Favignana Day Trip: Exploring the Butterfly Island

Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, just a short ferry ride from Trapani on the western coast of Sicily, lies the enchanting island of Favignana. Known as ‘La Farfalla’ due to its butterfly shape, Favignana island has stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, and is most often explored by bicycle. If you’re planning a day trip to Favignana, this guide will help you capture the essence of the island, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

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Your adventure begins at the port of Trapani, where you catch an early ferry to Favignana. See our Travel Tips section below for more information on ferries. The ferry ride is a scenic introduction to the azure waters, with the island welcoming you with its rugged coastline. For those preferring a more personalized and private experience, consider this highly rated private tour:

Our one day itinerary includes:

• Morning: Arrival and Bike Rental
• Mid-Morning: Cala Rossa and Historical Exploration
• Lunch: Favignana Town
• Afternoon: Beach Hopping and Relaxation
• Evening: Sunset at Castello di Santa Caterina

Morning: Arrival and Bike Rental

Upon arrival, head to one of the local bike rental shops (see Travel Tips below for rental information). Cycling is the best way to explore Favignana’s diverse landscapes at your own pace, given its relatively small size and flat terrain. The perimeter of the island is just 33 km (20 miles), so you can easily explore this in a day if you’d like. We rented from Noleggio Bici e Scooter Isidoro, and had good experience with their service.

Picking up a tourist map at the information center can come in handy.

Mid-Morning: Cala Rossa and Historical Exploration

Cala Rossa

Your first stop is the stunning Cala Rossa, a testament to Favignana’s natural beauty. This beach, renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and white rocky shores, is perfect for snorkeling or simply soaking in the sun. Take a short bicycle ride from Town until you reach Cala Rossa. Lock up your bikes at the top of a small trail where you hike down to the “beach.” This is not a sandy beach, and walking over the rocks to get into the water can be tricky. Wear water shoes if you’d like to swim here.

The name Cala Rossa, meaning ‘Red Cove’, commemorates the bloody battle between the Romans and the Carthaginians that took place here in 241 BC. Supposedly, so many dead Phoenicians washed ashore after the battle that the beach was renamed to Cala Rossa.

Florio Tuna Cannery

After refreshing yourself at Cala Rossa, pedal towards the former Florio Tuna Cannery, now a museum. This museum offers insight into Favignana’s tuna-fishing heritage and the Florio family’s impact on the island’s economy and culture. Ignazio Florio invented a revolutionary method for preserving tuna in the late 1800’s. The museum’s exhibits provide a fascinating glimpse into the island’s past, including the traditional ‘mattanza’ tuna fishing technique.

Admission fee is 6 € per adult, free for children under 18. Opening hours for the museum vary based on the time of the year.

• July through September: 10:00 am to 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
• June and October: 10 am to 5 pm
• April and May: from 10 am to 2 pm

Lunch: Favignana Town

A few great choices for a lunch break are Er paninaro or, for a more casual option, CalaCala Sicilian Poke. You have plenty of other food options to choose from in town. Another great option is to pick up a picnic and have this at one of the beaches.

Take some time to explore Favignana Town before heading to the beaches.

Afternoon: Beach Hopping and Relaxation

Spend your afternoon beach hopping between Favignana’s numerous coves and beaches. Some of our favorite beaches in Favignana include: 

• Lido Burrone: a family-friendly beach with amenities, perfect for those who would like to sit down to a meal while at the beach.
• Bue Marino: named for the monk seals who used to be common in the area, Bue Marino offers a secluded spot for relaxing and swimming. There are no facilities here.
• Spiaggia di Marasolo: another top beach options in Favignana. There is not much sand here, so you sit on the rocks, but the view is spectacular.
• Spiaggia di Cala Graziosa: a beautiful beach area closer to town.

Evening: Sunset at Castello di Santa Caterina

Before catching the ferry back to Trapani, make your way to the Castello di Santa Caterina. This ancient fortress sits on top of the highest point of Favignana, offering panoramic views of the island and the surrounding sea. It is definitely worth making the climb up to Santa Caterina castle for the views alone. We took a few wrong turns trying to find the access road, but nothing Google maps couldn’t fix.

You can’t bike to the top. Park your bikes (and lock them) when you reach the end of the paved road. It is quite a steep 30-45 minute walk from the end of the road (further if you start from the base). There are spectacular views the whole way up and nice spots to stop and sit if you need a break, though with almost no shade. The castle itself is a bit of a disappointment as it is in disrepair. Some work is being done to restore parts, but you’ll find trash, broken beds and furniture inside.

The view from the castle certainly does not disappoint. Bring a picnic or a snack, sit outside, and enjoy the 360 degree views from the top. Watching the sunset from this vantage point is the perfect way to end your day trip, with the sky and sea around you igniting in a blaze of colors.

Wrapping up your Visit

Favignana captivates visitors with its blend of natural beauty, historical depth, and tranquil beaches. Whether you’re cycling through its rugged landscapes, diving into its crystal-clear waters, or enjoying its culinary delights, a day trip to this island promises an escape into a world where time seems to stand still. So pack your bags, rent a bike, and prepare for an adventure that will leave you longing to return to Favignana, the butterfly island of the Mediterranean.

If you are planning a trip to Sicily, you may like our other Sicily guides:

• How to Plan your Week in Western Sicily Away from the Crowds
• How to Find Safe Havens for Sicily Bike Travel
• How to Plan a Perfect Eastern Sicily Travel Itinerary
• Renting a Car in Sicily: Things to Know Before You Go
• One Day in Syracuse, Sicily
• Egadi Islands, Italy: Levanzo Day Trip
• Day Trip Mt. Etna: An Adventure Like No Other

Travel Tips

How to Get to Favignana Island?

The easiest way to get to Favignana is to take a ferry from Trapani. We visited in early October, and we were surprised to find that some of the ferry times were sold out the day before. It is easy to reserve these on the Direct Ferries site here. There are also plenty of options for private or custom tours if you prefer to have greater flexibility. You can book these through Viator or  GetYourGuide.

Where to rent bikes for your Favignana day trip

When you arrive in Favignana, you will have plenty of bike rental options. There is really no need to reserve regular adult bikes. Scooters and e-bikes on the other hand should be reserved in advance, especially during high season. Daily bike rentals range from about 4-8 Euros/day, with e-bikes slightly higher. When deciding on bike vs e-bike, keep in mind that Favignana is quite flat with just a few slight rolling hills. The only real incline is the road that goes part-way up to Santa Caterina castle, which you could also opt to walk.

Where to Stay on Favignana Island

If you decide to spend a few days or more on Favignana Island, a few great options are:

• Mazzini Accommodation is a renovated and top rated guest house right next to downtown. They offer breakfast, as well as car and bike rentals onsite.
• Residence Scirocco e Tramontana is a very close walk to downtown, offering self-catering apartments with beautiful views of the sea. Bike rentals can be arranged from the property.

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