Top Favignana Beaches: a Romantic Paradise Kept Under The Radar

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Are you looking for the best Favignana beaches? You are in the right place! After spending a week on Favignana Island, we are here to report to you on the best beaches of Favignana.

Favignana Island is a small island off the coast of Sicily in Italy. As part of the Egadi Islands, Favignana offers pristine crystal clear waters, sandy beaches and unique rock formation landscapes. Although the island is kept under the radar, some of its beaches are as beautiful as some of the most beautiful beaches in Bahamas, just in a more European style. 

While spending a few days in Venice and visiting Rome are certainly a must in Italy, you won’t regret spending some time on Favignana Island. Favignana best beaches offer lots of opportunities for lounging, snorkelling and exploring. In this Favignana beaches travel post, we go over the best beaches of the island, where to stay to have the best experience, what to do on Favignana and how to get to and around the island.

Are you looking for a romantic destination in Europe? Check out our 34 best European beach destinations post! If you are looking for a Mediterranean destination, check out our post on the best beaches in Corsica.

***Some of the links in this post are affiliate links meaning we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not change the fact that we only recommend products, stays, activities and attractions we are satisfied with and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Where to stay to be close to Favignana best beaches

Favignana Island is small and the best beaches of Favignana are spread all around the island. This means that you can’t really go wrong with where you stay. No matter where you choose to stay on the island, you will be near at least a couple of the best beaches in Favignana. Here are some resorts and stays we would recommend for a romantic trip with your partner.

• Stay at this gorgeous property for an affordable suite with sea views niched 5 minutes away from Grotta Perciata, one of the best beaches in Favignana.
• This budget-friendly wooden chalet is perfect for a romantic nature stay just 500m from Lido Burrone, one of the best sandy beaches on the island
• This budget-friendly studio  with a pool is well equipped and comes with a kitchenette. This is a great accommodation for couples on a budget that are still looking for comfort and love to dip in the pool!
• Stay at your private stunning casa at this gorgeous resort sitting right on the water. With a large pool right on the sea, a restaurant, charming casa, this village resort is great for couples who want to relax and enjoy a comfortable vacation. This resort is located just a few minutes away from Cala Azzurra, one of the best beaches of Favignana. 
• Just 6 minutes walking from the beach, stay at this luxury casa that comes with a furnished patio and a shared outdoor pool. 
• Just 400m from Cala Rotonda, one of the top beaches on Favignana, come stay at this local guest house. The property is gorgeous and decorated in a typical Favignana style while remaining chic and comfortable. 

If you are staying in Sicily and just want to visit Favignana on a day trip, we recommend booking this Favignana and Levanzo day cruise to discover the island and the best beaches such as Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, and Cala Azzurra. 

Favignana beaches you shouldn’t miss for romance and fun

Favignana is a small island that is the home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With crystal clear water and unique landscapes, the beaches in this section are not to be missed! We recommend prioritising those beaches if you are only staying on the island for a few days. If you are staying longer, you can refer to the next section for additional beautiful beaches in Favignana. 

1. Cala Azzurra, a romantic Favignana beach

Cala Azzura is located on the South East coast of Favignana and is one of the best Favignana beaches you should absolutely visit during your trip. 

The beach is located besides two large rock formations forming a tunnel and protecting the beach from the wind. As the island is quite rocky, a lot of the beaches don’t have sand. However, Cala Azzurra, although small, is a sandy beach which is perfect if you want to relax on the beach and spend a good part of your day here.

There is no shade on the beach so we would recommend bringing an umbrella, some food and water as well as temperatures can go quite high in the summer.

Cala Azzurra is easily accessible. You can reach it by bicycle or on foot via the road which is paved and well maintained. It’s also quite safe to ride your bike as there is a limited number of cars on the island. Once you reach the top of the beach, you’ll need to go down a short path that leads to the beach. You can see the beach from the spot where you can leave your bicycle. This is the perfect beach if you’re looking for a sandy beach that has an easy access. 

2. Lido Burrone, one of the best sandy Favignana beaches 

Lido Burrone is one of the best beaches Favignana has to offer on the Southern coast. It is located close to the road which makes it easily accessible for anyone. The beach is quite large and is made of thin sand. The water is turquoise and crystal clear which is perfect for snorkelling or just hanging in the water.

The beach is organised so you’ll find sunbeds, food and drinks on Lido Burrone. There is a bus stop right next to the beach so that’s a great beach if you don’t want to ride a bike.

3. Cala Rotonda, a Favignana beach for a romantic sunset

Cala Rotonda is one of Favignana best beaches for watching the sunset and is also an incredibly popular spot for swimming in crystal clear waters in a peaceful atmosphere. There is a bar on the beach which we would recommend for sunset time to chill on the beach with a beautiful view. 

The beach itself isn’t too sandy and has got lots of small rocks in it so it’s not the nicest sandy beach out there but it is not the purpose of this beach. 

4. Cala Rossa, one of Favignana best beaches for clear waters and snorkelling 

Cala Rossa is one of the gems of the island and one you should definitely check out when on Favignana Island. This gorgeous Favignana beach is located on the North East coast of the island.

At Cala Rossa, you won’t find a sandy beach. Instead, you’ll find a rocky beach with sharp rocks all along the coast leading you to some of the most crystal clear waters you’ve ever seen. This beach is known for having waters clearer than a pool and from experience, we can confirm! It is also a popular spot for boats to anchor and for people to swim around. Don’t forget to bring a mask so you can dive and observe fish and sea life in the water!

Besides its turquoise clear waters, Cala Rossa is also known for its tall and sharp cliffs that border the beach. When you arrive on site, you are able to see them quite well as they dive into the water. It’s a pretty cool view!

The beach is accessible by foot or by bicycle. Once you arrive on site, you will need to climb your way down which can be a bit tricky but possible. We would recommend bringing rubber shoes to make it easier to walk on the hot rock formations. We would also recommend bringing an umbrella, lots of water and food as there is no shade on site. 

Favignana beaches for longer stays

If you are staying at least a week on the island, we would recommend visiting the following beaches if you have time. 

5. Cala San Nicola, for a sandy beach with crystal clear waters

Cala San Nicola is located on the North East of the island just a few minutes from Favignana town. This is definitely one of the best Favignana beaches on the island. 

At Cala San Nicola, you will find a strand of thin golden sand that gives into turquoise and blue waters. The sand here is thin and perfect to lay down and relax all day long. The water is quite shallow so it is perfect to just hang out in the water and snorkel. 

By the beach, you’ll find a small concession with food and drinks. There is no shade on the beach so we would recommend bringing your own umbrella if you are planning on staying for the day. The beach is easily accessible and most people come by bicycle. 

6. Cala Graziosa, for a unique beach landscape on Favignana

Cala Graziosa is less of a sandy beach and more of a rocky cove but beautiful nonetheless. Here you’ll find a unique landscape, typical of the island, with angular and square shaped rock formation surrounding the cove. The water at Cala Graziosa is turquoise and clear which is perfect for bathing. There are some parts of the cove that are forbidden to swim in because the rocks are too sharp and therefore dangerous. Most people bath in the natural pools rather than the sea for that reason. 

We would recommend bringing swimming shoes to be more comfortable when walking on the rocks and going in the water.

7. Spiaggia di Calamoni, a quiet Favignana beach with shallow waters

Spiaggia di Calamoni is a gorgeous beach on the south of the island near Lido Burrone beach. The beach is small but sandy with stunning clear waters. From the beach, you have gorgeous views on the sea and the mountains.

If you are looking for a quiet beach with shallow beautiful waters and a thin sand beach, Spiaggia di Calamoni is a great option on the south of Favignana!

8. Grotta Perciata, one of the best beaches in Favignana for snorkelling

Grotta Perciata is a cove located on the south of the island. Because it is surrounded by cliffs and rocks, the water is extra clear and turquoise. If you love snorkelling, this is a great spot where you will see sea cucumbers, fish and jelly fish (stay away from those). 

There is no sandy beach here but you can lay on the rock formation if you’d like to stay for a bit. Most people just come here for the view or to snorkel though. We would recommend going to Cala Azzurra instead if you would like to lounge. 

9. Spiaggia Praia, for a dip after visiting Favignana town

Spiaggia Praia is a small beach located in Favignana town. More precisely, you’ll find this beach at the end of the fishing port of the town. This is more of a city sandy beach with a view on the port and the sea. The water is quite clear and it is perfect to get refreshed after a few hours exploring the town in the heat. 

We would recommend starting your day early to come visit the town and finishing up with a stop at this beach.

10. Bue Marino beach, to admire the view

Bue Marino beach is one of the most unique beaches on Favignana Island. The beach differentiates itself from other beaches by the unique rock formations and cliffs that surround it. The cliffs have been eroded by the water and the wind in a square shape and you can see the several layers of rock on top of each other.

The beach itself is quite small and the water here is usually quite rough. Most people come to admire the unique landscape and move on to a different beach to relax. We would recommend checking it out on your way to a quieter beach like Cala Rossa or Cala Azzurra. 

11. Cala Grande Beach, for lounging 

Cala Grande used to be private and managed by the local resort but it is not the case anymore. Although the “private” signs remain, the beach itself is public. The beach is sandy with some rocky parts allowing for both lounging and snorkeling. It is close to the village of Pozzo Ponente.

The beach is small and there are sun beds for rent as well. 

Beaches near Favignana

Although Favignana Island has some really nice beaches, you might want to adventure and explore the other two Egadi Islands: Levanzo Island and Marettimo Island. There are ferries everyday from Favignana to these two islands. To get there, you will need to reach Favignana town’s port where the ferries arrive. The transfer can be done by bike, bus or can also be arranged with your hotel in most cases. 

On Levanzo, you will mainly find rocky beaches. Cala Minnola, Cala Faraglione and Cala Cold Beach are among tourists and locals’ favourite beaches near Favignana. Here you can expect some stunning clear waters perfect for snorkelling. Expect that you won’t find any sand strand, the coves being mainly surrounded by rocks and cliffs. We would recommend bringing some swimming rubber shoes so you can get in the water easily without hurting your feet on the rocks or pebbles. 

Marettimo Island is the place to go if you are looking for more sandy beaches. Scalo Vecchio, and Scalo Nuovo are two of the sandy beaches and they are located near Marettimo port. They are small but the water is pristine and perfect for bathing.

Another sandy beach on Marettimo is Praia dei Nacchi. To reach this beach, you will need to take the path towards the cemetery. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the beach on foot from Marettimo village. Note that although 20 minutes seem like a short time, it can feel like an eternity in the burning sun. We recommend bringing enough water, food and to put sunscreen on!

If you are looking for a longer walk, the beach of Cretazzo is located about 2 hours walking from Marettimo village. From the port, you’ll need to take the path that leads to Punta Libeccio.

Of course, there are other gorgeous beaches on Marettimo but they are not as easily accesisble. For example, Cala Bianca is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island near Favignana but you will need to either trek or take a boat to the beach. 

Best time to visit Favignana beaches

The best time to visit Favignana beaches is when the Favignana weather is at its peak which is during summer. Anywhere between June and September is a great time to visit the island and the best beaches in Favignana.

During summer, temperatures average in the high twenties (celsius) and low to mid-thirties (celsius). During that period, Favignana is sunny and the days are long, making it the best time to send days at the beach taking in the sunshine!

How to get to Favignana

Favignana is located off the coast of Sicily. The island does not have an airport so the only way to get there is to take the ferry. First you will need to fly either into Palermo City airport which is located about two hours from the port or into Trapani airport. From Palermo airport, you can take the bus to either Trapani or Marsala. We would recommend flying into Trapani directly as it definitely shortens the journey. There are two lines of ferry to Favignana, one from Marsala and one from Trapani.

The ferry to Favignana takes between 30 minutes and 55 minutes depending on the company. A one way ticket costs anywhere between €50 and €80 per person. Ferries run about every 15 minutes during high season. 

Our recommendation: We recommend this private transfer from Palermo to Favignana via Trapani. This private transfer is about the same cost as the ferry cost only but you won’t have to lift a finger or try to navigate the public transportation system. 

How to get around Favignana beaches

Favignana Island is a small island which perimeter is 33km. There are several ways to get around Favignana. In principle, you can bring your car on the island and drive around. However, in the summer, the municipality puts limitations in place on the number of cars allowed on the island. For example, it may be possible for the municipality to limit cars to tourists who are staying at least seven days on the island. To check whether you can bring your car to the island, we recommend that you check the official website here. 

Other ways to get around the island include riding a bike, walking or taking the bus. You will usually be able to rent bicycles at your hotel or your host might have a couple of bikes at your disposition. There are also several Favignana bike rental places around the island. Renting a bike for the day costs usually less than €10. 

There are several resorts around the island and beaches are spread all around the island so wherever you stay on the coast, you should be able to walk to at least one beach. However, even though the island is small, you won’t be able to walk everywhere. Another option is taking the bus. There are a couple of bus lines that will take you to the main town and to the different beaches. From our experience, buses are overall reliable although they can be a bit off schedule. We would recommend checking the timetables directly on the island at the bus stops and asking your hotel or host for help if you are struggling.

Finally, you can also rent scooters or take a taxi although those are usually more expensive means of transportation. 

What to do on Favignana Island

From our experience, the main thing to do on little Favignana is lounging in the sun whether that be at the pool or at the beach. Visiting the most beautiful beaches Favignana has to offer has got to be the main activity on the island. You can spend hours at the beach, reading, tanning, lounging and of course, snorkelling. 

Besides spending time at the beach, Favignana town is a great place to go for the day. The town offers a small market once a week and features a nice fishing port. We would recommend heading there early in the day when temperatures are not as high and walking around the fishing port. There you’ll see lots of fresh fish and will get a bit of a peak into the locals’ life. A couple other things to do in the town include the Palazzo Florio and the Castle of San Giacomo. There is also one main beach in the town, called Spiaggia Praia.

We would recommend renting bicycles for a day and riding around the island to get out of your resort and explore more beaches and areas of the island as well. 

Favignana FAQ

Where is Favignana Island located?

Favignana Island is one of the Aegadian Islands (Egadi Islands) which are located in the Mediterranean Sea right off the coast of Sicily, another and bigger Italian Island. 

Is Favignana worth visiting?

Although it is a small island, Favignana is definitely worth visiting especially in spring or summer. The island is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea and is home to some of the best beaches and most clear waters in the area. It is a very popular destination for Sicilians and boats. As it remains quite under the radar, the island has kept its authenticity and doesn’t get as crowded as popular islands such as Santorini.

How long to spend on Favignana?

The island of Favignana isn’t very big and is essentially a summer destination. The town of Favignana is charming but also small and the main activity on the island farniente and going to the beach. For those reasons, we would recommend spending on average up to a week on the island. If you are looking to disconnect and take a broad from the world, you could spend up to two weeks on Favignana. If you’re not one to lay down and relax for hours and you enjoy more active vacations, you might want to visit Favignana Island for just a few days. 

Can you stay on Favignana?

Yes, you can stay on Favignana Island. There are numerous resorts, B&Bs and guesthouses on the island and near the best Favignana beaches. 

Do you need a car in Favignana?

No, you do not need a car on Favignana. Actually, as a tourist, you won’t be allowed to drive a car on Favignana. Favignana’s municipality limits the number of cars allowed on the island in the summer. Tourists on Favignana either bike, bus or walk around the island. The buses are overall reliable so this is a great option if you don’t want to walk or ride a bike. 

How many people live on Favignana?

About 3,000 people live on Favignana Island. 

Any questions about the best Favignana beaches? Then drop them in the comments or on insta and we will get back to you asap.