Favignana & Levanzo, Italy

The Egadi Islands are the three small, mountainous, Mediterranean islands of Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo.  They are off the northwest coast of Sicily and make a great day trip from Trapani.

Favignana is the largest island with an area of 19.8 square kilometers (7.6 square miles).  The island is about 7 kilometers (4 miles) west of Trapani.  It takes about 40 minutes to get there by boat.

Favignana is known for its "butterfly" shape.  About 5,000 people live on the island. 

This was once home to the largest tuna factory in the Mediterranean.  The old tuna fishing plant is now a museum.


Monte Santa Caterina is the tallest hill (314 meters / 1,030 feet tall).  On top of it is an old Norman castle.

City Hall

There are two main squares.  Europa Square has city hall and Madrice Square is home to the Mother Church. 



The church, dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, was built in 1759.


 
Levanzo is the smallest of the three islands with a total area of only 5.82 square kilometers (2.25 square miles).  About 450 people live on the island which is 13 kilometers (8 miles) west of Trapani.


Although the smallest, it is the oldest of the islands.  There is evidence of Neolithic cave paintings on the island.

The port village consists mostly of fisherman's cottages.

The third island is Marettimo but we didn't visit this one.  It's 24 kilometers (15 miles) west of Trapani.  Maybe next time.