This is a destination for everyone. As mentioned, there are large stretches of fine, golden sandy beach, but also pebbles and there are many areas where you can snorkel. There are also interesting rocky areas for diving. We recommend, therefore, Grotta Perciata, Punta Fanfalo and also the sea caves such as the Grotta dei Sospiri.

What to do in Favignana- Egadi Islands

Planning a holiday in Favignana is a good idea for those who want to discover the Egadi Islands and want a base that can also offer some fun when the sun goes down.

The island is undoubtedly perfect because it is well connected to Marettimo and Levanzo, the other two main islands of the archipelago. The best advice is to get around the island on a scooter or bicycle, but of course it is also possible to do so by car.

There are many excursions that can be organised. You can discover coves and inlets on the island, you can go trekking on Mount Santa Caterina, which offers a breathtaking view, you can visit the sea caves and you can do much more.

It’s certainly not boring, especially if you stay in the centre and walk around when the sun goes down. You can find out how the locals live, enjoy some great Sicilian food and make many interesting encounters. Try it to believe it.

Favignana, however, is not only known for its beautiful sea, caves, cliffs and breathtaking scenery. The island is also perfect for those who want to combine a few cultural visits. Here you can visit the museum of the Tonnare Florio, which houses exhibits from various historical periods.

Palazzo Florio and the various churches on the island are also worth discovering, as are the Norman castles of Santa Caterina and San Giacomo. Finally, there are some archaeological sites such as the Grotta della Stele, the Grotta del Pozzo, the caves of Ficarra II and III, and the Grotta dello Stemma.

The other Egadi Islands

As mentioned, Marettimo and Levanzo are also part of the Egadi Islands and are two other destinations to consider. The advice is to reach them directly from Favignana.

The beaches and coves of Marettimo are each more beautiful than the next. Some of them are Spiaggia del Cretazzo, Punta Libeccio and Cala Nera, but also Cala Manione and Scalo Maestro. Here the landscape is one that strikes straight to the heart and the clean sea with crystal clear waters plays its part.

If you are wondering where to go to sea in Levanzo, we recommend the Grotta del Genovese, Cala Tramontana and Cala Minnola, Cala Fredda and Cala Faraglione and many others. Here, too, nature rules and discovering the beauty of this island is a real dream.