E’ purpose of this article to make it clear that even in just one day a visit to our beautiful island can be made, enjoying a day that will leave us the Magone for leaving so soon but certainly also with the desire to return.
E’ It is obvious that a single day in Favignana is not enough, but it is precisely for this reason that the challenge of suggesting how to spend a few hours having the certainty of not having wasted even a minute to appreciate the many and unique characteristics of the main island of the Egadi… even more challenging will be the advice on Levanzo and Marettimo… yes even Marettimo can be done in one day… in the latter case it will be even more difficult but I assure you that it will seem like a dream, ma, in all cases, a dream to be realized again.
Let's start with Favignana then.
We must stick to the times of the hydrofoils departing from Trapani or Marsala to regulate the whole day, obviously.
The first thing to do is to book your return tickets online, queues at the ticket offices and sold out surprises are avoided, but above all for the return, it is exploited until the last minute… https://www.libertylines.it
To date the best departure time from Trapani to Favignana is the race of 8:20 (just leave Palermo for example at 6:30 by car or at 6:00 by bus see Segesta Autolinee: https://www.segesta.it ). For the return, do not decide before 18.
What to bring with you for all seasons: with the costume under a comfortable jeans, a backpack with wide shoulder straps with a water bottle, a spare shirt, a hat, spare costume, telo mare, impregnated wipes, sunscreen, a kWay. Do not wear slippers or flip-flops on your feet… but only closed sports shoes, better if breathable and easy to dry.
We disembark in Favignana after approx 40 minutes to the pier in front of the small fishing port.
As soon as you disembark you go on foot towards the Town Hall Square, on the street you can admire the beautiful from the outside Palazzo Florio, wonderful icon of the Aegadian archipelago, full of history and liberty architecture.
If open, you can access and at the entrance ask for a map of the island just to orient yourself but it is not necessary. Don't go and visit it now…
Then along the main road, stop in Piazza Europa (the one with the Town Hall) to enjoy a rich breakfast at Mazzini Bar or wherever you want, do not miss the granitas with various seasonal flavors with brioches or the classic Italian croissant (with orange cream, or pistachio… for example) and a steaming coffee to recover from the morning wake up !
Sitting at the tables in the square makes us appreciate the statue of Ignazio Florio, whose family for the Egadi islands made history and was the one who generated a rich economy based on the activities of the large tuna fishery, the largest in Sicily and, at the time, of the Mediterranean. In the Egadi at that time everyone worked for the tonnara and the relationship between workers and owners was among the most advanced from a trade union point of view for those times.
After enjoying the excellent breakfast, now you have to think about visiting what you need, little but intense ! So we rent a bike… right near the square you can find the Rental Grimaldi you may have noticed has the office right next to the town hall. With a few euros you will have a bike for the whole day, also with electric traction.
Favignana is the ideal island for cycling and, why not, trekking too. So if you want you can also opt for the only walking excursion that will satisfy you just as much.
So the adventure begins and it won't just be on bike… Backpacking the first thing we visit (will be by now 10) is the Tonnara Florio for two reasons… 1) immerse ourselves in the history of these islands that will remain in our hearts; 2) immerse ourselves in nature and its respect by visiting the Recovery Center for Sea Turtles of the Egadi Islands Marine Protected Area.
Let's not forget that the whole archipelago is a naturalistic environmental treasure chest of world interest, for biodiversity, a protected area is terrestrial (SIC-ZPS-ZSC) what a marina (AMP) and that there are rules to be respected so that these environments and habitats are preserved from the deleterious pressure of man.
The visit will take at least an hour and a half but it is worth it… we will come out fascinated, this was already worth the day… but we still have a long time ahead of us.
Now… not the usual famous coves (Cala Rossa, Cala d'Azur, bue Marino, Lido Burrone…) those need longer times and will be a destination for more relaxing stays.
With the bike, let's head to the other side of the island, a nice walk awaits us in the Provincial Road Punta Sottile, exiting the town along the slightly uphill Cala Marasolo and Cala del Passo we DO NOT pass through the tunnel but through the old coastal road that will make us appreciate the steep and jagged coasts and at the end the wonderful view of Cala del Preveto with the islet of the same name.
Then, returned to the provincial road after the tunnel, continue for a few hundred meters and take the Cala Grande road, dirt or gravel road, that runs in the midst of the unspoiled nature of the island, between villas and ancient houses, maybe in these parts we could find the residence for future dream stays…
This little road leads to Cala Rotonda where we will stop to take a bath or, if in another season, to take a walk along the ancient path that leads from Cala Rotonda to Cala Stornello… in the middle of the rocks.
For lunch you can opt to buy a packed breakfast in the village (I suggest, in Piazza Municipio, Tuna Fish for a great espresso tuna sandwich, get advice from the staff) or stop in one of the many restaurants scattered throughout the area… you choose… but don't get too heavy before the bath (if you will) or the walk !
We will return to the bike full of energy with the desire to see much more. Pay attention to the sun according to the time ! You must not lack water…
Through the grove we arrive at an ancient drinking trough that deserves attention, then from Strada Cala Grande Secondo we go back to the provincial road and this time on our return to the town we cross the tunnel from the side lane specially made for bikes and pedestrians.
At the first crossroads we turn right for Marasolo, Punta Lunga, then the coastal road to Cala Azzurra, Lido Burrone and return to the town at the Sea Taxi junction. Then at the next crossroads turn right for the ring road that will take us to the seafront and the marina.
At this point it is better to deliver the bike and enjoy the city center before returning, enjoying shopping, an aperitonno (yes you got it right aperiTONNO !) .
The streets of Favignana from Easter onwards are teeming with activities, almost all of the shops open and offer quality products respecting traditions. A visit not to be missed is at the “Camparia workshop”, a concept store isolate from extraordinary environments, located in the small road that goes from the town to the Praia beach and the Tonnara, the Via Armando Diaz.
A shop, as the business website states that, “respects and promotes sustainability issues, responsibility and culture”, starting from the name that takes up the name of the original place or the “Camparia” in which, during the rest periods of fishing, the Muciare were stowed, or the characteristic boats that made up the tonnara fleet, both the storage and sale to suppliers of products deriving from the processing of tuna and more.
At the Come Back… before taking the hydrofoil to return to reality, an aperitif based on tuna and local cold wine, sitting at a table will make you savor the taste of a day that we will not easily forget, and will make us return to our daily routine with the desire to return here as soon as possible !
Ops… I forgot… there is half an hour left for the hydrofoil ? If open, visit Palazzo Florio as you pass… otherwise it will be for next time…
If you do this little tour give me your impressions ! Have a nice trip to Favignana.
Giorgio De Simone, www.sicilyhiking.it
