Favignana island is located just outside Trapani and belongs to the archipelago of Egadi. The island is the largest of all the Egadi Islands and most of the archipelago's inhabitants live on this island. It's known for its beautiful aqua blue waters and tuna fishing.
The island gets its name from the hot wind Favonio , which blows from the west, making the island's climate particularly mild. In ancient times, the island was named 'Aegusa', after is shape, which means butterfly. The island is only 14 square kilometres but offers both sandy beaches (Lido Burrone, Cala Azzurra, Cala Grande and Cala Rotonda), small bays with rocky and beautiful clear blue water and hillsides up to 314 metres above sea level (Monte Santa Caterina). The circumference of the island is approx. 33 km and getting around by bike is the best means of transport here. You can hire bikes from the harbour. Most of the island is in fact quite flat, and it is possible to cycle from bay to bay and across the island. If you are interested in climbing Monte Santa Caterina, do not try in the middle of the day when it is hottest.
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The city Favignana is developed around the harbour, where there are boat departures to the mainland and the other Egadi islands. In town there are several eateries and a few cafes. The island is popular with the Sicilians during the hot summer months where some have here a holiday home, while others come to the island to enjoy a day in the fabulous sea.
Favignanas trap , which means the place where tuna is caught and processed, is among one of the few that is still active in Italy today. During the month of May, many fishermen and tourists come to the island to experience the so-called Mattanza , tuna fishing. This event has become less of a grand affair during recent years due to the lack of tuna. In-fact it was cancelled completely in 2009.
