Those who prefer the sea as a destination for their holidays, summer or not, will certainly have thought at least once in life to the Egadi Islands: it is a beautiful archipelago located in western Sicily, a short distance from the cities of Trapani and Marsala. From here, you can board a boat to reach the islands in no time.
The Egadi archipelago is composed of three main islands, namely Levanzo, Marettimo and Favignana, and six other small islets; in addition, they also include the Stagnone Islands, which belong more precisely to the Protected Area of the Salines of Marsala.
Let’s find out more in detail!
Favignana
The largest, most known and visited island of the archipelago is undoubtedly Favignana, also called “the big butterfly” because of its particular shape. Since ancient times, the island has always been inhabited and has achieved fame thanks to the Florio family, who is responsible for the foundation of the famous Tonnara. The building, today, is open to visitors and consists of an extraordinary example of industrial archaeology.
Walking through Favignana you can also visit the Florio Palace, built in liberty style, get into the streets in trapanese style and sunbathe in Praia Beach. Obviously, this is not the only beach present: Favignana is a real paradise for all lovers of the sea! Just plow its clear and crystal clear waters to quickly reach Cala Rossa, Cala Azzurra, Lido Burrone, Bue Marino, Cala del Pozzo and Cala Rotonda, among the most beautiful coves of the entire Mediterranean Sea.
Levanzo
Proceeding north you reach Levanzo, the smallest of the islands but also the most romantic. Its village is simply picturesque, with small whitewashed houses that stand out towards a crystal clear sea.
By stopping at the marina you can admire a postcard view of the sea, while walking through the internal streets you can experience a typical island atmosphere. Sun, sea and tan are the protagonists of Cala Minnola, Cala Fredda and Cala Tramontana which, also in this case, can be reached by boat.
Marettimo
The last of the three largest islands is Marettimo, the wildest and hilliest, famous for its Pizzo Falcone which rises 686 meters above sea level. It is also the oldest island, since it was the first to break away from Sicily; not surprisingly, it has a unique ecosystem of its kind.Marettimo è famosa anche per le sue numerose grotte, anche sommerse, soprattutto la Grotta del Presepe, la Grotta del Cammello e la Grotta Ficaredda; qui è il luogo ideale per tutti coloro che amano il trekking e le immersioni. Lungo i vari sentieri è possibile ammirare antiche ville romane e siti archeologici di età preistorica, insieme a maestose fortezze di epoca araba e romana.
Foto : unsplash
Minor Islands
The Egadi Islands also include a series of small reefs and islets that, although they do not offer docking points, can still be admired during boat excursions from Trapani, Marsala, Marettimo, Favignana and Levanzo.
The nearest islet to the Sicilian coast is Formica, which houses the old tuna trap that today has been used as a recovery center for former addicts. Between Formica and Levanzo, then, is Maraone, a strip of land inhabited by different species of birds. In front of Favignana, finally, there are the islands of Galera, Preveto and Galeotta; in particular, Preveto offers a beach simply dream!
To conclude in beauty, do not forget the famous Faraglione, that is the island placed in front of Levanzo, precisely in front of the beautiful Cala Faraglione.
The Stagnone Islands
The tour of the Egadi Islands ends with the Stagnone Islands, immersed in the Marsala Lagoon, an area of great natural interest. Here you will find Isola Grande, Santa Maria, La Scuola and Mozia. These are newly formed islands, but they offer visitors a large number of attractions that it is really difficult to resist: Isola Grande, for example, separates the lagoon from the open sea, proving itself as a true oasis of peace and relaxation. Inside you can admire many native animals, including pink flamingos and king gnous, and sunbathe in the Beach of San Teodoro.
On the other hand, Mozia is famous for hosting an ancient Phoenician city founded in the 8th century BC, today among the most beautiful archaeological sites of all Sicily: here you can admire the tofet and visit the interesting Archaeological Museum Whithaker, which houses the famous marble statue of the young man found in 1979.
In short, the entire archipelago of the Egadi Islands is a small paradise on earth, all to be experienced and discovered during a holiday with friends or family. Between a dip and an excursion, you can stop at local bars, restaurants and taverns that offer freshly caught fish menus cooked on the spot, to be accompanied by the best local wines for an unforgettable experience.
Copertina: Unsplash
